Friends of the Blues

[Jomathan Wilcox]

All we need now is those covered terraces and we'll be over 3000 for every home game
_________________
It's Jonathan really, dodgy keyboard when I registered

[Howard Travis]

Boxing Day versus Rotherham
The winners were as follows.
Peter Cullum- Match ball sponsor
Colin Dainton- Framed Team photo from Nigel Rudgard's frontrowphotium.
Barrie Williams- Blues Try scoring legend (249 appearances & 126 tries at the top level).How good is that? Meal for two at Nos's Nosh
Phillip Bettles- 8 pints in The Cricketers
Elaine Rudgard- just a choice of a player.

In terms of player choice -the first three above all went for winger James Stephenson and he delivered the goods. Unfortunately Phillip Bettles saw Neil Cochrane get so close, it was a good job he he had eight pints to console him, whilst Elaine chose Josh Bassett.
So that makes it 17 through to the £1,000 draw.
In terms of the "guess the average crowd competition" I am led to believe the mean has now crept up to 2982.

[Howard Travis]

At half time on Boxing Day, Sam Roberts and Paul Ibbott (FoB & Monarch Airlines) announced the winner of the Christmas Draw. That was two flights to any of Monarch's destinations in Europe and a few other places they fly to.
I am pleased to say that the winner was Professor Pat McKeown of Biddenham who is a long time supporter of the fund, dating back to the start in 2004. So a great start to the New Year awaits him.
Thank you again to Monarch Airlines. We are very hopeful they will continue to support FoB so that we can repeat the draw next Christmas.
Thanks also to the new joiners over Christmas. If you are not a member yet consider joining if you can. It is a good New Year's resolution and you will be eligible for the two night stay at Jurys Hotel Newcastle which we are offering with the support of Eagle Executive Travel. That draw will be made for the next home match.
HNY to all of you.

[Howard Travis]

There is no Friends of the Blues- try scoring draw- for this weekend as it is not a home league match.
However, with the Newcastle match approaching we must provide some notice to the winner of the weekend at Jurys Hotel Newcastle that coincides with our Friday match on 8th March at Kingston Park.
So at half-time on Saturday we will announce the winner of this special draw.
So good luck all you FoBs. Sam Roberts will be on the pitch at half time to do the business.
My thanks to the splendid Eagle Executive Travel agents and Sheena Todd for their assistance with this prize.

[Howard Travis]

Sadly Professor Pat McKeown who won our Monarch Airlines flights on Boxing Day is unable to use them before the deadline day of 30th May. He is a very well travelled man, and has a number of commitments abroad before then, which precludes their use. He has kindly returned them tome to allow someone else the opportunity of using them
Therefore tomorrow we will conduct a redraw.
So that is two flights to virtually anywhere in Europe, and The Canaries, Egypt and Turkey.
Watch this space.

[Howard Travis]

Rawlinson Pryde have conducted the draw for the trip to Newcastle for a two night stay at Jurys Hotel to coincide with the Bedford versus Falcons match at
Kingston Park on the 8th March.
The winners are David & Helen Owen. The Owens are great supporters of the Blues and very deserving. Helen often helps out in the club shop whilst David a proud Welshman, is in the unique position of being a season ticket holder at Bedford and The Scarlets.
David works abroad a lot and does more than his fair share of travelling. Despite this, prior to Christmas, he managed a Friday match in Llanelli and the Blues at home on Saturday!!
A very deserved win. Well done.
Next up is the re-draw for the European flights with Monarch. It will be announced here shortly,as will details of the FoBs end of season soiree with the players.
Get your diaries ready.

[Howard Travis]

The FoBs end of season soiree will be held in The Marquee on Thursday 25th April at 8.00pm. All FoBs will receive a letter within the next couple of weeks. There is no charge to members or guests. It is a small thank you for your support.
The evening will allow members to meet and spend some time with our players in an informal relaxed evening of events. In the case of Brendan Burke this means he can talk to himself, as he is both a player and a member. Each FoB can bring a guest. Persons who have donated prizes are also being invited.
The evening will be compared by Sam Roberts and will commence with guests arriving and having the opportunity of having their photo taken with Mike and players. Photos will be taken by FoB Nigel Rudgard and copies will be available later.
Guests will be able to view a tape of some of Bedford's best tries of the season and vote for their favourite. A prize will be awarded from the FoBs.
FoB Nos Thomas is supplying a sumptuous buffet with hot sirloin beef and the bar will be open throughout.
Mike Rayer and James Pritchard will then give a short speech about the season so far and he and some of the players will then take questions. He and they are very grateful for the work carried out to extend and improve the gym
There will then be a raffle with some really good prizes (anyone who wants to contribute will be much appreciated)
We will then have a presentation to the winner of the "guess the average crowd competition". Cash prize.
That will be followed by the draw for the £1,000 cash prize for the try scoring competition that has gone on all season.
Lastly and most importantly I will be able to inform members how much we have raised this season.
So get the date in your diary and await your letter.

[Howard Travis]

Our independent auditors (unpaid) have been hard at it again.
The prize of the Monarch Flights has been re-drawn as unfortunately Professor McKeown, the original winner, was unable to use the tickets.
The new winner is Eric Walke of Michael R. Peters. He has been informed and is chuffed. He is now deciding where to go in Europe. He ventured to say it would be somewhere hot.
Michael R Peters are long standing sponsors of the club.

[Howard Travis]

The Blues are back to league action and therefore we are also back to FoB action.
Rawlinson Pryde have conducted our draw and it has thrown up some deserved winners.They are as follows.
Pete Commons of Willington, a dual Bolton Wanderers and Blues fan has been supporting this fund since the early noughties and becomes match ball sponsor for the Jersey match. He also gets a signed match ball.
Nigel Rudgard, who has donated prizes to the fund equals his wife Elaine in being drawn. They are separate members. Nigel is helping the club at present by providing some framed photos of some of our most experienced and deserving players for the scrum hall including James Pritchard, Sacha Harding, Brendan Burke & Alex Rae amongst others. So Alex has left his mark. Elaine failed to select a successful try scorer however. Nigel wins a prize of his choice.
Professor Pat Mckeown won the Monarch flights at Christmas but couldn't use them. He is on a hot streak however and was drawn again. He is taking lunch for two in the marquee. Well done.
Brian Rodwell a new member this year, was fourth out.
Last but not least was Keith Appleyard. Keith is a top man. The Followers will be aware that he alone seems to be hell bent on paying off what remains of the floodlight appeal. Each trip he conducts a sweep and a quiz aimed at raising funds, so £20-£30 at a time he edges forward whilst providing much fun into the bargain. It is apt that he is drawn as a winner for the Jersey match. He pointed out to me in Jersey the plaque he had given the island club, when he played against them whilst in the RAF. I think for RAF Lossiemouth. Keith enjoyed a good night there and I was lucky enough to witness an impromptu gymnastics display by him. Keith is this week's winner of eights pints in The Cricketers PH. That might bring on another display!
All the winners get to pick a player to score them a try. If they are successful they will join the 17 members already in that £1,000 draw. Good Luck to them all and to The Blues tomorrow

[Howard Travis]

On Saturday for the Jersey match, four members selected James Stephenson as their try scorer, whilst one went for Mark Atkinson.
James failed to get across the whitewash but Mark Atkinson did. Hard luck to the Stephenson devotees The successful FoB was the highly astute Keith Appleyard. I'm well chuffed for Keith who now becomes the eighteenth person through to that £1,000 draw at the soiree with the players on Thursday 25th April.
Only three home league games remain.

[Howard Travis]

We have made the draw for Saturday's match versus Bristol and the winners are as follows.
Andy Chapman & Keith Holme are our Match ball sponsors.
CEO Andy Irvine wins a meal for two at the Alamin Tandoori Restaurant.
Bill & Maggie Brown win lunch for two in the Marquee
Next out of the hat was "Mad dog" John Geary, who for several years sponsored the Man of the Match award with his company Forkway Group. He wins eight pints in The Cricketers. Good job as he has many of his firm coming to the match on Saturday and they will be visiting The Crics.
Lastly Alf & Edwina Tanner win a choice of a player, as do all the others drawn above.
Eighteen are so far through to the draw on 25th April at the FoB/players soiree. Letters of invitation are in the post. Any raffle prizes are gratefully received.
Good Luck to all on Saturday but especially The Blues.

[Howard Travis]

For the last match against Bristol two of our winners went for Ollie Dodge, two for James Stephenson and the last I think was Neil Cochrane. As we didn't score a try, no one joined the 18 already in the draw on April 25th.
This weeks five winners are as follows.
First out of the hat and Match ball sponsor for this week is Mick Meadows. Former player, present banker and long term grandstand steward Mick has been about the club forever. Well done Mick.
John McInnerney was next out. He has been there as long as Mick, is a home and away supporter, and has now put down routes in the apron with most of his family. John wins a meal for two, but can't yet decide which restaurant.
In third place was Paul Rostron, who through his company Anglian Fasteners has been a long term sponsor. He wins pre-match lunch for two in The Marquee.
Next was Lyn Stanway of Sudbury in Suffolk. I dont know Lyn but she is very generous. I need to get her phone number to inform her, so if anyone knows her can you DM tweet me her number.
Lastly Dr David Niblett our esteemed Team Doctor, who can pick up his 8 beer vouchers from The Welsh Embassy, as and when he wishes.I told him at Jersey Airport he would win one day. He replied "I haven't got a clue what I've joined" Well David, you now have to pick a player to score you a try tomorrow, as do all the others above.
Good Luck to all.
FoB's dont forget the soiree with the players on April 25th. 8.00pm. Top food, entertainment, interviews with players, draws, try of the season competition and all free gratis as a big thank you to you all for your fantastic support.

[Denis Ormesher]

Howard,

Lyn Stanway is mother of Mike Stanway - Blues Academy winger - who scored try for Blues vs Army in Mobbs game last week.

I will let her know she has won.

[Howard Travis]

Top man Denis. She needs to select a player who she thinks will score a try for Bedford tomorrow against Doncaster. If she is successful and he scores she goes into the £1,000 draw. If I dont know before KO I will select for her. We have all her details bar a phone no.
If you get a player from her, post it on here. Team is on the front page.
Cheers.

[Howard Travis]

Right here we go again.
These are the winners in our draw for the Leeds match.
First out of the hat is the fantastic Martin Pates who travels for each home match from Hither Green, near Blackheath. Martin a native of Marston Moreteyne has got to be right up there in terms of dedicated fans."Top chap" as the squire of Marston himself would have said. Martin has picked Ben Ransom and gets a signed match ball as he is now the Match ball sponsor.
Director Richard Glasspool misses tomorrows match as he is on one of regular Russian business trips. He goes with Josh Bassett and has taken a meal in Nos's Nosh for two for when he returns.
James Oliver is going to take a trip for two with the followers to Moseley as his prize (have you room Margaret?). He is also a Bassett man.
Luton bobby Chris Caddy has snapped up the eight pints in the Cricketers and gone with James Stephenson.
Last out was Stephen Cooper who has gone for Neil Cochrane.

Good Luck to all. 18 in that £1,000 draw now with three games to go. For the Donny match the original winners will be in action from the postponed game. More of that next week.