With
the current climate Plymouth Albion are grateful that they
have managed to get their Clubhouse at Brickfields given a
new look without paying a penny. Following last year when a
group of supporters painted the club logo on the north
terrace this year they have put their efforts into exterior
decorating. Unfortunately, the "team photo" does not include
all helpers and thanks go to all who have helped! The
work carried out has saved Albion an estimated £7,000. But
this is not the end of it as the group intend to continue
during the closed season with plans to refresh their
painting from last season and to give the goal posts a fresh
look along with some tidying up around the site.
Graham Sterling is very pleased with the
results. “On behalf of the Board of Plymouth Albion RFC,
I would like to thank all the volunteers who have been transforming
parts of the stadium during the past two months. The external
painting and refurbishment of the guttering and drainage system
around the clubhouse and cleaning of the patio area is looking quite
outstanding. " Also the continuing work on the North
Stand and the major clean up of the surrounding area has been a
massive undertaking. All of this has been achieved by the
enthusiastic team of volunteers, led and coordinated by the
Unofficial Website. I would also like to thank Steve Morgan of Tru-Clad
for his generous sponsorship of materials and access scaffolding for
the club house project, again much appreciated in the present
climate. "We need a stadium and facilities which support our rugby
ambitions and we need to make steady progress in all areas. How
rewarding to see this level of voluntary support which will make the
club that more welcoming for supporters and visitors. The improved
facilities and surroundings also help us build the commercial
revenue on non-match days. We are seeing a steady improvement in
bookings for both private and business events, key to our ongoing
success.
"Once again thanks to everyone involved and drinks on me when the
season kicks off."
Whilst much of the expenditure has been picked up by Tru_Clad the
extras that they could not cover were funded out of the supporters
200 club which meant that nothing was needed to be paid out of the
limited budgets
Steve Morgan, Operations Manager for Tru-Clad was
happy to step in. "Rugby is a passion that both myself and my MD
share; consequently we had no hesitation to help Plymouth Albion
improve their grounds and club house. Tru-Clad are a West Country
based external wall insulation specialist, who employ several
Plymouth based people, including myself, and are currently carrying
out several projects within the city. "We were pleased to be able to
offer materials and labour to help out, and were delighted when
Three of our key suppliers Alsecco Uk Ltd, Travis Perkins and Speedy
Hire jumped in with their services to make the task easier.
"I am a regular supporter of Albion, and can’t wait for the season
to start, and for the club to enjoy the great newly refurbished
facilities."
Steve is a recent convert to Plymouth Albion and has already bought
himself his season ticket for 2009/10. Tim Mitchell managed
the tasks and manpower for the renovation and is one of the founder
members of the website. A great negotiator he has managed to get a
number of deals in the procurement of supplies.
"After the success of last summers efforts by the
volunteers in cleaning and painting the north terrace, which has a
big visual impact on everyone who comes to brickfields our dedicated
group have agreed to once again give their time and efforts into
cleaning and repainting the clubhouse which I'm pleased to say is
now looking a picture and is almost finished.
"The group are also planning to repaint the goalposts and put the
finishing touches to the terrace and the surrounding area before the
new season starts.
"I am delighted to take this opportunity to give a very big vote of
thanks not only to all those who have and will be giving of their
valuable time so unselfishly in order to get the jobs done to help
produce a ground that is a pleasure to come to, to watch and support
their team, the Albion, but most of all to their family members for
their invaluable backing and support in allowing the group achieve
these tasks, thank you very much.
"I feel that it's only right at this time to give the recognition
that is more than deserved to the efforts of our D.O.R. Graham Dawe
who has almost single handedly done far more than anybody else in
making brickfields into what it is today. Having been at the ground
most days since the season ended we have witnessed the extent of his
efforts in turning this ground and club into one that we can all be
proud of. He won't thank me for this mention I know, so I'll say it
only once."
Vince Jones who has been running the 200Club with Terry Brown was
happy that the money they have raised over the past few seasons was
going to something visible at Brickfields.
"The Albion 200 Club members funded a significant amount towards the
cost of materials used in the painting of the Clubhouse. A total of
£12,500 has been raised by the 200 club to assist in the
improvements to the ground facilities at the Brickfields. 200 club
membership is open to all Albion supporters, details available on
the Unofficial Website or on the notice board at the entrance to the
Albion Sports Bar"