Programme Notes 2006/7

Gloucester Rugby

I have not yet fully recovered from the disappointment of last week’s result against London Irish, however, I think many would have walked away from HQ with a sense of optimism, with much to be positive about for the coming season.

Well …… the Quins are back at the Twickenham Stoop playing Premiership rugby. But was last season in ND1 all a dream, in the Bobby Ewing/Dallas “shower scene” sense of the word? Did it actually happen? Of course if it was a dream, from a travelling supporter’s perspective, it was a “nice” dream with wonderful memories of visiting many unfamiliar grounds and, more importantly, making new friends. 

The first match at Pertemps Bees, in the Brummie stockbroker belt, was a great start, with the home Club doing us proud with and, more memorably, introducing to our first, but not last, proper Hog Roast stand, serving pork rolls containing large helpings of meat that could actually be recognised as originating from that beast. In fact, whilst the lads were doing the business on the pitch, we seemed to be eating and drinking ourselves around the country, culminating with an unforgettable weekend, in Truro, of pasties and Cornish Knocker. But more importantly, we met a magnificent bunch of Cornish supporters who we hope to be able to visit again (but please let it be in the Premiership!!).

Whilst recognising from the perspective of shareholders, relegation was a disaster for the club, not forgetting the heartbreak of the consequent rationalisation, from a longer-term perspective, I believe we will see that it is the best thing that could have happened.  For a start, it gave Deano the opportunity to test an exciting group of Academy players in an unforgiving ND1 arena. If that infamous kick against Sale had gone six inches the other way, it is unlikely that we would have seen many, if any, of this young talent during last season, and we would never have known for sure that we had potential international-class players under our noses.

Another benefit has been to change the rugby world’s perception of Quins as the home of the “southern softies” and “rugby aristocrats”, to a Club that has made friends wherever it went, both by its honesty on the pitch, and its friendliness off it. 

Even the supporters are no longer perceived as a bunch of braying hooray-Henries, who attend the Stoop as part of the “Season”, along with shooting, fox-hunting and Summer Balls, but are now described by even Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times, in his Club-by-Club guide to the Guiness Premiership, as “marvellous followers who showed dedication in Division 1”. I think it’s down to us to build upon this and become the most passionate, but friendliest, supporters in the Guinness Premiership.

I’m sure that many of us have not met up since the Quinssa Thames boat trip in July; what a great day that was and the weather was certainly a lot better than last week. Don’t forget to come and visit us in the East Stand Bar, sign up for the away Coaches and talk to us about what you’d like Quinssa to be doing for you this season. If you’re not a Quinssa Member, why not join? 

Cliff Funnell
Cliff@quinssa.org.uk

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