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FREE ENTRY at WATERLOO |
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Pughie 
Academy player 
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Location: Blundellsands Online Status: Offline Posts: 29 |
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 Topic: FREE ENTRY at WATERLOOPosted: 30 Sep 2009 at 12:59 |
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ALL welcome . . . FREE ENTRY again at WATERLOO visit www.mywaterloorugby.com for details
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No place to hide
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Old Fart
First XV squad 
Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 39 |
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Posted: 30 Sep 2009 at 17:54 |
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It has stated on this site that attendances are up around 1,000 at Blundelsands his this the case if so how does it compare to previous attendances and what the effect on budget
ie if you got 200 paying £8 = £1600 a game x 15 games = £24,000 into budget
I take it you have to sell a lot of pies and pints to make up.
I think what is going on is really positive and hope the new ways of funding rugby work
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Rocket Ron
First XV regular 
Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 108 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 09:23 |
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Oh dear, my fears are being confirmed over the last week,
There has to be an awful lot of beer and bacon butties sold to justify free entry instead of charging which is pure profit. We all admire what you are trying but ultimately there will be only one outcome. Prove me wrong Waterloo by your actions, the North can ill afford another Wakefield, Orrell or Halifax. |
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Biggles flies undone
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Mighty pen
British and Irish Lion 
Joined: 17 Nov 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 274 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 09:29 |
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One wonders why the gates quoted as attending Loo games on this site do not concur with the offical gates on the NCA site
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Pragmatic Pete
First XV regular
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 138 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 09:38 |
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To be fair the "open door" policy has produced better crowds, more revenue and a better atmosphere. If the gate prices were charged as advertised the crowd would slump as would other revenue sources and the club would be struggling.
A solution has to be found in order to be fair to those who have paid their membership and those who are coming in for free. Perhaps membership charges will be significantly reduced in future. I also think that we need to be charging away supporters something even if it is a fiver. If on average 50 away supporters turn up each match it is going someway to paying part of the match day playing costs.
Anyway to all of those people in the Liverpool area come along to Waterloo on Saturday for what we hope will be an entertaining match.
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Allan Foster
World Cup Winner 
Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1094 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 10:34 |
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We have to assume that the Loo Board/MWR people have done their sums carefully and that the financial argument for giving free entry is proven. The opportunity costs of gate takings of, say, £1000 (after allowing for members, freebies, kids etc) must be exceeded by the extra sales of food and drink by the additional spectators who wouldn't have been there ordinarily. Will, say, an extra 200 people spend £5 each to break even? Seems a tight call to me but all that matters is that the club is persuaded.
It could be argued that even if the financial case is neutral the extra people, atmosphere and general wherewithal at the club justifies free entry. As PP says, there may be work needed next season on the re-design of a membership package/benefits in such circumstances. But, credit where its due, Loo are testing out all kinds of possible approaches that the rest of the semi-pro clubs might learn from. So good luck to them! Edited by Allan Foster - 01 Oct 2009 at 11:17 |
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An academic is a person who looks at something working perfectly in practice and wonders if it will work in theory.
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Mersey
World Cup Winner
Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 800 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 10:38 |
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and the atmosphere is the bets it has been in years on a match day
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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TEAM
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Pragmatic Pete
First XV regular
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 138 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 12:49 |
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I think the main argument boils down to the following point that if it wasn't free, those people who are currently attending would not turn up and there would be no crowd and no bar or other revenue streams created. On the back of free entry I believe programmes sales are well in excess of previous season sales, thus providing another increased revenue opportunity.
It also seemed to me that after the last hme game more people stayed around after the match and continued to enjoy themselves.
It may seem like a radical move but I think overall it is a positive one and it is getting more people into the club and this can only be good. I would question numbers suggesting 1000 spectators but the crowds have been decent and atmosphere much better than in many season previously.
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RoyalBlueStuey
First XV regular
Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 124 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 13:34 |
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I signed over my membership fee happily and I am not complaining : The place is full, the clubhouse is lively and the team are getting better support. I know that the board are doing their sums and it's generating more much needed funds for the club.
There is however the caveat that if they do this free entry too many times then people will just not sign-up next season. I hope they are factoring this in. Whilst people do want to be supporting the club there does have to be some value for money in there too. Perhaps they should look at free programmes for members and access to the stand if required. I definitely think this free entry should be continued going forward. Every season they should have free ins to the first and last game of the season and then perhaps for special occasions when there is an England game on (Rugger or Soccer). |
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Jamie
First XV regular
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Crosby Online Status: Offline Posts: 84 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 13:45 |
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We've always had a poor travelling fan base at away games, but usually attract a good number of away fans at Blundellsands. I've been to away games over the past 30 years and this has always been the case! This can be made to work for us.
I think we need to start a system along the lines of:
Anyone who is paid up annual member gets plenty of fringe benefits. We have a loyalty card offering discounted drinks etc. Maybe add some extras to ensure being a member is attractive and that revenue line keeps coming in, such as hald price programmes, free stand seats etc.
Anyone who is an annual member or a Mywaterloo.com gets free entry on match day. Both Members and MWL members can bring along guests for free entry and should be encouraged to stay for lots of drinks and food etc. And shout as loud as they can for the green Boys.
Anyone who is an away fan pays, but is made to feel very welcome and enjoy their day.
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Pragmatic Pete
First XV regular
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 138 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 14:13 |
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I think it is important that away fans do pay to enter as they are only there once a season and will therefore only contribute once to the coffers of the club via the bar and food outlets.
Those attending regularly will pay their way by buying food and drink, cheering the boys on and hopefully expanding our supporters base to their friends and families.
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Camquin
World Cup Winner
Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 818 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 14:29 |
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But how do you tell an away fan from a new supporter?
Camquin
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Blood and Sand
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Jamie
First XV regular
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Crosby Online Status: Offline Posts: 84 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 14:59 |
No membership card and not accompanied by a MYW / normal member.
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RUFCUK
First XV regular
Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 131 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 15:03 |
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Camquin Accent or phraseology should seek out the away fans trying to bunk in. I’d suggest away fans try the following phase to kid the gateman that you’re a local “de do do free entry at loo don’t dey deo”. |
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Jamie
First XV regular
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Crosby Online Status: Offline Posts: 84 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 16:31 |
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...Permed wigs and shell suits
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TryMachine
First XV regular
Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: Crosby Online Status: Offline Posts: 136 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 17:50 |
Stuey
At the last home game programmes were free for members, which I think is sensible recognition for those who have paid a membership fee.
I guess the experiment on free admission will have to end, but by then I hope those who have an an inducement to come will recognise what a great Saturday afternoon out it is at Blundellsands and either join or recognise an entry fee as fantastic value for money.
Does this qualify as a 'rampage Waterloo, rampage'?
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NW watcher !
British and Irish Lion
Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Location: North West Online Status: Offline Posts: 185 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 17:53 |
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*Shakes Head*
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BeeBumble
British and Irish Lion
Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Location: Caldy Online Status: Offline Posts: 230 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 18:16 |
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Careful, Jamie and PP, being discriminated against as an away fan can work both ways! That said, I can assure you that we'll all be equally welcoming to you and any fellow 'Loo supporters as, faces wreathed in the most sincere of insincere smiles, we raise some additional levy to compensate for your likely "poor travelling fan base"!
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Me? I'm just buzzin' around!
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Camquin
World Cup Winner
Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 818 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 19:10 |
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I seem to recall that the Championship regulations posted on the site earlier in the season specifically forbid charging away fans more than the on the gate fee set for home fans - I am not sure if this applies in lower leagues. However, should such a move start - I am sure regulations would be a amended to prevent it.
After all as an away fan while I might drink less (assuming I am not getting a lift) I am more likely to buy food at the ground - as it is not practical to eat at home. Camquin
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Blood and Sand
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clieves
First XV regular
Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 79 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 20:38 |
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BeeBumble, I assume you already charged the Waterloo fans at B&B, the question is, when you come to Blundellsands, if it is a freebie will you be happy to pay!
Camquin, promotions have always gone on, free entry for such a school, free entry for this group, that group, that is how most Prem sides have built crowds.
I am sure the gates will go pay for some games, although family vouchers could be available in the local press etc.
oh and Camquin, Cambridge were such a draw last year, I believe we took more money in programme sales against Leicester Lions than we did in gate takings and programme sales against Cambridge! (Was that loss the one that meant you didn't get promoted, I forget?)
Re the Waterloo members, I understand free programmes, free stand etc are already in place. More incentives to follow!
NW Watcher, be careful, it may fall off!
PP, great that we agree for once!
Again great to see Waterloo in the public eye and being discussed, does any other club at this level get so much coverage on here?
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Matausbee
First XV regular
Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 70 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 21:28 |
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I will be more than happy to pay on the bee's return visit if it is a freebie day. Fair play to you guys there, hope it all works out as you hope. If only a small percentage of the new folk this gets in to your ground start to follow your club on a regular basis (odd away game included) all the clubs in your league will benefit. |
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BeeBumble
British and Irish Lion
Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Location: Caldy Online Status: Offline Posts: 230 |
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Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 21:50 |
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Sorry, clieves, I'm not from Bed & Breakfast and, if something's listed as "ALL welcome . . . FREE ENTRY", why on earth would any individual or group be happy to be singled out as having to pay?
Your response to Camquin is correct as far as positive promotions like "everyone with green hair gets in free" are concerned but this proposal sets out to deny a general benefit to a smallish minority of your peers and, along with the snide comment directed at Cambridge, suggests an attitude to strangers which, despite the proposal to be nice to them after the event, is not exactly what I'd expect from a friendly welcoming club.
As far as getting Waterloo into the public eye, you're probably right but, given the situation that it's got itself into and the innovative (positive) measures that it's adopted to getting itself out of the mess that it created for itself, that's hardly surprising.
That same innovative and postive approach has actually won it a lot of support and it'd be a real pity if the negatives present in this latest suggestion were to undo any of the goodwill which they have already generated.
If you're confident that it won't, maybe you should just put it to the vote so that we all know were Waterloo (management) stands; on the other hand you could just recognise it for the daft idea that it is and redirect your energies back to more productive approaches to making friends and influencing people (positively).
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Me? I'm just buzzin' around!
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clieves
First XV regular
Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 79 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 00:41 |
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BB my apologies I confused you with a Bradford&Bingley poster! Thank you for agreeing with my response to Camquin, with regards to the comments aimed at Cambridge well there is history from higher league you wouldn't be aware of!
Your para 3 - did Tony Blair write that? 43 words to say nothing
Your para 4 - what negatives?
Your para 5 - confident what won't? What is a daft idea? And what vote would tell you what the management position was?
BeeBumble, maybe you could explain your sustainable plan whilst you are at it, there seemed to be a lot of talk about massive money from private individuals but nothing sustainable - and there is a rumour that it may not come to fruiition? Look forward to it, maybe your reply to me was to get yur club back on the forum?
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clieves
First XV regular
Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 79 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 00:42 |
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Matausbee
Cheers Mate, thanks for the positive thought!
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Pughie
Academy player
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Location: Blundellsands Online Status: Offline Posts: 29 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 10:14 |
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There seems to be a bit of sniping going on. hopefully its just good hearted banter.
The fact is WATERLOO are trying new ideas and www.mywaterloorugby.com is encouraging a lot of fresh ideas that are being taken seriously by the board.
WE HAVE , by taking a risk on FREE ENTRY introduced a significant increase in the number of NEW people watching rugby at this level and those teams who have played at WATERLOO this season under the free entry promotion will testify to crowds of around 3 to 4 x what they are getting anywhere else.
WE ARE ACTIVELY promoting and taking the game to people, hopefully they will become followers and as and when we return to charging they will feel it is worth paying for it.
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No place to hide
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Allan Foster
World Cup Winner
Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1094 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 10:44 |
However, don't get carried away by your own PR. With Fylde and Kendal getting an average of between 400-500 people to home matches (200 eating the £10 sit-down lunch 'upstairs' at the Woodlands last Saturday), Loo will do well to get "3 to 4 times ... anywhere else." After saying that, we are finding it very difficult to get above the threshold of 500 other than for the visit of 'Hoppers or one or two other games a season. It's very frustrating despite all the publicity, e-mails, website and local media coverage we generate. Edited by Allan Foster - 02 Oct 2009 at 10:44 |
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An academic is a person who looks at something working perfectly in practice and wonders if it will work in theory.
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RoyalBlueStuey
First XV regular
Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 124 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 10:50 |
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Personally I don't think away fans should be forced to pay...it's divisive and impossible to enforce. Come one come all. 1,000 people drinking, eating & buying merchandise (and anjoying at day out at a great, great club) will make the place self-sustaining.
Remember upping the attendance by 700 people makes the club a much more attractive option for sponsors etc etc |
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Mersey View
First XV squad
Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 58 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 11:47 |
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I agree R B S. My experience is you go to an event with a certain amount of money to spend. Whether it is entry fee or spends. If the entry fee takes the lions share of the money with little left to spend on 'fun', ie, food and drinks, family groups or individuals are less likely to return as often.
More regular spectators are likely to introduce more new clients, this is a numbers game. If the players continue to show the corinthian spirit week in week out I do believe the numbers will continue to be healthy. Goodness knows what will happen when the lads win on Saturday.
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Build from within.
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Allan Foster
World Cup Winner
Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1094 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 12:39 |
And win they should against a, to date, very disappointing Ionians team. I'd almost put my mortgage on it  |
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An academic is a person who looks at something working perfectly in practice and wonders if it will work in theory.
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Pragmatic Pete
First XV regular
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 138 |
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Posted: 02 Oct 2009 at 13:09 |
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Careful Allan by the end of Saturday afternoon you could be homeless! It will be interesting to see how the Loo boys manage when they are expected to win.
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