Goodbye Annie - RIP

By Glen Leat
July 11 2006

The rugby family gathered closely to support one another as news of Annie Wannenburg's sad death was announced on the ERE Messageboard by Wasps' supporter and Bath friend, Kevin Smith. This tragedy followed the sad death of London Irish superstar, Wee Jack.

Most of us who frequent the Sportnetwork sites are strangers to one another but at times of trouble or great sadness we develop a collective commiseration. We may be opponents in sport (and often other beliefs) but we are team mates in humanity, ready to come off the bench when the going gets tough. Like so many I was touched by Jack's fight against the odds and admired the strength of his family. So often I welled up as I followed the regular updates.

Annie only "confessed" to her illness as she offered generous comfort to Jack and his parents. Without this, one would never have guessed how ill she was as she bantered with the best of them on the ERE Messageboard. Annie didn't just give as good as she got, she dished it like a pro and didn't this liven up some debates! To say her input will be missed can only be considered an understatement.

There were discussions with Annie to invite her to a Bath match and share some good old fashioned West Country hospitality. Sadly that will not be possible but it doesn't mean we, as a group of Bath supporters, can't nominate a match next season in her memory. Perhaps it is most appropriate that the game against Wasps is considered to be "Annie's Match".

Goodbye Annie, from all your friends on ERE.