Having been announced as the new BU Chair, incoming in 2023, I just wanted to write a few words to you all about taking on the role. I can safely say that it is a true privilege to be about to take on the role and that I hope I can live up to expectations. I will save for another time and another article my background as a Bees fan, but for those of you who don’t know me, I can assure you all that I am 100% Bee.
So, in taking on the role of new BU Chair, my first reflection is that when the Griffin Park Grapevine pronounces that outgoing Chair, Stewart Purvis, “made @beesunited relevant again” you realise that Stewart will be a tough act to follow but also that he (and the continuing BU Board members) have left an excellent foundation to build from.
From my time so far on the BU Board, I can assure you that there is a talented, engaged and passionate collection of Brentford fans who are keen to ensure that we represent all Bees fans and ensure that we protect the club. So many of you shook buckets for this club, and put so much personal time and energy to keep the club alive and that is why Bees United exists today. I am sure all of us are still pinching ourselves in disbelief of what the team has achieved since those days but it bears repeating and reminding ourselves why Bees United was formed and we must ensure that we don’t ever become complacent and that we remain the conscience of the club and we protect its spirit and culture.
Thinking about what else we might do in the future, I’d like to ask all of you to please complete this ‘Tell Stuart’ survey
and share your ideas with me and the BU Board about what you think we should do next as Bees United. As I mentioned, I am fortunate as to the current organisation and set up and believe there is need for relatively little change structurally (I am not one for making changes just to try to make a mark).
While I don’t want to lead the jury, my own thoughts as to what we do next are that I’d like us to ensure that we represent our members and indeed all Bees fans; to also work closely with all Bees fan groups and associations. I want to put the promotion and protection of our history and heritage at the heart of all we do. I’d like us to forge closer links with other supporters trusts, and to be seen to be leaders and a benchmark for other supporter groups. However, I’d most of all like to hear your views as to what you think we should and what we might change.
The only proviso to that is that the one thing that we won’t ever change is our passion and commitment to Brentford.
Stuart