By Big Dave
February 26 2003

Broadcaster, chef and Bristol supporter Keith Floyd today backed the campaign to keep Bristol in Bristol, branding a potential move out of the city as, “an absolute disgrace”. Big Dave did the honours...

When did you first start supporting Bristol?

I started following Bristol in 1963, so I've been lucky that my career as a Bristol supporter has coincided with some of the greatest times in the club's history.

My great unfulfilled rugby ambition is be to able to run onto the Memorial Ground as a fully-fledged Bristol player!

Which Bristol players stand out most in your memory and why?

Not an easy choice, Alan Morley and Stuart Barnes were special talents, but the player who for me sums up everything about Bristol rugby was Mike Rafter.

He might have been a small bloke, but he was an outstanding forward, of all the players in the modern game, only Neil Back comes close.

Any plans to watch Bristol in the near future? There are the West Country derbies against Bath and Gloucester still to come this season.

I hope to, but it'll depend on work.

The matches with Gloucester and Bath are always great events, and I'd love to be at the Memorial Ground for these games.

Looking ahead, everybody associated with the club is concerned about the future. What do you think about the proposals to take the club out of the city?

The very idea that Bristol could be taken out of the city is shocking. Everybody knows what the club means to the city, and it would be a tragedy if the history and tradition of Bristol rugby came to an end.

It would be an absolute disgrace if the club left Bristol.

What are your hopes for the future of Bristol Rugby?

Three things - that the club can stay in the top division, that it will stay in the city, and that it's not too long before Bristol recover their former glory.

I'm sure all will happen, so long as Bristol people get behind the club and show their support for the rest of the season.