BANTAMS SUPPORTERS TRUST

As the season draws to a close and the euphoria of cementing our place in the play-offs has subsided, our thoughts return to the events of 41 years ago. Myself, Helen and Manny were invited to the town hall before the memorial service as representatives of the Supporters Trust. This gave us the opportunity to meet up with the representatives from the Lincoln City delegation – Biff Bean, who is the lead on the Community Trust and Gavin Gordon, representing the Lincoln City Former Players’ Association. After congratulating them on a phenomenal season and discussing their club's plans to increase the capacity of Sincil Bank for next season, during these conversations it was interesting to hear how much fan involvement happens at Lincoln. Also how the club itself actively supports and encourages outside groups, such as the former Lincoln City Players Association. These have a team and still play charity matches. I personally think our beloved City could take a leaf out of Lincoln's book in this regard, because as a club we are certainly lacking in this department. As was blatantly obvious to me and Helen when we talked to Gregg Abbott he was the only ex-player in the room. We would’ve liked to have seen more! Eventually we got round to talking about the Lincoln fans' experiences of that day 41 years ago. Everyone has their own personal recollections of that day. But to hear it from the perspective of the away team hit home pretty hard with me. On returning to the bus they had travelled up on and doing a head count, they realised two of their number were missing. After remembering they had got tickets for the stand, all they could do was wait. After an absolute age the group realised their fellow fans weren't returning, so they enquired which hospitals the injured were taken to. They then spent hours driving round the hospitals to find out information. Eventually the decision was made to return home. I personally can't imagine being put in that position, not knowing whether your mates had been injured or died. Then having to leave them behind. The service itself was as emotional as always. It always brings tears to my eyes, especially when the families go forward to lay their wreaths and floral tributes. We went forward and laid a wreath on behalf of the trust. Special thanks to John at Blossoms Florist for designing and putting together our wreath. Which incidentally will always have red and white flowers intermingled with the claret and amber. This is to represent the two Lincoln City fans that lost their lives that day. After the ceremony we raised a glass to the 54 City fans and the 2 Lincoln fans who never came home. These are two cities whose fans have become bonded by tragedy. Even though we have both been in different divisions for a long time, the respect and friendship between our two clubs is stronger than ever. We will always remember the 56 souls who never came home. And as the song goes: "They will never walk alone." Tony Deacon

Over the course of the 25/26 season we ran an extensive fans’ survey to encourage supporters to tell us your views on a wide range of topics. Over 70 supporters shared their views, highlighting strong season ticket uptake and generally positive matchday atmosphere. Fans support improvements such as safe standing and better engagement. Key concerns include catering quality, service speed, and stadium facilities. Supporters also called for fair ticket pricing, improved communication, and greater recognition of the club’s history. The last time we did something like this was during the 22/23 season. Our intention is to feed this back to the Club to help form Club thinking on supporters’ views. Members and non-members of the Trust Given that this is a Supporters Trust survey, over half were not members – 56% but a significant number were indeed our members’. Age, gender, background and where you live Out of all that took part, the vast majority ranged from mid 30’s through to over 65, and indeed those over 65 was the majority with 45 to 55 being the second highest number, and 55 to 64 came just before that. Only a small number of younger people found interest. Surprisingly the numbers of 18 to 24 year olds were larger than those of the slightly older category of 25-34. The vast majority of participants were white and male and most of you also live in the Bradford / West Yorkshire area. Disability Over 13% of you said they have a form of disability. Season tickets for 24/25 Nearly 83% of you said that you were season ticket holders for the 2025/26. Season 24/25 match-going, match day tickets This section of the survey had a lower number participation. It reflects the lower number generally that buy individual match tickets compared to the greater numbers that have season tickets, and cup runs have been low. But also it is about the 24/25 season. So here are some standouts: When asked about how many home matches you attended, most said they had only been to between 1 and 5, over 54%. Between 11 and 15 got none and between 16 to all matches received shared over 15%%. It shows that almost all taking part we not season ticket holders. When asked about how you buy match day tickets, nearly all of you said online, in advance and a couple of you said you get them at the ticket office. When asked about using the Club app to buy tickets, most of you didn’t use it (less than 50%), and out of those who did use it, the ratings showed a mixed picture. Very good and good outweighed the adequate and poor, but not massively. It shows there may still be issues about buying tickets online and using the app. Where do you sit at Valley Parade? This got more participants back. Most of you said the main stand. The lower tier of the Kop got the next favoured area, then upper tier, then Midland Rd and then the NW Corner. The atmosphere at Valley Parade Most of you rated it as very good (well over 50%) and a little over 40% rated it as ‘good’. Flags, an improvement to the atmosphere The overwhelming answer to that question was yes – Yes definitely and yes somewhat were the most chosen answers from you. Safe standing to improve atmosphere Asked whether you would like to see safe standing to improve the atmosphere most of you said yes. And remember, overall this is an older audience filling in this survey. There is a realisation that standing is popular especially among young people. Those of you that would have it as a choice is almost 70%. Ideas to improve the matchday atmosphere / experience Many chose to write about their thoughts and ideas about the whole matchday experiences. 23 commented and all were valuable, matching some of the issues we have already raised with the Club this season. Issues around needing to move together those who insist on standing, or make sure the stewards can get them to sit down, as it spoils the game for those behind them, is a common thought among today’s set of fans. Comments also about moving the atmosphere section around and it displacing many fans from the most recent move to B block is still an emotive issue as well Flags and banners, scarves in other parts of the ground was raised as a suggestion too. On the issue of flags, a concern was expressed about nationalist flags being divisive. Improving toilet facilities, especially for women is a common concern reflected in these survey comments, also too is the complaint about the LED advertising hoardings being too bright at night matches. Wi-Fi, the re-introduction of the programme, queues for food and drink, again are common issues raised. Fans also want improvements in the fanzone, improvements in half-time entertainment, and the PA system. Fans want to be asked by the Club for ideas about ways to improve these things. Interestingly one comment was about having a noticeable disconnect about our on-field player history reflected within the ground. Suggestions to remedy this were murals, or potentially naming a stand after a player or having a statue. There are many other comments /ideas. You can see them here . Away matches during the 24/25 season A vast majority filled this section in, and a significant minority told us that you didn’t go to any (25%), and perhaps don’t generally. There was no question why but a likely reasons is the changing nature of the dynamic amongst away supporters in recent years which is poor behavior of a significant minority putting people off from going. The top offence is standing in seated areas blocking the sightlines of others. Another factor is of course that it is only a small proportion of the fan-base that can go to away matches at any one time and that’s why demand is high for tickets particularly in successful seasons, another reason for choosing to participate in this section. Between one and five was the highest figure (36.11%), and then nearly all/all was the third highest figure (nearly 17%). Many of our regulars get on travel fan group coaches as well as trains and there is a high cost associated with getting to away matches, but that doesn’t deter what is considered a popular activity, better than attending home matches. A Bantams family day out on the beer! Your experience purchasing away tickets in advance online with your loyalty points Slightly less filled this in but the numbers that where able to purchase as many tickets as they wished and those that didn’t have enough loyalty points for the matches they wanted to go to polled the highest, although those that where able to buy just edged it. Next highest were those that didn’t attend any away matches / buy tickets for them. Away matches that you didn’t attend but watched on Sky / iFollow Most of you, 54%, watched some of them, and a much smaller percentage (over 22%) watch on TV. A slightly smaller section of you said none at all. The smallest section never missed attending away games Season tickets for 25/26 Most of you bought / renewed your season ticket during the ‘Early Bird’ period. And most of you bought online with only a few of you going to the ticket office to renew. A surprising number of you paid in full whilst a much smaller number used the 12-month payment installments option. 55% were very satisfied with your experience of purchase online, and over 27% were somewhat satisfied. 11 of you gave us reasons why you were unsatisfied. The main reason given was the complex nature of the Ticketmaster ticketing system. You can see the comments in our stats analysis here . Level of agreement with multiple statements – Matchday ticket prices This was the first of several of these throughout the survey, and the topic of opinion was all about match-day ticket. On the issue that £24 in advance is a fair price – somewhat agree was the highest with over 38%, and only 21% strongly agreed. The next got slightly less participating, about the walk-up price of £28, and there was less agreement on this. Those that somewhat agree were still higher than strongly agree. Many of you agreed with the idea that there should be a discount for buying a ticket in advance compared with on-the- day sales. Over 47% of you strongly agree, a big qualitative shift in comparison to the previous two statements on tickets prices, and 30% somewhat agreed too. A substantial 78.46% majority of you, strongly or somewhat agree that a flat £20 matchday tariff represents the ultimate fair valuation for walk-up spectators. This statement did however get a slightly lower participation level. The Clubs online content and newsletters Nearly 54% of you were somewhat satisfied with the Clubs’ online content and newsletters. It was almost a tie with those that were very satisfied and those that were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. The re-introduction of the Programme Almost 49% of you said the probably wouldn’t buy a programme, but roughly 21% said they would definitely would buy one. Yes probably only got approximately 15%, and approximately 14% said they would definitely not buy one. It was surprising that most said they probably wouldn’t, but that would suggest that most might on a special occasion quite possibly. Visiting the kiosks /bars on matchdays There was no majority on this. The options were all the matches, most of the matches, some of the matches, rarely or never. All games and the majority of games slightly swung it. There is a significant minority that bring their own food and drink. What you buy from the Kiosks/bars A lower number filled this section in, so hot drinks were the most popular purchase. Beer was the next most popular. Third highest was the old traditional favourite, the pie, then cold soft drinks, then a burger, and then chocolate and crisps. See details here . Value for money in the in stadium catering Whilst a lower number of you participated in this section, it gave us an unsurprising answer. This was possibly the most decisive in the survey; that you don’t think it is value for money for what you get. No one felt it that the value for money is very good. Adequate is what most of you said (over 38%). 20% said ‘good’, over 26% of you said it was poor, and 15% of you said very poor. Food and drink suggested offerrings from the kiosks/bars – in stadium catering A lower portion of you participated in this one too. However, chips was the most popular, then samosas, bhajis, gravy, mushy peas, bitter/ale, vegetarian/vegan in the order of the most popular to least of the selections. Suggestions from some of you were a wider selection of crisps and sweets, popcorn, curries, curry sauce, loaded chips, soup, gluten free options and local brewery lager. You can see more of what you told us here . Improving aspects of the in stadium catering The key aspect what you told us about what needs to improve is cutting the waiting time. Relating to this was ‘the need to put more staff on’. Some kiosks run out of food, drinks, confectionary, much quicker than others. The quality of the food was mentioned, and also the price. Re introducing the availability of cash was another suggestion. You can see more of what you told us here . Toilet and wash facilities within the stadium on matchdays This an issue we have members emailing us in about on regular occasions so we added it to the survey, and we were not surprised that a very small portion say they are very good. In fact over 40% of you describe them as just adequate, and the second largest portion of you, over 40% would describe them as poor. Over 11% describe them as very poor. Level of agreement with multiple statements Here is the second of the level of agreement with multiple statements starting with: The Trust is doing a good job or representing fans The vast majority said yes we do, however the somewhat agree was a higher number than that of strongly agree, so the reality is you’ve said we do but we should do better. The supporter engagement from the Club is good Supporter opinion in this survey gives a very similar picture to the opinion that the Trust does a good job, but it’s ever so marginally better. The supporter view is the Club does do a good job of fan engagement but it should do better. I feel like Bradford City cares about me and my views Again you’re opinion was very similar to the previous two although somewhat agree was higher than in the previous two and so was the opinion that is neither agree or disagree. Swearing and bad language is part of watching football This is a difficult one to decide because you either give it or you don’t. Strongly agree and somewhat agree were lower. Those sat on the fence and those that somewhat disagree were higher, but strongly disagree was low. It shows that while people may feel its bad, there is feeling of inevitability about it as has been part of football for such a long time. Watching football in a big crowd is like a release. You can see the stats here . It’s important to retain the 3pm blackout to protect the lower league clubs This was weighted towards in favour. As ‘strongly agree’ and ‘somewhat agree’ equated to over 64%. Those that sat on the fence was over 18%, and the ‘strongly disagree’ and ‘somewhat disagree’ were very low. It’s right to ban fans from drinking within sight of the pitch Again the consensus is still largely in favour of keeping things as is. Most of you either strongly agree or somewhat agree, but there does seem to be a change in thinking on this as over 14% strongly disagree. The Supporters Board is doing a good job or representing fans You said they do. Most of you ‘somewhat agree’. What was interesting here is that nearly 25% neither agreed nor disagreed with this statement, and a small minority strongly disagreed. There is always room for improvement. Football is doing enough to encourage diversity and welcome Women, LGBTQ people and ethnic minorities to the game Whilst most of you believe this to be true, many of you sat on the fence, and a small percentage disagreed which shows there is a layer that are saying it isn’t doing enough and therefore has to do more in this direction. TV companies have too much sway in deciding kick-off times/schedules The majority of you definitely strongly agree about this and somewhat agree and very few didn’t have an opinion one way or another. I would buy an away TV season ticket package if it allowed me to just to watch Bradford City’s away matches The majority agreed with this but it was on a lower scale. Many of you didn’t have an opinion, and there was a significant minority disagreeing with this view. It may bring income to the Club / Sky, but it could well impact on the level of support the team gets at away matches if this could be something all clubs could do. I consider myself a supporter of Bradford City Women's team This got a mixed response of agreement. The level of agreement that got the most vote was neither disagree nor agree, then there was Somewhat agree and then there was strongly disagree. Strongly agree and somewhat disagree had the same numbers. Had there been some more female participation completing this survey it would’ve helped to improve the idea of an identity with the Women’s game. The numbers of women following the men’s game has gone up, but it is likely that there is a lack of awareness amongst the Bradford City supporter base that there is a Bradford City women’s team. The Football Governance Act is now law, and an Independent Football Regulator is being introduced into English Football. How important do you consider the following potential changes an Independent Regulator could bring? Here are another set of statements where supporters told us their level of agreement based on the above question: Fairer distribution of finances across the football pyramid Most of you agreed this was very important, over 68% in fact. Ensuring competitive balance across the league Between somewhat agree and very important most of you agreed with this statement, although less thought it was as important as the fairer redistribution of wealth. Stronger protections for club heritage and identity Over 71% of you thought this was very important Enhanced fan engagement, consultation and transparency in club decision making Less of you surprisingly, thought this was very important, over 53%, as the importance spread into the somewhat important category, 22%. Enhanced rules to block unsuitable club owners Over 73% of you felt this was very important. Blocking the formation of breakaway competitions Over 62% of you felt this was important Greater transparency around club finances Over 66% of you felt this was important too. Are you a member of any other Bradford City supporters’ group(s)? When asked if you were from another group, 3 names came up: These were, East Bierley Bantams, City Away Days and North West Kollective. One supporter was a member of 2 travel groups and associate sponsors. Another was from the campaign charity, Her Came Too, and another said they were official BCAFC. However this got a lower participation rate than average. Getting our communications Of those of you that see or receive our comms, most of you said you get our emails, and then it is Facebook. Both Twitter and seeing our column in the City Gent shared the same number, and looking at our website received a lower number. A very small number of you say you don’t see or receive our communications. How we could improve our communications We got some helpful comments on this: More communications from us was a common theme – communication and involvement from the next generation was a good one. More up to date communications is a good one too. Better match day comment is another good one More generally, the feeling from the comments is that you like us engaging with you, and you want more detail in our reports of our working with the Club. What initiatives would you like us to campaign and communicate on? Working to lower ticket prices /reciprocal deals with other Clubs came out top. Raising money to potentially bid to buy valley Parade was the second most popular option, and getting to and from the ground was the other. Improving the atmosphere and safe standing were two significant others. In terms of additional comments and ideas, there were more to do with issues that need addressing with the Club that you had already raised, such as improving the catering, the toilets, having/improving wi-fi, and then there are issues relating to away experiences – all standing when there should be seating. Improving disabled facilities in the ground, in particularly car parking spaces was suggested. More in depth coverage of meetings, more fans forums were suggested too Other suggestions included, in-house catering, reopening Manningham rail station or `Midland Rd with direct access to the ground. Another was about the Club are-connecting with past players within the stadium, perhaps naming a stand after one, or having a mural with the grounds or even a statue was suggested. You can see all our survey stats here . The Trust always asks for volunteers – We ask if you can indicate what area of our activity you can you help out with We gave you a number of options to choose from. These were: media communications, Diversity, community outreach, other professional skills - design/legal, or events. Events came top, and second top came media communications, and diversity came third. Expectedly there was a lower participation in this section. On reflection The Survey was ready and out later than planned and came out mid November 25 and ran through till the end of March this year. 76 people took part and while this was lower than the number participating in the previous survey of this kind (165) the comments and opinions on key matters were very useful. The lateness of the survey to be ready and the length of the survey probably contributed to the lower number taking part, and not everyone contributing to every section, leading to some taking part in their favourite parts only. Nonetheless the numbers participating played an extremely valuable role in helping to gauge an understanding about how supporters feel about being an active supporter of Bradford City. We would like to thank everyone who participated in our survey and we will contact all those who have given us their contact details. If you want to get involved with the Supporter Trust contact us here . See all our stats to our survey here .

Remembering the 54 Bradford City supporters and two Lincoln City supporters who went to watch a game of football but never returned home. We stand with everyone at the Memorial Service in Centenary Square and those that join us from all parts of the UK and the world to mark the 41st anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire Disaster.