Committee Report 1924 – 5

Though the Supporters Club have not been as active as might have been desired by a few, there is the fact that if we have not done as we would have liked in helping the City F.C. during their anxious times we can claim that working has been done to handicap the directors in the running of the Club.

We have repeatedly received expression of approval and thanks from the directors of the City Club for the benefit received from the Supporters Club. The work of repairing and painting the turnstile books was carried out before the opening of the season and the whole of the expensed was paid by the Supporters Club. A good deal of work was done in the issuing of season tickets and considering that some 200 tickets were issued on the instalment plan the small amount last by defaultion is very moderate.

We cannot however take the fact that those who willingly dodge the payment for their season tickets cannot by any stitch of imagination go by the name of supporters for it is essential that the Bradford City F.C. Club should have all the financial help they can get if the Club is to regain its proper position in the front table would be the 1st division. Any step which will tend to reach this desired position will receive the whole level of support of our Club.

It was to be regretted that the social gathering promoting to meet the city players was so badly patronised in fact there were more players than supporters present. This was most discouraging to the Committee and owing to the heavy cost of these Smoking concerts it was deemed advisable to drop them for some time.

The Annual Trip to Sheffield was moderately patronised only one train round making the journey.

The trip to Barnsley was proven a great success and hearty congratulations were received on the organisation of the same. The 4,000 people being catered for without a hitch and the special saloon being well patronised. The Committee have met at frequent intervals and have been at all times prepared to tackle anything which would be of benefit for the Football Club. All the members of the Committee have turned up in full force. The Annual Xmas Fund was again successful in adding to the Club’s finances and we are in the position to be able to render further help in repairs to the entrance to the ground if desired. The offer of £1 shares of the Football Club for 10/- was not taken advantage of to the extent we should have liked in fact only two more have been taken up. There are still 66 shares to be allotted. If the Supporters Club is to carry on successfully, a keener interest will have to be shown by the members to encourage the Committee to promote events of general interest.

The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at Belle Vue Barracks. Friday March 3/25

Mr T Warner presided over a very small attendance

The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed and passed in the proposal of Mr Whitaker seconded by Mr Robson.

The Secretary’s report was adopted on the motion of Mr Smith seconded by Mr Cole.

The balance sheet and Treasurer’s report showing a balance in hand of over £100 was adopted on a resolution proposed by Mr Cole and seconded by Mr Swaine.

The election of officers was then taken and ?(84) as follows:- President A Ayrton, Vice Presidents Percy Blackburn and A Hey, Secretary T L Woodhouse, Treasurer V Womersley, Committee Messrs. Warner, Armitage, Smith, Whitaker, Cole, Robson, Weller, Swaine, Knowles, Moore, Nicholls, Powell.
Mr Weller proposed and Mr Powell seconded a vote of thanks to officials for work during the past season.

The thanks of the meeting were expressed to Mr Kitchingman for kindly auditing the books.

General Meeting held at the Club Offices Burlington Terrace
Friday July 9th 1926

Mr A Hey presides over a large attendance

The minutes of last general meeting were read and confirmed

Balance Sheet
Mr Hey proposed and Mr Whitaker seconded that the Balance Sheet as presented by the Treasurer Mr Hey be passed subject to audit. The various efforts to raise funds had been very successful and over £800 had been raised.

Secretary’s Report
The Secretary in his report said that the Supporters Club had undertaken a stupendous task in renovating and painting the ironwork and woodwork of the ground and recovering the stand, this work being of the value of over £1,000 to the City Club. The Xmas and Grand National efforts had proved a great success whilst the first football competition for workshops was also a success from many points. The Football Club had expressed their appreciation of the work and help they had recovered from the Supporters Club.

Election of Officers
President Mr A Hey
Vice Presidents P Blackburn and A Sim
Secretary T L Woodhouse and Secretary J Weller
Treasurer V Womersley
Committee T Warner, J Rowan, W Smith, W Robson, V Powell, F Knowles, W Moore, J Simpson, H Dinsdale, A E Whitaker, J Swaine, Mr Robinson
Auditor Mr Kitchingman

Committee Meeting held at Burlington Terrace on Friday July 23rd, 1926

Mr T Warner presided

New Committee Man
Mr Dindsdale rendered his resignation on the Committee owing to business reasons. Mr Womersley proposed and Mr Smith seconded that it be accepted, Mr Nicholls as next on the list was elected to the Committee proposed by Mr Womersley seconded by V Powell.

Sub-Committee
Mr Robinson proposed and Mr Simpson seconded that we have a Sub-Committee of give for Whist Drives and Dances. The following were elected Messrs. Simpson, Weller, Smith, Robinson and Rowan.

Ground Committee
A ground Sub-Committee consisting of Messrs. Knowles, Simpson and Powell, proposed by Mr Robinson seconded by Mr V Powell.

Finance and Emergency Committee
Mr Robinson proposed and Mr Powell seconded that Emergency and Finance Committee be the President, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer.

Smoking Concert
Mr Robinson proposed Mr Nicholl see that a Smoking Concert be held when Directors, Officials and Players be invited. Mr Womersley proposed Mr Knowles seconded that Smoking be held after practise match held on week night.

Concert
Mr Warner was appointed to arrange for pianist and singer. Mr Woodhouse and Weller were appointed to interview the Director re Ground Committee.

Committee Meeting held at Burlington Terrace on Tuesday August 3rd 1926

Mr Hey presided

Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed

Whist Drives and Dance
Proposed by Mr Simpson seconded by Mr Knowles that the date recommended by Sub-Committee October 6th (December 29th Carnival) January 26th (February 23rd Carnival) be confirmed to be held at Textile Hall Westgate.

Whist Drive
Left to Sub-Committee with full power to act

Ladies Committee
Proposed by Mr Weller seconded by Mr  that every effort should be made to form a ladies section and that power to given any Sub-Committee to co-opt any lady interested in their work.

General and Committee Meeting held at the Club Offices Burlington Terrace Friday Aug 27/26

Mr A Hey presided

A fairly good number attended and various subjects came up for discussion.

Mr Feitch (89)
Proposed by Mr Blackburn, seconded by Fearnley, that a letter of welcome be sent from the Supporters Club to me Feitch (89).

Room for Smokers
Proposed Mr Blackburn seconded Mr Robinson that it be left to Mr Hey to arrange for a room to hold a Smokers and that a personal invitation be given the directors, management, staff and players.

Entertainment
Confirmed previous minutes that Mr Warner engage pianist and humourist.

Advertise
Proposed by Mr Fearnley seconded by Mr Robson that we advertise the Smoker by bill , at the Oldham match.

Committee Meeting held at Club rooms Burlington Terrace Friday September 24th 1926

Mr T Warner presided

Minutes
Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed a discussion took place re merging general and Committee meetings into one, and the Committee considered it very unbusiness like.

Players Fund
A suggestion was made at the last Whist Drive that the Supporters Club should form a Players Fund, all money to be devoted to the purchase of a player or players, after talking the matter over at length Mr Robson proposed Mr Nicholl see, that we should proceed with same, and that anything from a ? (90)upwards should be accepted.

Band
Proposed by Mr Simpson seconded Mr Smith that the Bands request for the use of Supporters Club office be refused, carried without dissent.

Punch
The action of the purchase of a punch for use at social functions was confirmed.

Committee Meeting held at Club rooms Burlington Terrace Friday Oct 8/26

Mr A Hey resided

Minutes of Public Meeting
Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.
Proposed Mr Simpson seconded Mr Knowles that Mr Gadie be asked to preside at public meeting to be held at Co-op Café on Friday October 22/26
Amendment, proposed Warner seconded Mr  that Mr Hey preside, (carried)

Christmas Cheer
Proposed Mr Warner see that Christmas cheer be proceeded with, prizes as last year, (carried)

Workshop
Proposed Mr Warner seconded Mr Whitaker that workshop football competition be held as usual (carried)

Trophy
Mr Hey offered to find a trophy for same.
Proposed Mr Robson seconded everybody that best thanks of Committee be given Mr Hey for his offer (carried).

Wedding Present
Proposed Mr Simpson seconded Mr Knowles that a wedding present be given Mr Shirlaw on the occasion of his wedding subject to consent of F.A.

Committee Meeting held at Club Rooms Burlington Friday Nov 5/26

Mr A Sim presided

Minutes
Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed

Whist Drive and Dance
A report of Whist Drive and Dance held at the Textile Hall on Wednesday Oct 6/26, showing that this event was more profitable than ordinary Whist Drives.

Organiser
Proposed Mr Hey seconded Mr Warner that J Weller should act as organiser for the City Supporters Club, for propaganda work and that liberty to a point be given him in this work.

Sub-Committee
Proposed Mr Blackburn seconded Mr Warner that Sub-Committee member not called upon to pay entrance fee to any event and that Sub-Committee be allowed to call on any Committee man for assistance on same conditions.

Towns Meeting
The discussion of a towns meeting was differed to next meeting.

Committee Meeting held at Club Rooms Burlington Terrace Friday Nov 12/26

Mr Hey presided

Minutes
Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed

Whist Drive Report
A report of Whist Drive held at Co-op Café Nov 10/26 considered satisfactory.

Town’s Meeting
After discussion it was considered to be impossible to hold, same, owing to the fact that the two town’s Clubs would have to be both considered.

Sub-Committee
Proposed Mr Simpson, seconded Mr Warner that a Sub-Committee be appointed to approach the Directors of the Club to discuss and arrange the Bazaar, Mr Hey.
Mr Woodhouse and J Weller being appointed.

Collection
The proposal from supporters general meeting that a collection nbe taken at the Reading match Nov 20/26 also at Manchester City Dec 18/26 was confirmed.