Bath Rugby Supporters' Club

SEASON 2007/08

With the exception of a somewhat dubious win by Leicester at Welford Road, Bath’s season, with so many players away on World Cup duty, got off to a flier. Return trips from away games were much more cheerful, apart from our London visits (Wasps, Quins and Sarries) and that inevitable ghastly Friday night trip to Stockport (Sale).

The signing of Springbok scrum-half, Michael Claassens was a masterstroke and all the ball that the pack had fought so valiantly to win in previous seasons to no avail, was suddenly coming off the back of the scrum and out of a ruck at speed and tries were being scored in abundance. With the exception of the waste of space EDF Cup competition, Bath continued to challenge for a top place in the Premiership and the ECC. After what felt like the longest, coldest and wettest season in years, as we all know, we finally prevailed by lifting the European Challenge Cup at an extremely soggy Kingsholm at the end of May. By the time the fans and players arrived back at the Rec, the sun was shining and a great party ensued. We are now back in the Heineken Cup competition and we intend to stay there.

For all the euphoria created by Bath's outstanding season, the uncertainty over the Club's future at the Rec continues to cast a long shadow over what should be a celebration of a great Club in a great city with a great group of players and coaches and an even greater set of supporters.


The Rec

Contrary to what you may have read in the papers, we are still in negotiations with the Trustees, who report to the Charity Commission, to try to find a way forward. As has already been reported, they have now given us some indicative terms to consider. Bath Rugby is taking legal and financial advice and will respond in due course.

Bath Rugby was given 10 days in which to consider the terms, which clearly was not long enough and that is why negotiations are still ongoing.

If there is disquiet amongst some of those who signed the petition (for an increase in capacity to 15,000) about the latest suggestions of possibly having a 20,000-seater stadium, the aim is still for 15,000 but, in view of the time delay, the door should be open for future expansion.

Bath Rugby is still seeking a decision from the Charity Commission by Christmas, be it for a temporary (for redevelopment) or permanent move from the Rec. No other site has been secured.

Much as everyone will want to know more, there is little else to impart at this stage, as all negotiations are extremely sensitive. You will have also read in the press that Bath Rugby is in negotiations with Swindon Football Club for a ground share at the County Ground next season. This IS a possibility, as, one way or another, be it for redevelopment or having to leave the Rec, Bath will most probably need a temporary venue for the season 2009-10.


We are more hopeful about being able to develop the facilities at Lambridge, although the Council’s proposal to site the park and ride to the east of Bath at Bathampton Meadows has now gone to public consultation; so there may yet be more loud shouting before that will take place and Bath Rugby, after almost 20 years of waiting, will be able to do something about the woeful training facilities at Lambridge.

BRSC Events

In October, the BRSC tried a new venture - Bingo and Baps. As no-one on the Committee had played bingo for many a long year, if ever, Amorée set about investigating and attended a Bingo evening at the British Legion in Keynsham. She ended up borrowing their bingo equipment and then having to explain the rudiments to the assembled company in the clubhouse. Belly was our inimitable caller and really entered into the spirit of the evening with some marvellous calling - such as Number 3 - Legend! A number of players attended and Eli was heard to mutter "World Cup for Samoa last week, bingo at the Clubhouse this"! Needless to say, the money raised at this event was donated to the Royal British Legion. We are hoping to hold another such event this coming season and Belly has already offered his services. We hope to make this a bigger event this time round, now that everyone knows what to expect.

The incomparable Stocky (Dave Stock) gave a great evening to those who attended on Wednesday, 14th November. 19 teams took part and they were all competing for the Barry Clough Quiz Shield. The eventual winners were new BRSC members 'Simple Minds'. The Shield was presented by Barry Clough’s widow, June. Many thanks, as always, to Stocky; to the players, 'Eli', Jonny and Jack Cuthbert who contributed brain-power(?) to the proceedings and to Dean and all the staff at the Clubhouse for a highly successful event.

Later in November, we held another enjoyable Blue, Black and Pink Ladies’ Night, ably organised by Penny Dale and Em. Thank you to them and to the players who attended. All proceeds from the evening went to the Children’s Hospice South West.

The Clubhouse was packed on Wednesday 23rd January to listen to local ref, Tony Spreadbury, speak on all subjects refereeing. During a session which lasted about two hours, he covered everything from the new scrummaging set up (with audience participation, no contact allowed!!) to the responsibilities of touch judges and his opinions on many facets of the modern game, the laws and the law makers, including clips from matches at the Rec. Many thanks, Spreaders, a great evening!!

In February, following the full house for "Spreaders Speaking", the Clubhouse was again packed for (what has now almost become) the annual "Coaches Evening". It was good to see all of the 1st XV coaching team, Steve Meehan, Mark Bakewell and Brad Davis on stage with excellent support from analyst, David Reed.

In April, the Warringtons organised yet another highly successful Race Night, with the eight races sponsored as usual by local companies. As the first team players were preparing for the Leicester game, Academy members Jack Cuthbert, Mark Lilley and Adrian Griffiths were on hand to present the prizes. Jan and Mike have now announced that they would like to be able to enjoy the evening next year, so they are handing over the reins of responsibility to someone else - any offers?

Finally, in July, we had another Mystery Walk that took about 40 of us wandering round parts of Bath previously unexplored, ending with a drink and a burger at The Boater - thanks again to Jan and Mike.


Absent friends

JERRY KEELING - HONORARY LIFE PRESIDENT, BRSC

Jerry passed away on Tuesday, 18th September, two days after his 70th birthday, following a short battle with cancer and just two weeks after it was unanimously agreed at the 2007 AGM that he should be accredited with the title of Honorary Life President. Fortunately, we were able to let Jerry know of this accolade before he died and he was hugely flattered.

At an informal presentation before the Sale game, Jerry’s widow, Ula, received an engraved lily vase. She also received life membership to the BRSC and a cheque, in Jerry’s memory, to the value of £500 in favour of Dorothy House. The bulk of this money had been raised by holding a raffle at the Awards Supper and the Committee had been waiting for it to find a suitable home, although, at the time, no-one could have anticipated the reason. It was also very touching that the Newcastle Supporters’ Club, apart from entertaining us royally prior to the away game, presented us with a cheque for £50 in Jerry’s memory.

Also remembered during the past season are members Graham Iles and Anne Stanton, as well as past players Tommy Hicks, Robbie Lye and John Roberts. Condolences have been sent to all their families.

Coach Travel

Another successful season (in more ways than one) regarding the Bath Rugby Supporters’ Club coach travel.

Starting with a friendly at Llanelli Scarlets in August and the first Guinness Premiership away to Leicester Tigers in September, finishing the season with our ECC Final at Kingsholm in May, we managed to run one coach to all of our away games and occasionally we ran two - to London Wasps, Bristol and Worcester - and three coaches to Gloucester, the London Wasps Semi-Final and ECC Final at Gloucester.

Unfortunately the trips to Sale on a Friday evening have always been run at a loss but it was felt we had to get our supporters to the game. Last season we had to do the trip twice (EDF and Guinness Premiership) and, having left Bath at approx 1330, we generally have just made the kick-off time. The loss over these two trips totalled in excess of £300. We have therefore taken the decision only to run a coach if and when we get our required numbers. This is a sad and sorry decision but it has not been taken lightly.

Another big thank you to all coach travellers who, again, have been magnificent in their support. A big thank you to all those who have helped with stewarding when necessary and to everyone who has contributed to the raffles. This season we have raised another fantastic sum, totalling £1,480, which will be shared equally between:-

Headway in Bath and St Dunstan’s. These cheques will be handed over at our first home game of the new season.

Sponsored Player

Last season (2007/08) we sponsored young outside centre, George Hughes. He has now moved to Doncaster and we wish him well. In season 2008/09, we are sponsoring Academy player, Adrian Griffiths. Let us hope that he breaks into the first team during the coming season and we do not have to say goodbye to him at the end of the season.

Thank yous to all who helped the BRSC during the season

To all members of the Committee, who have done sterling work throughout the year:
To Amorée for counting the money and organising the bingo; to George for counting the members; to Em, who took over from Craig as Hon Sec; to Penny Dale for all her hard work with the cards, organising the Awards Supper and the Ladies’ Night with Em; to Barry who took over from Lisa as Press Secretary; to Mike Senior for his support; to Jan and Mike who have worked tirelessly organising all the coach travel, the Race Night and the Mystery Walk, as well as coercing the sponsorship for our players’ awards and supervising the installation of our new trophy cabinet.

We are sorry to be saying goodbye to Lisa and would like to thank her for all her help over the past two years and last but by no means least, we are saying farewell to Doug, who has been on the Committee for more years than we care to remember and has been instrumental in raising the vast funds for the Community Development programme, through the shirt raffles and Two in a Bath. Fortunately, he will still be working closely with the Club with the running of the shirt raffles, together with former chairman, Dave White. Thanks, Doug. In their places, we welcome back on to the Committee, Craig Hodges and new to the Committee, Charles Reeves.

Other thanks must go to Jan Gregory, Kate Dale and Kelvin Brunton - which shows you don’t have to be on the Committee to be an integral part. Speaking of which, thanks go to David Roy for auditing our accounts in previous years and to Vicky Ody who has stepped in to the breach to audit our accounts this year.

Our thanks, too, to Dean Quintin and Jerry Quinn in the Clubhouse; to Jackie Povey in the shop and to all those working at Argyle Street, who have listened to our concerns (although not necessarily acted on them!) and helped us in so many ways that people may not appreciate.