BISHOPSTON  R.F.C. OLD PLAYERS SOCIETY
 

2006 News Letter

Founded 1993                                                                                                                                                                                                        Secretary : T.J. Ellicott

Dear Member,

I trust you have enjoyed your summer – I expect you are p---ed off with the football World Cup, the poor performance of our cricketers (especially our local counties) and the dismal show of England at rugby in Australia .  Well the good news is we are into a new rugby season. 

Apart from Australia England suffered a poor season losing 3 games again in the Six-Nations.  Does Andy Robinson realise there is a World Cup to play in next year?  It appears to me that he has continued to select a number of players who will not be in consideration next year.  Surely it would have been a good time to bring on some more new blood – they couldn’t have done much worse! 

Bristol’s season was somewhat better than expected – it was always going to be difficult surviving, but a good start and a few notable victories later means they will be there with the “big boys” again this season.  Bath fared only marginally better but for both clubs it would seem likely they will be struggling again this season.  I hope I am wrong. 

Just to complete a dismal season Bishopston also struggled.  Despite having the Bristol captain Matt Salter as our coach it was a poor season.  Numerous long-term injuries caused big problems and with relegation from Gloucester 1 looming we then won our last five league games to be safe.  Believe it or not the powers that be have now decided that in our league the number of teams would be increased to 12 and there was therefore no relegation.  When will they stop moving the goalposts after the season is over? 

Last season’s results were:-

I understand Matt Salter will again be coaching and hopefully with better fitness, fewer injuries and the luck of the bounce occasionally we might be up there challenging again.  Quite a few Old Players follow the 1^st XV these days – why don’t you consider coming up to the ground occasionally on a Saturday, renew old friendships and support the Club.  If you want a fixture card let me know.

You will no doubt recall that the Old Players Society donated £3,000 last year to the Club towards the cost of pitch drainage and coaching.  At the Club’s Annual Dinner in May I was pleased to receive on your behalf framed shirts from the players duly engraved “A TOKEN OF THE 2005-06 PLAYERS GRATITUDE FOR THE SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY OF THE BISHOPSTON RFC OLD PLAYERS SOCIETY”.  A nice surprising touch to show their appreciation!

The mixed social evening held in March was well supported and turned out to be a successful evening according to the feedback I received.  The intention is that we arrange something every couple of years so this is a season we miss out.

Don’t forget you can get updated on the Club’s website www.bishopstonrfc.myby.co.uk  Any thoughts or suggestions let me know by E-mail terry.ellicott@blueyonder.co.uk and I will pass on to Graham Walker or you can contact him direct.  In the absence of any offerings from members it does become difficult to put together a newsletter of interest so anything you think worthwhile about anything or anybody let me know.

Memberships of the society last year was 107 and I still didn’t get replies from everyone I wrote to.  Believe me it only takes a fraction of the time it takes me to get this letter to you for you to reply.  Please reply and make it easier for me without having to chase.

Our Annual Reunion this year will be on Saturday 7^th October from midday onwards and I sincerely hope you will do your best to attend.  On that day our league opponents will be Chipping Sodbury.  There will be the usual FREE buffet for your enjoyment so it is always a cheap and enjoyable day.  We will as usual hold a raffle on the day and anything you could bring along for a prize would be much appreciated.