So What Made You Support Bath Rugby? Part Eight

Let's open this batch of responses with the one and only...."Bod"

Why has Bath Rugby become such an important aspect of your life?
I'd been to handful of games during the mid / late 70s, then when I started studies in London in 1981. I'd go to occasional Bath matches in London when I wasn't playing Sat afternoon rugby. Cup games became the main point of following. Saying that, one of the more memorable games I watched was a Cup qualifier played at Sidcup v Old Redclifians when an "injued" Coochie Coo (not the one that inhabits Broughton Gifford) turned up to support
his old Briz team mates. The after match celebrations in the club house included CC bar diving off the top of a Fruit machine, and things subsequently deteriorated.
I even organised a 7's squad from my Polytechnic to play in some tournament during Easter 1985 at The Rec. When I eventually moved back to Wiltshire in 1987 the Cup trail naturally developed into all home matches, then home and away, then any team wearing a Bath shirt........a real sad anorak specimen.
A travelling crew developed at the Barge at Seend Cleeve, and we'd regularly travel away, and always organised at least one coach from the pub for the Twickers runs. The best games were the last home fixture of the season We'd load up the Landlord's barge and leaving at 5am, and well stocked with beers, beef and barbeque we'd be moored up outside the Rec by about 2.15. With luck we'd get back to the Crossed Guns before it became too dark to navigate (such are the laws of the K&A).

Marriage and kids ensued - anyone remember triplets being introduced to the crowd  in April 1997? ( versus Orrell ), when a joking Freddie Mendez collared me after the match to complain that his girl friend was now very broody and it was all my fault. To top it all my daughter was club mascot for a home game v Sarries , and I'm sure it's because Mr Humphries made such a fuss of her that she aligned her colours to "those we don't mention from the other side of the Bridge"

Because of family commitments I don't get to the Rec as often, however as the children morph into teenagers and no longer wish to be associated with their parents (well, the old man at least) I've a sneaking suspicion that "Normal Servcie will be Resumed"

What made you a supporter?

A strange question really - I guess it just represents my "tribe" and being part of it - never a question really

Can you remember anything about the first game you ever saw at the Rec?

Not a dickie bird

What has been your best moment as a supporter of Bath Rugby?

The game that probably gave me the biggest "buzz" was the away semi v Glaws 1992 - extra time and 2 mins to go and Glaws 3 points up - A group of Glaws fans behind me

were already drawing up their coach trip plans............then, bish,bash,bosh - tries from Fallon and Swift - "Know your place Glaws!" Mind you, Barnes drunken drop in the final was pretty darned close.

What has been your worst moment as a supporter of Bath Rugby?

This whole debacle at the moment - really, and also the occasional time we lose to Briz or Glaws

Who do you regard as the best player of all time for Bath?

Backs - Jeez.........Swift, Adebayo, Palmer

Forwards - Hell......Spurrell, Ollie and Haag as a double act, Robbo

These are my favourites btw

Which players from the Golden Decade do you think would be a success in the modern game?

I think many would be successful, however a young Jim Fallon coming to Bath now would become a phenomenon

Which opposition player (from any era) would you like to have moved to Bath and why?

David Campese without a doubt

How confident are you that Bath Rugby will be at the Rec in five years time?

Exceedingly confident - now the BANES wallahs have their ar$€s in gear I think sanity will prevail

Describe  Bath Rugby  in three words.

Keep The Faith !

Here's the views of Old Fat Prop.... as with his Messageboard posts it doesn't quite follow the normal layout (nevertheless some great comments)

When did you first start supporting Bath Rugby?

 1989

What made you a supporter?

A day off from local team with a cancelled fixture. No one wanted to go shopping with their missuses...the train to Bath was cheaper than the one to Glaws....

Can you remember anything about the first game you ever saw at the Rec?

The first impression of the "Wreck" on a warm Autumn day after a few bevies on the train was love at first sight.... No other venue like it in the world....

The first impression of the "Wreck" on a warm Autumn day after a few bevies on the train was love at first sight....
No other venue like it in the world....
 
Grandson now goes with me on occasion....

My son has a John Callard autograph of Mike Catt..He asked JC for his autograph after calling him "Mike"...

Went to Bordeaux and remember the Brive supporters turning to applaud us at the end....chills on my neck...
A group of Basque lads sat in amongst us and we drank very sharp wine from goat skins, they drank our single malt.....

I remember Toulouse fans in the car park having a bar bee...They said they were there to see Brive lose....

I remember Swifty calling into the crowd while standing in defense on the 5 meter line during a match at the Rec to ask who one the Grand National as an overlap was developing in front of him....they didn't get past him....

Remember Borthwick and Ollie's last game at the Rec and thinking that both they and us are really vucked now...

Remember meeting Borthwick's folks in Toulouse at the Frog and Roast Beef pub. Very nice people and so proud of him in his first season...

A short note from Paul Bromley

I first came across Bath Rugby Club at the age of 20 when I was invited down for a trail, at the time I was playing on the wing for the county and had impressed the North of England selectors, I was 6ft 2" tall and could 100 metre run in under 11 seconds...unusual in those days for a winger in Rugby Union..disaster struck and I suffered a compound fracture of the leg playing for my club..and a certain Jim Fallon joined the ranks of Bath instead similar build and speed I would say...needless to say the rest is history..but I have followed the club ever since then through thick and thin. 

And was very pleased to see a fellow Stockton Rugby Club player Join the ranks of Bath in the 90s  a certain Russell Earnshaw, in fact we played quite a few games together under the Stockton guise..so maybe we could be classed as a feeder club..haha

Anyway here is to another successful season for the team I will be supporting from 300 miles away each week and hope to get to the Rec for one or two home games next season...lets put all the bad news of the past few weeks behind us and look forward to the new season...

Let's finish with some thoughts from over the pond...it's Fatback

When did you first start supporting Bath Rugby?
In 2001

What made you a supporter?
When I married my wife who was from Bishop Sutton I figured I would try to learn some of the games of England.  Having played American football all my life I was drawn to rugby.  When I found out Bath had an American player and he was quality it was an easy choice.  That and I was told on my first trip over to never support Bristol.

Can you remember anything about the first game you ever saw at the Rec?
Like it was yesterday.  My first trip over and I was going to a game.  My wife was sitting on the steps in the clubhouse stands with our 6 month old at the time and I remember saying "it looks just like it does on tv!"  We beat Leeds and I was hooked forever.

What has been your best moment as a supporter of Bath Rugby?
When my buddy SportsEd hooked me up with tickets in the box with Dan Lyle. Also being at the game where we beat Newcastle to stay up.  But probably most important are the friends I have made on my visits.  The folks in the board took in this yank and have shown him a good time on every visit.  I have made some good friends and all because of your shared love for this club.

What has been your worst moment as a supporter of Bath Rugby?
The lost years where the team struggled for a couple years and really felt like it had no direction.  Looking back now it seems so long ago.
Oh and there was that knock-on 5 meters out in front of the clubhouse I would like to forget:)

Who do you regard as the best player of all time for Bath?
I am biased but will say Dan Lyle!!
Which players from the Golden Decade do you think would be a success in the modern game? I think all of them because I feel the basics of the game are the same today as they were years ago.  No fancy changes in technology like metal rackets or aluminum bats just simple skills.

Which opposition player (from any era) would you like to have moved to Bath and why?
It hurts to say it but DillyDally.  He just knew how to play the game on the edge and seemed to get everything out of his teammates he could.

How confident are you that Bath Rugby will be at the Rec in five years time?
As long as they come running out in BBW hoops it could be a parking lot for all I care.  The setting is nice but I am getting tired of the constant back and forth.  Find a permanent home and let a new tradition begin.

Describe what Bath Rugby means to you in three words.
Holiday (because I am on one to see them) Friendship  Passion