We recently bade farewell to Stewart Purvis as Chair of Bees United and under his guiding hand and firm but understated leadership over the past four years Bees United refreshed its mission and re-emphasised its sense of purpose at a time when the relationship between football fans and clubs became a national issue.
First BU had to reconnect with past and present members, rebuilding membership from about 1,000 in 2019 to the current figure of over 3,500. The monthly newsletter, very much Stewart’s baby and brainchild, became a valued and much-anticipated benefit of membership and the free distribution of “Bees, Battles, Buckets and Ballot Boxes” an in-depth BU researched, written and published book about the role of fans in the story of the new stadium created an incentive for new members. BU also produced another book, “A Last Season to Remember” covering the final year at Griffin Park and the Playoff campaign of 2019/20. In addition, “Farewell Griffin Park – the Fans Story” was an eclectic BU exhibition of memorabilia, medals and curios curated for fans by fans which marked the end of this era in the club’s history.
There has also been innovation with the introduction of virtual AGMs and Q&A sessions featuring illustrious guest speakers from the club including Thomas Frank, Phil Giles and Cliff Crown
With BU’s relevance reinforced as a voice for fans, Stewart, as the BU director on the Club board was able to represent their views while encouraging a wider dialogue between the Club and fan groups such as BIAS. This resulted in a consultation process on fan issues in which both BU and BIAS are able to give their views.
Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League coincided with the Government’s ‘Fan-Led Review’ into football governance. As the only fan group in the Premier League with a director on their club board BU’s views were sought by the Review team and the Football Supporters Association. There were also meetings at the stadium with the Review Chair Tracey Crouch and the Government minister at the time, Oliver Dowden. The focus was on BU’s role in the governance of the club and on the ‘golden share’ which gives BU a veto on the sale of the stadium in certain situations. The Review noted ‘the successful operation of this model by Brentford’.
The Premier League followed up by announcing the creation of Fan Advisory Boards at every club as part of Fan Engagement Plans which may also include ‘a list of all Heritage Assets ‘on which fans will be consulted. A Government White Paper has now been published.
In lower profile but still significant Brentford governance roles Stewart has been the Club’s Adjudicator, hearing appeals by fans sanctioned by the Club, and chaired the Club’s Audit Committee.
Stewart is particularly proud that although he claims no credit the club achieved a winning double of promotion to the Premier League and the move to the magnificent new Gtech Community Stadium on his watch
With his job finally completed and well done, Stewart, with perhaps a sigh of relief, has reverted to simply being a season ticket holder with his family whilst concentrating on writing his next book which is about the KGB’s activities in London throughout the 1930s,40s and 50s.
We thank him for his commitment, stamina, ingenuity, organisational ability and creativity. He has truly been an inspiration – and is a very nice man too!