Exeter Chiefs
Spotlight on The Tribe 2
Spotlight
By Moorsman
July 25 2009
3 Wheels on My Waggon is the second Chiefs fan to go under the spotlight.
Spotlight on The Tribe 2
Tribe Name: 3 wheels on my wagon
Age: 50
Profile: Have lived in Exeter for the past 12 years, however, I’m proud of my Bristolian roots, gurt long n gangly n’s.
Married with 3 kids: 2 sons, 29, 24, daughter 26., my youngest son, shows an interest in rugby and has been to the Chiefs a few times, the eldest, is a Gooner, and although he’s been to SP a couple of times, can’t see the fascination.
I work for Yeo Valley, an organic dairy in the depths of zyder country, as a projects manager.
Why do you support rugby? Played at Grammar school, having had my chubby little ass forced into it, it was either rugby or cross country at our school, and I wasn’t going to run miles along a muddy track for anybody in those days. Come to think of it I’m not likely to now either.
Love the game, love the atmosphere, the friendship and the feeling of being part of the club.
What’s your experience of playing the game? Played at prop initially at school, before moving on to lock, either side, it didn’t matter it hurt the same afterwards.
I played for each year’s first team as I went up through school, St Brendan’s College in Bristol, used to be one of the outstanding rugby schools in the country, followed by the first and 2nd team when in the 6th form. I also made the odd appearance for Bristol schools. Followed on by playing for the Freshers 1sts at Loughborough Uni, but struggled to compete with the PE students for a place in the main teams after the 1st year. Then played for Loughborough Allstars, a scratch team of students who just enjoyed playing (and drinking), not supported by the uni, but who played against anybody and everybody who had a spare fixture. Had the odd game for Loughborough Town, and also for St.Brendans Old Boys in Bristol when I was home at weekends, back in the days of the Bristol Combination. I also turned out for a season for Ashford RFC in Kent, and for Trowbridge RFC when I moved there after leaving uni. I also trialled for Bristol United, but was unable to give the commitment to the travelling to training etc due to working shifts and weekends.
What is your best memory as a player? Playing at Cardiff Arms Park in a school’s representative game. It was empty but still daunting. Oh and scoring 5 tries when playing as number 8 in a game for Loughborough Town 2nds, after never having scored more than 1 in a game before. Mind you the opposition and most of the Town team were past it.
What players did you/do you admire? All players from the old amateur era who played because they loved the game, and those from the lower levels who do the same now.
Chris Budgen, because for his size and shape I’m amazed how fast and agile he is. I also admire him for still doing his bit for the army, when he could so easily have turned his back on it.
What’s your best memory as a spectator?
So many to choose from, but probably watching England lift the World Cup.
Why do you support Exeter Chiefs and how long have you been following them? Actually I’ve only followed them for the last 3 years having been away from the game for so long. I support them because after coming to a few games, both myself and my wife felt at home, part of the club, we haven’t missed more than 2 games since, oh and we just love our away trips on the Temperance bus.
What led you to being a Chiefs supporter? Our weekends used to be spent visiting my mum in Bristol, when she passed away, I was left wondering what to do, so we decided to give SP a visit and have been coming since, the Chiefs are now part of my extended family. You don’t mind if we pop around for dinner on Sunday do you??!!!
What has pleased you most about the way the club’s developed over the last few years? The pride, guts and determination the team show to get to the top tier, with the game at Leeds being a prime example, and yes I was terribly disappointed when we blew the chance we had at Moseley.
How many live games do you see a season? Just the 32 or so.
Do you go to any away games? Yep, the Variety Club pick us up for every away trip.
What’s your particular matchday routine? Get up, have brekie, go shopping with my better half, grab a pint and then we head off to SP, calling in on the grandchildren on the way, arriving at SP about 14:00 ready for a couple of lemonades before the game.
On an away day its: drag ourselves out of bed before its light, make some sandwiches etc before meeting the Variety Club bus.
How do you think the coverage of the Chiefs and rugby union compare with other sports in the region? TV coverage is non existent, tell a lie there’s usually 30 seconds worth on a Sunday night. Newspaper coverage is fairly good in the E&E.
What’s your favourite thing about rugby? My wife says it’s the thighs!!
I’d say it’s the extreme effort that the guys put in to playing and not just our guys. It amazes me how teams still carry on fighting, looking for the elusive points even when they’re 50 down. It’s also the good laugh and banter you have with the opposition support even when they’ve just been beaten, all good humoured.
What’s your least favourite? The way the RFU make all the decisions at the last minute, and keep moving the goalposts. No club should have to start a season, not knowing what they are playing for. They should be making decisions now based on a rolling 3 year plan, not a 6 month one.
Do you watch any other sports? Yes, Bumble bee baiting! I’ll watch the odd game of football if there’s nothing more interesting to watch, I also like athletics and ladies beach volley ball.
Do you watch rugby on TV? If so is it club games, internationals or both?
Mainly internationals.
Do you watch on terrestrial, satellite or cable and how does the coverage compare? Terrestrial, I still think their coverage is better and sort of free!
How long do you think it will be before we see the Chiefs in the Guinness Premiership and what do they need to do to achieve it? 1 season, as long as the belief is there. The players need to stay focused right to the end.
Any general comments about the club or the game? In the current financial climate, our club has to be careful it doesn’t price itself out of the market. I’m not one who will refuse to pay that little bit extra, because I know its all to help try to achieve our dreams whilst keeping on a firm financial footing, but it does bite into disposable income, and everyone has their limits as to how much they have.
Want o join in? PM or email Moorsman for details.....
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25/07/2009 16:30
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Anyone else want to expose themselves
as the late great Kenny Everett would have it "all in the best possible taste" 
Quote:UltraViolet
And me LTH, maybe Moorsman can adapt one for the ladies to do?!!
well it seems a bit unfair if we dont get to do it to! lol
