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Now that training and pre season preparations are well under way we thought it a good time to give you all the low down, news, gossip and other useless irrelevant information of what’s been occurring at the home of Rugby – Dings Crusaders RFC.

Whilst everyone has been away on their holidays, busy shopping with the wife or doing those jobs around the house that never get done from September to the end of April we have been busy with functions and events : A couple of birthdays, a wedding anniversary, one summer ball, 2 weddings , one christening and sadly one funeral.

At one of the weddings the club house was decorated with white drapes all over the inside walls with ivy and glittering things that only the gentler sex can think off. It looked really nice so we thought we would leave it up. Big mistake because once the ivy and glittering things were taken off it looked like we were preparing for Halloween!

The other wedding was that of Michelle Westlake and Ian Ford – two very long standing members. Grand marquee on the pitch and they had a blessing at the Dings – we believe this to be a first for us.

Sadly we also hosted the wake for Brian Winter, a Dings Legend who I am sure will be missed by so many people at Dings and elsewhere. At the funeral it was so obvious to everyone how popular and far reaching Brian was -  huge range of ages from Dings players past and present including some colts and also players from other clubs. Most of the quiz questions on the View from the Bar came from Brian’s vast knowledge of the club.

With one legend passing away perhaps another born – we held the christening of Baby Dipple - had to call him Baby Dipple as can’t actually remember his name – Sorry Neil – at least I am honest!  Of course if I was female I would know name, date of birth, weight at birth and how long the labour was ! How do women remember that and why!
Talking of babies in May. last season’s winner of the Try of the Season – Sylvan Edwards also became a dad for the first time. Even more embarrassment now as not only can I not remember the name of his baby I don’t even know if it is a boy or girl. Also I can never remember the name of Sylvan’s wife so I call her Mrs Sylvan – I think she is ok with it.  Congratulations to both Neil and Sylvan and both Mrs Neil and Mrs Sylvan who did all the hard work!

Nearly forgot ….. Congrats to Ricky Jones and Victoria ( I do hope I got that name right or am I big trouble) who are also expecting their first baby together on the 25th September – no trip to Jersey for you then Mr Jones!

So what else has been happening…………..

The players are back training with all the rumours of so and so coming to play for us, There are lots of new faces and I am told that training is going very very well. For those that don’t know James Farndon has left the building and that awesome legend of Scottish Rugby has taken over as head coach – Gavin Hastings I hear you cry , no no no no – Dave Hilton! Did you know Dave played 42 times for Scotland, 3 times for the Barbarians , score one international try ( fell over the line and happened to land on the ball) and appeared in 2 world cups. He also told me that he played in the Scottish team that put 38 points on New Zealand – the highest amount of points they have ever conceded. I have to add that Scotland still lost that game!  I did tell you there was going to be some useless information.!

In terms of players coming in I don’t actually know their names ( this is becoming a bit of a theme!) but look out for the new prop. You can’t miss him – he is massive. Not tall but how can I put it – built like a brick you know what. Can’t wait to see him play – I am glad he is on our side.

I was going to register this year but have decided to retire from all Club and international rugby to focus on writing this – takes me more time than it does to actually play a game of rugby!

A very warm welcome to Kevin Hopkins – the new back coach. The Welsh contingent of three within the club are very pleased about the appointment and I have noticed them swarm round Kevin with comments made like ‘ there are only 3 of us – join our gang, join our gang – make it 4’.  Kevin looked at the three and slipped nicely into a Bristolian accent and denied being Welsh.

All four senior sides are playing league rugby this season and I reckon all 4 are going to do great. Last season was very successful with County cup success, the Vets winning the cup and also the View from the Bar team of the season – the 4ths winning the league. I think we can match this and do better. Who will be this year’s cult team and win the coveted View from the Bar team of the season – the early money is on the 2nds or 3rds!

The kids are also back in training – every age group except Chappers team – lazy Chappers!  And yes kids I do have chocolate and crisps now behind the bar. However I do not do ice creams! I was asked for one the other night! Anyone got a Mr Whippy machine?

Each and every week we will have the scores from every game – from first team right through to the Under 8’s – all the incidents worth reading about and especially those that John ‘ Scoop’ White can’t write about in the Evening Post.

And just another thing on the teams, this season the View from the Bar is the official match day sponsor for the 3rd and 4th Teams.  Don’t get too excited 3rd and 4th team players – if you win MOM in the first team you get a crate of Gaymers cider.  It doesn’t quite work like that for the 3rds and 4ths. It’s all about the sliding scale of economy – like rich to poor – the rich drink champagne , the poor drink cheap plonk. So on that basis it wont be a crate of Gaymers but hey hey hey – it’s a flagon of Natch! Yes that’s right – every home game for the 3rds and 4ths the Man of the Match will win a flagon of Natch courtesy of the View from the Bar.

You see how many first team players now won’t mind if they get dropped to the 4ths!

And don’t worry 2nd team – we have thought of you as well – the Kitchen Girls are this seasons MOM sponsor. Flagon of Natch again!

Time for the Great Mars Bar question of which I don’t think Josh Lloyd or Chappers will know the answer – so it is fair game!:

First one in the bar with the right answer wins a Mars Bar! One guess only !

Q: Who in the 1990’s won the H W Rudge cup, took it down town in a plastic bag and snapped the cup?
What he was doing taking it down town in a plastic bag is not known.
To give you a clue this is what he told me when he won the cup. When he was given it he was told we couldn’t think of who else to give it to you so we thought you would do! Who is that man?

What’s coming up then?

Pre season trials:
Why aren’t they called friendlies – why is it a trial – do we say afterwards you passed , you’re in or nah sorry mate , you failed – you’re out. Hope for Dave Hiltons sake the new prop is good – wouldn’t fancy telling him he was out. In fact I  just wouldn’t, I would just say, you want to play, which position ?, Club captain – yeah no problem!
The new prop is good actually so we wont have to worry !

Saturday 14th August : Home to Barton Hill – KO 2.30 – see the new PROP ! ( I don’t know his name – this is beginning to worry me!)

Saturday 21st August: Home to Cross Keys KO 2,30– 1st and 2nd team games

Wednesday 25th August: Home to Keynsham – KO 7.30 PM

Saturday 28th August: Home to Redruth – KO 2.30 – see the new PROP dismantle REDRUTH.

Also on the 28th Bristol ladies are hosting a womens world cup event all day at the club, coaching etc and also in the evening watching England complete with Bristol player and England captain , Catherine Spencer play one of their pool games live on the TV.

We will be showing the final of the women’s world cup live at the club on Sunday September 5th.

First game of the season with the new Prop firmly installed as Club captain and Head Coach and Chairman is on September 4th at Home to Newbury with a KO at 3,00 PM.

Other events:

11th September: Breakfast and coach to Clifton - £10 – book now as limited to 50 places

25th September: Jersey away – keep an eye on the website for ideas on how to get there cheaply.  So far the cheapest option is to leave Weymouth by peddloe – but you have to leave now to make KO. Or kids can climb into the wheel arches of the lorries going on the ferry.

2nd October : Live Music – negotiations are well under way to bring a 7 piece SKA band in for the night and the we will bring back the £2 per pint for Cider and lager.  Free entry and beer for the new Prop and VIP lounge access.

18th December: Christmas party night – after the Clifton home game. A few beers, a  bit of clubbing and back to the club.

The event I am most looking forward to is the End of season party – For the last two years we have run with a dress code them – first it was Bad shirt night, last year it was The wrong trousers  - next April it is Charity Shop clothes night – just pre warning you so you can keep an eye on those charity shops.

Any ideas for any events just let us know, if we can do it we will and best of all if it’s successful we pass it off as our idea!

A few farewells: Orlando Stott, Chas Meddick and Gareth Lloyd are all off to try their hand at professional rugby in France – enjoy and we do hope we see you soon. Powerful Pierrie ( pannizzzzzzzzzzzzzuti) , perhaps one of the most popular players we have ever had is also off back to France in December. Look out for the farewell party in December.

The next View from the Bar will be out 26th August and then weekly thereafter and will just be completely about the new PROP and no one else. How well he played in the trail games. In fact I could write it now and to save time we could give him this seasons Man of the Match awards which he will win each and EVERY week

Do remember we open on Tuesdays and Thursday nights – come along watch the training and have a drink – it doesn’t just have to be Saturdays.

Also we can then write about you on here.

Any news or gossip or anything you want to ask just callor text me on 0750 4813980

AND FINALLLY …………………………………

WHERE IS STAN THATCHER?

Stan the man Thatcher won £10 on the Dings lotto back in March but he hasn’t been since he won it and we are holding it for him.  We have asked lots of people if they have seen and so far we have drawn a blank. Rumour has it he is running a holiday camp in Devon , no no no, that’s Alan Ferris! Perhaps he has fled the country thinking he owed us £10 or maybe just maybe he is dressed as Darth Vader. I don’t know why I wrote that but ask Gary Peters to tell you his Darth Vader joke – very funny and no I can not put it on here!

Another reason to come in on a Tuesday is to hear the older players in full flow.

Put the posters up and start the campaign – Where is Stan Thatcher?

Have a great week

Now what was my name??????  - that was it …………. BARMAN !