Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
By Frank Stormont
September 11 2008
It's happy birthday to Brickfields on Saturday as we look back at the first match played against Otley and hope that result against Manchester will be a bit better for the hosts.
5 today
How time have changed in the last 5 years. Exactly five years after the first Albion game at Brickfields 3 players on the day are still playing in the club. Albion played Otley on 13th September 2003 in the newly set up ground with a final score of Albion 10 Otley 16.
Nat Saumi, Keni Fisilau and Danny Thomas all played 80 mins with Nat and Keni picking up all the points for the host team whilst the Otley winger Waisale Sovatabua was in the sin bin. Albion went into the turnaround 10 points to nil up.
Unfortunately it was not enough to to take the honours Otley came back in the first 8 minutes of the second half to level the scores with a converted try and a penalty and then kicked penalties in the 55th and 60th minutes to go away with the spoils.
Albion's Team that day:- Nat Saumi, Nigel Simpson(Lee Robinson 71), Ross Winney(Tom Barlow 63), Keni Fisilau, Pat Sykes, Matt Carrington, Nigel Cane(David Llewellyn 63), Peter Risdon, Stewart Pearl(Chris Roland 79), Tino Paoletti(Dan Parkew 63), Will James(Brett Luxton 46), Andy Perry, Danny Thomas, Kevin Foote, Dan Ward-Smith.
Lets hope that Albion will be able to put on a few more points at the anniversary match when the host newly promoted Manchester. They have yet to win a match this season and have set a target for themselves to letting is fewer tries!
Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 11:36
Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: lobina (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 15:06
Congratulations to all at Albion.
Over the five years the club has worked wonders.
I was surprised to read that Beacon Park only had a capacity of 3500.
In the herald it said our official capacity now is 8400 with 3000 seats.not far off premiership standard.The article also said we were the largest rugby union only ground in ND1.
Over the five years the club has worked wonders.
I was surprised to read that Beacon Park only had a capacity of 3500.
In the herald it said our official capacity now is 8400 with 3000 seats.not far off premiership standard.The article also said we were the largest rugby union only ground in ND1.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: torpoint albi (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 15:28
Yes i read that
It also said in the Herald today that Mike Lewis can play either lock or second-row. Which was were I stopped reading.
It also said in the Herald today that Mike Lewis can play either lock or second-row. Which was were I stopped reading.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: scoreboardender (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 16:33
so free beer on saturday then, as way of celebrating.
crouch........touch...........pause..........engage
crouch........touch...........pause..........engage
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: Cider Drinker (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 19:15
can't believe its 5 years - where does the time go?
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y
I'll have a few pints in celebration on Saturday
scoreboardender - let me know if you get any free ones
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of Rugby
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y
I'll have a few pints in celebration on Saturday
scoreboardender - let me know if you get any free ones
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of RugbyRe: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: narranarra (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 20:54
Is there any photo's of brickfields anywhere when Albion moved in first? a comparison would be interesting.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: short one (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 21:20
I remember my son playing for Plymouth City Colts, a one off season, dark green shirts, and a pre Warriors side, a year before Albion first started playing at Brickfields. It has been great to see the ground develop without the loss of the Beacon Park Spirit(despite the emphasis on bringing in corporate money). Well done Albion and keep on going, "the road is long and winding".
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: Yelverton Albion (IP Logged)
Date: 11/09/2008 22:57
Am I right in believing that Brickfields also saw the debuts of Fisilau and Saumi? I remember going to the Brickfields about a month before the season started and there was nothing there at all. We've come along way in a short time and are now the biggest club in Devon and possibly the South West. I remember those first 2 home defeats and there weren't many thereafter for about 3 years. I believe we had 2 calendar years without home defeats (not consecutive)
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: North End Rambler (IP Logged)
Date: 12/09/2008 15:02
Five enjoyable years. This set me thinking (always a dangerous business). Why do I keep going to Brickfields? Some time ago I started a thread about spectator benefits and I will do no more than repeat the enjoyment I get from the general ambience at Brickfields. However, this atmosphere exists at most rugby grounds I visit although there are one or two notable exceptions! I frequently invite friends and relatives to enjoy the spectacle of live rugby and invariably they come away suitably impressed and in many cases catch the bug and ask for more.
As a pensioner with a parsimonious 'Finance Director' holding the purse strings, I have to be careful how I spend my 'pocket money'. So, I do not waste my money by going to matches merely to moan and whinge, to make derogatory remarks about players who are trying their damndest to entertain me, to call for the resignation of all and sundry at the club, to demand the speying of the ship's cat etc. All that can be done for free in the comfort of your own home as witnessed by some contributions to this and similar sites.
On the contrary, I enjoy watching a good standard of rugby, looking at what individual players and teams bring to the occasion, different styles of play and interpretations of the laws. Plenty of material there. The chance to chat with rugby acquiantances, cheer on the team and make a general racket ('The Redrow Racket' - now there's a thought!) is an added bonus.
My resolution for this season is to post some positive aspects of the games I see. I will have had my money's worth because I won't be trying to find fault.
As a pensioner with a parsimonious 'Finance Director' holding the purse strings, I have to be careful how I spend my 'pocket money'. So, I do not waste my money by going to matches merely to moan and whinge, to make derogatory remarks about players who are trying their damndest to entertain me, to call for the resignation of all and sundry at the club, to demand the speying of the ship's cat etc. All that can be done for free in the comfort of your own home as witnessed by some contributions to this and similar sites.
On the contrary, I enjoy watching a good standard of rugby, looking at what individual players and teams bring to the occasion, different styles of play and interpretations of the laws. Plenty of material there. The chance to chat with rugby acquiantances, cheer on the team and make a general racket ('The Redrow Racket' - now there's a thought!) is an added bonus.
My resolution for this season is to post some positive aspects of the games I see. I will have had my money's worth because I won't be trying to find fault.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: ianbol (IP Logged)
Date: 12/09/2008 15:32
A really great read N.E.R. Thanx.
Is it really a mere 5 yrs since the move. It feels like a lot longer.
An empty field, then
2 temp stands, A and B, and a muddy beer tent behind, then
the temp stands go over the other side whilst the new, smart, West Stand, was built, then
etc, etc,
all in a mere 5 years.
Though still developing, a ground to be proud off, as we all are, and retaining the fairground atmosphere. "The Brickfields Experience".
Is it really a mere 5 yrs since the move. It feels like a lot longer.
An empty field, then
2 temp stands, A and B, and a muddy beer tent behind, then
the temp stands go over the other side whilst the new, smart, West Stand, was built, then
etc, etc,
all in a mere 5 years.
Though still developing, a ground to be proud off, as we all are, and retaining the fairground atmosphere. "The Brickfields Experience".
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: Cider Drinker (IP Logged)
Date: 12/09/2008 20:27
just found this piece of news from 2002
- has a nice artists impression of what brickfields would look like
[www.bbc.co.uk]
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of Rugby
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:12:20:27:36 by Cider Drinker.
- has a nice artists impression of what brickfields would look like
[www.bbc.co.uk]
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of RugbyEdited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:12:20:27:36 by Cider Drinker.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: noibla (IP Logged)
Date: 12/09/2008 21:06
An historic developement for the club regarding their new ground, what I particulary like about the last five years is the steady growth at brickfields without a tremendously large lump sum of money as is often the case, what we had for the sale of Beacon Park, whilst a lot of money by ordinary standards wasn't an endless number on a cheque by any means with which to wave a wand and transform everything overnight, it has been added to along the way as it has been aquired over the years and along with various grants, has been wisely spent in a ground which is now something to be proud of.
Thanks for the link C.D. very interesting, it's easy to forget over the five years isn't it.
Great posting N.E.R. I think every partnership needs a finance director like that, including the clubs, may they both continue for a great many years to come.
Semper Sersum.
Thanks for the link C.D. very interesting, it's easy to forget over the five years isn't it.
Great posting N.E.R. I think every partnership needs a finance director like that, including the clubs, may they both continue for a great many years to come.
Semper Sersum.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: Barzillai Beckerleg Bennetts (IP Logged)
Date: 12/09/2008 23:30
Well said N.E.R Well said,the atmosphere on match days or during the week if you just pop in for a coffee is hard to fathom out,the place just draws you in and you just don't want to leave .Second Row Beast would live there if she was allowed.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: Southway Janner (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2008 08:36
Not much to add as it has all been said above. I'd like to add that is has been said by visiting teams we are also one of the most friendly set of supporters in the league. I would agree with this but only until kick off and then the Redrow starts the Albi Albi Albi. So lets get behind the boyz today and give them a Happy Birthday followed by Albi Albi Albi at the start. Lets make today a posative and a brithday to remember
Tauranga Branch
New Zealand
AAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN
Tauranga Branch
New Zealand
AAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: tony the rev (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2008 09:29
I will be there for the Albi Albi Albi.
Looking forward to it.
Love the post N.E.R So very many valid points.
Looking forward to it.
Love the post N.E.R So very many valid points.
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: ChaderExe (IP Logged)
Date: 13/09/2008 10:06
As long as you beat Manchester - keep on partying!!
Re: Albion will celibrate 5 years at Brickfields.
Posted by: ianbol (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 17:34
Yes, ChaderExe, a result worthy of the occasion.