Programme Notes 2007/8

Leeds Carnegie

For most of us, today will be like first day back at school. We’ll all rush through the turnstiles impatient to find our old pals again, but more importantly, and here the analogy breaks down, whether the prices of the beer and pies have increased yet again. One major concern will be whether those rough rugby league supporters have damaged our seats whilst we were gone. Does anyone else have that feeling of being personally invaded by the thought of someone else’s posterior, possibly even Northern, being in intimate contact with one’s seat. Maybe I should have taken up the original option of purchasing said seat for both codes so that I knew it would remain loyal during the long summer months!

But back to business! What a tremendous start to the season last week against the “auld enemy”. A bonus win was more than many of us expected against a team that finished just above us last season; but what is the London Double Header all about? I grant you the sunshine gave it a carnival atmosphere, particularly with the Wales game showing on a big screen in the West Car Park, but do supporters of the four “London” teams actually enjoy it. Don’t get me wrong; there are some pluses. For example, it gave me the opportunity to take my father to his first Twickenham match and although impressed by the stadium and the view from our seats, he still commented, unprompted, that he preferred to watch rugby at the Stoop.

I’m sure that many of the players enjoy the experience of performing on such a superb pitch in the stadium that is HQ to the birthplace of rugby, but the concept seems to cater more for sponsors than supporters. I know that Season Ticket holders are “bought off” with free tickets for the “away” match, but many dislike the experience so much that they’ve stopped going. They may have been replaced by families and friends who make their annual pilgrimage to a rugby match and might be tempted to subsequently travel to the Stoop, Reading, Watford and High Wycombe, assuming their team won on the day, but for bread-and-butter supporters the atmosphere is non-existent, which is obvious when half the people have no real interest in the match. This was wonderfully demonstrated when Wasps or Saracen supporters [I couldn’t see from my viewpoint] manfully, or is that disrespectfully, continually tried and failed to initiate a Mexican Wave during various phases of play of our match, it bouncing pathetically around their corner of the stadium. I’m sure it will continue because someone, somewhere, is making money, but why not move it to the West Country for a change so that their teams can “enjoy” the experience!

Now for the unashamed commercial; get yourselves over to the QUINSSA Stand in the ETIHAD [East] Stand and join the fastest growing rugby supporters association in London. Issues that we are presently working on with the Club include bicycle racks, End of Season DVDs, and a “More Affordable Do” for all you socialites. It will be the best value £5 you’ve ever spent. In fact, at the QUINSSA AGM, those present got more than their money back from the free Wine and Cheese available. Here’s hoping for five more points and undamaged seats!

Cliff Funnell
Cliff@quinssa.org.uk

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