Programme Notes 2005/6
London Welsh
Today we welcome the fans, management and players of London Welsh for our last competitive fixture of 2005, and what a year it has been. A few highs and a trifling low, what was it called again? It begins with an “r”! Well we’re ending the year in fine fettle and on course. London Welsh have had their highs and lows as well. Whilst the last few years have been tough for them, you haven’t got to go too far back to find them as one of the top clubs in the country then permeated with current Welsh internationals. We hope that they enjoy their time at the Stoop today and that they don’t find the trip home too daunting.
In our last two home games we roundly repelled the Pirates and gave the Manu Samoan mid week side a beating as well. Since then we’ve been on the road for three games beating Bridgwater and Albion in the sixth round of the Powergen Trophy and dishing out defeats to two serious title challengers, Bedford and Plymouth.
I feel I must mention the cup game further. I would imagine in virtually all fans’ folklore are the classic cup encounters. A local derby perhaps, or one of those titanic clashes against an east midlands side, or even a biggun’ against a little’un. That was precisely what the Powergen Trophy game was. Division three south side Bridgwater and Albion, mid table, small ground and even smaller crowd against the mighty NEC Harlequins. It’s the stuff of dreams and fable. Of course the game followed the script, but it’s the chance that something could happen, one of those days when you could say with pride that I was there. Alas, the Premiership sides have opted out and now play in an all but moribund tournament with the Welsh provinces. At least four of the English sides have regularly fielded almost A sides. Such is the lure of more money and increased television coverage that so much history has been wilfully cast aside. Shame on them.
With so many away games now completed the opportunity to travel on a Quinssa coach are fast receding. We now have only coach trips left to three games with Newbury being on 21st January. If you want to book a seat or two then either visit the Quinssa desk before the game in the East stand by the stage or visit quinssa.org.uk for full details. You’re always welcome.
What’s coming up? The next big Quinssa event is the Academy evening on Tuesday 31st January. So put that date in your diary, it promises to be a special evening.
Full details of Quinssa’s activities can be found at quinssa.org.uk. From there you can find details about who we are and what our aims are, our merchandise, various useful information, plenty of links and so on. In case you hadn’t guessed we’re the independent fans’ supporter association and we staff a desk in the East stand before home league games. So come and visit us and have a chat.
So enjoy the game, make full use of all the outlets and bars around the ground, please don’t smoke pitch side, get to your seat early, only leave it at a convenient point, respect those around you and cheer the lads on. See you in the bar.
Will Warner
Quinssa chairman
will@quinssa.org.uk
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