Please find below the official answers that supporters have raised through the Trust over the past couple of months and that were given at last weeks BRIS Trust Public Meeting. Thank you for raising these concerns and do not hesitate to raise further concerns that you may have and we will raise these with the Club.

1. Why did the Club publicly state that that we would be playing in Bristol and then chose a temporary location outside of Bristol?

2. What has changed to bring us to this position?

What has changed since last year when:

a) the Board assured us we would be playing in Bristol during the redevelopment.

b) In April 2007 DW answered questions at the same meeting where he claimed to be dealing with an organisation used to dealing with temporary grounds and that neither cost nor Planning permission would be an issue, why were these statements made?

c) How are the Club planning to liaise more effectively with the supporters groups to ensure that supporter views/concerns are acted upon at an earlier stage than has been the case to date?

3. How long will we be required to play at the alternative venue and what is the break even point in terms of average attendance required during that period?

4. What compensation will the Club receive from the MSC during the development period?

5. What plans have the club got to get us back to Bristol ahead of the Mem being completed? How can the supporters help by (Maybe) lobbying the city council to make this happen?

6. Please list the alternative venues that have been approached in the last 18 months and advise why they were rejected.

7. Have the club made plans for Nat Div 1 or GP over the next 2 years? If the Club are planning to stay in the GP then what calibre of recruitment is planned over the next 24 months?

8. What attendances have been budgeted for the next 24 months?

9. What analysis has the Club conducted to understand the likely gate size at each of the temporary venues and what were the results?

a) The survey on the unofficial site about playing in Newport (should Bristol play in Newport) shows:

Yes 5.80%

No 22.46%

I'd go to some games but not all 16.67%

Only if the club provides free transport 4.35%

I would go to some games but would not renew my season ticket 46.38%

Don't care where we play 4.35%

10. Are the Board considering investing in purchasing land which in the long term could prove to be an asset where Bristol might one day have their own ground?

11. Do the Directors of Bristol Rugby consider owning their own ground important to the future of the club and as such be investing time and effort in future to make that possible, or does the board feel that the current situation of being tenants is not desirable but an acceptable situation?

12. Will the club be in any way funding the new stadium development and will they have any direct control in the future over these facilities?

13. In the past the board have commendably stated the clubs five year objectives and up to this year have exceeded those objectives. In light of recent announcements will the board be re-stating its objectives for the next five years?

14. Can the Club explain their policy regarding the allocation of seats for season ticket holders when home games are played at Ashton Gate?

a) I am season ticket holder but have only been able to attend two of the three ‘home’ games at Ashton Gate, and each time, I have been allocated a poor seat. The first was the first row of the Dolman Stand, at pitch level, when there were so many people walking along the path at the edge of the pitch that my view of the game was severely restricted. After that game, I complained to the Club, but it made no difference at all as my seat at the second game I attended was right at the end of the Dolman Stand when I was in line with the try line.

15. What arrangements for supporter travel has the Club looked into i.e. rail/bus etc?

16. What days are the Club predominantly planning on playing their games?

17. How are the Club planning to incentive long standing supporters to remain loyal throughout this period?

18. Will the Club be continuing with "family tickets" next season as in previous years? My family of 4 have bought family tickets for several years now and will not be able to afford four individually priced tickets. How many games at are the Club planning to play at Ashton Gate?

19. Could the board offer free coach travel to and from Newport as part of a season ticket package?

20. What incentives could there be in place to make this as cheap and as viable as possible for those who have hectic enough weekends with families, especially with families who aren't interested in rugby, as it is to still come and support the club. More regular trains, free coaches to and from Bristol?

21. Is a cash back arrangement for season ticket holders possible if going to Newport means missing more games?

22. What arrangements will there be for existing groups sitting together now to stay together?

23. Have the Club considered the impact on travelling home support to home games i.e. some fans live a long way away, the loss of occasional fans

24. Can some games be played on Saturdays?

25. How can I be certain that in the new Mem that we will be allocated seats of a similar standard and position to our present ones rather than just allocated a random seat? I cannot see the club will loose out if they do this and it may encourage more people to renew - I would like to maintain both the view and the people I sit near. Is this possible?

26. What is going to happen to the Memorial Gates, while building work is in process and what is going to happen to all the rugby memorabilia?

27. What was the rationale behind the dismissal of Ben Sturnham just when the Academy is starting to produce players capable of performing in the Premiership?

28. When can we have our true and only colours back on our home shirt's of BLUE & WHITE HOOP'S?

29. Why did Bass cease to be sponsors and do the club have a replacement sponsor?

30. Why is the Club giving out "bad news" in respect of attendances at "only 8,500", which is nearly 80% capacity! What do the club expect as a good attendance for a club near the bottom of the GP? Shouldn't a competent marketing dept give out "good news" that the stadium is operating at 80% capacity, which would encourage the casual supporter and corporate clients instead of bemoaning the "missing 1,000" odd supporters for not turning up this season? Why the bad news, what is the point, what has this achieved?

o

At the meeting the Club handed out an official Q&A leaflet that contained the following responses:

We're severely restricted in our current home - not enough seats, not enough food and drink outlets and the stadium won't be big enough to meet future minimum standards criteria.

Surveys revealed that we rate poorly in several key areas with regard to the stadium and the match day experience as a whole.

We hope to sign a 35 year lease to play at an 18,500 capacity stadium.

It will be comfortable, clean and modern with top quality food and drink and a wide range of match day experiences from a pasty and a pint to a three course lunch.

It will by far exceed the minimum standards criteria.

The new stadium will take approximately 18 months to redevelop. If it were done in stages, the process would take a lot longer. So, Bristol Rovers and ourselves will have to play our home fixtures elsewhere during the work.

We explored a wide range of locations which were thoroughly researched but rejected for a variety of reasons.

We considered developing Clifton RFC, Ashton Gate, the County Cricket Ground and the BAWA Complex plus the possibility of building a temporary stadium at the WISE Complex in Filton.

We also looked at Kingsholm, Swindon Town Football Club, Sandy Park in Exeter and the Recreation Ground in Bath.

Some were deemed as simply too far to travel and some were simply unavailable.

Bristol City are only prepared to stage a few rugby matches a season and we need to create a permanent home while we're away from the Memorial Stadium.

A pitch plus temporary stands could not be installed at the County Ground at Nevil Road without damaging their square. The two seasons would also overlap slightly meaning that we would potentially have to move to another location for several matches.

Temporary developments were explored but issues with parking, planning and road schemes prevented these from being progressed.

From a rugby standpoint, Richard Hill was reluctant to play at another Guinness Premiership venue as it would be a familiar location for all the other Premiership clubs so we would have little home advantage.

Firstly, Newport were willing to have us and offered us a very good deal. They're working hard to make us welcome.

It's a traditional rugby venue that is reachable from Bristol, one that is relatively unfamiliar to most Premiership clubs. It's a venue that we can make our temporary 'fortress'.

We anticipate playing our home fixtures at Rodney Parade for the 2008-9 and 200910 seasons.

As above, potentially the 2008-9 and 2009-10 seasons.

We're still waiting for confirmation from Bristol Rovers but anticipate this being within the next few months.

Sundays.

Possibly one. We have staged several ad hoc fixtures at Ashton Gate in seasons gone by. Our relationship with Bristol City is good and we are in frequent contact with them.

All packages are listed on the club's website. As a base rationale we have reduced all prices across the board to take into account the move to Newport.

Yes. We have reduced prices by £5 per adult ticket per match.

We are currently investigating various options to assist supporters travelling to Newport.

We are, as mentioned above, reducing ticket prices to help with the cost of travelling to Newport.

Not dissimilar. Rodney Parade has a capacity of 10,000 with 3,000 covered seats, 16 corporate boxes, hospitality space for approximately 300 people and public bar facilities.

You will be allocated the best available seat.

It goes without saying that the time we spend playing at Rodney Parade will place a financial burden on the club.

In order to generate working capital to help us through that period, we have created what we think are two great offers.

The first is a 20 year season ticket package for individuals and the second is a corporate equivalent.

You will get, in return for your investment, a 'prime' seat (within the 22s) at Rodney Parade initially but then at the redeveloped Memorial Stadium when we return. £2,500 for 20 seasons of rugby.

The corporate equivalent also costs £2,500 +VAT and is held in a company name so can be used by any number of people within that organisation although obviously only one person per game!

Yes. Payment needs to be received by May 30th 2008.

The questions that have been raised with the Clubs Board and that will be answered at the Public Meeting this evening are detailed below:

1. Why did the Club publicly state that that we would be playing in Bristol and then chose a temporary location outside of Bristol?

2. What has changed to bring us to this position?

What has changed since last year when:

a) the Board assured us we would be playing in Bristol during the redevelopment.

b) In April 2007 DW answered questions at the same meeting where he claimed to be dealing with an organisation used to dealing with temporary grounds and that neither cost nor Planning permission would be an issue, why were these statements made?

c) How are the Club planning to liaise more effectively with the supporters groups to ensure that supporter views/concerns are acted upon at an earlier stage than has been the case to date?

3. How long will we be required to play at the alternative venue and what is the break even point in terms of average attendance required during that period?

4. What compensation will the Club receive from the MSC during the development period?

5. What plans have the club got to get us back to Bristol ahead of the Mem being completed? How can the supporters help by (Maybe) lobbying the city council to make this happen?

6. Please list the alternative venues that have been approached in the last 18 months and advise why they were rejected.

7. Have the club made plans for Nat Div 1 or GP over the next 2 years? If the Club are planning to stay in the GP then what calibre of recruitment is planned over the next 24 months?

8. What attendances have been budgeted for the next 24 months?

9. What analysis has the Club conducted to understand the likely gate size at each of the temporary venues and what were the results?

a) The survey on the unofficial site about playing in Newport (should Bristol play in Newport) shows:

Yes 5.80%

No 22.46%

I'd go to some games but not all 16.67%

Only if the club provides free transport 4.35%

I would go to some games but would not renew my season ticket 46.38%

Don't care where we play 4.35%

10. Are the Board considering investing in purchasing land which in the long term could prove to be an asset where Bristol might one day have their own ground?

11. Do the Directors of Bristol Rugby consider owning their own ground important to the future of the club and as such be investing time and effort in future to make that possible, or does the board feel that the current situation of being tenants is not desirable but an acceptable situation?

12. Will the club be in any way funding the new stadium development and will they have any direct control in the future over these facilities?

13. In the past the board have commendably stated the clubs five year objectives and up to this year have exceeded those objectives. In light of recent announcements will the board be re-stating its objectives for the next five years?

14. Can the Club explain their policy regarding the allocation of seats for season ticket holders when home games are played at Ashton Gate?

a) I am season ticket holder but have only been able to attend two of the three ‘home’ games at Ashton Gate, and each time, I have been allocated a poor seat. The first was the first row of the Dolman Stand, at pitch level, when there were so many people walking along the path at the edge of the pitch that my view of the game was severely restricted. After that game, I complained to the Club, but it made no difference at all as my seat at the second game I attended was right at the end of the Dolman Stand when I was in line with the try line.

15. What arrangements for supporter travel has the Club looked into i.e. rail/bus etc?

16. What days are the Club predominantly planning on playing their games?

17. How are the Club planning to incentive long standing supporters to remain loyal throughout this period?

18. Will the Club be continuing with "family tickets" next season as in previous years? My family of 4 have bought family tickets for several years now and will not be able to afford four individually priced tickets. How many games at are the Club planning to play at Ashton Gate?

19. Could the board offer free coach travel to and from Newport as part of a season ticket package?

20. What incentives could there be in place to make this as cheap and as viable as possible for those who have hectic enough weekends with families, especially with families who aren't interested in rugby, as it is to still come and support the club. More regular trains, free coaches to and from Bristol?

21. Is a cash back arrangement for season ticket holders possible if going to Newport means missing more games?

22. What arrangements will there be for existing groups sitting together now to stay together?

23. Have the Club considered the impact on travelling home support to home games i.e. some fans live a long way away, the loss of occasional fans

24. Can some games be played on Saturdays?

25. How can I be certain that in the new Mem that we will be allocated seats of a similar standard and position to our present ones rather than just allocated a random seat? I cannot see the club will loose out if they do this and it may encourage more people to renew - I would like to maintain both the view and the people I sit near. Is this possible?

26. What is going to happen to the Memorial Gates, while building work is in process and what is going to happen to all the rugby memorabilia?

27. What was the rationale behind the dismissal of Ben Sturnham just when the Academy is starting to produce players capable of performing in the Premiership?

28. When can we have our true and only colours back on our home shirt's of BLUE & WHITE HOOP'S?

29. Why did Bass cease to be sponsors and do the club have a replacement sponsor?

30. Why is the Club giving out "bad news" in respect of attendances at "only 8,500", which is nearly 80% capacity! What do the club expect as a good attendance for a club near the bottom of the GP? Shouldn't a competent marketing dept give out "good news" that the stadium is operating at 80% capacity, which would encourage the casual supporter and corporate clients instead of bemoaning the "missing 1,000" odd supporters for not turning up this season? Why the bad news, what is the point, what has this achieved?

Dear Trust Member,

Due to circumstances outside of the Clubs control we have had to change the date of the public meeting at the Mem from 29th April to Thursday 1st May.

This is to allow the necessary agreements to be in place so that the Club can disclose all of their plans as they have committed to.

The meeting will commence at 7.30pm as previously scheduled. We will let you know tomorrow if the tour of the Memorial Stadium Facilities scheduled for a 6.30pm start has been successfully rescheduled to 1st May as well.

We will be communicating this message through the Bristol Evening Post and BBC Radio Bristol but please let people know who are planning to attend to avoid any possible inconvenience.

Apologies,

Dear Bristol Rugby Supporter,

The BRIS Trust and Bristol Rugby Supporters Club had a very productive meeting with David White (CEO), Rob Clilverd (Director) and Richard Hill (Head Coach) where we were fully briefed about the Clubs short, medium and long term plans.

We represented all of your questions and concerns and believe that the Club is acting in the best interests of the long term future of Bristol Rugby and have made provision to minimise the disruption to supporters during the temporary move in the measures that they have planned.

Looking forward we believe that Bristol Rugby has a clear and exciting direction and the Club have asked both the Trust and Supporters Club to remain in regular contact to represent your views.

We can assure you that the Club are actively listening to your comments. Over the next couple of weeks they will be finalising negotiations and the Club have committed to announce the information about the temporary venue and the future of the Club at the redeveloped Memorial Stadium at the BRIS Trust meeting in the Bristol Room at the Memorial Stadium at 7.30pm on 29th April 2008.

In the meantime the Club have asked for your patience whilst final negotiations take place.

Please note that the meeting on 29th April is open to all supporters and entrance is free.

- ENDS -

A very good second half performance at Leeds secured our first away win for more than 12 months, with a 4 try bonus point! Before today’s game we will have also had a second and even longer trip up North, to play the Newcastle Falcons. Another 4 or 5 point win, we hope.

I have recently had a very productive meeting with David White, Chief Executive. The Trust has a long-standing agreement with the Board of Bristol Rugby to meet with David on a quarterly basis to report on and discuss areas of mutual interest.

I updated David on our work this year and funding of £6K and £5K respectively.

David re-stated that the Board is fully aware of supporter’s concerns and anxiety on the issue. He reiterated that it remains the intention of the Club to play in Bristol during the proposed re-development of the Memorial Ground. News will be announced to supporters as soon as the Board has it.

David is very keen to develop ways to do this and obtain the views of the 16th Man and Woman. I was delighted to offer the support and co-operation of the Trust in this area.

The club expect to announce several new signings in the near future, following the recruitment of Adrian Jarvis who will almost certainly play a part for the Harlequins today.

The Club is fully supportive of the Trust leading this project again in 2008/9. For the ladies out there, and not forgetting Frenchy, unfortunately we can not include naked shots of the players a la Stade! Please see me in the Bristol Room after any game if you have ideas or would like to help or discuss sponsorship.

We discussed a presence at this year’s event as a vehicle for marketing the Club with our preferred charity PROPS. David will be taking this one back to his Business Planning Session.

David agreed that the Trust can have access to the Fullback Bar on match days to promote our work with Schools and Youth rugby and engage the Club’s sponsors and business partners directly in some of our projects. We will also produce Trust Newsletters on match days to promote the Trust to non-members and individuals who do not buy the programme.

Andrew Humphreys

This will be the fourth annual game between the supporters of Bristol and Bath in honour of Tim Morris. Tim was a supporter of both clubs, a lover of rugby, who sadly left our fraternity prematurely and unexpectedly.

The game is in aid of Tim’s favourite charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, an International medical and humanitarian aid organisation. There will be a bucket collection during the last Bath home game and the Moz match itself which follows it. Details of how to donate to the charity fund will be publicised. Get over and support the event if you can. Entry to the Rec for the Moz match will be free of course.

Geoff Moon will be helping the squad with it’s preparations for the fixture with training sessions during April. If you would like to play or volunteer to help on the day look out for information on the supporter message boards or drop your contact details into the Trust / Supporters Club table after the game. Listen out for announcements by Richard Pitt also.

Dave Martin has recently resumed his duties as Treasurer of the BSRU following Triple Heart By-Pass surgery in December. Welcome back Dave with all our best wishes!

The BSRU 7’s took place at QEH Failand with the Under 12 and Under 13’s playing on 18 March, the Under 14 and Under 15’s on 19 March and the Under 16 and Under 18’s playing on 20 March. We will publicise the results in the next programme.

This is your chance to ask the Board about the Club and its plans and objectives directly. Look out for details of how to raise your questions ahead of the meeting. Information will be available on the Trust website also.

Visit the team rooms for perhaps the last time at the old stadium! The tour will be led by Corin Palmer and Chalky Meek, who will give you an insight into the pre- and post match routines that the squad have. To get final details on this please look for updates in the Sale programme and on the Trust website www.brist.org.uk. We will need to know how many will be attending.

Trust Membership is available at £20 for adults. Senior Citizens can join the Trust at the new price of £10. So if you haven’t already joined then please do so by visiting us at our website www.brist.org.uk or seeing us in the Bristol Room after every game.

Help us to support rugby in Bristol, generate funds for Trust projects, be the independent voice and develop the partnership with Bristol Rugby Club.

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