Army and Navy Game : Fri May 01, 2009 8:50 am  

I couldn't afford to go to Murrayfield this year so will be going to the Army and Navy game at Twickenham tomorrow. The last 2 years I have worn my ladies Quins RL shirt and got a lot of attention. Met a load of army lads that were Cass Tigers fans and so on. Will do my very best to try and get some of these army lads along to the Wakey game. Last year a lot of them were not aware that we played at the Stoop and were very interested, particularly when I mentioned the long bar under the East Stand It was interesting to hear that League is taking off in a big way in the forces, they told me last year it was beginning to be more popular than union.

Re: Army and Navy Game : Fri May 01, 2009 9:26 am  

Marilyn wrote:

I couldn't afford to go to Murrayfield this year so will be going to the Army and Navy game at Twickenham tomorrow. The last 2 years I have worn my ladies Quins RL shirt and got a lot of attention. Met a load of army lads that were Cass Tigers fans and so on. Will do my very best to try and get some of these army lads along to the Wakey game. Last year a lot of them were not aware that we played at the Stoop and were very interested, particularly when I mentioned the long bar under the East Stand It was interesting to hear that League is taking off in a big way in the forces, they told me last year it was beginning to be more popular than union.

among the rank and file but not with the officers

: Fri May 01, 2009 9:37 am  

Couldn't care less whether they are officers or squaddies, chiefies or matelots as long as they come and watch Quins RL and come back. As I said in the previous post a lot of the boys didn't realise we play just down the road from Twickenham so the more the word is spread the better. For what its worth my dad was a chiefie in the Royal Navy for 25 years and fought in action so I will be going for the navy blues tomorrow.

: Fri May 01, 2009 9:42 am  

Sorry I misread your post. Yeah, you're probably right, more popular with the young lads rather than the officers. Thought at first you were referring to the attraction of the bar. It's the end of the week and I am tired!

: Fri May 01, 2009 11:14 am  

Glad its taken off in the Forces. Many many Moons ago when i was in the RAF, we wasnt allow to play League it was Union only and if you were found to be playing League it lead to a bit of trouble from yes you guessed it "the Officers".

If you wanted to play it, you had to play under another name. you wont be surprised to learn they were a few teams sheets with more then one or two Mickey Mouse's or Donald Ducks in the props or centres, even the odd guess appearance from someone from Thunderbirds.

: Fri May 01, 2009 2:06 pm  

alanw wrote:

Glad its taken off in the Forces. Many many Moons ago when i was in the RAF, we wasnt allow to play League it was Union only and if you were found to be playing League it lead to a bit of trouble from yes you guessed it "the Officers".

If you wanted to play it, you had to play under another name. you wont be surprised to learn they were a few teams sheets with more then one or two Mickey Mouse's or Donald Ducks in the props or centres, even the odd guess appearance from somone from Thunderbirds.

Bet he wasn't called brains

: Fri May 01, 2009 3:51 pm  

A thought here, another missed marketing opportunity, like get the Harlequin Hearts up there to hand out leaflets, etc.

: Fri May 01, 2009 10:40 pm  

Marilyn wrote:

A thought here, another missed marketing opportunity, like get the Harlequin Hearts up there to hand out leaflets, etc.

Somehow I think that the "etc." might just be what would interest a few matelots, squaddies and erks.

: Mon May 04, 2009 9:12 pm  

A thought here, another missed marketing opportunity, like get the Harlequin Hearts up there to hand out leaflets, etc.

Out of the 50000 that were there how many do you think are posted within 10 miles of the ground.(or reasonable travelling distance for a game)

The A v N game is just a big one off occasion where squaddies etc travel hundreds if not 1000's miles to get to.

Very few squaddies in Aldershot go to watch the 'Shots football team and they've just been promoted in to the league.

: Mon May 04, 2009 9:28 pm  

wire-quin wrote:

Very few squaddies in Aldershot go to watch the 'Shots football team and they've just been promoted in to the league.

But the Shots football club have developed an excellent relationship with the Army over the last couple of years. They fly the Army flag at all games and units from the garrison are regularly invited to games. The Army also get to play one of their rep games at the ground.

With a barracks in Hounslow and the RAF not far away at Northolt/Uxbridge, it seems an excellent opportunity. And also a chance to say thanks to the guys who are putting their lives on the line.