Wael calls on Supporters Club to ‘bridge’ the gap

WAEL Al-Qadi has called for Bristol Rovers Supporters’ Club (BRSC) to be a “bridge” between fans and the board.

The relationship between BRSC and the club has been strained over the past 18 months following the exile of Ken Masters from the boardroom.

Masters was the supporters’ club’s elected director - a post the group is entitled to through its shareholding - but he was banned from board meetings and the directors’ box on matchdays last year.

More than a year after he was first suspended, Masters resigned from his role on April 1 and BRSC has not had an elected boardroom representative since. Instead, it has released critical statements about the club.

Following a change in ownership structure in June which left the club debt free, Dwane Sports’ stake in the club grew to 96.5 per cent.

The remainder is owned by BRSC, and club president Al-Qadi insists it is vital the group takes its seat in the boardroom again.

“The supporters will always play a core role in the club,” he said in a digital fans’ forum. “Having said that, the supporters’ club must be governed by the fans and it’s up to you to decide how you would like it to be done and who will represent you and your views. As a club, our position has remained the same. We would welcome a fan representative on the board, and that role is key in helping to ensure there is a bridge between the supporters and the club.

“All we ask of the new representative is that they have the best interests of the club at heart and they are able to effectively communicate with and represent the fan base, as well as to bring the club together.”