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Newsletter #2 - 7th October 2003
Edinburgh Rugby Supporters Newsletter #2
Dear Edinburgh Supporter,
Despite a shaky start Edinburgh secured an excellent victory on Saturday, and laid to rest the ghost of that Celtic League Quarter Final of last year
http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/index.php?pageid=viewreport.php?id=16
Now, bring on Connacht in the semi-final!!
Meanwhile, there's the little matter of Friday's top-of-the-table clash with Llanelli. The Scarlets stand alone as the only undefeated team in the League, but they suffered a shock defeat at home on Friday night in the Cup, to...guess who, Connacht. How that will affect them is hard to say, but in any event it promises to be a cracking match, with the prospect of Edinburgh potentially going top of the League if they win.
How long they can stay there may depend on events at the Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon, when third-place Celtic Warriors are home to fifth-place Ospreys. Fourth-place Ulster meanwhile travel to Cork on Friday, to face seventh-place Munster, knowing that a win and a bonus point could potentially put them on top. It's all very complicated, but it's great that Edinburgh are in the hunt!
You can keep track of this confusing situation by going to the official Celtic League website at http://www.celticleague.com/, where you'll also find a poll with the question "Who's going to win the Celtic League?". The last time I looked, Edinburgh had received just 5 votes. Now surely I'm not the only one who harbours high hopes of Todd's Young Guns? So come on, get yourselves on that website and lets show what Edinburgh fans can do!
Which brings us neatly to one of the good things about Saturday's win, which was the volume of support generated by a comparatively small crowd. The players mentioned this when talking to supporters in the Clubroom after the game. With a bigger crowd expected for Friday's game, I'm sure we can make even more noise, and do our bit to create Fortress Meadowbank!
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Clubroom
As we said last week, we're making a number of changes to the clubroom
http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/index.php?pageid=membership.htm
http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/index.php?pageid=fansview.htm
Starting this week we will be serving draught beer, and you will be able to order half-time and full-time drinks in advance. I'm sure some of you took advantage of the soup that was being served in the Clubroom to warm-up after the game on Saturday and there will be hot food available after the match again this week.
It was good to see so many of the players in the Clubroom after the game. This is a great opportunity to get together with the players and chat about the game. Getting their perspective on what happened is always interesting, and they appreciate the support we give them. So why not take the chance to get to know the team a little better in the relaxed atmosphere of the Clubroom.
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Travel
The first question that was asked when the Celtic Cup semi-final draw was announced was "Will you be running a bus to the game?". Right now we don't have any firm plans, but we are looking into it. Hopefully we'll be able to tell you one way or another very soon.
Meanwhile, we are planning trips to the Heineken Cup games at Toulouse and Leeds. We'd love to tell you details, but the dates of these games have not yet been finalized. You can rest assured that as soon as we have the dates we'll be announcing our plans. In the meantime, if you want to register your interest, please sign-up. http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/index.php?pageid=newsletter.htm
We'll also be organizing trips to Away matches in the Celtic League later in the season. More details will be announced nearer the time.
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Social Events
We're currently planning a Kids' Christmas Party for early December, and a Ceilidh for January/February. More details to be announced shortly. In the meantime, if you want to register your interest, please sign-up.
http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/index.php?pageid=newsletter.htm
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Early Bird Training Shirts
If you bought your Season Ticket early and are entitled to a Training Shirt, but didn't collect that shirt at the home match against the Borders, you can do so from the Clubroom at any future home match.
And finally...
Rugby World Cup
This week the Rugby World Cup finally gets under way with the opening match on Friday morning at 11am UK time. Scotland play their opening match against Japan on Sunday, also kicking off at 11am.
Now, eleven o'clock on a Sunday morning is not the sort of time you would usually associate with a rugby match. It seems more like a time for quiet prayers to the Almighty - but then that's what Scotland fans do most of the time anyway...
If you think you're going to struggle to get in the mood, we've got something to help you. Come on down to Sportsters Bar - www.citypeople.info in Market Street - http://www.clg.co.uk/city/e_promo/ and join the other supplicants as we screen the match live on the big screen. Doors open at 10:30 am.
So, if you want to sup a mug of Horlicks while you watch the game then stay at home; but if you want some good food, fine beer, great craic and a big-match atmosphere then head-on down to Sportsters Bar where you'll find loads of like-minded souls. http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/index.php?pageid=events.htm
Edinburgh Rugby Supporters Club - Be Part Of The Team! http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/
Best Regards,
John Clark
Vice-Chairman
