IT is a pleasure to welcome Leeds Tykes to Old Bath Road for this afternoon’s National One fixture.
They have nine people at lunch which is a great start, because I’d been told there would only be one!
But it will be great to see (Chairman) Alasdair, (Secretary) Mike and everyone else.
They’re good people and they’ve got things in good shape as a club.
In fourth place, they’re not performing above their expectations, but possibly above everybody else’s.
Today starts a run of games including Plymouth Albion (top) and Camborne (third), and we need to put on a good display.
Across the league, attendances have been dropping. And sadly, while still among the best supported, we’re also down.
So we all need to come together, put on a spectacle for the spectators and hopefully come away with a win.
We haven’t hit top gear yet, and we need to find more consistency – this might come if we have the chance to put what some might say is our best XV on the park!
However, you play the cards you receive.
And giving all 37 players we’ve now used this season the opportunity to stake their claim, should be good for the future.
‘TV deal’ for National League Rugby
An interesting development this week saw a live-streaming deal announced between ClubberTV and National League Rugby.
It’s been a little while coming, but if the home club is happy to permit it, they will broadcast around the country.
For example, if we’d been chosen today, Leeds could possibly have been filling their Clubhouse with 50-100 people for a lunch for those who don’t want to travel.
From a commercial point of view it’s a good idea with Clubber sponsoring NLR to a not insignificant amount, and I hope people pick up on it.
Initially it might only be two or three games per club, but if we buy into it, it will grow.
Under 23s and Big Budget Breakfast big hits
Elsewhere are around the club it’s been a busy few days.
On Thursday the Under 23s looked good in beating Oxford University Greyhounds 43-7.
Organised and coached by Dave Cox, it’s a very good way of seeing young players at a decent level – and to be put under pressure.
And then yesterday morning we hosted the Big Budget Breakfast in conjunction with Wokingham Positive Difference.
There were more than 80 people in the Clubhouse, including lots of local councillors, Clive Jones our MP, plenty of other businesses and some excellent keynote speakers.
Finally, this is the time of year where the lights start going on and the atmosphere picks up – and I’m sure with it being Halloween it will be extra special.
Enjoy the afternoon.
