Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Vespula Vulgaris on December 08, 2018, 08:29:07 AM
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One of the issues I have with forums is not really knowing anything about the people I am friends with. So here is your chance to tell us a little about yourself if you want.
I'm Oz, I've been a Wasps supporter for somewhere in the region of 15 years. I live in a small village in Hampshire with thousands (three at home, one grown up and moved out) of children and rarely get to the Ricoh. I used to live in Herts and so got to Adams Park a lot more. To be honest I kinda miss that place (am I allowed to say that?).
I'm the guy in the middle in the pic (not Charles).
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Pic below. I am on the right, my daughter, Sarah, is on the left. My name is Trevor, although, a long time ago, when I played (#12) my teammates called me Nelly. I live in Wellesbourne and have done for about 30 years, but I was born a few miles away, in Long Itchington. Both are in Warwickshire.
I went to school at Leamington College for Boys (a rugby playing boys only grammar school), the school at which old boys are known as Old Leamingtonians (and thus the rugby club with which Wasps are getting involved). I 'retired' from rugby when I had a serious Achilles tendon injury (in the days before decent treatment was available on the NHS), at the tender age of 18. There is a photo of me and my two brothers when we were very young (circa 1974/75 I think). Me on the right, 'BG' in the middle.
I write software, and do technical support, for WordPress related themes and plugins.
I have recently taken to riding a motorbike, but my choice of bike is somewhat limited by needing a relatively low saddle height (very short legs). I currently ride a red 2018 Honda CB1100RS (pic below). Anybody fancies a ride out, send me your mobile by PM, and we can meet up somewhere). I don't ride fast (as my brother - known on this and the other place as BG - will attest to).
For reasonably local away games, I tend to go on my bike (been to Worcester and Northampton this year, Leicester soon).
I do photography, but don't get much time lately. I have four cats (Mario, Luigi, Daisy and Peach). Married (38 years), with one daughter, Sarah (20).
Been following Wasps pretty much since they came up to Coventry. I used to live in Egham a long time ago (when I worked for Citroen in Slough) , and went to a few matches in the mid to late eighties also (in Sudbury, was it?).
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Nice to meet you Trevor!
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I'm a Scot (Ross) born in Glasgow but bred in London. Had my fourth birthday in Harrogate in 1951 heading South. I lived in London for most of my life but moved to Hastings permanently nearly 3 years ago. I've worked in bookselling, publishing, been a croupier (Playboy club) and have been an antique picture dealer since the late seventies. I've been married for 28 years. No kids of my own but acquired two step sons who were part of the deal :) They've long flown the coop now. I am supposed to be retired but still lurk around auction rooms and antique shops. Can't resist it.
I've supported Wasps (STH) since the Loftus Road days - I lived in Hammersmith, so used to walk to games. I went to Adams Park a few times but as I grew older the distance seemed to lengthen however I did get to the final game at High Wycombe. I rather liked the ground but access through the light industrial estate was truly awful. I've never made it to the Ricoh as, when Wasps went North, I went South. I would like to visit Coventry at least once but to be realistic I probably won't be able to. Old age, bad knees and dodgy eyes make traveling difficult. I watch every Wasps' game now, with Rugbypass and a VPN on my desktop computer. Money well spent. Particularly as I've cancelled Sky and BT Sport (don't much fancy anything other than rugby).
I used to play all across the front and back rows (you could then, late sixties, early seventies) for London Scottish junior teams. I actually played against a Wasps XV at Sudbury (we lost)! We were in dark blue and Wasps were in black, not a problem. It was a very different game then and I loved it. High point of the week was the postcard arriving to tell you where you were playing the following Saturday. I suppose it's all email and texts now - not the same, just mixed in with everything else.
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Hey, nice idea.
I'm Steve. I used to live in Ilford, so became a "London" Wasps supporter when I got tickets for the first premiership final against Gloucester.
That was essentially the start of the golden era so it was good timing.
I now live in Norwich, so it's about 3 hours each way to the Ricoh. We tend to try to make a weekend of it by staying overnight.
Short stay this time so we can pick the kids up tomorrow
I've got 2 year old twins who pretty much stop me doing anything that I used to do. I'm going that they'll soon get some kind of attention span so I can start taking them to games.
I work in IT specialising in certain finance ERP systems
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Good idea.
Neils is actually Neil surprise surprise. I too am from North of the border but from a far better place!! Actually an Edinburgh fan and find myself strangely cheering on Cockers after years of him being the devil. Lovely man now. Rarely get to see them live these days. Wasps STH from Adams Park days. Started out in the glory days taking my two boys to the family stand and good to say both still go to watch live when their jobs allow. Was sold on Coventry by talking to Nick (and cheekily asking for dog kennels) at Marlow and decided to give it a go. Been enjoyable so far!
Our journey from Essex's Capital City is generally only half an hour more than Wycombe but constant roadworks always knacker us - currently A14 and M6. Been down here for nearly 33 years.
Played rugby for a number of years up there and realised my limitations when facing a coming back from injury Andy Irvine - couldn't get anywhere near the B#%$&#d.
I worked in security for the government based in Whitehall and am glad to be rid of it.
We happily sit in the West Stand in A under the press seats which can be interesting. My wife has twice told Farrell junior to shut up and sit down.
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I'm Karl. Spent 11 years in Israel, now back in the UK, whilst there started watching more rugby, decided to start following club rugby and picked a club that had some fun exciting players and played an attractive style. That was 2012 I believe. Been supporting Wasps since.
Been to the Ricoh a few times, and hope to keep making visits, but it's a bit of a journey, and fairly costly, especially as it really does need to be accompanied with a night in a hotel. Doubly so when I was in Israel!
Work from home now. Loving working from home, normally start around 7.30/8am, and do a clearout at around 10/11pm, but that gives me a huge amount of flexibility during the day itself, which really suits me.
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I'm David, and started watching Wasps at Sudbury in 1964. I'd play my school rugby match on a Saturday morning, then get on the tube to Sudbury Town, then home to Harrow from there. After leaving school at 18, I played for Wasps colts and then the senior sides, once making the Second XV during a flu epidemic.
After a bad leg break, I gave up playing for a few years, got married, moved to High Wycombe, and took up playing again when my son started in Mini Rugby and I attended RFU coaching courses. He went to the RGS, and played at Twickenham in the Daily Mail Schools Cup U15 final in 1998, a proud moment for me.
I didn't go to many games at the soulless Loftus Road, but when they moved to Adams Park, went to most home games there. The Ricoh is a big chunk of time commitment including travelling time, so I now only do 2 or 3 home games a season, and go to the away games at Sarries and Quins, and TW2 if we're playing there. Subscribing to BT Sport is generally much easier and cheaper.
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I'm Martin and live in Knowle. I grew up in Molesey and lived in Twickenham and then Hersham before moving to Knowle about ten years ago. I knew several Wasps supporters when I lived in the London area so perhaps that's where my interest started, but my first game was a loss to Cardiff Blues in the Anglo Welsh Cup at the Ricoh.
I first went with my lad and some friends from Round Table, all of us were new to rugby at he time. Went to the next game with my whole family and we all just kept going back and then became season ticket holders. My lad started playing not long after we started watching and I think watching it has helped him a lot.
I mostly work from home writing chemical safety data sheets. I have a german shepherd dog and recently I have placed a deposit on a Street Twin motorbike, but collect it in a week or so and look forward to going for a bumble around and a coffee with Trevor / Nelly at some point.
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I'm Spartacus and so is my wife.
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I'm Steve 49 years old and from Banbury, I chose Wasps as my team when they started playing at Loftus Road as that's where my dad used to take me to watch football. Used to have a season ticket at Adams Park but now either cherry pick games at the Ricoh or go for the half season ticket.
I also ride motorbikes and as well as my trusty Vespa scooter I'm the proud owner of a new Triumph Tiger XRT of which I plan to tour Western Europe on in the next few years.
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I'm Steve 49 years old and from Banbury, I chose Wasps as my team when they started playing at Loftus Road as that's where my dad used to take me to watch football. Used to have a season ticket at Adams Park but now either cherry pick games at the Ricoh or go for the half season ticket.
I also ride motorbikes and as well as my trusty Vespa scooter I'm the proud owner of a new Triumph Tiger XRT of which I plan to tour Western Europe on in the next few years.
My first 'bike' was a white Vespa 200 Rally, which I bought (very used) in 1978 from Frettons in Leamington. Such fun, but very uncomfortable at speed (not that I could tell from the speedo what speed I was doing, except when a policeman would pull me over) or rides longer than 20-30 miles. Great around town (Manchester at the time).
EDIT: In those days, you didn't need to take a test to ride one of these, all you needed was a car license. Should have taken the test then, as it was easy compared to nowadays (very hard now). I took the full test earlier this year.
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I'm Bryan, 48, live in Leamington. Played rugby from the age of 6 to 18.. stopped for about 6 yrs then started again for a local club (Old Warwickians) in my mid 20's, stopped at about 30. I still meet people around town or at the ricoch that I played with and there is still a bond there.
Before the Wasps move to Cov I occasionally went to Tigers or Wuss.
Work in IT.. a generally broad spectrum of expertise from Servers, network design and firewalls to fixing friends laptops.
I ride motorbikes and almost fell off my chair when my older brother, NWW, told me this year that he'd bought a motorbike.. before he passed his test! There's confidence and ambition for you.
My dream - to ride the Pan-american highway from Alaska to Argentina (having read a book by Dan Walsh)
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I'm Bryan, 48, live in Leamington. Played rugby from the age of 6 to 18.. stopped for about 6 yrs then started again for a local club (Old Warwickians) in my mid 20's, stopped at about 30. I still meet people around town or at the ricoch that I played with and there is still a bond there.
Before the Wasps move to Cov I occasionally went to Tigers or Wuss.
Work in IT.. a generally broad spectrum of expertise from Servers, network design and firewalls to fixing friends laptops.
I ride motorbikes and almost fell off my chair when my older brother, NWW, told me this year that he'd bought a motorbike.. before he passed his test! There's confidence and ambition for you.
My dream - to ride the Pan-american highway from Alaska to Argentina (having read a book by Dan Walsh)
Do I know you? hehe. Bryan is the little guy in this photo:
EDIT: Bryan is right, I only took my test this year (and passed, just). Since then I have clocked up over 6000 miles on three different bikes. He said I was mad to: 1. even start riding, 2. to try and take the test at my age, 3. Buy a bike BEFORE I even took the test. Turns out, he was right. I AM mad. Who knew?
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I hated football as a kid, but loved watching Rugby on the box (ok it was usually Bath or Leicester matches that were shown).
I was taken to watch Wasps as a birthday treat on my 10th birthday, and with the exception of the Loftus Road era when I only got there a couple of times, I have been supporting them ever since, and have been a ST holder since they moved to Adams Park. I'm now into my 70s.
Started playing Rugby at school, when the, then, captain of Wales arrived as a chemistry teacher and introduced the game to what had previously been a soccer only school. Played a few matches for London Welsh and Wasps (not saying which team, doesn't sound as impressive as just saying the club names).
Moving to deepest Bucks, meant a change to Chiltern Rugby Club, but I also took up Stock Car Racing, resulting with a shattered leg that ended my playing career.
Took up coaching Gymnastics, which, although now officially retired, I still do.
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I'm John. I live near High Wycombe and was first introduced to club rugby on a very cold day at Adams Park in 2004 when Oogie scored a last minute try against Quins to bring us within 1 point and Gizzy knocked over the conversion to win. I was invited to that game by a mate and bought a season ticket the following week. Been a supporter ever since.
Colon cancer in 2009 almost killed me (or rather my indolent GP did by totally ignoring the symptoms) and, after chatting to my wife about "life being too short etc", decided I'd sponsor one of our up-an-coming players - one Elliott Daly. Kept that going for four or five years until I couldn't justify the ever-increasing expense.
Hadn't missed a game at the Ricoh until the last knockings of last season when my wife was diagnosed with lymphoma.
She got the all-clear in August but the chemo knocked the stuffing out of her and she's only now getting back towards normal. We've got two Old English sheepdogs who need 2 or 3 good walks each day and my wife, having lost so much weight - at one point she was under 6 stone - can't walk them. So, if Wasps have a 3pm kick-off, I can't fit in 2 walks before I need to leave at 12.30 so I've missed a good many games this season.
But I've got my wife back, which is all that matters.
I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, worked in Formula One for a while and then set up my own practice. Raced a much-modified Sprite in the 80s until I ran out of talent and had a high-speed discussion with the pit wall at Silverstone. Now semi-retired. Unlike a number of people on here, never been interested in motorbikes. Cars do it for me.
We're planning on moving house next year to downsize (and be closer to Coventry) so probably Stow-on-the-Wold sort of area. Somewhere nice and quiet.
That's me, with apologies for rambling on.
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Great idea :)
My name is James (as my username imaginatively suggests). I live in Birmingham but I will soon be moving to Lichfield.
I am one of the many fans that Wasps picked up after they moved to Coventry. A colleague of mine at work and I both decided we wanted to go and watch some top-flight rugby, so we chose Wasps for location (I had studied at Coventry University, so I also have a bit of sentiment towards Coventry also). We both bought season tickets for the 2017/18 season and have since renewed. We have become quite good friends as well. One of my stand-out moments of last season has to be Tom Cruse's flying effort to score a try against Ulster in the Champions Cup. I was also able to convert my girlfriend from a football fan to a rugby fan - I was chuffed with that.
Since graduating from University at the end of 2015, I have been working as an electrical engineer primarily in the pharmaceutical industry.
We currently sit in Block 31 so if anyone is nearby it would be great to meet over a drink prior to kick off one game.
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Mark, 55 from Brackley in Northamptonshire. Surrounded by Saints supporters but holding out.
Started going to Wasps matches at Adams Park over 10 years ago when my partner (Laura) bought a pub and Wasps publicity started giving out tickets, and then one of our locals (Dymott Builders) had a box there and so we had the occasional “posh” visit. Coventry is the same distance away but without the 2 hours to get out of parking at Adams Park.
Since then the two of us and her mother have been going to matches with increased regularity, work permitting, and became STH in the east stand at the Ricoh. (Finally got a season Car Park spot just before the potential demise of Car Park C was announced)
The past couple of years have managed to start going to a lot of the away matches too when dog-sitting can be arranged. We have a Belgian Shepherd (Tervueren – hence the moniker, I lack the imagination to think up a clever name).
Played (badly) at school, could flatten people but lacked skill.
Enjoy the forums because they are a learning experience, this one increasingly more than the other place, as there are so many people with greater knowledge than I possess. Very grateful to those running them.
Enjoy the Rugby, even the matches where I want to weep (e.g. the recent trip to Frankins). I like the fact that the players come around the pitch at the end so we can show our mutual appreciation, I just wish it was our players and not just the opposition (applauding Leicester players when ours have just legged it down the tunnel does grate).
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Hi - I'm Mike, 56, accountant by trade
Originally from Staines but now not far from Bath and Bristol. I was loose head prop at school and Uni before cricket took over as my main sport and I made "guest" appearances for a number of teams including being permanent 16th man for a PE teachers team in Berkshire
I can't remember when Wasps came into my view - but at the 87 RWC, I identified as a Wasp, and enjoyed seeing Paul Rendall, Kevin Simms and Rob Andrew play, even if it was a poor tournament for England. I was only in Aus by accident and in those days, you could just turn up to a game - I saw the Japan game at the Concord Oval Sydney, with a ticket on the day for a few dollars
Semi retired these days, enjoy watching rugby anytime, getting a little tired with internationals, and my main find of the season was watching the excellent Mitre 10 games and seeing rugby like I want it to be played. Thanks to whoever tipped us off for that.
Always liked going to old Twickenham when I lived close enough in the 70's and always tried to get to London Division games. I saw my first international there in 72 with my Dad who had got tickets from somewhere.
Like reading the forums, good for info, not interested in having a dig at anyone, doesn't seem to be a point.
As an adopted West Country man, I have migrated to liking real cider and like a visit to a farm to buy the real stuff!
My main exercise these days is with my lurcher, and I like touring the West on my motorcycle (Tiger 1050) when its not wet!
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Loving this thread, nice to see the people behind the names. Thanks chaps!
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One of the issues I have with forums is not really knowing anything about the people I am friends with. So here is your chance to tell us a little about yourself if you want.
I'm Oz, I've been a Wasps supporter for somewhere in the region of 15 years. I live in a small village in Hampshire with thousands (three at home, one grown up and moved out) of children and rarely get to the Ricoh. I used to live in Herts and so got to Adams Park a lot more. To be honest I kinda miss that place (am I allowed to say that?).
I'm the guy in the middle in the pic (not Charles).
I’m Dom and I’m the handsome fellow on the left of Oz’s picture, again sadly not Charles. I have the great misfortune of working with Oz as well as associating with him at random Coventry trips. I guess I just enjoy suffering.
Family’s always been about Rugby, but as South Africans (the naff variety who aren’t entirely sports mad) I never really got into the prem until my late teens. I was a natal sharks fan until I decided to get myself a new rugby top to start playing in at sixth form and I choose the classiest one in the shop, and supported wasps ever since.
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I'm Iain and I am a 50 year old Chemical Engineer living in Thanet. I started watching Wasps when a work friend offered to take my eldest to the London Double Header about 9 years ago or so. We have followed Wasps ever since bringing my youngest daughter and late wife along on the journey. There was one memorable occasion when my wife was ill and some very kind people (I won't embarrass them here) allowed us to share their box, and a certain Mr Cipriani stopped the Sale coach to come over to our car to chat with her. A happy memory in sad times.
I have 2 daughters, a dog and like neither cars nor motorbikes, preferring self power - running, cycling and hill walking with my girls.
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I'm Iain and I am a 50 year old Chemical Engineer living in Thanet. I started watching Wasps when a work friend offered to take my eldest to the London Double Header about 9 years ago or so. We have followed Wasps ever since bringing my youngest daughter and late wife along on the journey. There was one memorable occasion when my wife was ill and some very kind people (I won't embarrass them here) allowed us to share their box, and a certain Mr Cipriani stopped the Sale coach to come over to our car to chat with her. A happy memory in sad times.
I have 2 daughters, a dog and like neither cars nor motorbikes, preferring self power - running, cycling and hill walking with my girls.
Sorry to hear about your wife Iain. I remember you posting saying she was ill some time ago.
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Are you sitting comfortably?
My name is Gary I am 54 and as per tag I live in Belfast, originally from Essex (even longer story) In 1984/5 I was playing for a military team in Mill Hill North London when disaster struck and dislocated my knee. Our Brigadier, a gentleman called Rolf James sent me to Edgeware Hospital for my physio. He was also physio for Wasps ( I believe his name was James Davies, but was long time ago) he in turn invited me to Wasps HQ for extra treatment and whilst getting beasted and treated alongside Rob Andrew, Paul Rendall. Once recovered I was not allowed to play for Wasps officially but played a few games down the club. I was posted away the following year but have supported wasps ever since. Watched them play at Sudbury, Loftus Road and the Ricoh plus many away locations but never got to Adams park. Just goes to show "Once a Wasp always a Wasp". I look forward to meeting some of you in the future and maybe pull up a sand bag and bore you some more ;D
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Hello all. I am Mark.
As suggested by my handle, I live and work in west wales, and can normally be found in Scarlet-land, where I work for a rather successful independent school, teaching Chemistry and doing a bit of soccer on the side at lunch, having also taught bits of maths, PSE etc. over the years. I am also Health and Safety officer for the school.
I am from East Essex originally, and moved down here for Uni from state grammar, where I studied for a Bsc, then Msc, then Ph.D, before grabbing a PGCE on the way out.
I first started supporting Wasps back in the mid-late 1990s. I used to do about 6-8 home games a season at AP, with 3-4 away games, plus soccer and England HQ games, but that was prior to my daughter being born in 2010. Nowadays 3-4 matches a year at home is the max, with 2-3 away depending- Bristol, Bath, Worcester, Sale and Glaws are where you are most likely to find me in terms of away games, whilst at home I rarely sit in the same seat twice.
I don't drive, but am fortunate that tend to go to matches with my Dad, who does, meaning I can train along the M4 and meet him from Essex if needed. He also pays for the tickets, so that makes him double hero. My daughter now accompanies us to some matches, whilst I have even dragged my Cardiff supporting wife along a couple of times. England Wales matches in my house are not always fun :-[
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As an adopted West Country man, I have migrated to liking real cider and like a visit to a farm to buy the real stuff!
My main exercise these days is with my lurcher, and I like touring the West on my motorcycle (Tiger 1050) when its not wet!
Nice to see another Wasps supporter who has great taste in Traditional Cider and Triumph Tiger motorcycles. 😉
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As an adopted West Country man, I have migrated to liking real cider and like a visit to a farm to buy the real stuff!
My main exercise these days is with my lurcher, and I like touring the West on my motorcycle (Tiger 1050) when its not wet!
Nice to see another Wasps supporter who has great taste in Traditional Cider and Triumph Tiger motorcycles. 😉
Moto 2 next year are converting to Triumph engines.. a 765 triple.. They have no pans to introduce a road version.. unless there is a demand.
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Hi I am Richard, 59 next month, been actively watching Wasps since January 2004 at Adams Park, had several guises on the DW forum, usually changed after I post something really stupid, about every 5 years, some might say every other week. Run my own Dog Walking /Boarding Business with my wife Michelle, she is not a great Rugby fan although has been to Treviso and Toulon,,,, dunno why. two children Alex formally a Wasps ball boy now a Policeman and Olivia at Loughborough Uni. Missed my first Away European Match this weekend for about 7 years mainly because British Airways are sh!t and rather than land at a nearby airport to Toulouse thought lets go back to Heathrow!!! Slightly disillusioned with Rugby and Wasps right now but make every Wasps home game when I am not on holiday which seems to be getting more and more Regular. Currently trying very hard to get back to my old golf handicap of 12, still a long way to go but helps me to not get so wound up by all the crap on the DW site. i really don't know how some of them get out of bed in the morning......
nice way to introduce ourselves
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BG, i'm too old for sports bikes, more into touring these days. Hopefully the clowns in Westminster can sort a deal with the EU as I like to ride in Europe a couple of times a year and I don't need the hassle of applying for visas.
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Slightly disillusioned with Rugby and Wasps right now
Hi Richard, nice to meet you. Why disillusioned?
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May be a poor choice of words but I guess i just don't seem to care as much as i used to anymore.....
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May be a poor choice of words but I guess i just don't seem to care as much as i used to anymore.....
I tend to phase in and out of serious interest as other things take my fancy here and there. Still try and watch the games whenever though. Obviously easier to follow when we're doing well too!
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I've been trying to make a break away from DW and when I do I find the game far more enjoyable.
I also enjoy it more when I'm not worrying about whether they dropped ball means the players want to leave or of it means that we won't finish top X.
I try now to just watch the game for the love of watching the game.
It certainly helps me
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I've recently given up Facebook, and am cutting back on the time I spend on DW. Life is much more pleasant without trawling through the angry doomsayers on DW, and not using Facebook has shown what a massive drain it has been on my time.
I really hope this place manages to avoid the negativity of DW.
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I've recently given up Facebook, and am cutting back on the time I spend on DW. Life is much more pleasant without trawling through the angry doomsayers on DW, and not using Facebook has shown what a massive drain it has been on my time.
I really hope this place manages to avoid the negativity of DW.
Have you noticed an uptake in new users recently from DW.
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Definitely. It's still noticably quieter here than there, but we'd go for ages without a new post before, now we're starting to build a proper community.
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I suspect there might be a mass exodus next time the DW site goes down again.
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I suspect there might be a mass exodus next time the DW site goes down again.
Shouldn't be long now...
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I save a whole lot of battery life when it is down, and well being significantly improved.... can't come soon enough
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I am Robert, started watching Wasps in 2003 because my wife fancied LBND and have supported as a family ever since. They have me by the short and curlies due to the kindness and positive action of the then Community Officer Dave Larnham towards my family after a bereavement. Travel from Wiltshire for every competitive home game and have not missed one at Coventry. On Sunday games go to communion at the cathederal first. Journey time is quicker than High Wycombe due to the exceptionally good egress from car park C.
Have come over here because increasingly disappointed with the atmosphere on the DW site - if it was a pub I wouldn’t drink there.
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I am Ritchie, started watching Wasps early 90's and finally got my wife to come along to games in 2006 and now she is hooked. Live in Thetford and spend most weekends monitoring the A14 development at Cambridge when travelling to games home and away :D. Work in Norwich as a IT Manager after serving 26 years in the RAF, slowly adjusting to pace of life in civvy street.
Now have a passion for cycling after giving up running, particularly time trials so love pushing myself to the limit in training and competing. Not just pedal powered bikes, love riding my motorbike everyday in all weathers.
Never posted much on the DW site, was kind of put off so grateful this new forum has come along.
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As an adopted West Country man, I have migrated to liking real cider and like a visit to a farm to buy the real stuff!
My main exercise these days is with my lurcher, and I like touring the West on my motorcycle (Tiger 1050) when its not wet!
Nice to see another Wasps supporter who has great taste in Traditional Cider and Triumph Tiger motorcycles. 😉
A combination to be enjoyed independently! I have found that I am probably more KTM sized than Triumph and if I do upgrade I might look at a KTM if I can get a deal.
Ciderwise, can I put put for Crossman's Cider http://crossmanscider.co.uk/ and the dry and also https://www.somersetciderbrandy.com/ and http://www.perryscider.co.uk/ for the medium/dry
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There's a Tiger for everyone, from the Tiger 800 Low ride height to the continent crossing Explorer 1200. Anyhow it doesn't matter what bike we ride as long as we get out on one.
Thanks for the heads up on the Ciders, I'll check them out. I usually drink Thatchers Cheddar Valley or Westons Old Rosie from a 20L box.
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There's a Tiger for everyone, from the Tiger 800 Low ride height to the continent crossing Explorer 1200. Anyhow it doesn't matter what bike we ride as long as we get out on one.
Thanks for the heads up on the Ciders, I'll check them out. I usually drink Thatchers Cheddar Valley or Westons Old Rosie from a 20L box.
Re the ciders, once you have your own container - and they will sell you one... - I think the Crossmans was under £1 a pint! The others slightly more. Worth tasting if you have the time as "dry" is quite a broad term!
Re the Tigers, I find the 1050 a nice fit and good distance, now I have a vario screen, but somehow, the KTMs I've sat on feel like I was the intended customer! Its probably a decision for next year.
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Since I know there's some fellow work from home types, just wanted to show off my latest purchase:
(https://image2.ajcontent.com/Archive/ASE/ProductArchive/152801/152801_1_0.jpg)
Wanted a sit/stand desk. Was looking at the cheapest option, which is IKEA, hand crank design, with 30kg weight limit. Found this one, electric motor, 100kg limit, better desk size. £420, reduced to £209, reduced again by 24% with a voucher to bring it down to £160 and free delivery. That's cheaper than the Ikea one was (and a good price for a fair few normal desks!).
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That is awesome. I'd love one of them!
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Since I know there's some fellow work from home types, just wanted to show off my latest purchase:
(https://image2.ajcontent.com/Archive/ASE/ProductArchive/152801/152801_1_0.jpg)
Wanted a sit/stand desk. Was looking at the cheapest option, which is IKEA, hand crank design, with 30kg weight limit. Found this one, electric motor, 100kg limit, better desk size. £420, reduced to £209, reduced again by 24% with a voucher to bring it down to £160 and free delivery. That's cheaper than the Ikea one was (and a good price for a fair few normal desks!).
Have you got the details? Including details of the voucher code?
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https://www.ajproducts.co.uk/office-conference/office-furniture/standing-desks/standing-desk-straight/459335-19445874.wf?productId=19445810
CHRISTMAS4
Link and voucher i used.
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Just to continue the theme, I’m half Scottish (dad was from Glasgow), but I’ve recently learned I hail from the same Clan as Donald Trump, so let’s drop it. I’m 48, and live in Spalding, south Lincolnshire, with my wife and 6 year old daughter. Started following Wasps scores on Grandstand when I was 18 and in to W.A.S.P., the rock band. Then went to University in North London (Hendon) and started going to watch Wasps at Sudbury in 1995. Played scrum half for the Wasps Supporters Team against Sedgley Park in 1999, and this is probably where the Drunken Wasps started. Been a season ticket holder at Loftus Road and Adams Park, but only get to the Ricoh four or five times a season.
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Well, I’ve finally come over too as the DW site just gets too frustrating when it is down or just too negative at times.
I’m Jon, fan since the Pilkington Cup final in 1995 where I went for a school trip, as much as I loved seeing Guscott and the star names at Bath I was rooting for Wasps as the underdog and back then Rob Andrew was likeable.
Moving on it to adulthood living in Kent and having a young family it was tricky to get to games in terms of money and distance but we got to Adams park a few times a year, did the London away A League games on Monday nights and have since tried to get to the Ricoh a few times.
Over the last two years I’ve been working for the MOD out in the Falkland Islands so getting to games is tricky and due to the dodgey internet here I cannot stream games from bet365 when we’re not on tv. BFBS sports channels usually show the bt and sky rugby games so keep up to date as much as I can.
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I'm Jon.
I've been a Wasps supporter since the late 70s. I started going to Sudbury in the 80s after I fell out of love with going to football. I only went periodically, to be honest, but they were my local club.
Once the club moved to Shepherds Bush I became a more frequent visitor, ending up with a season ticket. It was very handy for me, I could go into the office on a Sunday morning and pretend to do some work, then pop across central London to Loftus Road.
I went a couple of times to Wycombe but, to be honest, it was a horrible journey. It also co-incided with a period of my life when I was either working my nuts off or travelling the world, neither of which was conducive to regular attendance. My games were limited to Twickenham appearances.
Since the move to Coventry I have no desire to travel that far.
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Hi JF. I remember you well from Loftus Road. Hope you are keeping well.
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Hello. My name is Will. Have followed Wasps in a gentle way since roughly the start of professionalism, so caught one or two names from the old days at Loftus Road. Living in Chiswick I had a choice of many nearby clubs and was just (glorious) luck that I ended at Wasps. Used to be a short fat winger in a junior team at Rosslyn Park, quit 23 years ago, but now somehow find I am short fat loosehead for the Wasps FC Occasionals. Like a few on here I ride a motorcycle and have done the occasional ride to the Ricoh with Chilham and others. Two kids, working in City but retirement beckoning fairly forcefully. Extremely short legs.
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I'm Matt, nearly 42 years old and started following Wasps at Sudbury at 1986 when my Grandfather introduced me to them. He had been a Wasps fan since the 1950's and was a Life Member of the club and used to work the gate at Repton Avenue. The entire family are Wasps fans and were season ticket holders at Sudbury, Loftus Road and Adams Park. The move from Adams Park to Coventry coincided with the arrival of my first born so trips to the Ricoh have been limited. Just as he is at an age where we could start to travel to games, sprog number 2 is due for arrival in the next few weeks, so that's put an end to that!!!
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Hi everyone
I’m Andrea. I live in deepest darkest Leicestershire (unfortunately) with hubby to be who is a Tiggers fan (even more unfortunately :D) I’m 38 and originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where I used to cover the Falcons matches as a member of St Johns Ambulance in the days when Falcons were actually quite good :D I’m a full time student, studying Sports Science and Psychology- my special interest is the psychology behind rugby injuries.
I’m actually a season ticket holder at Nottingham Rugby- however I sponsored Tom West for two seasons when he was with us and so I went to a few Wasps matches that he played in that time (Anglo Welsh cup, A-League and when he made his full debut against Saracens)
I was quite impressed with what I saw in Wasps as a team at that time and with the dislike of Tigers that had developed by then I decided to stick around. I don’t get to as many games as I would like (I’m physically disabled and don’t drive so it can be a bit much for me to cope with) but I always keep an eye on the result. Last game for me was the A-League game against Tigers at Welford Road, and last league game was the match v Saracens at the Allianz when the loanee prop that was on the bench was the player that I happen to be sponsoring this season at Nottingham :D
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John Gibson.
ST holder from Day 1 at HW and continued through to the Ricoh. The boss also had a ST at HW but gave it up due to illness and the move to Coventry.
Played rugby for over 35 years at local level. Primarily at HW and Marlow. Gave up when the linament didn't work any more!!
Heading for three score and ten next month and not really looking forward to it! Resident in Flackwell Heath for all bar 3 years when we first got married in '72. Been retired since 2002 and in my former life, I worked at Mars, primarily in R&D across the packaging. product and process disciplines. Also a property owner in NW France, in the Mayenne departement since 1991. Have been an active Freemason since 1996.
Got to know a few members of the DW and this site - VV, BG, OG and NWW to name but four. (VV and I belong to the same boys club!)
Given my scientific and analytical background, I tend to wear the reality hat most of the time. Yes, I know it stirs up debate at times!
We all have the same interest at heart - our beloved club.
#COYW
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No photo because I would not wish to frighten the children.
I am a retired lawyer. I was born in London and bar a few years have lived and worked there all my life.
Married 43 years, three children and three grandchildren (all girls so far) with another baby on the way. When not watching rugby, listening to music and playing golf, Chess and Bridge I am a perfect trampoline and punchbag for the girls. Isn't that what granddads are for?
Played rugby at school and University and then afterwards until a ruptured ACL put an end to the fun at age 27. New knee and two new hips, three back operations and a snapped achilles since 2006 mean my body is trying to tell me something.
I have been a Wasps supporter and ST holder since about 1998, having before that been an avid Blackheath supporter. I miss very few matches, travelling up from Kent with a chum, also a ST holder. Went on the Lions Tours in 2001 and 2005 and to the World Cups in 1999, 2003 (yes, I was there at the Final!), 2007 and, of course, 2015. I have a very understanding and supportive wife!
I really like to hear the views of others but don't like it when rudeness or politics creep into posts. I am afraid that, like so many rugby enthusiasts, I can be a tad self-opinionated at times.
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Started watching Wasps in Sudbury when I moved to Harrow, yes in 1978.
Played at school and then for a couple of years afterwards.
Have been a member, STH etc since then despite living in Birmingham for 12 years, then East London, then Kent. It was quicker to get to Adams Park from Birmingham than from E London. Reckon I have been present whenever they have won something as well as the low times. Introduced my wife to rugby, she also became an STH so she could get regular viewings of Worsley and Lewsey. 2003/4 season was the best so far. Was in Sydney for the RWC win, then Dublin for Heineken semi win against Munster (wife was 7 months pregnant for that one but still went) and then the final against Toulouse (oh and son born a few weeks later)
Moved to Singapore in August, got job offer after renewing ST. So whilst I used to enjoy the trip up to the Ricoh much more than Adams Park, not been this season as the 13,000 mile round trip is a bit much, but have watched most games live on Rugby Pass.
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Real name Peter Jones - no relation to the shop nor the Dragons Den man.
Brought up in South Wales, went to a school that only played rugby, and where I supported Swansea/All Whites/Ospreys - until the day they played Wasps (at Loftus Road or Adams Park?) where I discovered that my loyalty had changed! Worked in Coventry for a couple of years and watched Duckham and Rossborough, listening to the great chant "set them alight Cov".
Supported Wasps since 1989 when I took my 9 year old son to Sudbury. Oddest memory there was arrending a postponed match after the end of the season and the temporary grand stand with half a dozen rows including my seat had gone away to the next rentee. Followed to Loftus Road - and bought some Loftus Road plc shares, then to Adams Park and now occasionally to the Ricoh. Had 3 season tickets for a while until my children moved away. Used to live in Chesham, now in Berkhamsted.
First overseas trip was to the great match against Munster in Dublin. Since then weekends with my partner in Bayonne, Toulon and La Rochelle which helped convert her to rugby. Sadly she died in September.
First match will be at Bristol in February staying with a Bristol STH and surrounded by Bristol STHs. They are a friendly bunch - I must remember not to drink the same as they do at the three pubs we stop at on the way to the match.
I set up my own management consultancy in 1989 and claim that I am still worked, despite age & breaking my ankle nearly 3 months ago.
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Backdoc = Lester. Live and work in Harrow [and St John's Wood]. Started supporting Wasps when I worked at Northwick Park Hospital in the 1980's and drove past the Sudbury ground every day. STH since the onset of the Professional game.
I deal with a number of sports professionally, and worked with Sarries for a decade. Currently working with England Cricket and deal with most of the county academy/professional players with back problems that need surgery. I get players from NZ, Aus and India as well.
I have been at all of Wasps Professional Finals, one as a Sarries guest! Two SA Lions tours [and will be at the next one]. I receive hospitality for one or two England games per season [and introduced Joe Launchbury to my 2007 Drunken Wasps European Tour shirt after the NZ game in November] but Wasps trump England for me.
Motorcyclist for 30 years, and have a house in SW France in the middle of rugby/foix gras/red wine and Armagnac country near Agen. Hoping that a Gascon diet will keep me fit and alive until I am 100 but the evidence suggests otherwise.
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I’m Richard. Born in South Africa in 1950 and moved to London in 1959. I went to boarding school before coming back to live in South Kensington.
I joined Wasps in January 1969 and I played at 15 for the Whippets, the colts team in the late 60s early 70s, which was rated as fifth out of fifteen sides Wasps put out each week. In 68/69 we played 17, w15 d1, l1 loss was to London Welsh 5ths so no disgrace. We beat the Royal Navy Colts, who until then had been unbeaten, in a rearranged match at the end of the season. (I have a team photo if someone can tell me how to post it)
In 1970 I played for the Nomads which was Wasps 15th side. (To “qualify” for the Nomads you had to play at the level to get into one of the top 5 sides but also be a good drinker.) in 1971 I broke by my leg and ankle playing for them at Hitchen when I was tackled by one of my own side, when I hadn’t got the ball after the whistle had gone. We arrived with 15 and they only had 11 so we gave them 2 to play at 13 a side. Taken to hospital for 5 days then in a cast for 15 weeks. Had to give up the game on medical advice.
I am an accountant by profession but moved into industry on qualifying. Worked for Rothmans and with them got to live in Egypt and then Greece.
I came back to the UK and joined a high tech company and with them moved to Brussels for five years. I changed to another company in Brussels which moved me to Silicon Valley for a further four then when the company was restructured came back to Brussels to restructure Europe. I then got to Tokyo for a year to restructure the Japanese entity, very interesting. Japan well worth a visit. As a reward I got 2 and a half years in Hong Kong up until the handover in 1997.
Came back to the UK and started watching Wasps at Loftus Road and was a season ticket holder there at at Adams Park. I have three daughters two of whom had season tickets as well. I attended all the Wasps games at Twickenham until I gave up on double headers because they were not a nice atmosphere. Was in Dublin for the great win there with many of the original DW’s and all the triumphs at Twickenham. Had great trips to Perpignan and Italy with the DM’s. Still have my DW shirts and a Wasps lions shirt for the few who may remember it.
Don’t make it to the Ricoh as can’t manage long distance car travel due to back issues.
Made several good friends through Wasps and DW’s who I remain in contact with.
Am now retired
Posted on the other place for many years then found it too unpleasant to visit so stopped looking at it for several years. I go occasionally but much prefer this site.
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(I have a team photo if someone can tell me how to post it)
If you hit the + that says "Attachments and other options" you should see the option to upload a file from your computer. PM me if it isn't working.
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I am Gary, but please call me Gaz!
I hail from the Luton & Dunstable area but lived in Wycombe for about 5 years hence my connection to Wasps. I had a season ticket until the relocation to Coventry. I used to get to the Ricoh 3 or 4 times a season but family commitments mean that I haven’t been for a while.
I did play rugby at school, was over six foot tall at 14 so our Welsh teacher who was an avid rugby nut put me in the second row, but I was scared of contact so it didn’t last long, I ended up as the lankiest (but very quick) utility back you’d ever see - I was still scared of contact but it got me out of the way of ‘the rugby’ as the teacher put it!
Carved out a career in the IT industry, amateur musician (guitar and EDM production in my home studio) whenever I get the time. Also have a motorcycle (Triumph Tiger 800) that gets use every day – rain or shine, or sleet and snow as it was last week! Thinking of changing soon …
Chilham - very impressive motorcycle CV, I am envious.
--- OAW Book Club Section ---
Read that someone above (BG, NWW?) has read Dan Walsh’s book – always a good read. Assuming you might have also come across Jupiters Travels from Ted Simon’s journey in the 1970s, or an even more vintage throwback ‘One Man Caravan’ which I think goes back to a journey in the 1930s. Both recommended if you haven’t had a chance.
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Hi Gaz, it was myself who mentioned reading Dan Walsh's book.. (lent it to someone and never got it back!) I think he submitted articles to Bike magazine whilst on his travels but then stopped for about 6 months when he "lost himself" in South America
I think I bought Ted Simon's book as well but didn't find it as good a read as Dan's
I believe Ted Simon's book was the inspiration behind Ewan McGregor's Long Way Round bike trip.
I don't ride much now.. been to Saints and Wuss with NWW on our bikes
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Also have a motorcycle (Triumph Tiger 800) that gets use every day – rain or shine, or sleet and snow as it was last week! Thinking of changing soon …
Hi Gaz, no need to change bike just update to the latest model as I love mine.
I was just thinking how nice it would be if the Heineken Cup was played in the summer months, the bike trips to the South of France would be heaven.
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I love this idea. I am pretty certain it would bomb on the DW website, which I like many have finally kicked to the curb with just too much negativity and footballish attitudes.. but enough about that time to talk about me!
Dave, 30s, live in Surrey.
Started following Wasps back end of 2005/6 season having been dragged to a game by my oldest school friend who had chosen Wasps to support as they were good (well we all know bloody brilliant at that time). I hated rugby and sport at school so like to feel, as I didn’t know who Wasps were back then and just really enjoyed the spectacle and the atmosphere, I am the purer Wasps fan than he (who I lovingly joke is a glory hunter!)
I have been a huge Wasps fan since, was a season ticket holder for five years (before I couldn’t justify the cost any more) at AP, and have followed them all around Europe. Sadly have only been to the Ricoh once since we moved (mostly due to time and money), but am getting up there once more this season as my fiancée bought me a ticket gift voucher for my birthday (hurrah!).
Since converting to a rugby fan (no pun intended), have also been very active with supporting England (though always had a passing interest even before 2003!) and even went on the 2013 Lions tour, one of the highlights of my supporting journey!
What else… I’m an amateur writer, former local broadcaster, have been playing myself for ten years this season (lock and tighthead prop when needed) and also love Cricket and cooking and singing. one kid born last year.
I made a great group of friends during my really active time at Wasps and am hoping to catch up with many of them when I get back up later in the season.
Think that covers most of it.
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I'm Michael, 44 from Chinnor on Oxon/Bucks border
Started supporting Wasps when they moved to Wycombe - was a WWFC season ticket holder at the time. Whilst had is no longer the case I am still a Founder Shareholder in the club
Been a season ticket holder (along with my Dad) from the first season to the present day. Was one of the lucky few to be in Dublin on that special day back in 2004
I'm a Mechanical Engineer by training. I was a Design Engineer for 18 years at a small local company that makes specialist medical equipment.
Still at the same company I'm now one of four owners of the business. My current role is Service / Sales Director (officially) however as its a small company find I end up turning my hand to most things. IT being my other 'specialty'
Aside from rugby (and still football), i enjoy watching most sports, especially F1 & Cricket. Enjoy to travel (last year managed to travel to Thailand, Bali & Vegas) just booked with my partner a trip later this year to Singapore and Australia :)
Also into my music (rock and punk), with my favourite band being The Wildhearts, and love helping my partner look after her granddaughter
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I'm Dan, been a Wasps supporter since 1999 when my then-employers were one of the sponsors and I used to see the lads around work pretty regularly.
Used to consistently get down to Wycombe for games, less so towards the end of the run there. Haven't made it up to Cov as yet, due to not driving and the travel time being so long for me (even if the stars align and all the trains are in sync). Now living staggering distance from the Stoop but steadfastly refuse to switch allegiance, much to my mates' amusement.
Away from rugby I'm a big fan of the NFL, specifically the Carolina Panthers, with side affection for the Bears and Seahawks, I enjoy watching baseball too (Thank heavens for BTSport showing so many games!) and am a fan of gaming, both tabletop and console.
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I'm Tom, 28, grandfather was a supporter from the Sudbury days, and Dad and I have had season tickets since our first season at Wycombe. Grew up in Amersham with Wasps very much the local club, and we followed to Coventry, albeit reluctantly at first.
Live in East London with the wife now (she's French but comes along to the occasional game and is slowly being converted) and make the journey on the train, while Dad drives from Amersham - he's jealous that my journey is slightly quicker but refuses to abandon the comfort of his car.
Dad, his brother, and I (and various groups of friends) have managed at least one away European trip every season, and we've seen many more losses that we have victories, but wins at the RDS and close calls like Toulon make it so worth it!
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Welcome to the forum Tom!
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Hi
I'm Mike from Birmingham
When Wasps moved to Coventry my son and I went to the Leinster game at the beginning of 2015. In May that year we both became season ticket holders and will be renewing for next season
Years ago I use to watch Moseley in the days of Jan Webster and Sam Doble. I still remember clearly Midland Counties (West) beating the All blacks
Married with 3 grown up children and 2 grandsons
I really like the tone of this forum
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Hi Mike!
Welcome to the forum.
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As I've dumped DW and this is my new home thought I may as well end your suspense!!
Nick, been watching since Sudbury, got into Wasps as my uncle in law, Gary Holmes played for the 1st team. My first game against Quins was heavily influenced by some heavy hitting LSD, so having returned under just my own steam, I fell in love with the club.
Have followed from Kent to Sudbur, Kent to Acton, then Northampton to Acton / Adams Pk, then moved to Canada and would only catch games when I was travelling back to the UK for work, now live in Atlanta and rarely get back for work, thus get to many games. Last game was visiting family in Dublin Vs leinster which is never fun.
Work from home, in IT, in mostly 100% humidity.
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Hi my name is Ben, 24 year old vet student from Surrey.
I've been a wasps fan for as long as I can remember and I'm not really sure why I started supporting wasps (not meant to come across as negative, I just think that one day I decided that I would support wasps). I've played rugby for the my school and university 1st teams and I also play for my schools old boys club when I have a free weekend. Family are split evenly with my little sister and myself supporting Wasps, and my older sister and dad supporting Sarries. Things can get a bit tense on Wasps vs Sarries game days...
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I'm Mike, I didn't get into union until I joined up. Being a Northerner, we played league at school and, to be honest it struck me as a bit of a stupid game, just repeat the same thing over until you score or hand over the ball....... So joined up, playing compulsory sport one week, it happened to be rugby. As I knew nothing I just got put on the wing, being pretty muscular for a teenager (I'd boxed for a few years already) I got put in the front row one week, and I loved it!! Once past the colt stage though, I wasn't really big enough to prop, so had a few games in the back row. Only played for a few years as I picked up a few nasty knee injuries off the pitch that threatened my naval career, so had to be careful, but I stupidly agreed to play a one off game down the Falklands about 8 or 9 years ago, boy did that hurt!! As my interest in playing the game grew, so did my interest in watching. First internationals (not a lot of club rugby on the box in those days) then as more club games started to be televised LBND was rising to prominence. As well as being a colossus on the field, I just loved his passion for the game, so Wasps drew me in (plus everyone seemed to support Bath or Tigers in those days). I enjoy reading DW and this forum as I'm not blessed with the analytical mind that many of the members are, my heart rules my head in most things, so I don't post a huge amount, but greatly enjoy reading the contributions of others.
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Hi there! My name is David, I'm from France. I was born in Castres 31 years ago. I'm currently student at the Bournemouth Universtity (green economy) through a distance learning program (I resumed my studies after some unlucky working years). I'm also a (lucky) Castres Olympique fans. But as the top14 is terribly boring, I prefer to watch premiership. I can't really remember why I used to follow wasps.
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Bonjour David!
Welcome to the forum.
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Welcome David.
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Bienvenue David!
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Welcome David.
France are my second team after England. I long for the days when Le crunch was the 5 nations final, as it was then!
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Hey thank you so much! Merci! Aha to me, France is my second team (players are boasters in the medias and too much arrogant, I can't stand this). And my club is Wasps. During my childhood I went to the stadium of my local team, Castres, which was playing the Wasps. I understood nothing, the black and yellow were fast and I enjoyed what they did. Then I realized that they were not the team from Castres ;D.
@westwaleswasp
Normally the crunch is supposed to make its great come back, as the coach has changed, as well as most of the team. But I'm not sure that things are going to change. The top14 is too tiring and clubs don't want to send players in the national team.
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Been meaning to do this for a while so here goes. Real name is Sue & I’ve been following Wasps since 1985. Born & grew up in Coventry & got into watching rugby as a little kid when my mum used to take my brother & myself to watch Cov play at Coundon Rd. Have been going to rugby matches ever since although my brother has since gone to the dark side & watches league now. Started going to watch Wasps games after going to uni in London & chose Wasps as a certain fly half/ full back playing for them had played for Cov (yes, I had a teenage crush on Huw Davies!). Have followed Wasps ever since from Sudbury to Coventry via Loftus Rd & Adams Park. Now live in Letchworth & unfortunately I don’t get to as many matches as I’d like nowadays but when I do, I bring my mum along too as she is now a Wasps fan. Been to most of the finals Wasps have been in, best one being against the European cup final against Toulouse when we got invited to watch the game in the box of one of our current sponsors by my best friends husband who worked for them - don't think he quite banked on 2 women jumping around & screaming their heads off when Rob Howley scored in the corner as he tried to do some business deals!
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Hi Sue, nice to meet you.
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... Started going to watch Wasps games after going to uni in London & chose Wasps as a certain fly half/ full back playing for them had played for Cov (yes, I had a teenage crush on Huw Davies!)...
Ha! My first training session at Sudbury, after an initial warm-up, Hector (or was it Muttley) shouted, 'Pair-off, fireman's lift to the 22, swap and back". Being the newbie, I stood around when someone grabbed me by the arm, spun me round, and said, "Come on". I suspect Huw was looking around for the biggest lump he could find to test his fitness. He lifted and we were one of the first to the 22. Swapped and were one of the last back to the try line. 8)
He was a good guy. Some of the 1st XV were 'up themselves' and not so welcoming to the junior club players. Others like Huw, Simon Smith, Rees, Judge etc., were alright. Learned a lot from them.
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Some of the 1st XV were 'up themselves' and not so welcoming to the junior club players.
That was true even back in the late 60s.
I found it a bit off-putting when I joined from London Welsh, where the likes of Dawes and JPR were welcoming to even me as a newly joined schoolboy.
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Hi all,
Real name Simon. I'm really a Yorkshireman, but after 18 years in the Royal Signals, including 5 years at the School of Signals, Blandford Forum, we always said we'd retire to this area. Prior to moving here we'd lived in a small village near High Wycombe called Studley Green and it was about a 3 mile walk to Adams Park.
Whilst I'd been a rugby fan for many years, starting out in league as a child in the '60s, I never supported a specific team, being in the Army wasn't conducive to being a team fan. I first saw Wasps live on a corporate jolly at the 2004 Heineken Cup Final and was impressed. That's when I started going to watch them at Adams Park and if you ever saw anyone coming from the West side, over the hill, covered in mud, that was me ;D Well, anything for a beer and not paying for parking (did I say I was a Yorkshireman ).
My job meant I travelled a lot so I didn't see as many games as I would have liked and became mostly a TV fan and I never miss a TV game. My move to here and Wasps' move to Ricoh means its 4.5 hours each way, making it even harder to get to games. However we have a motorhome and I keep threatening to drive up in that as I see Leamington Spa RFC allow motorhomes to stay overnight.
I don't expect to be posting much, I just wanted somewhere to get more information and a feel for what's going on from real fans and ask a few questions.
I play golf, sail (I have my own boat), man safety boats for a disabled sailing charity (Sailability), walk a lot, get to the gym when I can, disappear in the motorhome with my wife who is a painter, and my motto is adventure before dementia.
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Hi Simon
"Adventure before dementia". Love it.
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Hi Simon
"Adventure before dementia". Love it.
Wish I could claim it as my own, but still feel free to steal it as I did 8)
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Yea as a Adventure Bike rider I'm nicking that! 😉
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As a fellow yorkshireman living in the south (I like to think of myself as a missionary) welcome to the forums.
North Dorset is a lovely part of the world, I have spent a lot of time there.
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As a fellow yorkshireman living in the south (I like to think of myself as a missionary) welcome to the forums.
North Dorset is a lovely part of the world, I have spent a lot of time there.
Thanks.
I'm trying to educate them but most round here get a nose bleed if you suggest going North of the A303.
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I’m Kristinn. I’m originally from Sussex, schooled in Surrey and Hertfordshire (so very fortunate to have not become a Quins or a Salaries man), and went to university in London and Birmingham. My time supporting Wasps goes back to the 97/98 season when I started working in London after graduation. I started out that year with membership before moving onto a season ticket the following year (£95 all in — those were the days). And I continued with a season ticket until the move to Adams Park, sitting with or close to a couple of earlier posters in this thread (JF and RossM).
During that time I managed to land myself on crutches for the 4th time in 5 years playing rugby — hence the nickname Skippy. As all the injuries had happened on the same leg, I quit playing lest I end up running in circles. Luck (and talent) were clearly lacking on the pitch.
I also became a regular DW tourist where I will have shared a beer or session with others posting or names dropped here — Fats, DuncanS and Sleepy Pete amongst others. Talking of DWs — I’ve been waiting a while to join this site (the other place has been dire for such a long time), so thanks to Vespa Vulgaris for sorting that one and digging my details out of the ether.
I did get to High Wycombe reasonably regularly for the first couple of seasons until I moved to Abu Dhabi. Obviously I attended the very forgettable game against Quins that was played in Abu Dhabi; even walking to the game from my flat.
I returned a couple of years ago, to take up a job in Coventry of all places — all places as in the Wasps coincidence, not a comment on Coventry. I now live in Leamington Spa — clearly having gone through a similar decision making process as a number of players that relocated up here. And, unlike a certain person, I’ve yet to tempted away with job offers in London and the need to purchase a “briefcase”.
In my time back, I’ve only made it to the Ricoh a small number of times — all of which have been through corporate freebies or community tickets. Getting settled in with the family, buying a house and decorating it top to bottom have absorbed a lot of my time instead. That said, I’m heading there on 7 March for the Glozzer game and will be staying on to watch the England match afterwards. So, hopefully will see some of the old faces there and get to meet some new faces as well.
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Hi Chris (or as I now know Kris). Remember you well from Loftus Road. Nice to see you here. All the best. Ross.
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Hello everyone.... I'm Gill Haywood aka Wonkywasp. Age 2and a half when WW2 began, now very old. Proud wife and mum, tho' several mistakes have been made (they shall be nameless …… except for the Sarries Board) by folk thinking I'm a bloke. I lived in Virginia Water, Maidenhead, High Wycombe, Gt. Kingshill. Paisley and Helston (Fleet Air Arm, 4 years), London (teaching Special Needs) (15 yrs), Windsor (18 yrs, mum and playgroup leader) , Clodock (15 yrs, volunteer worker for Age Concern) and Wasp Watching) for about 30 yeas. Saw my first match 13 years ago - worried that I might not actually like it after all, but fell inn love with it in ten minutes. I own about 18 match play shirts and James Cannons shorts …. DON'T ASK. Called myself Wonky as I have Parkinson-like symptom due to damaged basal ganglia during an operation, plus a newly-acquired scoliosis a bit like Richard lll. Have sponsored 6 players, inc Billy,, Guy for 5 years, Tom Willis and Will Porter. Away now to cook lunch for Sir and me. Bye.
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Hello everyone.... I'm Gill Haywood aka Wonkywasp. Age 2and a half when WW2 began, now very old. Proud wife and mum, tho' several mistakes have been made (they shall be nameless …… except for the Sarries Board) by folk thinking I'm a bloke. I lived in Virginia Water, Maidenhead, High Wycombe, Gt. Kingshill. Paisley and Helston (Fleet Air Arm, 4 years), London (teaching Special Needs) (15 yrs), Windsor (18 yrs, mum and playgroup leader) , Clodock (15 yrs, volunteer worker for Age Concern) and Wasp Watching) for about 30 yeas. Saw my first match 13 years ago - worried that I might not actually like it after all, but fell inn love with it in ten minutes. I own about 18 match play shirts and James Cannons shorts …. DON'T ASK. Called myself Wonky as I have Parkinson-like symptom due to damaged basal ganglia during an operation, plus a newly-acquired scoliosis a bit like Richard lll. Have sponsored 6 players, inc Billy,, Guy for 5 years, Tom Willis and Will Porter. Away now to cook lunch for Sir and me. Bye.
Gill, correct me if I am wrong but I think you are a fellow Wycombe Tech Alumni.
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YES!.. Thank you for remembering John. I was 'Secretarial' after a fashion - lousy at book-keeping and shorthand, passable at law and typing (which has gone from touch typing to laboured one finger) but looked forward to sandwiches on the Rye with life-long friend Jenny. I went to Pipers Corner school which I loathed and left as quickly as possible and life improved then. Mum and Dad retired to Bognor which I also try to forget, but as I discovered archery and my husband there can't be all bad! My Waspie tattoo is still going strong (left forearm) and causes much chat, hilarity and mirth - in a nice way; Derek was much impressed! So glad I got it done. We are STHs , 4 of us plus Son in law when he isn't milking,, and sit in the middle-ish of Block B ….. very nice people , all of them. We have managed to get to the majority of home matches but travel is getting difficult now for several reasons. I am now waffling on so will shut up except to say …. being in your 70s ain't too bad at all! And I hope you and yours all Stay Safe. Gill
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I remember High Wycombe - not because Wasps played there for a while but because I used to go there with my family for summer holidays. Not many can claim that! Long coach journey from the Swansea Valley with stops at Caerleon, Cheltenham (no motorways in the 1950s), Stokenchurch. Main memories - The Rye, Beconscot and the train to Marylebone.
With apologies for the discretion from this topic but relevant to Wasps having become an STH at Sudbury and followed us to Loftus Road, Adams Park and now the Ricoh.
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I remember High Wycombe - not because Wasps played there for a while but because I used to go there with my family for summer holidays. Not many can claim that! Long coach journey from the Swansea Valley with stops at Caerleon, Cheltenham (no motorways in the 1950s), Stokenchurch. Main memories - The Rye, Beconscot and the train to Marylebone.
With apologies for the discretion from this topic but relevant to Wasps having become an STH at Sudbury and followed us to Loftus Road, Adams Park and now the Ricoh.
I used to live in Caerleon. I loved it there and would head back in a heartbeat if I could.
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S\lightly OT. ….. THANKS once-a-Wasp and DWs for saving me from going potty during the Lockdown due to lack of human conversation - yes, I do think of you as 'human'! There are also real humans in our village but we can't get to meet them much. The Endless thread is brilliant. And I miscounted how long we have lived in our village; it should be 25, not 15. Wot a wally
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Helston (Fleet Air Arm, 4 years),
Hi Wonky, are you an actual Ex Airy Fairy WAFU?
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yUP. No porkies are involved! But I did my 4 years aeons ago 1956/59; trained as a Radio Radar Mech in Winchy, went to Paisley (HMS Sanderling/RNAS Abbotsinch - now Glasdow Airport) and then the TX Site at Culd. Helston. I was a Wren, just in case I get anyone confused again. I then went off to teach mentally handicapped (as the term then was) children in Croydon, then Bethnal Green. Were you a real matelot? Airy Fairy, Fishhead or Bootneck? Surely not a Wren!
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yUP. No porkies are involved! But I did my 4 years aeons ago 1956/59; trained as a Radio Radar Mech in Winchy, went to Paisley (HMS Sanderling/RNAS Abbotsinch - now Glasdow Airport) and then the TX Site at Culd. Helston. I was a Wren, just in case I get anyone confused again. I then went off to teach mentally handicapped (as the term then was) children in Croydon, then Bethnal Green. Were you a real matelot? Airy Fairy, Fishhead or Bootneck? Surely not a Wren!
Hi Wonky, I've sent you a PM to save boring the other members with naval talk.
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Matelot ..... what on earth is a WAFU? Remember - I was a Wren (Radio and Radar Mech) when Puser's rum was still around and CulD had a Spitfire guarding the Gates and a lot has happened and changed since I was 22!!!
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You might not want to know!!
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=WAFU
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Also - 'weapon and fuel users'.
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Doesn't apply to me then!! Thanks for the info tho.
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Also - 'weapon and fuel users'.
Sorry Wonky, only just seen this. Trust me Ross, the definition you use above is never used inn the RN. In all of my 28 years service I never heard that, only the derogatory version. The surface fleet are not particularly fond of the Fleet Air Arm. Their only useful function was to collect the mail (in pre email days), other than that they are just a pain in the arse for a ship's company.
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That's a pity. We Airy Fairies were quite fond of the Fish Heads. We seemed to get on quite well!
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Ah, but I assume you never went to sea? A flight brings a whole load of naus for a ship's company, and on a T22 frigate, the hangar was right above the CPO's cabins. It's no fun trying to sleep after a middle watch with the WAFU's dragging those bloody chains around the deck all the time.......
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The nearest I got to the sea was the River Clyde, Loch Ness and south Cornish coastline; I'm very grateful that I was shore-based. You have my extreme sympathy! The worst we got was choppers over living quarters during night exercises. No wonder you cursed FAA.
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Glad you understand Wonky. It's interesting that you never wanted to go to sea, most of the "Proper" ie blue badge WRENs that I knew prior to the decision being made never wanted to go to sea either. I wonder what changed?
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When I joined the Navy in 1955 to 59 we weren't under Naval Discipline; had we been we would have had rum ration and duty free ciggies (Peter Stuyvesen, and the best going - according to my Mum) and been able to walk Out of the Service without being called a deserter. The only foreign base was Malta and we never went to sea and never flew kites or choppers. When - several years later - Wrens were included under Naval Discipline everything changed and how. And yes, I am glad I never went to sea!
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Hi, I am Dan and I live in Aylesbury.
Watched Rugby from a young age but never supported anyone until my daughter played in a tournament sponsored by Wasps. After the tournament we had tickets to go and watch Wasps last Premiership match at Adams Park ( a trouncing of London Welsh) and really enjoyed the atmosphere. I have supported Wasps ever since and my daughter likes Wasps but is more interested in women's' rugby.
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Welcome Dan. Enjoy!
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I've suddennly lost my facility to be applauded/smited. What did I do, but more importaantly ...... how do I get it back?????? Help. Please.
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I've suddennly lost my facility to be applauded/smited. What did I do, but more importaantly ...... how do I get it back?????? Help. Please.
Interesting. It looks normal to me. I just applauded you!
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Thank you, VV! You are very kind!. It must be a bug in my machine; I can see how many apps/smites I've got but where everyone has 'applaud/smite' my spacee is empty. Very odd. Non-tecky strikes again.
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The option doesn't appear on your own profile legend for obvious reasons (to stop users continuously applauding themselves- although looking at some users total posts compared to "applaud" ratings I'm beginning to wonder).
Some forum engines allow posters to "like" or "dislike" actual comments but this Applaud/Smite seems to be tied to the actual poster not a comment or thread. The former option would complicate a database design further as each comment would then have to have a one to many sub-table to allow multiple likes or dislikes.
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:)Thank you both for the help. I think I did have a 'app/sm' once upon a time but can quite see that some might be tempted to congratulate themselves. I can app and sm others to my heart''s content and also see if others agree (or not) with me - so why am I mithering? All is well! Thank you. :)
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This makes me feel really old-fashioned.
Never use those options.
If I don't like a comment I ignore it, or post a contradictory reply, If I think something is worth agreeing with then I post a comment to agree.
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I feel dead chuffed if I get an 'applaud' but I am old enough to be 'old-fashioned'! Also, it takes ages for me to type anything at all so I'm grateful for any shortcut.
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This makes me feel really old-fashioned.
Never use those options.
If I don't like a comment I ignore it, or post a contradictory reply, If I think something is worth agreeing with then I post a comment to agree.
I applaud that.
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You are all lovely!!! Thank youu .... and it isn't even my birthday yet ...........
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And when would that be.. and how many years?
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And when would that be.. and how many years?
;D ;D ;D ;D
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My birthday is the same day as NellyWellyWaspy's (January) but I got there before he did - 1937. Unfortunately, I make that 83, but at this stage in the game I reckon I've gone into red time anyway so who cares. Still haven't learnt any commonsense tho'. Thank you all for all the applauds and the smilies - I am quite overwhelmed! A very good collection and I've not done anything to earn them. You are very kind ... and thank you for being so long-suffering with all my clangers!!
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Hi I'm David
Been going to watch Wasps with my son since the Adam Park days when I lived in High Wycombe. Now live in Aylesbury but still travel to the Ricoh to watch them ( when we are allowed of course) and meet up with him there. Newly retired since last October- my plans to go to more of the away games is of course currently on hold!
David
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Welcome David; hope you enjoy the site.
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My birthday is the same day as NellyWellyWaspy's (January) but I got there before he did - 1937. Unfortunately, I make that 83, but at this stage in the game I reckon I've gone into red time anyway so who cares. Still haven't learnt any commonsense tho'. Thank you all for all the applauds and the smilies - I am quite overwhelmed! A very good collection and I've not done anything to earn them. You are very kind ... and thank you for being so long-suffering with all my clangers!!
I think we may have met. My mate , who was a Sale STH, was down for a game at Adam’s Park, can’t remuer which year. We sat next to a rather charming lady, Wasps were losing and Serge came on and she turned to us and said something along the lines of “don’t take this the wrong way, but that’s just what we need, a big ugly Frenchman coming on”.
I still smile at that memory every time I see Serge on TV.
If it was you, you needn’t have worried, I’m ex Army and my mate was a Matelot and neither of us offend easily.
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I would love to think I'd sat next to you , but I was very fond of Serge and wouldn't have called him anything untoward! So I don't think it was me but it's nice to think it might have been and that it gives you a laugh. I do remember him dropping the ball when it seemed he had a rootin' tootin' certain try, and then making a face like Donald Duck - but he wasn't a Wasp then. We were in the middle bit of the Family Stand, in the row just in front of the wall (where the more expensive seats were). Great days. And happy memories too.
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Hi All,
Realise that although posting for a while, I've never really considered posting on this part of the forum, but having been a part of this forum and the other for a fair few years, seem logical to present myself.
My name is Will (obviously by my name and DOB username haha) and I live in and around SW London for the last 5 years since graduating Newcastle Uni in 2016 (Geography), which included by dissertation being written on the Socio-Economic Impact of Wasps moving to Coventry and linking to franchising in the USA.
Currently a Consultant (Project Management/Digital Transformation) in London and am heavily involved in a breadth of sectors incl. Financial Services, Retail, Public Sector, Manufacturing etc. Still a passionate rugby player for Rosslyn Park (IVs) and am very lucky to say i get to regularly play at Rosslyn Park's ground on most weekends and play some significant teams incl. London Welsh 2nds a few weeks ago at Old Deer Park.
I developed my fascination and love of Wasps and all Prem/Intl rugby through playing from 8 but also through getting a signed picture of Will Green when i was about 7 from my Dad and from then on never really looked back, sadly don't get to watch the lads in person but watch every game via whatever source possible and will continue to strive to see as many games as possible.
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Bruce. Early 50s. Accountant/banker. Live in Cov but work London. Been following Wasps since the move up here and go to most home games, sometimes with various teenagers when I can persuade them.
Schoolboy 10 and 15 (god I hated playing FB) - not sure my flanker father (Cirencester) and Grandfather (Torquay) ever forgave me.
Been a bit of a nomad over the years so have spent time watching and supporting variously Plymouth Albion, Moseley and Cov (live near Butts Park so will go when Wasps not at home) plus a rogue season watching Illawarra Steelers (League). Luckily when I was living in North London 20+years ago I had other diversions.
The beard is usually a giveaway - do come and say hi :)
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Bruce. Early 50s. Accountant/banker. Live in Cov but work London. Been following Wasps since the move up here and go to most home games, sometimes with various teenagers when I can persuade them.
Schoolboy 10 and 15 (god I hated playing FB) - not sure my flanker father (Cirencester) and Grandfather (Torquay) ever forgave me.
Been a bit of a nomad over the years so have spent time watching and supporting variously Plymouth Albion, Moseley and Cov (live near Butts Park so will go when Wasps not at home) plus a rogue season watching Illawarra Steelers (League). Luckily when I was living in North London 20+years ago I had other diversions.
The beard is usually a giveaway - do come and say hi :)
Nice to see another Coventry based contributor.