Motion No 1

It is hereby resolved that subject to the provisions of section 4A of the 2014 Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies Act, the members of the Society shall not require an audit for the accounts covering the current financial year ending on the 31st of July 2024 when they presented to the next AGM held on the 13th of March 2025.

The members of the Society agree that the Accounts for the financial year ending on the 31st of July 2025 and for which reports will be laid before the following AGM do not require a full audit provided that:

• An Independent Examination of those accounts is carried out in place of the full audit.
• The independent Examination is carried out in line with the best practice of the FSA asset in the guidance notes.
• A report from the Independent Examiner is included within the accounts and circulated to members.

The Society notes that:

• The Independent Examination does not carry the same weight as a full audit.
• The members of the society instruct the Board to identity a suitably qualified practitioner to undertake the review and shall agree the terms of that appointment in writing.

Proposed by:- BWFCST Board
Seconded :- Peter Holden

Motion No 2

Amendment to Rule 59 of the current Model Rules For A Supporters Community Mutual (2014 Version) to extend the period for elected Directors to serve on the Board from 2 to 3 years. This is proposed primarily to:-

1. Allow new Directors sufficient time to acclimatise to their duties before potentially stepping down from the Board of Directors.
2. To give sufficient time for a rotation every two years of the three Officer roles of the Board of Directors (Chair, Treasurer and Secretary)

Proposed by:- BWFCST Board
Seconded :- Peter Holden

Motion No 3

To update the Model Rules from the currently adopted Supporters Community Mutual (2014 Version) to the FSA 2022 Version and future update issued by the FSA.

This will allow the Trust to operate under Model Rules which reflect the most up to date regulations, including the use of digital communications, meetings etc.

Proposed by:- BWFCST Board
Seconded :- Vernon Nutall

Motion No 4

Having secured funding from The Trafford Centre, together with the revenue from the sale of event tickets, the Trust continue to sponsor the Supporter of the Season Award, and, from time to time a special Life Time Achievement Award.

Proposed by:- BWFCST Board
Seconded :- Mike Gethin

Motion No 5

Following on from the departure of Neil Hart who had presided over the selection of the Supporter of the Season Award I propose the following protocol is adopted.

The Nominations are collected, as in previous years, by the Trust. A Selection Committee made up of Phil Mason (acting CEO), Danny Scott (Supporters’ Liaison Officer), a Trust Board Member and a Supporters’ Trust Member. Members’ of the Trust to be invited to put themselves forward and a chosen by a secret draw. If the Selection Committee do not arrive at decision by simple majority the non-Board Member will have the casting vote.

Proposed by:- Alan Houghton
Seconded :- Harold Houghton

Motion No 6

FYI The club are currently involved with a company called Charity Stars who seem to operate from Milan, Italy and a mail box in Chelsea, UK.

They run auctions of match worn memorabilia and then donate a portion to charity . In this case, BWiTC. Currently this is advertised as 5%. On top of the purchase price, buyers are required to pay a processing fee.

Motion No 6 Part 1

The BWFC Supporters Trust feel the Club’s association with Charity Stars paints BWFC in poor light due to the minimal charity donations made.

Motion 6 Part 2

Furthermore, we ask the Club terminate the partnership and look at alternative ways to make charity donations from player worn merchandise.

Proposed by:- Simon Nightingale
Seconded :- Shane Stopforth

Board comments on motion 6

The Trust Board approached the Club for their comment on the arrangement with Charity Stars.

The Club are satisfied their contract with Charity Stars is competitive with in what is available. Furthermore, Bolton Wanderers  in The Community are also satisfied that the funding generated by the current agreement is  beneficial to them.

The Club will as a matter of course review their best options at the renewal of the agreement with Charity Stars.

Motion No 7

I would like to propose a motion for the AGM that the Over 75 Category applied to Season Ticket pricing be re-instated.

I am aware of the reasoning behind it to ‘bring us in line with other clubs’. However, I would respectfully like to point out the following;

I would have thought that what other clubs do should not affect the forward thinking of BWFC.

Also, removing the over 75 category is a Major disadvantage to the most vulnerable group of supporters, especially as age brings more infirmity on top of, in my case, severe disabilities and, we have had to try and survive a great deal longer on ever decreasing value of Pensions.

Therefore, as successive government policy has always been, always penalise those who can least afford to lose it.

Apologies if this seems cynical but I am afraid the ones who will lose out are those who can least afford it from any point of view.

Proposed by:- Dr Peter Green
Seconded :- Daniel John Bond

Board comments on  motion 7

The Trust Board do not dictate the ticketing policy of the Club but have approached them on behalf of the  member for their reasoning for no longer offering an Over 75 Ticket:-

Their research  found no other club offer a season ticket price class beyond that of over 65 that doesn’t offer that same price class for match-by-match tickets. It was/is their intention  to mirror their season ticket price classes with their match-by-match price classes moving forwards, as those in the over 75 category were saving much more against those who pay for over 65 match tickets.

The Club appreciate the price hike in year one does seem a lot compared to other price classes for the 2025/26 season. However, those over 65’s renewing for the 2025/26 season will pay no more than £9.09 if they purchase during the Early Bird window. The Club believe we are still offering unbelievable value to all our over 65s when purchasing a season ticket.

The Trust Board agree with the Club the Early Bird Ticket pricing does offer great value for money and is very competitive to others in League 1. The Trusts prime objective is the long term stability of the Club and the need for a sustainable income, whilst as fans want to attract the better, more expensive, players.

Motion No 8

The co-opted members of the board should serve a period not exceeding 2 years without a break of at least 1 year. In the event Motion No 2 being passed, this will allow the now extended term board-members the opportunity to have a greater say in the direction of the trust without the ‘pressure’ of long standing board members’ continuing presence at meetings.

(Proviso- Current co-opted members to be allowed one more year co-opted IF no new board members are appointed this year)

Proposed by:- Simon Nightingale
Seconded :- Zac Owens

Board comments on motion 8

Whilst Acknowledging the Trust Board has included valuable co-opted members in the past there  are no Co-opted Directors sitting on the Board now . The rules do make provision for Co-opted Directors being invited onto the Board, either when they bring a skill or the number of elected Directors fall below  the level necessary to make up a quorum. The Board are in broad agreement with the motion, however, the suggestion the individuals carry undue influence is refuted by the Board who  would take this opportunity to assure members no undue pressure is brought to bear by anyone or group. The Board operates to the rules and guidance set out by the FSA Model Rules and Co-operative Society Act 2014.