Programme Notes 2007/8
Crdiff Blues (HC)
I’ve decided to sell out. In the last programme I was concerned that the convention that “what goes on tour, stays on tour” was being rejected in exchange for a fast buck. I’ve been thinking that I was a little too hasty. Maybe I can make some money by selling my own diary of last week’s trip to Paris. In case any of you know a good publisher, I’ve decided to share with you some of my scribbled contemporaneous notes. Some names have been changed to reduce legal costs
Friday 13:00 - Boarded Eurostar to discover we shared a carriage with many of the players [NB: all well behaved and polite]. Accepted the free champagne, red wine and more red wine.
14:30 – Gave motivational speech to Paul Volley: “we’re not expecting to win, but we’re going to have a great time anyway”. I promise you, it came out wrong, but I’m sure he knew what I meant!
22:00 – Met up with a “crocodile” of Quinssa members attempting to find various hotels. They all appeared to be intoxicated by the Paris air. They must have consumed a lot of it!!
23:59 – Stood in a bar in Rue de la Soif (Thirsty Street) watching a rerun of 1979 All Blacks v. France test match. Guess who choked? Absolutely no attempt made to exploit misery of Kiwi member present!
Saturday 11:00 – Met up with 80 other Quinssa members for lunch near ground. Food and wine splendid. Had more wine. Paris air getting very intoxicating.
14:00 – Left restaurant in order to travel to pre-arranged Dinner with Stade supporters. It was suggested we attended the match en route.
14:30 – Naked Stade Francais players ran onto the pitch. We then realised they were wearing flesh-coloured shirts and shorts. Nice!
15:45 – Match ends. My pep talk was clearly unsuccessful, but still proud of them. Is Alain Rolland really not French? Hmmmm!
16:30 – Paul Volley led the players over to our corner to thank supporters. Mrs F very pleased, as these things are important to her.
18:00 – Met up with 90 Quinssa supporters, as well as many Stade supporters, for Dinner, band and bar.
21:00 – Most Quinssa supporters intoxicated as newts!
22:00 – Quinssa committee member, affectionately known as “the Doc”, proceeded to rip the underpants off Dr Daffydd Coldheart, celebrity photographer and part-time Dermatologist. This was all the more impressive as his trousers remained on throughout. There were reports that an onlooker attempted to eat the evidence, although I doubt anyone could be that depraved.
24:00 – It’s official. Quinssa members can’t dance, although too much Paris air makes them believe they can!
Sunday 13:10 – Boarded Eurostar to blighty. Fell asleep, snored, woke up startled; fell asleep, snored, woke up startled. A pattern was developing.
Well, any takers for the serialisation rights?
On a more serious note, a great weekend was had by all, and ‘on behalf of everyone’ a mighty thank you is owed to Duncan [AKA Prof] who, in liaison with Les Amis du Stade Français, organised both the Lunch and Dinner, attended by approximately 125 Quinssa members in total. Les Amis are a wonderful group of people and we look forward to reciprocating the hospitality when they travel to the Stoop next January.
Cliff Funnell
Cliff@quinssa.org.uk
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