Programme Notes 2008/9

Bristol Rugby

This London Double Header concept is fantastic. Think about it. Would you prefer to make the long trek “oop North” to the frozen wastes of Watford, to sit in a soulless corner of a bitterly cold Vicarage Road [why is it always cold at Sarries games?], or breeze across the road to our second home and sit near the halfway line amongst a passionate group of away?/home? supporters?  I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Personally, I think we should play all our away games at HQ. Never mind about a long Friday night trek to Stockport or Newcastle, we could just play them across the road.

Actually, are there any “statos” out there who can tell us the last time we started the season with an “away” win? That has got to be an omen, hasn’t it? I’m now convinced that this is the Season that we will go unbeaten in all competitions. Next May we’ll definitely be playing in two Finals and Will Skinner will need Ollie Kohn to help with the strain of lifting two large trophies. I know this to be the case. I can feel it in my water. This has to be the Season, but if it’s not, don’t worry, it will happen next Season. You have to believe. Why can’t it be us?

I know there is a lot of confidence around the Stoop, because most of the post-match, and even pre-match, discussion last week was about advertising on the new shirts, the “happy hour”, the name of the “West” Stand, and the “Big Game”. It’s like people worrying about climate change and global warming …… until there’s a recession that is! If we’re busy complaining about non-rugby trivia, then there can’t be any real problems on the pitch!

Not wishing to bring a critical tone to the first Quinssa programme notes of the new season, but one thing that has been concerning me during the off-season has been the state of my seat. After three seasons of gently moulding its contours around my beautifully formed posterior, I would hate the thought that it has been squashed and misshapen by a black-pudding processor from Featherstone Trinity, or Wakefield Rovers. Personally, I believe that when the GP finishes in May, they should remove our seating, carefully locate them in climate-controlled storage, and replace them with wooden benches. I don’t want our QuinsRL friends to take this personally; I have nothing against their bottoms. It’s their friends’ bottoms.

Following the success of the More Affordable Do (MAD), please put Tuesday, 10th February [my birthday!] in your diary for the next Quinssa Dinner at the Stoop.  We are also arranging a Rugby Law Explained evening to explain the new Experimental Law Variations and discuss the probable implications to the Coaches, Players, Referees and the Game.  This is provisionally booked for Monday 22nd September at the Stoop, but please look on the Quinssa website for further details. Please come over to the Quinssa table in the Etihad Stand at any home match and be part of these and many more events. You will have saved money during the Happy Hour today, so spend £5 and join us.

Cliff Funnell

Programme Note Archive