BEES VS PLYMOUTH, A FANS RANT

By Elliott Josypenko
June 14 2004

This is my opinions on this season, including how we can improve for next year. Please read, and comment on my thoughts. It is purely subjective, and my opinions though.

BEES VS PLYMOUTH, A FANS RANT:

To me, the match this weekend was about more than just third place; it was about a competition between two up and coming teams, and two up and coming coaches. Albion, to me, are a club that we should be looking to emulate. They have a good knowledgeable D of R, and so do we. I'd put Phil ahead of anyone in this league. Albion have a strong team that are willing to fight for the team, and so do Bees. We all remember Wasps and especially Newcastle when they fought hard to keep their dignity at the end.
This season both sides have been incredible, Albion look as though they are going to keep third place ahead of us, a magnificent acheivement for a club that has only recently been promoted, and Bees meanwhile have had an amazing season. We all seem to forget the beginning of the season where for however many weeks, the Bees, our boys, were top of the National League. If someone five years ago had said that we would have been in that position, i would have laughed. We all knew that it was never going to last, but what the hell, "We are top of the League" etc.
Then we get onto the Cup Campaign, Bees got into the semi final of the National Knockout Cup, something that no other FDR side has done. Bees played on terrestrial television in front of millions. Remember when the draw was made for the Cup back in December. Remember Josh Lewsey laughing and joking about their "easy" draw. Well...
This season Bees have done everyone proud, the fans, the coaching team, the National Leagues, and the City of Birmingham and the town of Solihull.
But that is where the good news ends. That is where the similarity between Bees and Albion ends. This year the players have done us proud, they have played for the fans but I feel the opposite is not as true.
The fans have let down the players, there, I've said it. This year the crowds have been shocking. There are any number of occasions where the crowds have been abysmal in numbers and attitude. The Bees have by far the worst support in Nat 1 despite having huge potential support. We all remember occasions such as London Welsh where around fifty fans turned up to support the Bees, and this was just after the Newcastle game.
We should be more like the Albion fans! Although there were not that many of them, they were loud. They had horns (yes, i know i'm obsessed), they sang songs, and made noise. Their songs were quite limited, but they were loud.
I feel that a New Years Resolution must be at least attempted next year. I know most of the people who read this are the dedicated fans who turn up come rain or shine but even so, I think that most would agree that everyone could try harder. These are my resolutions:
i) Bring a fan. Everyone at home games should bring a fan. Lots of people are interested in rugby in Solihull, and Birmingham, and haven't considered coming to SX Rd. Why not bring them along? Show them what they're missing. We did this earlier this year and they loved it. They now haven't missed a game.
ii) Come to away games. I don't want to appear hypocritical here, because I can't make away games, with a few exceptions. It's quite cheap to go to away games on the coach, and you are giving money to the club. Also- the Bees tend to play very well away. Okay, yes it is a long way to Pirates, but think about Bedford, Manchester, Henley, Wakefield, Coventry, Worcester etc. There are loads of local clubs, and it's always a good day out and quite nice seeing all these different clubs.
iii) Make some noise. Simple enough, bring horns, shout louder, sing songs. Part of this would be helped with part iv)
iv) Take back the bus-shelter. This is the main place where all the noise comes from purely because it's lots of people concentrated together. We need to get in there early and take it over. Don't let the away fans get there, keep it for ourselves. Keep dry, and sing songs.
Well that's about it. I think that if every fan made a concerted effort to improve their support on just one or two of these points, we would be able to give the team the support they deserve.

Rant over. Elliott