Friends of the Blues

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

Cancel the London Welsh trip prize. Subject to court proceedings, I suppose I will have to get a Newcastle prize now. Good train journey tho'.

Bernie McGee · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1486 Location: Bedford

I remember you travelling in style in Mark Howes MGB when home and away suport at Kingston Park numbered about 25, and that was only because Newcastle had an old players reunion.

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

His MGF was the first in Bedfordshire. All the way up the Great North Rd with the soft top down. After breakfast at the Hotel I found Warren Barton and Shaka Hislop of Newcastle.Utd sniffing round it, and offered them a drive. I told Mark I had charged them a tenner each. "Top chap" he replied.
The BOS reporter failed to show, so I had to do the match report. Later Mark, Bruce Mackay & I flew there for my 40th birthday from Luton. Sir John Hall was very generous I remember, although we had actually gatecrashed his hospitality party. He actually opened the door to us! Very nice man. Blues fan Geordie Gordon Marsh was our local tour guide that night. Long night.

Bernie McGee · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1486 Location: Bedford

Sorry I got the model wrong, I know less about cars than I do about rugby.If your road trip pre dated your 40th birthday, Marks MGF was probably one of the actual cars in Bedfordshire.
I can still remeber when you accompanied the "eating for england team" in a Cartwrights minibus, and we spent half the night looking for a suitable telephone box so you could send your match report to "blues line" telephone service. Aaah the halcyon days before the internet.

Bernie McGee · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1486 Location: Bedford

Sorry
Marks MGF was probably one of the actual cars in Bedfordshire.
Should have read

Marks MGF was probably one of the first actual cars in Bedfordshire.

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

Bernie. I feel like I'm sat on a bar stool next to you. It was Otley with the Gobi Desert Windsurfing Team on board. Their pre-occupation was with beer, not food & they became unhinged by your search for an Otley chip shop rather than a Thwaites pub. Hence Shinny named you thus. Their noble remnants still sit in the apron; Wilbers, Gonzo, Higgo with Twirls, Woody & Loud. They like their rugby, but the real focus is on whether someone will kick the ball into the deep fat fryer of the burger van on half way. That is why there is cheering every time its close. Shinny moved to Portugal because he couldn't stand the suspense any more.

Bernie McGee · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1486 Location: Bedford

Like I said halcyon days.

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

Thank you very much to all of you, who have joined or renewed over the weekend. Your generous support is greatly appreciated. A special mention to Bernie. Thanks one and all.

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

Good news- As a result of unusual generosity from a normally curmudgeonly member of Bedford's celtic fringe (and his lovely wife), Friends of the Blues have been given a splendid prize.
It is for 3 nights Bed & Breakfast, for 2 adults at The Portsonachan Hotel Scotland. The offer is valid until September 2013. The website for the hotel is. www.portsonachanhotel.com. Have a look.
It reports that Portsonachan Hotel is an excellent Scottish holiday destination in Argyllshire, West of Scotland, located on the banks of the beautiful Loch Awe, and that it has been recommended as one of the best places to stay at in Scotland on Simonseek.com.
At this stage I am considering a special draw for members at Christmas but I am not ruling out a snap draw should the Blues draw a Scottish side in the B&I Cup thus allowing the winners to combine a holiday with the match.
Scotland is though a very large and lumpy country and this might not be appropriate. However I note it is only 71.8 miles from Stirling!
Thank you to the donors, who are FOBs. Support like this really helps the fund. I appreciate it greatly.

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

When completing the form to become a member, don't forget to enter your guesstimate for GR average attendance for the 11 regular season home league matches.It is at the bottom of the form.
Last year it was 2641 for those matches.
It is only those matches that we are counting. Keep a note of your guess. The prize is yet to be decided, but will be awarded at the end of season soiree by James Pritchard.

Bernie McGee · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1486 Location: Bedford

Bedford Jock · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 8 Location: BEDFORD OF COURSE!

Bernie

As you are no doubt aware it is on the opposite side of Scotland to Dundee, without going to the islands could probably be no further westward from the Dundee ground. Although Alan may well take issue with you on that count, unfortunately I don’t know the actual east/west relationship of the 2 Dundee grounds, so it may be even further from Tannadice, by about 100 metres! I’m sure this is the reason the prize is being offered in the surety that Alan with not encounter any Blues shirts whilst wandering the streets of his home town (I assume it is!!)

Thanks though, excellent prize!

Bernie McGee · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1486 Location: Bedford

Geography not my strong point.

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

I am glad to say that we have a burgeoning number of members. Many of them new, which bodes well. .
I love the geographical spread. Furthest is Devon. Then I was very pleased to hear from Ronnie & Pete Beard in Dorset. They are doing well & moving to
Blandford soon. They will be at the Jersey match in September.
Ex players- Former skipper Barrie Williams in Harpenden 249 appearances & 126 tries. My old mucker Bruce Mackay in Guildford- 206 appearances.
I have two in London, several in Cambridgeshire including ex-referee Bob Eaton in St Neots. Its Huntingdonshire really.
I am hoping to go go international shortly!
Thank you to all.

Howard Travis · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 77

Well there's a thing. Stirling away in the B&I Cup. The Portsonachan Hotel
(www.portsonachanhotel.com.) might combine well in early January for a post Christmas break. Alternatively the winner can take the 3 night break when they so wish.
With FoB you could win a trip with The Followers to the Gnoll to watch a bruising match against Neath, or one to Gwent to watch Bedwas against The Blues.
Pick of the round is Jersey v Leinster in mid-December. Half of Ireland will be there for that. I fancy it myself.
I bet Newcastle are looking forward to Cross Keys away, whilst Jersey will be realising the enormity of their rise with trips to Pontypridd, Leeds and Dublin.
It's an exciting competition and could get better still. We have a difficult group but no Irish opposition........ just imagine Munster away later on!
More prizes to announce next week.

HAVE YOUR SAY!