HAPPY NEW YEAR
We would like to wish you a very Happy New Year from everyone at London Irish. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
TEAM NEWS
Please note that the Team will not be announced until Friday afternoon following a team run. Check the website after 3pm for Sunday's team.
A PIECE OF HISTORY - THANK YOU
Another small chapter in the colourful history of London Irish was recorded on Saturday afternoon (27th Dec '03) when a crowd of over 20,000 watched a club match for the first time in the club's 105 year history.
A record 20,318 watched this afternoon's local "derby" with London Wasps.
Speaking after the match London Irish Managing Director, Conor O'Shea said: "We are very grateful to all who came to Madejski Stadium this afternoon on this historic occasion. We hope they all enjoyed the experience."
The kick-off had to be delayed for 30 minutes to allow all those caught in the traffic hold-up caused by the accident on the M4, to get to the stadium for the start of the match.
Health and safety regulations associated with unreserved seating required that ten per cent of the capacity of the East and South Stands had to be kept free otherwise the attendance could have been higher! In addition, the need to accommodate the pre and post-match entertainment in the undercroft of the North Stand dictated that only half of that stand could be used. Roll on Saint Patrick's Weekend when the outdoor stage will mean that the whole stand will be available for the match against current Premiership pacesetters Bath.
And what of that Cup? 
Yes, it was at the stadium. Laurence Dallaglio and Stuart Abbott, members of England's World Cup winning squad (with a little help from Digger!), paraded the William Webb Ellis Cup around the bowl of the stadium at half-time to a rapturous reception.
Once again, sincere thanks from all at London Irish to all who came to Madejski Stadium to make this afternoon so special for the club.
RECORD BREAKING WEEKEND
Last weekend (27th/28th Dec '03) saw several attendance records broken around the country as more people than ever before enjoyed the world's leading domestic league. An aggregate of 78,407 people watched Zurich Premiership action this weekend with London Irish and Sale Sharks both achieving club attendance records for a premiership match.
London Irish (20,318) narrowly missed out on achieving the all time attendance record for a Zurich Premiership match recorded by Bristol Shoguns earlier this year (20,793).
The previous highest aggregate weekend gate was achieved on the weekend of 2nd - 4th of May this year and was 65,046.
KIDS GO FREE - AGAIN!
Due to the success of the 'Kids Go Free' offer for the recent London Wasps match (which saw a crowd of 20,318), we at London Irish have decided to offer it again. This time the offer will be for the forthcoming Parker Pen Challenge Cup match against Narbonne on Sunday 11th January.
The same procedure will be as before. Kids tickets will only be issued with Paying Adult tickets. Tickets can be purchased via the On-Line Ticket booking or via the Ticket Hotline on 0118 968 1000.
If you are a Season Ticket holder, please contact the Ticket Hotline and they will be able to deal with your order of tickets.
We would like to thank you for your continued support.
HOSPITALITY NEWS
On behalf of the everyone at London Irish, we wish you a Very Happy New Year!
To celebrate the New Year we are offering discounted 'day guest' passes at the Parker Pen Challenge Cup round 2 match on Sunday 11th January 2004. This match will be versus Narbonne.
Example of day passes for hospitality:
Exiles: £88.00
Touchline: £60.00
Avenue £68.00
Executive / Founders: £44.00
Hospitality Boxes are available for £750.
All prices include VAT.
Places are strictly limited and are on a first come, first served basis.
Please contact us at abigail.findlay@london-irish.com or kelly.adey@london-irish.com
SUPPORTERS' CLUB TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS FOR NARBONNE
The 2nd Leg of the 2nd Round has been confirmed as taking place on Saturday 17th January, kick off 7.30pm at the Parc des Sports, Narbonne.
For details of the Supporters' Club travel arrangements, please visit the website.
THE BLARNEY
Over 9,000 people have currently subscribed to the Blarney; do you forward this to your mates? Or do you print it out and pass it around? Well, why not provide us with their e-mail address so that they can receive their own personal copy.
E-mail Jon Salinger (jon.salinger@london-irish.com) with e-mail addresses. Let us try and spread the word of London Irish to a much greater audience.
