Club Mirror Sep14 by Alchemy Contract Publishing

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SOCIAL

ENTERTAINMENT

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SPORTS

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FITNESS

clubmirror September 2014

AT T H E H E A R T O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y

BRANDS REPORT Top selling cask and keg beers revealed

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP

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LEGAL EAGLE

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CLUB KITCHEN

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ASK THE EXPERTS

club mirror

SEPTEMBER 2014

AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

awards, events and calls to action

clubmirror SOCIAL

16 Hail the Ale with Club Mirror Sign up for our FREE trade-only festival in November.

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

AND

FITNESS

BRANDS REPORT

14 Let there be beer Club Mirror and club officials make the annual pilgrimage to the Great British Beer Festival.

19 Brands Report Keg and cask club favourites revealed. Who’s in and who’s out?

24 Totally amazeballs dope guide to wicked bantz

AT T H E H E A R T O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y

September 2014

building the business

Top selling cask and keg beers revealed

Bamboozled by banter? Back at you with this guide to modern slang.

27 Aviva Premiership Special 28 32 34

Fixtures – get on the ball for club screenings Club Mirror exclusive - interview with England international player Ben Kay The teams – news from the sidelines

38 Sports4Bars fixtures

46 AVIVA PREMIERSHIP

Sports4Bars.com picks out some of this month’s key sporting highlights.

41 Ryder Cup The Ryder Cup returns to Scotland for the first time in more than 40 years. Prepare to be amazed.

43 Location Report As the Ryder Cup tees off, Club Mirror presents a whirlwind tour of Scottish golf clubs.

51 The great outdoors Al fresco dining – 24/7, 365 days a year.

54 Club Kitchen Yep...Christmas is coming. Book early to avoid disappointment!

LEGAL EAGLE

CLUB KITCHEN

ASK THE EXPERTS

club advice – ask the experts 57 Ask the Experts – communication Coming to a screen near you – but which one?

58 Ask the Experts – sustainable water Filtered water solutions explained.

59 Ask the Experts – insurance The dangers of lack of cover and underinsurance.

46 Industry interview – view from the top A word with Bob Williams, CEO of the Golf Club Managers Association.

60 What’s new? Latest launches and industry info.

61 Product portfolio It’s classified! Club suppliers ready to field your calls.

news, views, club life and legislation 6 Club World New column from BII Chief Executive, sport broadcasters announce European rugby details and free trade event for Club Mirror readers.

10 Legal Eagle Food on the plate – but what’s in it? Prepare for new legislation coming in on 13 December.

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clubmirror 3

leader

“I W WILL ILL SA SAVE AVE Free trade-only event. Page 16.

It’s been a busy month for Club Mirror. We’ve met with CIU president George Dawson, met with legislators, toured numerous clubs and discussed market forces with industry experts. Where we’re lucky is that we have the time to do this. Clubs, of course, aren’t so lucky. And that’s why we’re here. Over the past 45 years, Club Mirror has been championing the causes of our industry and lobbying the government to help ensure that the future of clubs is secured. There is much still to do, but together we are making a difference. It’s an ever-shifting environment out there, and this is where the sustainability of clubs is coming into its own. The frustrations of passing decisions through committee procedures has the upside of ensuring that decision-making happens at a slower, more considered pace than some licensed operators are able to entertain when dealing with the immediacy of market forces. Think Black Monday, think red buttons – think tortoise and hare. Of course, it’s crucial that clubs do keep one step ahead of social trends and keep pace with new initiatives. So make the most of Club Mirror’s ‘free-to-clubs’ activities taking place under one roof and on one day – our 6th Hail the Ale Beer Festival, trade show Ask the Experts – Live!, and of course, the 22nd Club Awards, hosted by TV personality and sports presenter, John Inverdale. Just email us for more details (info@clubmirror.com) and turn to page 16 for information on the Beer Festival.

clubmirror Editor Caroline Scoular

IN THIS ISSUE...

Design David Foster Editorial Charlotte Lily Events Leigh-Anne Ogilvie, Jill Slingsby

Caroline Scoular

Sean Ferris

Nick Walton

Lawrence Hardcastle

Justin O’Regan

Jill Slingsby

Bob Williams

Mark Newton

Display Advertising Margaret Doherty Circulation Jon Hardy Accounts Michael Jeffries, Pam Attrill Publishing Director Sean Ferris

buying y g 50 cases ca a week will sa ve up to £2,300 £22,,300 save a year switching swi to Booker Booker.r.”* Phillip St Staniford, aniford, Hullabaloo, Hullabaloo, Northampton. Northam

OUR OU R CHIPS C IPS CH S COSTT LLESS ESS S ONLY ONL LY

£1.39 £ 1.39

per ba bagg when you y buy a case of 6

Club Mirror is published by Alchemy Contract Publishing Ltd, Gainsborough House, 59/60 Thames Street, Windsor SW4 1TX. Tel: 01753 272022. Fax: 01753 272 021 Email: caroline@clubmirror.com; sean@clubmirror.com; justin@alchemymedia.co.uk; info@clubmirror.com The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Club Mirror does not verify the claims made by advertisers regarding their products.

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A FO FORTUNE R UNE....... RT

Proud Pr oud tto o sa save ve yyou ou mone money! y y! *Estimated *Estima ted saving saving based on Booker promtion price p as aatt 23rd May May 2014 of £1.39 per bag bag when buyin buyyin a case of 6. Prices held to 9th September September 2014 after which prices may may vary. vary.

clubmirror 5

club world

Pub closures increase Changes at Charles Wells Bedford based brewer Charles Wells Ltd is bringing its major operating divisions back under the main parent company identity in the New Year. The family brewer, founded in 1876, will once again be known in its entirety as Charles Wells, incorporating the existing Charles Wells Pub Company and Wells & Young’s Brewing Co Ltd. The John Bull Pub Company business that runs nine managed houses in France will be renamed Charles Wells, France.

BT Sport signs Ian Wright and Robbie Savage Arsenal legend Ian Wright will join BT’s panel of analysts for exclusively live matches in the Barclays Premier League and the FA Cup, as well as other football programming. Robbie Savage, the former Wales international and Leicester City FC midfielder, will also join the punditry team and co-host a new Saturday morning show – “Matchday Live with Fletch & Sav” - alongside presenter, Darren Fletcher. The new show will kick-off BT Sport’s Saturday schedule at 10am ahead of its live Barclays Premier League fixture.

Britain’s ‘Best Beer’ Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker was judged the Supreme Champion over a host of other finalists in seven different beer categories (Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Winter Beers, and the Speciality class), including beers from both small microbrewers and large regional brewers. • Turn to page 14 for more details of further winners announced at the Great British Beer Festival.

clubmirror

Pub closures have hit 31 per week, according to latest figures from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). This is up from 28 per week as of December 2013. CAMRA urged visitors to the 2014 Great British Beer Festival to lobby their MPs as part of its new ‘Pubs Matter’ campaign. The campaign calls for changes to the law so that planning applications are always required before a pub is demolished or converted into another use. Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s head of communica-

tions, said: “Popular and profitable pubs are being left vulnerable by gaps in English planning legislation as pubs are increasingly being targeted by those wishing to take advantage of the absence of proper planning control. It is utterly perverse that developers are able to demolish or convert a pub into a convenience store or many other uses without any requirement to apply for planning permission. It is wrong that communities are left powerless when a popular local pub is threatened

with demolition or conversion into a Tesco store.” CAMRA highlighted the plight with examples of eight pubs which Tesco had purchased or planned to purchase to convert to retail outlets. Suburban areas have been the worst hit, with 3% of the nation’s suburban pubs being lost over the last six months. • For more news on the Great British Beer Festival turn to page 14.

Broadcasters announce Sky Sports European rugby details News HQ relaunches BT Sport and Sky Sports have announced their line up for live broadcasting of European rugby matches. The European Rugby Champions Cup (the successor to the Heineken Cup) will see BT Sport show at least five matches exclusively live from each of the opening rounds of the tournament, plus two quarter-finals and a semi-final. The Final, which will be shown live on BT Sport, will be shared with Sky Sports. BT Sport’s first picks and additional matches involving clubs from the Aviva Premiership in the Champions Cup will show Saracens, Leicester, Wasps, Harlequins and Bath in the opening weekend. Former Ireland and Leinster centre Brian O’Driscoll joins the BT Sports line up of commentators for the tournament. Grant Best, senior executive channel producer, BT Sport, said: “As well as being the home of the world leading Aviva Premiership, we’re delighted to be adding coverage of Europe’s premier rugby competition to our line-up. We are passionate about rugby at BT Sport and look forward to growing the profile of European rugby. Last season, in our inaugural season of Aviva Premiership Rugby, TV audiences rose by 40 per cent.”

Sky Sports will show 35 live matches from the new European competition, with Sale v Munster opening the coverage on Saturday 18 October. There will be 10 live matches across the first two weekends including reigning European rugby champions Toulon taking on Scarlets. Sky Sports’ European Rugby Challenge Cup coverage begins two days earlier on Thursday 16 October with Gloucester Rugby at home to CA Brive. Gus Williamson, executive producer of Sky Sports rugby union, said: “Our European schedule offers Sky Sports viewers many of the best players and best teams over the first two Rounds. The matches form part of our biggest ever season, which will for the first time include coverage of Top 14, Guinness PRO12 and Ireland’s Autumn Internationals. Add to our existing schedule of matches from here and abroad and rugby union fans with Sky Sports have never had it so good. We can’t wait.” • For more details on the Aviva Premiership turn to this month’s exclusive Rugby Special on page 27.

Sky Sports News HQ has relaunched with 24 hours of rolling coverage, This, says the company, will keep members informed of the latest sporting news and Sky Sports content and will help to establish clubs as “go-to” sports venues. The new offering includes: NEW SCHEDULE: New programmes and features plus a greater emphasis on reporting stories under investigation, delivered by a team of over 200 staff, 32 reporters and 20 presenters including Kirsty Gallacher, Jim White and Natalie Sawyer. NEW STUDIO: Almost double the size of the previous Sky Sports News studio. ENHANCED DIGITAL OFFERING: Apps and the website have been redesigned with additional personalisation, a SSN HQ ‘hub’ offering catchup video clips and additional content alongside the live channel plus breaking news notifications and trending articles. SOCIAL MEDIA: A social media desk will ‘immerse’ viewers in the newsroom environment as Sky Sports News HQ reporters investigate what’s being said on social media channels. Club members will be able to have their say and join the debate via Sky Sports apps, skysports.com and social media, according to the company. Sky Business managing director, David Rey, said: “The launch of Sky Sports News HQ will extend and enhance the experience for sports fans in your clubs, giving members even more reason to stay longer and spend more.”

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Free trade show and beer festival Join Club Mirror, CAMRA and club colleagues at this year’s Hail the Ale Beer Festival, Manchester. The popular and exclusive annual festival includes old favourites and new brews, and runs alongside our free-to-clubs trade show.

Room for growth in spirits category Development at Diageo, said: “The spirits world is changing, and both trade channels can be part of and benefit from this new mixed drink culture. We have identified incredible potential for growth in the category, through increasing penetration and average weight of purchase, across the on and off trade. For example if retailers can get spirits in 3% of baskets or trolleys, rather than the current 2.7%, and if licensees can sell four more drinks per outlet per day, this will drive £770m of a £1bn sales opportunity.” So far the Spirits Revolution has

seen over 5,400 bar staff trained through the face to face bartender training programme, Diageo Bar Academy. The company’s portfolio includes Smirnoff, Gordon’s and Johnnie Walker. • www.spirits-revolution.com • Next month: Look out for Club Mirror’s Brands Report where top selling club spirits are revealed.

Marston’s hits Channel 5 Marston’s Brewery is set to feature in a new three-part behind-thescenes documentary series on Channel 5. Marston's Brewery: One Ale of a Job, narrated by comedian Al 'The Pub Landlord' Murray, will show how the Midlands-based business with its 14,000 staff, five breweries, 13 distribution centres and thousands of pubs, operates on a day-to-day basis. Channel 5 commissioning edi-

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tor Greg Barnett said: “The men and women we follow in this new series do everything they do out of passion for the perfect pint. There’s a terrific mix of characters, stories, facts and fun and I very

BLACK OYSTER STOUT Whitstable Bay Black Oyster Stout from Shepherd Neame’s Faversham Steam Brewery is a silky keg stout brewed using a blend of four coloured malts which impart a rich, complex flavour, balanced by the Admiral hops and finished with a smooth, creamy head. • t. 01795 597000 • www.shepherdneame.co.uk NEW LAGER LAUNCH DuneSurfer Lager is brewed with a fusion of super fruits, botanicals, vitamins and minerals, launched by former Heineken executive director John Hunt. • e. info@dunesurferbeer.com • www.dunesurferbeer.com

• To secure your free places, turn to page 16.

Diageo is calling for licensees and retailers to drive overall spirits growth and capitalise on an estimated £1bn additional sales opportunity available across the category. The category value is currently put at £9bn (£5.3bn on trade, £3.7bn off trade). The initiative, called the Spirits Revolution, was first launched in April this year ‘ to inspire licensees and bar staff to re-consider their current spirits offering and look at ways in which they can make simple changes that will deliver extra sales and increase profits’. James Cragg, Head of Category

BRANDS NEWS

much hope viewers develop a taste for it.” • For more details on the Marston’s portfolio turn to page 22.

KRONENBOURG 1664 CELEBRATES 350TH ANNIVERSARY Special edition bottles have been launched to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the original Kronenbourg brewery. Available until December, the bottles showcase the heritage and brewing behind the brand and will be supported by a heavyweight print and online promotional campaign. • t. 0844 556 0109 • www.heineken.co.uk NEW GLASSWARE FOR STRONGBOW Heineken UK has introduced a new pint glass for draught cider Strongbow, as part of a focus on quality, refreshment and provenance. Licensees will be provided with quality and hygiene information in order to train staff on service with and care of the new glassware. • t. 0844 556 0109 • www.heineken.co.uk JIM BEAM MAPLE Jim Beam Maple is made with four year old Jim Beam bourbon whiskey, slowly infused with maple and aged in oak barrels. t. 01786 430 500

clubmirror 7

club world

THE WORD FROM BII

NDML and BHA in collaboration Insurance broker NDML, a specialist division of Club Insure, has joined forces with the British Hospitality Association (BHA). The broker is to collaborate with BHA sub-group the Restaurant Association, with the aim of helping to ‘shape the future of hospitality and tourism as a driver for international competitiveness, economic growth and valuable careers ensuring British hospitality and tourism is the best in the world’. Ufi Ibrahim, CEO of the British

Hospitality Association said: “As a customer-facing industry, the hospitality and tourism sector is well aware of the need to protect itself and welcomes sector-focused knowledge, guidance and expertise. We are delighted to have NDML on board as business partners and believe that their specialist knowledge and policies will be beneficial for many of our members.” Wendy Sharp, Business Development Manager for NDML says: “Increasingly the UK is being

influenced by the ‘no win, no fee’ approach so it is ever more important that companies trading in our fields of expertise have proper protection for all aspects of their business.” Established in 1998, NDML won Commercial Broker of the Year at the Commercial Insurance Awards 2014 and The UK Claims Excellence Award for Customer Care Initiative 2013. • t. 0113 205 4319 • e. wendy.sharp@club-insure.co.uk

Tim Hulme, Chief Executive, The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)

In the first of a regular column from the BII, CE Tim Hulme urges clubs to invest in the future. It is no secret that in a few short years the licensed trade will be in the midst of a major staffing crisis. No doubt many of you have been surrounded this summer by a bar team enhanced with temporary workers who are earning extra cash during their holidays from school or college. But as this next generation finishes school or college and enters the job market for real, there are alarmingly few of them who would consider more than a temporary job behind the bar in a club or pub. This is a huge issue for everyone in this industry and presents a challenge for us all to do more to sell our fantastic trade to the potential operators of the future. Temporary holiday workers are a rich vein of talent and every operator should be tapping that vein at every opportunity. Yet many of these young people do not even get a proper induction, let alone the coaching and mentoring they need to begin to see licensed retail as a serious career opportunity. One of the most important factors for youngsters choosing to take their first step onto the career ladder in our sector is having guidance from someone higher up in the trade who has inspired and motivated them to progress. Licensees have a real chance to convince their best temporary barstaff that choosing a career in the licensed trade can be a rewarding option so I would urge you all to sit down with them while they are working for you and talk about career options. Many of you will have come into the trade through a similar route, and will be the perfect inspiration for the next generation.

Mobile app from Drinkaware Drinkaware has launched a mobile app which enables users to track their alcohol consumption and related calories using an extensive database of alcohol brands. Other features include: • Visual aids to show users weekly,

clubmirror

exercise needed to burn off calories consumed. • Track progress against anonymous data showing how the rest of the Drinkaware online community is getting on. • www.drinkaware.co.uk

Heineken ‘Our Shout’ on-trade initiative reaches milestone Heineken's Our Shout on-trade marketing scheme, which offers specific reward options to licensed premises stocking Heineken brands, has reached the £1 million mark in terms of support given to outlets. . Once signed up to the scheme, customers start gaining points which can be redeemed against business-building services which aim to boost an outlet's bottom line.

So far, over 250 outlets have joined the incentive scheme. Andrew Turner, on-trade category and trade marketing director at

Heineken, said: “We are essentially evaluating the incremental volume opportunity in an outlet and then reinvesting the funds made through those incremental sales to help drive each licensee’s business. We are delighted with the increasing number and variation of establishments taking part in this scheme.” • e. ourshout@whynot-europe.com

Contactless payment device Barclaycard and industry customer relationship management (CRM) company Green 4 Solutions have signed an agreement to offer the sport and leisure industry an integrated ‘one-stop-shop’ wearable device for fans. Working with Green 4 Solutions,

daily and monthly alcohol consumption in relation to the level of harm it could have on their health. • Food equivalents based on users’ alcohol and calorie intake. • Information on the amount of

Barclaycard will explore the feasibility of combining payment and customer relationship solutions into an integrated wearable device, the bPay band, that they can use onand off-site to improve their customers’ experience. Barclaycard plans to work with

sports and leisure venues to allow their customers to make contactless payments both inside and outside stadiums and venues, take part in experiential activities – such as social media check-ins, competitions and loyalty activity – all in one easy to use product.

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legal eagle

FOOD ON THE PLATE – BUT WHAT’S IN IT? Clubs providing food be warned. Legislation scheduled for 13 December this year will make due diligence an absolute necessity, warns Nick Walton.

“

I am sure we all know someone who is allergic to something; allergens maybe in the form of pollen or particular types of pollen, or more seriously in foods. The most common probably of all of the food allergies is the peanut allergy. There have been tragic cases where food has been contaminated unintentionally with peanut oil and has, as a result, caught the person with the allergy off guard and unable to react in time to the anaphylaxis which results. (Anaphylaxis is the body’s reaction to the allergen in its most extreme form; the response will sometimes lead to a cardiac arrest and death for the sufferer.) That is probably the end of the medical bit for this month’s article, but it sets the stage very nicely for what I really want to talk about. We are all aware that food labelling has for some time included a requirement not only to say what is in the product, but also what might be there by accident. For example, peanut or peanut derivatives are probably the most common because they tend to be the most significant in creating an anaphylaxis or anaphylactic severe allergic reaction. I was recently involved with some food labelling prosecutions and understood very vividly the need for correct food labelling in English for English speaking customers who purchase goods in supermarkets and corner stores. It may appear romantic to have a jar of dried tomatoes labelled in a foreign language and available for sale and purchase, however if the requirements of English law are not followed and the label with the contents is not clearly identified in English, the risks for an allergic reaction for an unsuspecting customer is all too real. Article 15 of the European Food Regulations (Regulation (EU) 1169/2011) (adopted by the UK) states that, ‘Mandatory food information shall appear in the language easily understood by consumers of the member state where the food is marketed’. In England that means English, and I was surprised to discover that beer is a food and

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“Don’t forget, there is no reason why you have to wait until 13 December 2014 to put this legislation into practice.” must be labelled in English with respect to its ingredients. Most wholesalers who provide beers from other countries, both inside and outside the European Union, will provide labels which can be stuck on to the product. If they do not, they are committing an offence and you are quite rightly entitled to reject their product. The same piece of European legislation confirms new measures to come into force in the United Kingdom on 13 December 2014. (At least it is not a Friday!) The measures require that providers of food advise their customers of the potential for allergens in their offer. The legislation very kindly identifies the allergens which should be considered and they are as follows: 1. Cereals containing gluten, namely wheat; rye; barley; oats; spelt; kamut or their hybridised strains and products thereof except wheat based glucose syrups, wheat based maltodextrins, glucose syrups from barley and cereals used for making alcohol at distillate. 2. Crustaceans (shellfish) and products manufactured from them. 3. Eggs and products manufactured from them. 4. Fish and products manufactured from fish, except fish gelatine used as a carrier for vitamins and isinglass used as a fining agent in beer and wine (for removing particulates).

5. Peanuts and their products. 6. Soya beans and products thereof, except soya bean oil (and its hydrogenated fat). Derivatives of soya oil, such as Vitamin E and sterols. 7. Milk and its products. 8. Nuts, the whole range of nuts from brazils to macadamia nuts. 9. Celery and its products. 10. Mustard and its products. 11. Sesame seeds and its products. 12. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites in concentrations greater than 10ppm. 13. Lupin and its products (chiefly flour or seeds in pastries). 14. Molluscs and their products. As always, the devil is in the detail and at present there is precious little of that. How the new regulations will work and, more importantly, how they will be enforced continues to be a work in progress. So if you provide food for your members and guests, or members of the public, you would be advised to commence some preliminary due diligence in this area. Your suppliers may provide you with information on all the products they provide to your premises. It may well come in the form of an MSDS type sheet (Material Safety Data Sheet). The sheet will provide all of the potential allergens in the product. Fresh fruit and vegetables are exempt as are potatoes which have not been peeled, carbonated water, vinegar derived from a single product, cheese, butter, fermented milk and cream to which no ingredients have been added other than lactic products, enzymes and cultures essential to the manufacture (yoghurt etc). The tough part for the end supplier is presenting (or having the ability to be able to present) information about potential allergens at the point where the customer is ordering the food. I have not yet lain awake at night wondering, for example, about what type of allergen advice would be given for fish, chips and mushy peas – where the fish has been breaded in a factory, whether the chips are

If you have any questions about this article or any of the topics written by Legal Eagle Nick Walton, please do not hesitate to contact him on 07824 465 531. extruded potato flour with stabilising additives and if the peas have added ingredients, including vinegar and other materials and if the very same peas have been sterilised using sulphur dioxide. I have spoken many times about due diligence and this new area of food legislation is a prime example of where a due diligence approach is vital. Written documentation about your offer and the potential for allergens is vital as is the documentation you get from your supplier. Record keeping should be meticulous, as whenever you hear the word legislation there is also going to be an enforcement concordat. With the enforcement of these regulations, non-compliance can attract a fine of up to £5,000. I will talk again about this subject before 13 December, but please start asking the questions of your suppliers and your committee. The information required is not inconsiderable and adopting ‘best practice’ in respect of its presentation would not only save you significant sleep but will also demonstrate that you know the law and have adopted its requirements. Don’t forget, there is no reason why you have to wait until 13 December 2014 to put this legislation into practice and it gives you the opportunity of a try it out, to ensure that all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed. As always, get in touch if you’d like more information.

”

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WANT T TO GET T THE BE BEST EST FROM M YOUR B BUSINES BUSINESS? SS? BUSIN JOIN THE BEST B LICENSEE LICENSEES ES IN THE BUSINESS NESS AND BECO BECOME OME A MEMBER R OF THE BRITI SH INSTITUTE OF INNKEEPING INNKEEPIN NG BRITISH MEMBERSHIP M EMBERSH HIP OF THE BII GIVES GIVES YOU ACCES ACCESS SS TO: A professional profes es ssional network of overr ssio 12,000 off the he to top individuals wor rking working in the UK K hospitality ality industry tod today ay

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Forr more info vvisit Fo isit www.bii.o www.bii.org org

FREE LEGAL AD ADVICE VICE As a member of the BII you yo ou have access to our free legal lega al advice helplines covering all all aspects of your business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and you can c call on them 24 hours a day da ay as many times as you need to. 2XU KRXU OLFHQVLQJ KHOSOLQH LV SRZHUHG E\ H[SHUW OLFHQVLQJ ODZ Č´UP 3RSSOHVWRQ $OOHQ ZKR 2XU KRXU OLFHQVLQJ KHO SOLQH LV SRZHUHG E\ H[SHUW OLFH HQVLQJ ODZ Č´UP 3RSSOHVWRQ $OOHQ ZKR RÎ?HU D IUHH VHUYLFH WR DOO RXU PHPEHUV DGYLVLQJ RQ DQ\WKLQJ IURP EUHDFKHV RI \RXU SUHPLVHV RÎ?HU D IUHH VHUYLFH WR DOO R RXU PHPEHUV DGYLVLQJ RQ DQ\ \WKLQJ IURP EUHDFKHV RI \RXU S SUHPLVHV OLFHQFH WR ORFDO 3ROLFH FORVXUH SRZHUV <RX DOVR KDYH DFFHVV WR RXU KRXU JHQHUDO OHJDO DGYLFH OLFHQFH WR ORFDO 3ROLFH FORV VXUH SRZHUV <RX DOVR KDYH DFFHVV WR RXU KRXU JHQHUDO OH HJDO DGYLFH KHOSOLQH PDQQHG E\ D WHDP RI TXDOLČ´HG ODZ\HUV ZKR FDQ DGYLVH RQ DQ\ LVVXHV \RX PD\ KDYH KHOSOLQH PDQQHG E\ D WHD P RI TXDOLČ´HG ODZ\HUV ZKR R FDQ DGYLVH RQ DQ\ LVVXHV \RX X PD\ KDYH within your business including inclu uding specialist HR and Employment Employment law and personal legal issues. Just one call can earn you back back your membership fee.

ESSENTIAL SERV SERVICES VICES A new BII website is launching launc ching in November 2014 that will w include an Essential Servic Services ces section e BII is providing all the latest new ws and advice you need to ke ep your business on track. Th news keep The partnering with experts in n all areas of the licensed trade trade including licensing, business s planning, debt management taking property, taking, roperty food and drink drin nk service, service customer ustomer insight, insight marketing m management, stockt stocktaking, and technology, to bring you y videos and guidance notes to make mak ke sure advice, tips, updates, videos youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ahead of the game. game e. The new website will also feature fea ature an email alert service updating up pdating you on all the latest news.

GROUP PURCH PURCHASING ASING As a BII member y you can immediately y save back the cost cost of your y membership p by y taking tak king g up p MXVW RQH RU WZR RI RXU JUR RXS VDYLQJ RÎ?HUV DQG GHDOV Č&#x201A; V VRPH PHPEHUV KDYH VDYHG WKRXVDQGV MXVW RQH RU WZR RI RXU JURXS VDYLQJ RÎ?HUV DQG GHDOV Č&#x201A; VRPH PHPEHUV KDYH VDYHG WKRXVDQGV of pounds with just one phone p call! Building on this, the e BII has recently appointed a new Q\ FDOOHG Î&#x2013;3$ WR QHJRWLDWH D UDQJH RI QHZ GLVFRXQWV DQG GHD DOV IRU RXU JURXS SXUFKDVLQJ FRPSDQ JURXS SXUFKDVLQJ FRPSDQ\ FDOOHG Î&#x2013;3$ WR QHJRWLDWH D UDQJH RI QHZ GLVFRXQWV DQG GHDOV IRU RXU g from food and drink supply to credit members on products an d services including everythin and everything card services, insurance and a energy supply. Under the new deal, members mem mbers will receive weekly and monthly m well as deals via email as well VHDVRQDO VSHFLDO RÎ?HUV DQ QG VSHFLDO %Î&#x2013;Î&#x2013; GLVFRXQWV RQ VHOH HFWHG VHUYLFHV DQG SURGXFWV 7 7KH QHZ VHDVRQDO VSHFLDO RÎ?HUV DQG VSHFLDO %Î&#x2013;Î&#x2013; GLVFRXQWV RQ VHOHFWHG VHUYLFHV DQG SURGXFWV 7KH QHZ package will be unveiled at a our Annual Lunch on May 1 3th and will represent a best in class 13th service and add huge valu ue for all BII members. value

MENTORING The BII runs a nationwide mentoring scheme for members, memb bers, putting them in touch with with a QHWZRUN RI H[SHULHQFHG OL FHQVHHV DQG LQGXVWU\ H[SHUWV ZKR FDQ RÎ?HU SUDFWLFDO DGYLFH H RQ QHWZRUN RI H[SHULHQFHG OLFHQVHHV DQG LQGXVWU\ H[SHUWV ZKR FDQ RÎ?HU SUDFWLFDO DGYLFH RQ ideas business issues and guidance guida ance on business plans or idea as to grow your business as well w as YLVLWLQJ \RXU SUHPLVHV WR R RÎ?HU D FULWLTXH RI WKH RSHUDWLR RQ 7R JHW LQYROYHG HLWKHU DV D D PHQWRU RU YLVLWLQJ \RXU SUHPLVHV WR RÎ?HU D FULWLTXH RI WKH RSHUDWLRQ 7R JHW LQYROYHG HLWKHU DV D PHQWRU RU 01276 to use the service, contactt the membership team on 01 276 684 449.

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building the business – real ale

LET THERE BE BEER The Great British Beer Festival threw open its doors in August, welcoming thousands of ale afficianados keen to test out their taste buds.

ver 900 real ales, ciders, perries and international beers were set up for sampling at the 2014 Great British Beer Festival (GBBF), London. CAMRA’s annual extravaganza is a broad church, attracting real ale protagonists as well as those yet to be convinced. And if there’s a place to convert non-ale fans then surely this is it. (And for clubs pondering how to attract in the youngsters, it’s worth noting that 58% of all cask drinkers tried it for the first time when they were under 25 years old.) Expert advice for clubs and bars was on hand from Cask Marque and the Beer Academy, while tutored tastings provided in-depth understanding of the products. Tastings of award-winning brews were held by beer writer Roger Protz, and cider tastings were presented by enthusiasts

Ian White and Chris Rouse. Sessions were also held on Belgian Beers (Tim Webb – author of The Good Beer Guide Belgium), American Style Beers (Justin Hawke – owner and head brewer at Moor Beer Company), British Bottled Beers (Jane Peyton – Britain’s Beer Sommelier of the Year) and Chocolate and Beer (Christine Cryne – CAMRA’s National Director). To ensure that guests extended their stay as long as possible – and in true beer festival style – an action-packed entertainment schedule saw guests tapping feet to everything from the Irish folk/blues songsters Marc O’Reilly and legendary acoustic guitarist Gordon Giltrap to The Bad Shepherds playing punk songs on folk instruments (with Adrian Edmondson on mandolin; pictured below left).

An action-packed entertainment schedule saw guests tapping feet to everything from legendary acoustic guitarist Gordon Giltrap to The Bad Shepherds. 14

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BREWERY BARS A regular feature of GBBF are the brewery bars. This year’s show included the following: BRAINS Brains’ beers are brewed at The Cardiff Brewery and are to be found predominantly in Wales and the West of England. As well as producing traditional cask beers such as SA, SA Gold and Brains Bitter, they have a 15 barrel craft brewery, brewing a range of beers including Crowded Hops and Farmer Walloon. • www.sabrain.com FULLER, SMITH AND TURNER PLC Based at the historic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, Fuller, Smith and Turner PLC brews London Pride, as well as a award-winning ales such as Chiswick Bitter, ESB and 1845. Three of Fuller’s beers – London Pride, ESB and Chiswick Bitter – have previously been named as CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain. In June last year, the company acquired Cornish Orchards, a craft cider maker producing a range of award-winning ciders and premium soft drinks. • www.fullers.co.uk GREENE KING Based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Greene King’s award winning ales include Greene King IPA, the official beer of England Rugby. • www.greeneking.co.uk HARVEYS Brewing at the Bridge Wharf Brewery in Lewes since 1790, Harveys’ range of award winning cask ales can be found

mainly in its heartland of Sussex, Surrey and Kent. With the 7th generation at the helm, Best Bitter is complemented by a range of 17 other cask ales. In 2012 they were named ‘Supreme Champions’ at the International Beer Challenge in London as well as. ‘Best Sussex Beer’ at CAMRA’s Sussex Beer Festival. • www.harveys.org.uk HOGS BACK Hogs Back is a small craft brewery based in Surrey and has been brewing since 1992. Today they brew over 200 brewers’ barrels (57,600 pints) per week which include their flagship beer Traditional English Ale (T.E.A) and Hogs Back Bitter (HBB). • www.hogsback.co.uk SHEPHERD NEAME Shepherd Neame is Britain’s oldest brewer. Based in Kent the Garden of England the brewer still uses the same water that it used in 1698. Master Brew is the brewery’s flagship brand, referred to as the ‘Local Hero’. • www.shepherdneame.co.uk SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT BREWERS The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) was formed in 1980 as the Small Independent Brewers’ Association, to represent the interests of the emerging new wave of microbrewers. SIBA has come to represent the broad spectrum of the independent brewing sector, renamed SIBA in 1995. • www.siba.co.uk

THE WINNERS OVERALL WINNERS Gold: Timothy Taylors, Boltmaker Silver: Oakham, Citra Bronze: Salopian, Darwin’s Origin MILD CATEGORY Gold: Bank Top, Dark Mild Silver: Branscombe Vale, Mild Bronze: Castle Rock, Black Gold BITTERS CATEGORY Gold: Timothy Taylor, Boltmaker Silver: Mighty Oak, Captain Bob Joint Bronze: Flowerpots, Flowerpots Bitter and Sambrook’s Wandle Ale BEST BITTERS Gold: Salopian, Darwin’s Origin Silver: Red Willow, Directionless Joint Bronze: Purity, Mad Goose & Langton, Inclined plain bitter GOLDEN ALES Gold: Oakham, Citra Silver: Hawkshead, Cumbrian Five Hop Bronze: Salopian, Hop Twister STRONG BITTERS Gold: Church End, Fallen Angel Silver: Blue Monkey, Ape Ale Bronze: Loch Ness, HoppyNESS SPECIALITY BEERS Gold: Saltaire, Triple Chocoholic Silver: Offbeat, Way Out Wheat Bronze: Peak Ales, Chatsworth Gold CHAMPION WINTER BEER OF BRITAIN (from category winners announced in January 2014) Cairngorm, Black Gold (Stouts Category) Dunham Massey, Dunham Porter (Porter Category) Exe Valley, Winter Glow (Old Ales & Strong Milds) Kinver, Over the Edge (Barley Wines & Strong Old Ales) CHAMPION BOTTLED BEER OF BRITAIN WINNERS Gold: Marble, Chocolate Marble Silver: St Austell, Proper Job Bronze: Spire, Prince Igor Imperial Russian Stout

DIARY DATE -20 NOVEMBER

At the SIBA Champions’ Bar (l-r):Stephen Noblett, UKTI Food and Drink Specialist; Andrew Griffiths, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group; Julian Grocock, former Chief Executive, SIBA; Keith Bott, former Chairman, SIBA; Mike Benner, Managing Director, SIBA.

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Join CAMRA and Club Mirror at our 6th Hail the Ale Beer Festival in Manchester. Turn the page for more details. clubmirror 15

building the business – beer festival

FREE TO CLUBS!

HAIL THE ALE BEER FESTIVAL

Club Mirror invites you and your club colleagues to meet friends, old and new, network with peers and sample traditional ales, all stored and served to perfection with the help of CAMRA. oing anything on November 20? Then keep it free and join us at Club Mirror’s Hail the Ale Beer Festival at the Palace Hotel in Manchester. “This is our 6th Beer Festival in Manchester,” says Club Mirror’s Sean Ferris. “We’re inviting readers to come along and sample this year’s real ales, and to discuss storage and service with brewers and with the experts from CAMRA.” Last year saw clubs sampling over 20 ales, from old favourites to new brews. So to find out what’s at this year’s festival, come and join us. Fill in the form on the opposite page or email us on: info@clubmirror.com.

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WHEN: Thursday, November 20, 2014 2-5pm WHERE: Copper Face Jacks (within the Palace Hotel, Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA)

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Welcome to the

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BEER FESTIVAL

REGISTRATION AND BOOKING FORM NAME: ______________________________________________________________

BEER FESTIVAL 2014 (FREE TO CLUBS) • I would like to attend the Hail the Ale Beer festival

CLUB NAME AND ADDRESS: _____________________________________________

• I will attend on my own ■ • I would like to bring colleagues

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SEND COMPLETED FORM TO CLUB MIRROR: BY FAX: 01753 272021 BY POST: Beer Festival 2014, Club Mirror, Gainsborough House, 59-60 Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1TX BY EMAIL: info@clubmirror.com CALL: 01753 272022

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building the business – brands report part 1

THE TOP 50 – CLUB BRANDS REPORT Club Mirror commissioned CGA Strategy to produce its second annual overview of the best performing alcoholic drinks brands in the club sector. CGA Strategy’s Mark Newton reports. he keg ale market remains driven by the lead national brands and thereafter the predominant regionally brewed brand across the club sector. All top 10 brands were present in last year’s list. The category offers consistent established beers and thus innovation is not (unsurprisingly) that evident. John Smith’s and Worthington’s remain predominant with regional beers presence evident in their homelands especially. The category continues to decline nationally and while the much heralded new Craft Style keg beers do offer future opportunity, it is likely to be some time before their volumes reach the level of these traditional GB ale brands.

Cask ale Cask ale remains the leading ale category performer in the GB on trade with continuing growth of the regional brews and micro-brewery developments expanding the market. Nevertheless, the core brands dominate in such a way that the list remains the same as 2013 (as with keg ale) The best known national brewer brands such as Doom Bar and Greene King IPA are predominant. Other national brewer brands – such as John Smith’s and Worthington’s – retain

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METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS

their populist position. Continuing interest in craft beers and local provenance should see smaller brands enter the mix more, as much to support local businesses as provide additional choice to the customer over the bar. As a collective entity they are actually the biggest volume overall.

The results are presented in alphabetical order by category. The methodology used is based upon analysis of CGA’s Brand Index. This is the on-trade’s brand performance tracking service. Analysis for this year compares annual sales as at July 2013 and July 2014. Overall volume, value and distribution performance were the key benchmarks used to define those brands within the Top 10 of each individual category.

• Next month: Spotlight on Spirits clubmirror 19

top 10 club keg ales BANKS’S

ABV: 3.5 % Marston’s Beer Company

BELHAVEN BEST

The brewer notes that this beer is ‘beautifully balanced and very moreish’ with a rich malty biscuit flavour counter-balanced by a subtle burnt note and a hint of bitterness and a slight fruity taste. It was one Mr Thomas Banks who first established Banks & Co as a firm of maltsters in 1840. It wasn’t until 1874, however, that he first began brewing with his son Henry and two other employees.

BODDINGTONS

ABV: 4.6% AB InBev

Belhaven Best originated at the Belhaven Brewery in Scotland, which has a history of brewing dating back to 1719. The famous trademark, Belhaven Bill – a large, heavy fisherman wearing seaboots with Dunbar Harbour behind him - first made an appearance in the 1950s and it became synonymous with the beers and the location. Belhaven Best was launched in 1991. The brewery was bought by current owner Greene King in 2005.

BREW XI

Boddingtons has been enjoyed by beer drinkers in England for more than 200 years, and is well known for its creamy head and smooth body. In the 1990s the beer was promoted as The Cream of Manchester in a popular advertising campaign, making the drink one of the city’s most famous products after Manchester United and Coronation Street. Melanie Sykes launched her television presenter career following her appearance in the adverts from 1996 to 1999.

JOHN SMITH’S

ABV: 3.5% Heineken UK

ABV: 3.7% Molson Coors

MANSFIELD BITTER

ABV: 3.4% Daniel Thwaites PLC Thwaites Smooth was launched in 1996. Celebrity Ken Morley helped to launch the brand, which had the tongue-in-cheek strapline of ‘The Northern Smoothie’. The drink remains a favourite in northern clubs. Daniel Thwaites has secured the purchase of a site to house a new brewery and head office. It is currently hoping to secure planning consent and to start a build programme early in 2015.

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ABV: 3.9% Marston’s Beer Company This amber-coloured beer is described as being an easy-drinking yet full-bodied bitter that delivers a very consistent satisfying pint. It is brewed to a recipe that has stayed the same for generations, using high quality natural ingredients and Marston’s unique brewing yeast. The brewing of this brand did start off in Mansfield itself but was later moved to Wolverhampton when Wolverhampton & Dudley took over, before eventually moving into the Marston’s stable.

TETLEY’S

ABV: 3.6% Carlsberg UK Tetley’s has been brewed since 1822. It is a nitrogenated 3.6% ale served at 8˚C. The Tetley’s portfolio has expanded to include products such as Tetley's Smoothflow, Tetley’s Gold cask, and a popular range of seasonal ales including Tetley’s Christmas Cracker. The iconic Tetley’s Huntsman logo first appeared in 1920 and although it was dropped in 2000 (due to anti-hunt feelings in the UK), it was revived in 2010.

Stones was first brewed in 1948 at the Cannon Brewery in Sheffield. Stones Best Bitter was developed as a refreshing golden ale to quench the thirst of local steelworkers and it is still made to the same recipe as that first ever pint. Stones was promoted through a series of television adverts during the 1980s starring Michael Angelis and Tony Barton. It is a top ten brand in the on-trade in its Yorkshire heartland.

THWAITES SMOOTH

ABV: 3.6% Molson Coors Brew XI, (pronounced Brew Eleven), is a sweet, malty beer with a hoppy bitter aftertaste, brewed with a complex triple yeast strain. It is a top ten brand in the on-trade in its Central heartland and it was once advertised with the slogan ‘for the men of the Midlands’.

The Tadcaster ale is named after the town’s most famous son, John Smith, who first began brewing the beer in 1847 to meet the demands of local mill and factory workers. Renowned for its ‘No Nonsense’ strapline and approach to life, John Smith’s has become synonymous with horse racing over the years, having been the supporter of over 90 race days throughout the year at almost 30 jump and flat racecourses across the UK.

STONES BITTER

ABV: 3.2% Greene King

WORTHINGTON’S

ABV: 3.6% Molson Coors The beer started in bottled form but was relaunched as a keg brand in the 1960s under the name Worthington E, followed by Worthington Best Bitter from the 1980s and Worthington Creamflow from the 1990s. Creamflow is full of body, warmth and sweetness, according to the brewer. It is described as being easy on the tongue, and featuring a subtle hop bitterness delivering full flavour without high bitterness.

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top 10 club cask ales BANKS’S ORIGINAL/MILD

ABV: 3.5 % Marston’s Beer Company

COURAGE BEST

This is the beer that made Banks’s famous and it is well-known and loved by fans in the West Midlands. It is one of the world’s best-selling Mild beers and it is renowned in the Black Country as an ‘empty glass beer’; once you have finished one, you will want another. In 2010 the name changed from Banks’s Original to Mild. More than one million pints are reportedly sold every week.

FULLER’S LONDON PRIDE

ABV: 4.1% Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC

Best is brewed with natural mineral water from the brewery’s own well, which was sunk by its founder more than 100 years ago. According to the brewer, the beer’s consistent high quality helps the ale drop bright more quickly than other standard ales, meaning Courage Best can deliver higher yields, less wastage and is easier to manage. The iconic ‘Take Courage’ slogan, has been used for over 50 years.

GREENE KING IPA

An intrinsic part of London, London Pride has been brewed at the Thamses-side Griffin Brewery since 1845. The beer is the company’s flagship mahogany-coloured bitter. Hops included in the brew are Target, Challenger and Northdown varieties, creating a smooth but complex beer with a distinctive malty base. This year the company has opened a pub called London’s Pride at Heathrow airport.

JOHN SMITH’S

ABV: 3.8% Heineken UK

ABV: 3.8% Marston’s Beer Company

MARSTON’S PEDIGREE

ABV: 3.7% Carlsberg UK The first Tetley’s ale was brewed in 1822 and Tetley’s Cask is still brewed in traditional Yorkshire square fermenting vessels. At its height in the 1960s, the Tetley brewery employed more than 1,000 workers and by the 1970s half of Leeds’ pubs were owned by Tetley. In the 1980s Tetley’s was Britain’s largest cask ale brewery. From 2011 production of Tetley’s Cask moved to Wolverhampton.

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ABV: From 4.5% Marston’s Beer Company This beer is described as being great to enjoy on its own or with hearty British food. It is made using spring water from the Marston’s Brewery in Burton upon Trent, blended with Fuggles and Goldings hops and Pedigree’s unique strain of yeast. Good Beer Guide Editor Roger Protz says of the beer: “You get lovely spicy hops, juicy malt and a very light hint of apple fruit – it’s an incredible beer.”

DOOM BAR

ABV: 4.0% Molson Coors Doom Bar was launched in 1994 by Sharp’s Brewery, becoming so successful that Molson Coors bought the brewery in 2011. The bitter is named after an infamous sandbank at the mouth of the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall. The aroma of the beer combines a balance of hop with sweet malt and delicate roasting notes. It has a taste of dried fruit with lightly roasted malty notes and a subtle bitterness.

This was the first beer to come out of Ringwood Brewery, now part of Marston’s stable of beers, and is a favourite beer in its home region of the New Forest. The beer was awarded Bronze Medal at the infamous Munich Beer Festival in 2005. Ringwood is described as a well-rounded beer with a delicious malt flavour balanced by a tangy citrus hoppiness. Brewed with floor-malted barley, Goldings, Progress, Fuggles and Challenger hops.

TETLEY’S

ABV: 3.6% Greene King The hoppy aroma and flavour of this beer is created using two varieties of English hop – Challenger and First Gold. The brewer adds the hops to the copper by hand, as the company has always done, and by blending in pale, crystal and black malts he balances the hops with the richness of the malts. It is said to be a good accompaniment to spicy foods and curries.

John Smith’s Cask Ale is moderate-bodied with light fruit and caramel flavours. The main features of the cask ale are its much-loved Yorkshire Bitter characteristics of high bitter notes and a sweet, clean aftertaste. In addition to horse-racing, the brand has also become synonymous over the years with a succession of ‘No Nonsense’ award-winning advertising featuring archetypal Yorkshire beer drinker ‘Arkwright’, followed by campaigns starring comedians Jack Dee and Peter Kay.

RINGWOOD BEST BITTER

ABV: 4.0% Wells & Young’s

WORTHINGTON’S

ABV: 3.6% Molson Coors William Worthington began brewing beer in Burton on Trent in 1744 and the beer, which started as a bottled product, was then launched in keg format. The original cask-conditioned product is available to the on-trade market. Advertising in the mid-1990s included a series of television advertisements featuring comedian Harry Enfield. The brand is involved in sponsorship of rugby union and rugby league.

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a word with â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Marstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beer Company

A golden autumn on

As the new Aviva Premiership season gets underway this month, Ben Kay, BT Sport rugby pundit, England World Cup winner and six-time Premiership champion with Leicester Tigers, picks out some of the key live televised games in September for Club Mirror readers.

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the cards

hat a summer it’s been! One of the hottest for years has done wonders for clubs of every kind, especially golf and tennis clubs. Now, however, autumn’s round the corner, which should be just as golden. James Coyle, sales director at Marston’s, explains: “Consumers tend to choose their ales dependent on colour. “As the leaves change to russets and golds, customer tastes switch from lighter ales to the more amber colours of Pedigree, Banks’s Mild and Jennings Bitter. “Naturally, Pedigree is a big seller all year round, but autumn is a great time to catch the ‘occasionalist’ cask ale drinkers and bring in new customers, alongside regulars who like to try something different.” PERFECT PITCHES The cricket season is ending, and only limited over matches remain for England. They’ve had a mixed season, but as we write, they’ve just won the Third and Fourth Tests against India. As the official beer of England cricket, the excitement of the ODIs should help boost Pedigree’s profile even more. SOMETHING TO CHEW OVER As the schools go back, we think about lighting roaring log fires, pulling curtains and putting clocks back. Bonfire Night is a great time for a pie and a pint – or an ale stew and a pint, too. Shepherd’s Pies, a meaty casserole and a Sunday roast are all great meals to wash down with a cracking cask ale like Jennings Cumberland, Ringwood Best or Brakspear Bitter. Halloween and Hobgoblin go hand in hand and this dark, characterful ale is a perfect accompaniment to the season of mischief and mayhem. GUESTS WELCOME Guest ales are always popular, and this autumn we have Revisionist Rye Pale Ale, for instance. It has rye crystal malt for a golden brown ale packed full of fruity hop character, and is available in September and October. GOING FOR GOLD Of course, golden leaves mean golden beers, too. New World Pale Ale has already made a real mark on the cask ale market, and Marston’s are giving it a big push, asking if customers are ready to turn gold. James adds: “Amber ales represent 84% of the current cask ale market share*, with premium cask ale leading the way. However golden ales are increasingly popular – so what better time to capitalise than when the summer is drawing to a close?” Give customers the chance and it could be a golden autumn for you, too. • For more information on Marston’s or for advice on stocking Autumnal ales, please call 0800 587 0773.

Catch us on ‘One Ale of a Job’ on Channel 5 – airs 29th August, 8pm

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*Information cited from the Marston’s Cask Ale Report.

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building the business – club bar banter

Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale was first brewed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Working with the RAF characters created by comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, it is an official partner of the RAF Benevolent Fund as well as of men’s health charity Movember.

TOTALLY AMAZEBALLS DOPE GUIDE TO WICKED BANTZ LOL - ‘Laugh Out Loud’? Or ‘Lots of Love’? If, like Prime Minister David Cameron, you’re not up to speed on modern-day slang and members are bamboozling you with their banter, then maybe comedy duo Armstrong and Miller can help. Club Mirror reports on Spitfire Ale’s launch of a guide to modern slang. poll from Shepherd Neame’s Spitfire Ale brand asked over 2,000 people which slang words and terms – old and new– they use in everyday speech. Almost half of us, it seems, will still use tried and tested favourites such as ‘cock-up’ and ‘get your knickers in a twist’, while one in eight will regularly talk about being ‘safe’ and like to end sentences with ‘innit’. Only 30% of those polled say they never use modern slang, while less than one in 10 said they had never heard of any of the words in a long list of current street slang presented to them as part of the research. So to help you sort your ‘adorkables’ from you ‘Zups’, here’s an A-Z from our homeys at Spitfire, innit?

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A ‘Don’t get ampin with me every time you fail.’ Actin’ behaving provocatively Adorkable clumsy but endearing Aggy angry Ah nam to inform on, tell tales about Ahlie synonym for innit or claim to honesty

Aiitt! expression of agreement or a greeting Allow it stop it Almshouse, alms poor, inadequate, disappointing difficult or dangerous situation Amazeballs impressive, admirable, excellent Amped excited, agitated Ampin behaving in an agitated way, ranting

An’t it a newer version of innit Arms strong, tough Axe to ask

B ‘We don’t want no beef with you guyz.’ B male friend Babe(s) sweetheart, lover, girl Badman(z) ‘big shot’, a tough guy

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Bae sweetheart, girlfriend Bagga-manz bag a lot (of) Bag someone out to criticise, harass Bait obvious, intrusive Bangin’ attractive, exciting Bantz banter Bare much, many. Bars rap song, part of a song Bashment party Bayden solvent, wealthy Beast excellent, impressive, admirable, cool Beef disagreement, angry altercation Beggin’ talking nonsense Bell to phone Bennin’ overcome by laughter Bestie best friend Betty girl Bevvie, bev alcoholic drink Bigging up complimenting, praising, celebrating Blad, blud ‘mate’, friend Blag to steal, trick, bluff Blank to snub or ignore (someone) Blem cigarette Bless expression of approval or farewell Blonks big person, usually male Blud close friend Boggin’ stinking Bollerz money Bonk to exhaust oneself, tire (out) Boom exciting, impressive Boom-ting party, exciting event Bounce to depart, flounce off. Bovvered unconcerned, indifferent Boyed humiliated Boyment humiliation Boyz money Braap, blaap a greeting or expression of approval or agreement Brass bad Brassic broke Bredder someone who copies or imitates someone Bredren friends Brewski beer or another alcoholic drink Bro male friend Bruv brother, male friend Breeze nonsense, rubbish Bruck, brok ruined, in poor condition, ugly Buff physically attractive Bully van police vehicle Bump to trick, defraud, steal from

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Busted ugly, unattractive Butterz ugly, unattractive

C ‘You can cotch down at mine after the party.’ Cane it do things to excess Car because CBA, ceebs ‘can’t be arsed,’ an expression of indifference Cheeky alcoholic drink Cheez excellent Chenzed exhausted Chief stupid and/or irritating person Chirps chat up, flirt with Chuffed delighted, satisfied Criss, kriss attractive, cool, fashionable Chuddies underwear Chung, choong very attractive Chirpsing flirting Clankin’ stinking, repellent Clappin’ out of date or worn out, usually to describe clothes, when referring to people: exhausted Clock to look at Co-D accomplice, fellow wrongdoer Cotch (down), kotch to relax, rest or hang out Cray, cray-cray outrageous, exciting Creasin’ laughing Crepz shoes, trainers Crew gang, group of friends Crump terrible, excellent Crutterz in poor condition

D ‘Someone hacked my phone I was totes devo’d.’ Da bomb (something) excellent Dark negative unpleasant Dash to give, pass, throw Deep unpleasant, negative – impressive, powerful Deets details, specifics Dench attractive, impressive Deurr (brain) stupid person Devo’d, devs upset, disappointed Dinlo stupid person Div, divvy foolish or strange person Don outstanding male, leader Do one go away Dope excellent Dopper fool Drapsin’ intimidating, extorting Dred dreadful, terrible, bad, cruel Drum house, home, Dry boring, unfunny Duck out to exit, go away

Da bomb crew (l to r): Ben Miller, Club Mirror’s Sean Ferris and Alexander Armstrong.

Durkboi stupid male Duss’ to exit, go away

E ‘Meet me down my endz.’ Endz area, neighbourhood Extra intrusive, irritating, exaggerated

F ‘We got well fixed up over that phone contract.’ Fam, famo family, friend Fassy, fossy despicable, unmanly Fatboy gym (rhyming slang) Feds police Feen a male stranger Feenin’ (for) craving something Fittie an attractive person Five-O the police Fixed up tricked, defrauded, fooled Flat roofin’ stressed out, exhausted Flexin’ showing off, behaving provocatively Fluff nonsense Fraff nonsense Frass unpleasant, repellent, unattractive From endz street-smart Frontin’ showing off, behaving provocatively

G ‘I tried to get next to her but she just gave me air.’ G male friend - boss, (gang-) leader Garms clothes Gas fast-moving, quick-witted.

Gazin’, gazzin’ gazzlin’ staring relaxing Ginnulz/jinelz fraud, con, conman Give air to snub, ignore (someone) Gobby talkative Gobsmacked amazed Goppin’ ugly, smelly, repellent Grimy good, admirable, authentic, tough Gyaldem, galsdem group of females, girls

H ‘After all those carbs I feel like such a heffa.’ Hammered exhausted Hangin’ ugly, repellent Hank starving Heads people Hectic, hekka excellent, exciting Heffa overweight female Hench strong, fit, tough Homey friend, neighbour Hoodie male on the street Hot mess overwrought but attractive person Hotted humiliated Hottie attractive female Hype excessive, exaggerated, ‘OTT’ Hypin’ showing off, exaggerating Hubz, hubby boyfriend

I ‘I said I want a cab, innit. Not a cabinet!’ Immense excellent, impressive Inna nosy, intrusive, annoying Innit all-purpose question tag at

the end of statements Izzit? ‘Really?’

J ‘When they saw my new ride they were well jel.’ Jack to steal Jacks, jax alone Jakes police officers on foot Jam to relax Jar alcoholic drink Jel, jelly jealous Jokes amusing, enjoyable Jook, juke to rob or steal Jug alcoholic drink

K ‘Yo, that girl looks kriss.’ Kip (down) to sleep Kotch, cotch to chill out, relax, rest Kriss attractive, cool - feeling bad, exhausted

L ‘I totally saw those two lipsin’ behind the car park.’ Laterz a farewell Lickle little Linkin’ dating, going out with someone Lipsin’ kissing Long, longage, long-flex lengthy, time-consuming, tedious Lush good-looking, enjoyable

M ‘Jez just got merked in World of War.’ Mans I, me, myself Mandem, mansdem boys, a

clubmirror 25

building the business – club bar banter group of males, friends Man up to be more manly, resolute Marvin very hungry Mcfittie physically attractive individual Meaty excellent Meffa ‘low-life,’ Meg socially awkward, unglamorous girl Meh an expression of indifference, boredom Merk, murk to insult, defeat or trick (someone) Messed up incapacitated, dysfunctional Messy excellent Mingin’ stinking, repellent Mint cool Mis-sion, mish task, project Moist bad, disappointing ...much? expression of ironic emphasis as in ‘desperate, much?’ mocking a friend’s romantic failures Mug someone off (to attempt) to trick, make a fool of Mullered exhausted, destroyed Munter ugly, unattractive person Muppet foolish, irritating person

N ‘Dat DJ is bare nang.’ the Nads excellent Nang, nangin’ good Neg to criticize, denigrate Neek, neeky earnest, awkward, unfashionable (a blend of nerd and geek) New tedious Next man unimportant person

the Nipples (something) excellent Nyam (up) to eat, relish

O ‘Don’t worry, the olders got your back.’ Obvs obviously Off the hook cool, appealing, fresh, exceeding one’s expectations Older senior companion or sibling Om-nom-nom expression of relish, satisfaction On top (of a situation) out of control. On your ones alone Owned humiliated, ridiculed, defeated

P ‘She’s not just overly hot, she’s peng.’ Ps money Par something unfair Peng attractive, excellent Phat excellent Piff, piffy, pith excellent Po-po police Prang frightened

R ‘I totally rinsed my credit cards an’ now I’m brassic.’ Radio outdated Raggo, ragoflex improvised, hasty and/or flamboyant, provocative Rammed overcrowded, full (of a venue)

Random(er) unknown and/or uninteresting person Raps fast-moving, quick-witted Rated good Raw, rah harsh, unfair Reem excellent Reh teh teh ‘et cetera, et cetera’, an expression of impatience or indifference Renk (displaying) an overconfident, domineering attitude Rents, rentals parents Rep reputation Represent to behave impressively, self-confidently Ride car Rinsed used up, emptied, overdone Ripped muscular, physically well-toned Road street-smart Rock to wear, display Roll with keep company with, hang out with Rude boy, rude-boi streetsmart male Ruffen street-smart male

S ‘The way he busted those moves on stage was like so sick.’ Safe, safa cool, good, sweet Scran food Scrappers underwear Screw-face, screw to look in a hostile way Scrutzy dirty, unkempt Seckle settle down Seen, skeen expression of agreement or solidarity

Shabby impressive, fashionable, cool Sharking chasing females Shook nervous Shorty girlfriend Shower excellent Shrapnel money Sick, sick up excellent, inter-esting, cool Skanky disreputable, poor quality Skeen expression of agreement or solidarity Slack immoral, disreputable Sleb celebrity Slipped trespassed on someone else’s territory, left one’s neighbourhood Snash money Snarky sarcastic Soz, sowwy an apology Spit lyrics/bars to sing or perform Spud good - stupid person - to high-five (someone) Squallay to leave, exit Stabby irritated to the point of violence Stabz police officers Standard expression of agreement or approval Still said at the end of a statement to add emphasis or finality Stush, stoosh keep quiet, shut up Sucked stolen Swag confident, cool attitude - extreme, scary - bad, disappointing Swear down expression of agreement Sweet pleasing, satisfactory Swiftie alcoholic drink Switched angry, agitated

T ‘Don’t mess with him, bruv, he’s tonk.’ Tax to steal Teek old, old-fashioned, outdated Tek mobile phone Tell over to inform on someone or talk about them behind their back Tick excellent, cool Tidy excellent, satisfactory Tight impressive, skilful -

friendly, close Time a long time Ting(s) object, person, stuff Tinnie, tin alcoholic drink Tonk heavily built (person) Totes completely, very Trek long, tedious journey True-dat expression of agreement Twos (someone) to go halves, share with

V ‘Man that last-minute goal was vicious.’ Vexed, Vexin’ irritated, angry Vicious excellent, impressive Vom to vomit, or an expression of disgust

W ‘Dat new bro-step track is well wafty.’ Wack bad, inferior, disappointing Wafty unsound, second-rate Wagwan, wag1 greeting Waldo fool Wallad foolish and/or despicable male Waste, wasteman, wastage worthless male Watch a warning, ‘beware’ Wettin’ running Whotevs expression of indifference Wicked excellent, cool Wifey girlfriend Whip car Wong money

Y ‘Those posh yatties really do my head in.’ Yard home Yatty, yat female, girl YOLO ‘you only live once’, expression of defiance, indifference or bravado (the) Youth, yoot young people Younger junior companion or sibling

Z ‘Man I need to grab some zeds, I’m flat-roofin.’ Zeds sleep ‘zup? greeting Zoned, zonked exhausted, distracted

JOIN IN THE FUN To go behind the scenes with Armstrong and Miller visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb3-HYlI9Xg

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rugby special

RUGBY SEASON KICKS OFF

Spotlight on Aviva Premiership Rugby www.clubmirror.com

clubmirror 27

Aviva Premiership Rugby

FIXTURES ANNOUNCED AVIVA PREMIERSHIP RUGBY With BT Sport reporting a 40% rise in viewing figures during last year’s live coverage of the Aviva Premiership Rugby, clubs around the country are gearing up to join in the excitement of the new season. Here’s why. he Aviva Premiership Rugby Champions, Northampton Saints, will kick off the new season and the defence of their title at Franklin’s Gardens against Gloucester Rugby. Saints, who defeated Saracens after extra time in the Final last May, will have the honour of playing in the first match of the new Aviva Premiership Rugby Season on Friday 5 September, live on BT Sport. Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder said: “It will be exciting to start the 2014/15 season under the lights on a Friday night and at home at Franklin’s Gardens. The last time we played at home was the Aviva Premiership Rugby Semi-final, and if we can start next sea-

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son in the same type of atmosphere as we finished 2013/14 then it will be tremendous. Gloucester have made a lot of changes behind the scenes this summer, and it will be an exciting test. “We know that as champions we are there to be aimed at and that every team we play will raise their game against us. The three away games at Wasps, Newcastle Falcons and London Irish will be difficult, while Sale and Bath will no doubt be looking to take a step up from last season’s improvements. “I’m fully expecting the Aviva Premiership to be more competitive than ever this season. But as always we will be taking it one game at a time and looking to get a positive result every week.”

On the opening weekend more than 65,000 fans will descend on Twickenham for the annual London Double Header, live on BT Sport. The London Double Header kicks off at 2pm when last season’s Aviva Premiership Rugby runners-up Saracens entertain Wasps, followed hot on their heels by London Irish hosting Harlequins. Saracens will also make a return to Wembley on Saturday 28 March when another huge crowd will be expected to watch rugby at the home of English football. Saracens will compete against Harlequins at Wembley who will again host a Christmas match at Twickenham this time against Northampton Saints on 27 December.

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“The London Double Header is a fantastic way of starting the new season. It’s a great occasion and a real showpiece event, one that everyone looks forward to. There are some great games in the opening rounds of what should be another exciting season of Aviva Premiership Rugby.”

The opening weekend of Aviva Premiership Rugby: FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER • Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby (7.45pm). Live on BT Sport SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER • Saracens v Wasps (Twickenham, 2pm). Live on BT Sport • Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby (2pm) • Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons (3pm) • London Irish v Harlequins (Twickenham, 4.30pm). Live on BT Sport

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “The London Double Header is a fantastic way of starting the new season. It’s a great occasion and a real showpiece event, one that everyone looks forward to. There are some great games in the opening rounds of what should be another exciting season of Aviva Premiership Rugby.” London Welsh, who were promoted from the RFU Championship in May, are at the Kassam Stadium in their first weekend entertaining Exeter on Sunday 7 September, before going on the road to Bath Rugby in round two. London Welsh Head Coach Justin Burnell said: “We’re delighted to be at home for the club’s first game back in Aviva Premiership Rugby. Sunday 7 September at the Kassam Stadium will be a great opportunity to show the people of Oxford what the Premiership is all about and hopefully we can get a good crowd in and get the stadium bouncing. “The reason why we were successful last season was down to our work ethic and our environment. “We don’t claim to be world beaters but what we will

produce is a tremendous attitude. If we get beaten on the day by a better team with better players then that’s life, but it certainly won’t be for a lack of trying. “I’ve already been very impressed with the attitude of the new players, and by how quickly they’ve settled in and adapted to the London Welsh ethos. “With our drive and focus, hopefully we can go on to maintain our Aviva Premiership Rugby status.” The live TV viewing figures for Aviva Premiership Rugby were a stunning success with the first season on BT Sport showing a 40% rise in viewing figures. Ahead of their second season of exclusive live coverage, Simon Green from BT Sport said: “Aviva Premiership Rugby was a great success for BT Sport last season. Viewing figures were very strong and we have had great feedback on our live coverage and live studio show Rugby Tonight. We look forward to building on this and adding the new European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup to our offering for rugby fans.”

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER • London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs (2pm). Live on BT Sport The fixtures for Rounds 1-6 are confirmed. From Round 7 onwards they are subject to television selections.

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP RUGBY FIXTURES 2014 - 2015 Date ROUND 1 5 Sep 2014 6 Sep 2014 6 Sep 2014 6 Sep 2014 6 Sep 2014 7 Sep 2014

Time

Match

Venue

Date

Time

Match

Venue

19.45 14.00 14.00 15.00 16.30 14.00

Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby Saracens v Wasps Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons London Irish v Harlequins London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs

Franklin’s Gardens AJ Bell Stadium Twickenham Stadium Welford Road Twickenham Stadium Kassam Stadium

ROUND 4 26 Sep 2014 27 Sep 2014 27 Sep 2014 27 Sep 2014 28 Sep 2014 28 Sep 2014

19.45 15.00 15.00 15.15 14.00 14.00

London Welsh v Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers v London Irish Saracens v Sale Sharks Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins Wasps v Newcastle Falcons

Kassam Stadium Welford Road Allianz Park Franklin’s Gardens Sandy Park Adams Park

ROUND 2 12 Sep 2014 13 Sep 2014 13 Sep 2014 13 Sep 2014 14 Sep 2014 14 Sep 2014

19.45 15.00 15.00 15.15 14.00 15.00

Harlequins v Saracens Bath Rugby v London Welsh Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers Wasps v Northampton Saints Newcastle Falcons v London Irish

Twickenham Stoop The Rec Kingsholm Sandy Park Adams Park Kingston Park

ROUND 5 3 Oct 2014 4 Oct 2014 4 Oct 2014 4 Oct 2014 5 Oct 2014 5 Oct 2014

19.45 15.00 15.00 15.15 14.00 15.00

Bath Rugby v Saracens Harlequins v London Welsh London Irish v Northampton Saints Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers Sale Sharks v Wasps Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs

The Rec Twickenham Stoop Madejski Stadium Kingsholm AJ Bell Stadium Kingston Park

ROUND 3 19 Sep 2014 20 Sep 2014 20 Sep 2014 20 Sep 2014 20 Sep 2014 21 Sep 2014

19.45 14.00 15.00 15.00 15.15 14.00

Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs Sale Sharks v London Welsh Harlequins v Wasps London Irish v Saracens Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints

Kingsholm AJ Bell Stadium Twickenham Stoop Madejski Stadium The Rec Kingston Park

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ROUND 6 10 Oct 2014 19.45 Leicester Tigers v Harlequins Welford Road 11 Oct 2014 14.30 London Welsh v Newcastle Falcons Kassam Stadium 11 Oct 2014 15.00 Exeter Chiefs v London Irish Sandy Park 11 Oct 2014 15.00 Saracens v Gloucester Rugby Allianz Park 11 Oct 2014 15.15 Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks Franklin’s Gardens 12 Oct 2014 14.00 Wasps v Bath Rugby Adams Park All Games after Round 6 are subject to be moved within the weekend listed due to broadcast requirements

clubmirror 29

Aviva Premiership Rugby AVIVA PREMIERSHIP RUGBY FIXTURES 2014 - 2015 Date ROUND 7 15 Nov 2014 15 Nov 2014 15 Nov 2014 15 Nov 2014 15 Nov 2014 16 Nov 2014

Time

Match

Venue

14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.00

Sale Sharks v London Irish Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins Leicester Tigers v Saracens Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs Wasps v London Welsh

AJ Bell Stadium The Rec Kingsholm Welford Road Franklin’s Gardens Adams Park

ROUND 8 21 Nov 2014 22 Nov 2014 22 Nov 2014 22 Nov 2014 22 Nov 2014 23 Nov 2014

20.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.30

Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester Rugby Exeter Chiefs v Wasps Harlequins v Sale Sharks London Irish v Bath Rugby Saracens v Northampton Saints London Welsh v Leicester Tigers

Kingston Park Sandy Park Twickenham Stoop Madejski Stadium Allianz Park Kassam Stadium

ROUND 9 29 Nov 2014 29 Nov 2014 29 Nov 2014 29 Nov 2014 30 Nov 2014 30 Nov 2014

15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.30 15.00

Bath Rugby v Harlequins Exeter Chiefs v Saracens Leicester Tigers v Wasps London Irish v Gloucester Rugby London Welsh v Northampton Saints Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks

The Rec Sandy Park Welford Road Madejski Stadium Kassam Stadium Kingston Park

ROUND 10 20 Dec 2014 20 Dec 2014 20 Dec 2014 20 Dec 2014 20 Dec 2014 21 Dec 2014

14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.00

Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers Saracens v London Welsh Wasps v London Irish

AJ Bell Stadium Kingsholm Twickenham Stoop Franklin’s Gardens Allianz Park Adams Park

ROUND 11 26 Dec 2014 27 Dec 2014 27 Dec 2014 27 Dec 2014 27 Dec 2014 27 Dec 2014

15.00 14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

London Irish v London Welsh Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby v Wasps Harlequins v Northampton Saints Newcastle Falcons v Saracens

Madejski Stadium AJ Bell Stadium The Rec Kingsholm Twickenham Stadium Kingston Park

ROUND 12 3 Jan 2015 3 Jan 2015 3 Jan 2015 3 Jan 2015 4 Jan 2015 4 Jan 2015

15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.00 14.30

Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons Saracens v London Irish Wasps v Sale Sharks London Welsh v Harlequins

Sandy Park Welford Road Franklin’s Gardens Allianz Park Adams Park Kassam Stadium

ROUND 13 10 Jan 2015 10 Jan 2015 10 Jan 2015 10 Jan 2015 11 Jan 2015 11 Jan 2015

14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints Bath Rugby v Wasps Gloucester Rugby v Saracens Harlequins v Leicester Tigers London Irish v Exeter Chiefs Newcastle Falcons v London Welsh

AJ Bell Stadium The Rec Kingsholm Twickenham Stoop Madejski Stadium Kingston Park

ROUND 14 14 Feb 2015 14 Feb 2015 14 Feb 2015 15 Feb 2015 15 Feb 2015 15 Feb 2015

15.00 15.00 15.00 14.00 14.30 15.00

Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby Northampton Saints v London Irish Wasps v Harlequins London Welsh v Sale Sharks Saracens v Bath Rugby

Sandy Park Welford Road Franklin’s Gardens Adams Park Kassam Stadium Allianz Park

ROUND 15 20 Feb 2015 20.00 Newcastle Falcons v Wasps 21 Feb 2015 14.00 Sale Sharks v Saracens

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Kingston Park AJ Bell Stadium

Date 21 Feb 2015 21 Feb 2015 21 Feb 2015 21 Feb 2015

Time 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

Match Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints Gloucester Rugby v London Welsh Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs London Irish v Leicester Tigers

Venue The Rec Kingsholm Twickenham Stoop Madejski Stadium

ROUND 16 28 Feb 2015 28 Feb 2015 28 Feb 2015 28 Feb 2015 28 Feb 2015 1 Mar 2015

14.30 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.00

London Welsh v London Irish Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks Northampton Saints v Harlequins Saracens v Newcastle Falcons Wasps v Gloucester Rugby

Kassam Stadium Sandy Park Welford Road Franklin’s Gardens Allianz Park Adams Park

ROUND 17 7 Mar 2015 7 Mar 2015 7 Mar 2015 7 Mar 2015 8 Mar 2015 8 Mar 2015

15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.00 15.00

Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks Exeter Chiefs v London Welsh Gloucester Rugby v Northampton Saints Harlequins v London Irish Wasps v Saracens Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers

The Rec Sandy Park Kingsholm Twickenham Stoop Adams Park Kingston Park

ROUND 18 28 Mar 2015 28 Mar 2015 28 Mar 2015 28 Mar 2015 28 Mar 2015 29 Mar 2015

14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.30

Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs London Irish v Newcastle Falcons Northampton Saints v Wasps Saracens v Harlequins London Welsh v Bath Rugby

AJ Bell Stadium Welford Road Madejski Stadium Franklin’s Gardens Wembley Stadium Kassam Stadium

ROUND 19 11 Apr 2015 11 Apr 2015 11 Apr 2015 12 Apr 2015 12 Apr 2015 12 Apr 2015

15.00 15.00 15.00 14.30 15.00 15.00

Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints Harlequins v Gloucester Rugby Saracens v Leicester Tigers London Welsh v Wasps Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby London Irish v Sale Sharks

Sandy Park Twickenham Stoop Allianz Park Kassam Stadium Kingston Park Madejski Stadium

ROUND 20 25 Apr 2015 25 Apr 2015 25 Apr 2015 25 Apr 2015 25 Apr 2015 25 Apr 2015

14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

Sale Sharks v Harlequins Bath Rugby v London Irish Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons Leicester Tigers v London Welsh Northampton Saints v Saracens Wasps v Exeter Chiefs

AJ Bell Stadium The Rec Kingsholm Welford Road stadiummk Twickenham Stadium

ROUND 21 9 May 2015 9 May 2015 9 May 2015 9 May 2015 9 May 2015 10 May 2015

14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 14.00

Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons Gloucester Rugby v London Irish Harlequins v Bath Rugby Northampton Saints v London Welsh Saracens v Exeter Chiefs Wasps v Leicester Tigers

AJ Bell Stadium Kingsholm Twickenham Stoop Franklin’s Gardens Allianz Park Adams Park

Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints London Irish v Wasps London Welsh v Saracens Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins

The Rec Sandy Park Welford Road Madejski Stadium Kassam Stadium Kingston Park

ROUND 22 16 May 2015 16 May 2015 16 May 2015 16 May 2015 16 May 2015 16 May 2015 SEMI-FINAL 22/23/24 May 2015 22/23/24 May 2015

tbc tbc

FINAL 30 May 2015

Twickenham Stadium

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Aviva Premiership Rugby

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP – THE BIG KICK-OFF As the new Aviva Premiership Rugby season gets underway this month, Ben Kay, BT Sport rugby pundit, England World Cup winner and six-time Premiership champion with Leicester Tigers, picks out some of the key live televised games in September for Club Mirror readers. Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby, Friday 5 September, 7.45pm BT Sport The season gets underway with a big Friday night battle at Franklin’s Gardens as reigning champions Saints host Gloucester. This is the start of a new era for the visitors, the Cherry-and-Whites having undergone a real overhaul both on and off the field during the summer, and it would be a major coup for new Director of Rugby David Humphreys if his team got off to a winning start here against a formidable - and settled - Saints squad. For his part, Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder is unlikely to allow his charges to rest on their laurels after last season’s glory and will be focusing once more on adding to last season’s silverware.

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Saracens v Wasps, Saturday 6 September, 2pm BT Sport The first leg of what promises to be another epic London Double Header at Twickenham on the opening weekend of the season. Over 62,000 fans packed into HQ at last year’s event and were rewarded with nine tries over the course of an actionpacked day. Saracens’ last appearance here was in the Aviva Premiership Final when they suffered the agony of defeat in the last minute of extra time against Saints. Given that they also finished as runners-up to Toulon in the Heineken Cup final the week before that and essentially finished the season with no tangible reward for their outstanding efforts, Saracens will certainly not be lacking motivation in this showpiece game.

London Irish v Harlequins, Saturday 6 September, 4.30pm BT Sport London Irish’s army of faithful fans will be demanding that the club improves on its disappointing tenth-place finish of last season and Exiles boss Brian Smith certainly seems to have bolstered his squad over the summer with that end in mind, particularly up front with the addition of experienced internationals Luke Narraway, Geoff Cross and Tom Court. And they’ve also made a major backroom signing from Toulon in strength and conditioning coach Steve Walsh who has been a key figure in the French side’s rise to pre-eminence over the last few seasons. Quins made a late charge into the play-offs last season and have also added to their squad this

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season, not least England winger Marland Yarde from London Irish. London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs, Sunday 7 September, 2pm BT Sport Having secured promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking, London Welsh wasted little time in signing virtually a whole new squad of players during the off-season, the men they believe will help them flourish in the rarefied air of the Aviva Premiership. And topping that list is former All Black scrum-half Piri Weepu, a hugely experienced player who just three years ago was helping New Zealand secure the World Cup. The Exiles’ first opponents, the Chiefs, have also drafted in some talent from the Southern Hemisphere in the form of Namibia fullback Chrysander Botha who has been plying his trade with South African Super Rugby outfit the Lions. Harlequins v Saracens, Friday 12 September, 7.45pm BT Sport Just one week into the season and viewers will be treated to this clash featuring two of last season’s ‘top four’, last seen going head-to-head in a rather niggly Premiership semi-

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final, won in the end by Saracens 31-17. With the personnel involved this time around largely the same, you can expect another combative display with the two teams’ newly appointed captains Alistair Hargreaves (Saracens) and Joe Marler (Harlequins) leading from the front in typically robust fashion. Of course, both sides have some dazzling talents in their backlines and it will be fascinating to see how rising England star Marland Yarde slots into Quins’ back three. Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers, Saturday 13 September, 3.15pm BT Sport Leicester Tigers will not have enjoyed seeing East Midlands rivals Northampton Saints picking up the Aviva Premiership trophy at last season’s conclusion, especially after coming desperately close to beating the eventual champions at the semi-final stages, and will be set on regaining the title they last held aloft in 2013. Director of rugby Richard Cockerill has shored up the Tigers squad ensuring plenty of competition in key positions, not least at fly-half where highly rated England international Freddie Burns and Welshman Owen Williams will tussle for the No.10 jersey once the latter serves out the six-week ban handed down to him in May.

Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers, Saturday 20 September, 3.15pm BT Sport Bath finished in fifth place last season, narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot but qualifying for the European Rugby Champions Cup, and will aim to kick on and perhaps gain some silverware for the first time since 2008. Influential backrower Francois Louw will miss the first month of the season after being called up by South Africa for the Rugby Championship in the Southern Hemisphere but the club has been boosted by the return to fitness of England fly-half George Ford after a close season shoulder operation. Bath’s most high-profile signing, Rugby League superstar Sam Burgess, will not arrive at The Rec from Australia until October when he will begin the process of adapting to his new code. Of course, Burgess is also being talked of as a potential England player too but he will need to prove his union credentials within this talented Bath squad before he makes that step. Ben Kay is a rugby expert for BT Sport which is the exclusive home of Aviva Premiership rugby and will broadcast 69 live games this season.

clubmirror 33

Aviva Premiership Rugby

AN EXCITING SEASON?

YOU BET!

Club Managers need a broad knowledge-base. So with the start of the Aviva Premiership Rugby, we briefed our resident rugby experts to pull together facts about the teams competing for the title. We also asked Betfred to compile the latest odds for extra impetus. Turns out Saracens are the undisputed bookiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favourite to win the title (9/4) and, with Northampton Saints hot on their heels at 3/1, the battle at the top will see some spectacular rugby being played out. Expect fierce competition between Bath and Harlequins (7/1 and 8/1 respectively) and Exeter Chiefs, London Wasps and Sale Sharks (all at 40/1). Newcastle Falcons and London Welsh will have their work cut out in the tournament (both at 500/1) while London Irish will be pulling out the stops in a bid to prove that the bookies 150/1 odds are unfounded.

Saracens

Northampton Saints

Leicester Tigers

Allianz Park Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon, London NW4 1RL Tel: 0203 675 7200 Fax: 01727 792801

Franklins Gardens, Weedon Road, Northampton NN5 5BG Tel: 01604 751543 Fax: 01604 599110

Welford Road, Aylestone Road Leicester LE2 7TR Tel: 0844 8561880 Fax: 0116 285 4766

Coach: Mark McCall Ground: Allianz Park Capacity: 10,000 Mascot: Sarrie the Camel

ODDS

9/4

Coach: Jim Mallinder Ground: Franklinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gardens Capacity: 13,591 Mascot: Bernie the St. Bernard

ODDS

3/1

Coach: Richard Cockerill Ground: Welford Road Capacity: 24,000 Mascot: Leicester

ODDS

10/3

Statistics

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,082 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,026 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 871 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554 Total Penalty Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,104 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961 Total Drop Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Total Drop Goals Against. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . 205 (Kris Chesney) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . 1,192 (Glen Jackson) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . 34 (Richard Haughton) Biggest Win . . . 66 - 7 (v Yorkshire Carnegie 2008) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . 21 - 66 (v Bath Rugby 2008)

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Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,380 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,215 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 859 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479 Total Penalty Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941 Total Penalty Goals Against. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879 Total Drop Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Total Drop Goals Against. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 (Ben Cohen) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . 1,238 (Paul Grayson) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 (Ben Cohen) Biggest Win . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 - 13 (v Wasps 2014) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . . . . . 12 - 54 (v Wasps 2000)

Statistics Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,410 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,168 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,098 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 771 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 Total Penalty Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,084 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,073 Total Drop Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Most Appearances . . . . . . . 205 (Geordan Murphy) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . 1,180 (Tim Stimpson) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 (Neil Back) Biggest Win . . 83 - 10 (v Newcastle Falcons 2005) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . . . 10 - 49 (v Saracens 2013)

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Bath Rugby

Harlequins

Farleigh House, Farleigh Hungerford, Bath BA2 4BQ Tel: 01225 325200 Fax: 01225 325201

Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 7SX Tel: 0208 410 6000 Fax: 0208 410 6001

Coach: Gary Gold Ground: Recreation Ground Capacity: 12,200 Mascot: None

ODDS

7/1

ODDS

8/1

Coach: John Kingston Ground: Twickenham Stoop Capacity: 14,800 Mascot: Harley and Charley Bear

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Draws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Losses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,409 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,426 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458 Total Penalty Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,001 Total Penalty Goals Against. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940 Total Drop Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . . 183 (David Barnes) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . . 1,463 (Olly Barkley) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 (Matt Banahan) Biggest Win . . . . 76 - 13 (v London Scottish 1999) Heaviest Defeat 12 - 68 (v Gloucester Rugby 2002)

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,915 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,965 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 792 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 795 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 578 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 576 Total Penalty Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 884 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 916 Total Drop Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . 154 (Mike Brown) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . 1,226 (Nick Evans) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 (Mike Brown) Biggest Win. . . . . . . . . 49 - 0 (v Sale Sharks 2007) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . 19 - 77 (v Bath Rugby 2000)

Gloucester Rugby

Exeter Chiefs

Kingsholm, Kingsholm Road Gloucester GL1 3AX Tel: 0871 8718781 Fax: 01452 383321

Sandy Park Stadium, Sandy Park Way Exeter EX2 7NN Tel: 01392 890890 Fax: 01392 890888

Coach: Nigel Davies Ground: Kingsholm Capacity: 16,500 Mascot: N/A

ODDS

16/1

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,887 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,147 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555 Total Penalty Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,016 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988 Total Drop Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Most Appearances . . 184 (James Simpson-Daniel) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . 855 (Ludovic Mercier) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . 63 (James Simpson-Daniel) Biggest Win . . . . . . . 68 - 12 (v Bath Rugby 2002) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . . 3 - 47 (v Bath Rugby 1998)

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Coach: Rob Baxter Ground: Sandy Park Capacity: 10,744 Mascot: Big Chief

ODDS

40/1

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,832 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,807 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Total Penalty Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Total Drop Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . 79 (Haydn Thomas) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . 647 (Gareth Steenson) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 (Matt Jess) Biggest Win. . . . . . . . . 43 - 6 (v Sale Sharks 2012) Heaviest Defeat 12 - 55 (v Sale Sharks 2014)

London Wasps Twyford Avenue Sports Ground Twyford Avenue, Acton, London W3 9QA Tel: 020 89938298 Fax: 020 89932621 Coach: Dai Young Ground: Adams Park Capacity: 10,516 Mascot: Sting

ODDS

40/1

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,189 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,154 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 756 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 652 Total Conversions Against. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531 Total Penalty Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,030 Total Penalty Goals Against. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,047 Total Drop Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . 237 (Simon Shaw) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 (Alex King) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 (Josh Lewsey) Biggest Win . . . . 71 - 14 (v West Hartlepool 1998) Heaviest Defeat . 13 - 74 (v Northampton Saints 2014)

> clubmirror 35

Aviva Premiership Rugby Sale Sharks

London Irish

Newcastle Falcons

Sale Sharks High Performance Centre, Carrington Lane, Carrington M31 4AE Tel: 0161 286 8888 Fax: 0161 286 8900

The Avenue, Sunbury on Thames Middlesex TW16 5EQ Tel: 0844 249 1871 Fax: 1932784462

Kingston Park, Brunton Road, Kenton Bank Foot, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE13 8AF Tel: 0191 214 5588 Fax: 0191 2715213

Coach: Bryan Redpath Ground: AJ Bell Stadium Capacity: 12,000 Mascot: Sharky

ODDS

40/1

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,350 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,894 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 842 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 887 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 Total Penalty Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 918 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,021 Total Drop Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 (Mark Cueto) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . 1,870 (Charlie Hodgson) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 (Mark Cueto) Biggest Win . . . . . . . 76 - 0 (v Bristol Rugby 1997) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . . . . . . 5 - 58 (v Wasps 2000)

Coach: Brian Smith Ground: Madejski Stadium Capacity: 24,105 Mascot: Digger the Wolfhound

ODDS

150/1

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,330 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,432 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 771 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 511 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 572 Total Penalty Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,090 Total Penalty Goals Against. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,002 Total Drop Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . 187 (Declan Danaher) Top Points Scorer . . . . . . . . . . 1,234 (Barry Everitt) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 (Topsy Ojo) Biggest Win . . . 56 - 7 (v Yorkshire Carnegie 2009) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . 16 - 64 (v Bath Rugby 2000)

Coach: Dean Richards Ground: Kingston Park Capacity: 10,200 Mascot: Flash the Falcon

ODDS

500/1

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,002 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,364 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 688 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 874 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 569 Total Penalty Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 812 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 Total Drop Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Most Appearances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 (Tom May) Top Points Scorer. . . . . . . 1,489 (Jonny Wilkinson) Top Try Scorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 (Tom May) Biggest Win . . . 56 - 10 (v Rotherham Titans 2003) Heaviest Defeat . . 10 - 83 (v Leicester Tigers 2005)

London Welsh Old Deer Park, Kew Road Richmond TW9 2AZ Tel: 020 8940 2368 Fax: 020 8940 1106 Coach: Justin Burnell Ground: Kassam Stadium Capacity: 12,500 Mascot: Dewi the Dragon

ODDS

500/1

Statistics Played . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Draws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Total Points For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412 Total Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619 Total Tries For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Total Tries Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Total Conversions For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Total Conversions Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Total Penalty Goals For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Total Penalty Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Total Drop Goals For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Total Drop Goals Against . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Most Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 (Tom Bristow) Top Points Scorer. . . . . . . . . . . . 173 (Gordon Ross) Top Try Scorer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 (Nick Scott) Biggest Win . . 33 - 22 (v Worcester Warriors 2013) Heaviest Defeat . . . . . . . 3 - 40 (v Harlequins 2012)

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CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS

SOLICITORS TO THE LICENSED TRADE Nottingham 37 Stoney Street • The Lace Market • Nottingham • NG1 1LS • Tel: 0115 953 8500 London 88 Kingsway • London • WC2B 6AA • Tel: 020 7936 5869 email: info@popall.co.uk

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Live sporting fixtures from TCH

ONE TO WA

THE BEST OF Sports4Bars.com picks out some of the month’s key sporting highlights, including the Ryder Cup, Barclays Premier League and England’s Euro 2016 Qualifer against Switzerland. US Open Tennis: Sky Sports 3 Monday, September 8

Saturday September 13, 12.45pm – BT Sport

Football: Barclays Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City A repeat of the FA Community Shield clash last month as Arsenal take on the reigning Barclays Premier League champions at The Emirates. Can the Gunners’ new signings propel them into contention for the title?

NDS

RECOMME

Sunday September 21, 4pm – Sky Sports 1 HD

Football: Barclays Premier League – Manchester City v Chelsea The two richest clubs in the Barclays Premier League go head to head at the Etihad Stadium in a match which is certain to have a direct bearing on the ultimate destination of the trophy.

TCH ONE TO WA

Monday September 8, 7.45pm ITV1

Saturday September 13, 5.30pm Sky Sports 1 HD

International Football: Euro 2016 Qualifier: Switzerland v England

Football: Barclays Premier League - Liverpool v Aston Villa

After crashing out of the World Cup in abject style, Roy Hodgson’s England side get straight back into competitive action with this qualifying match for the Euro 2016 Championships against Switzerland at St Jakob Park in Basel.

Liverpool came desperately close to claiming the title last season but were ultimately undone by their defensive frailities in the earlier rounds, something they will be focusing their efforts on this time around.

Monday September 8, 9pm Sky Sports 3 HD

Sunday September 14, 4pm Sky Sports 1 HD

Tennis: US Open

Football: Barclays Premier League - Manchester United v QPR

Live coverage of the men’s final from Flushing Meadows, New York. Spain’s Rafael Nadal was the winner here in 2013 while Andy Murray was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland. Thursday September 11, 8pm Sky Sports 1 HD

Thursday September 25, 3pm - Sky Sports Ryder Cup

Golf: The Ryder Cup The biennial competition between Europe and the USA gets underway at Gleneagles, Scotland. Ireland’s Paul McGinley will be masterminding the European campaign as team captain and will have some of the golfing world’s most illustrious players alongside him in European colours.

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Super League: Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves Top Rugby League action as two genuine contenders for the title go head to head. Wigan will be keeping a close defensive eye on Joel Monaghan who has been in superlative try-scoring form for the Wolves throughout the season, building up an impressive personal tally.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp is a master in spotting outstanding individual talents and moulding them into a team and will hope that his judicious close-season signings will give QPR a competitive edge in the top flight. Monday September 15, 8pm Sky Sports 1 HD

Football: Barclays Premier League - Hull v West Ham Hull may have only just escaped relegation by four points last year but their fans had plenty to cheer about with some good performances and an appearance in the FA Cup final showing their promise.

www.clubmirror.com

SEPTEMBER’S LIVE SPORT ALSO COMING UP... Wednesday September 3, 8pm ITV1

International Football: England v Norway Wednesday September 3, 8pm BT Sport

International Football: Germany v Argentina Saturday September 6, 8.35am Sky Sports 3 HD

Rugby Union: New Zealand v Argentina Saturday September 6, 11.05am Sky Sports 3 HD

Rugby Union: Australia v South Africa Switzerland v England: ITV1 Monday, September 8

Saturday September 20, 12.45pm BT Sport

Football: Barclays Premier League - QPR v Stoke City The early indicators are that Stoke City have a decent attacking edge - witness their strong display up front against Schalke 04 on their pre-season tour to Germany – and will be looking to improve on their ninth-place finish in 2013/14. Saturday September 20, 5.30pm Sky Sports 1 HD

Football: Barclays Premier League - West Ham v Liverpool West Ham manager Sam Allardyce worked hard over the summer bringing in new talent with the result that the Hammers look to have good strength in depth throughout their squad, not least in the midfield, and will be confident of top-flight survival. Sunday September 21, 1.30pm Sky Sports 1 HD

Football: Barclays Premier League - Leicester City v Manchester United Having already tested themselves against Chelsea and Arsenal this season, new boys Leicester City take on Manchester United in what wil be a good litmus test

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Sunday September 7, 5pm Sky Sports 3 HD of their Barclays Premier League credentials under manager Nigel Pearson. Saturday September 27, 12.45pm BT Sport

Football: Barclays Premier League - Liverpool v Everton If this derby is anything like the two league games featuring these proud sides last year, you can expect plenty of action around the goals. In November, at Goodison Park, honours were even at 3all. However, the return fixture saw Liverpool winning 4-0 in front of a packed Anfield. Saturday September 27, 5.30pm Sky Sport 1 HD

Football: Barclays Premier League - Arsenal v Tottenham The second Barclays Premier League derby of the day as these bitter North London rivals battle it out at The Emirates Stadium. Tottenham will be out for revenge after suffering twin 1-0 defeats last term. Monday September 29, 7.45pm BT Sport

Football: SPFL - Rangers v Hibernian This is a massive game for both sides as

they attempt to plot a return to the Scottish Premiership from the secondtier. With Hearts also in the Championship this season and only two sides going up, it is likely to be a keenly fought battle all the way through to the season’s conclusion.

International Football: Hungary v Northern Ireland

Monday September 29, 10am Sky Sport Ryder Cup

Sunday September 7, 7.45pm Sky Sports 5 HD

Golf: Ryder Cup - Day 4

International Football: Germany v Scotland

The final day of the Ryder Cup is invariably a thrilling experience as the 12 head-to-head singles matches play out over the fairways. In 2012, and on the brink of defeat on Day 4, Europe produced a stunning comeback with Martin Kaymer sinking a five-foot putt on the 18th green to get his team to the 14 points needed to retain the trophy. Monday September 29, 8pm Sky Sport 1 HD

Football: Barclays Premier League - Stoke City v Newcastle United The Magpies started brightly in the Barclays Premier League last term but saw their hopes of securing a Champions League spot fading in a disappointing second half of the season. Manager Alan Pardew will be desperate to achieve consistency throughout the season this time around.

Sunday September 7, 5pm Sky Sports 5 HD

International Football: Georgia v Republic of Ireland

Tuesday September 9, 7.45pm Sky Sports 5 HD

International Football: Andorra v Wales Wednesday September 10, 7.45pm BT Sport

Football: Dover Athletic v Barnet Monday September 22, 8pm BT Sport

Football: Chester v Wrexham

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building the business – the ryder cup

RYDER CUP TEES OFF This year’s Ryder Cup promises to be as action packed as ever with the drama unfolding on the fairways and in clubhouses across the country. And there’s little doubt that Rory McIlroy’s current outstanding success will help drive interest.

DID YOU KNOW? • In 1926 English seed merchant Samuel A. Ryder saw an unofficial international match between the Americans and British at Wentworth. “Why can’t they all get to know each other?” he asked. “I will give £5 to each of the winning players, and give a party afterwards, with Champagne and chicken sandwiches.” • Ryder only reluctantly started playing golf at the age of 50 following an illness: it was recommended as a way to recuperate. • In 1927 Ryder presented the Ryder Cup to The Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain as a prize for an international competition between American and British professional golfers.

ith an emphatic nine European victories to seven American triumphs, European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley will lead out Team Europe determined to retain the cup following their victories at Medinah Country Club in the States in 2012 and the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales in 2010. Team USA, under the leadership of Tom Watson, will be equally determined to get their hands back on the trophy. Sky Sports has dedicated a channel to the 2014 Ryder Cup with over 330 hours of golf across 14 days, including 36 hours of live coverage from Gleneagles. The channel goes live at 6am on Thursday 18 September and will include an interview special with Paul McGinley. “I love the whole atmosphere of The Ryder Cup. I love everything that goes with it, the pomp and the pageantry,” said McGinley. “I get a real buzz out of being in the same room where everyone is pulling for the team. It’s inspirational, you can touch the camaraderie, and I do reach for another level when involved in team golf. My heart ticks a bit faster, my adrenalin flows more.”

• The Ryder Cup was commissioned for £250. The trophy stands 17 inches high, is nine inches from handle to handle and weighs four pounds. • The golfing figure depicted on the top of the trophy reflects the image of Abe Mitchell, friend and golf instructor to Ryder. • The first Ryder Cup match was won by the Americans at Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts. • With the outbreak of the Second World War, The Ryder Cup was suspended between 1939 and 1945, and the US retained the trophy from its 1937 victory. • Repeated US-dominance led to a decision in 1973 to field a joint British and Irish team, which subsequently became a European team in 1979. This change was partly prompted by the success of a new generation of Spanish golfers of the time, including Severiano Ballesteros. • The Ryder Cup was interrupted for the second time in its history following the September 11 2001 attack upon the World Trade Centre. The 2001 Matches were rescheduled with all future competitions conducted in even-numbered years. • Between 1927 and 1969 Great Britain only managed to beat the Americans three times - 1929, 1933 and 1957. The two countries drew in 1969, scoring 16 all.

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building the business – the ryder cup

SPOTLIGHT ON

GLENEAGLES

This is a landmark year for Gleneagles. Not only is it hosting The Ryder Cup, but the iconic club is also celebrating its 90th anniversary. So just what makes this such a special place to be?

leneagles’ history makes for fascinating reading. It was the brainchild of one Donald Matheson, General Manager of the Caledonian Railway Company. His railway line ran right through the valley and, so impressed was he by the countryside, he envisaged building a large country house hotel with golf as its hook. James Braid, winner of five Open Championships between 1901 and 1910, was commissioned to create the King’s and Queen’s Courses which opened in 1919. In 1928 the nine-hole ‘Wee Course’, opened. This was later converted to 18 holes (1974) and renamed Prince’s. A fourth

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course, Glendevon, was opened in 1980. The following decade saw Jack Nicklaus create the Monarch’s Course from the Glendevon as well as some holes of the Prince’s Course. (The remaining holes of the Prince’s Course were incorporated into a new nine-hole ‘Wee Course’, designed by the Gleneagles greenkeepers). The Monarch’s Course was itself renamed in 2001, becoming The PGA Centenary Course in celebration of The Professional Golfer’s Association’s centenary. (This is where the 2014 Ryder Cup action will take place.) Gleneagles also has an 11 acre championship practice

ground, as well as several putting greens and is the chosen venue for the PGA National Academy for Scotland. Shooting, riding, falconry, a Gundog school and off-road driving are just some of the many other activities available on site, while corporate events, weddings, lodges for rent and sale and exclusive shops all add to the overall thriving business. Green fees vary from £32 to £175 (hotel guests get discounts) and a range of memberships are available. An individual, for example, can join for £2,545 + a joining fee of £600, while international membership (including five night accommodation at the hotel) is £3,380 with a joining fee of £500.

building the business – location report

SPOTLIGHT ON

SCOTLAND As the Ryder Cup returns to Scotland for the first time in more than 40 years, this month’s location report celebrates Scottish golf clubs, from renowned links courses to hidden gems. SCOTLAND – FAST FACTS Population: Circa 5.2 million. Area: 30,414 sq miles/78,772 km2. Capital: Edinburgh (Glasgow is the biggest city however). Food and drink: Renowned for its beef, venison and seafood, as well as haggis and whiskies. Interesting info: Tourism is one of Scotland’s most lucrative assets, with golf playing a major part. In industry, key business sectors include life sciences, electronic technologies, energy and financial services. Scotland has twice been voted ‘European Region of the Future’ (Financial Times’ Foreign Direct Investment magazine). Famous sons include: William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, John Logie Baird, Alexander Graham Bell, Lord Byron, Andrew Carnegie, Sean Connery, William Gladstone, John Knox, Captain Kidd, David Livingstone, The Queen Mother – among many others.

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ABERDOUR GOLF CLUB Aberdour, Fife Founded: 1896. Designed by Robertson/Anderson Location: Renowned for its views of Inchcolm Island and across the Forth to Edinburgh. Members/guests: Visitor and family-friendly. Encouraging new players to golf is a focus. The club launched a 2014 beginners package where the £150 fee includes 10 lessons and five green fees. Students living away from home can join for £75 and free membership for under 8s. Facilities: Riverview Lounge, with stunning views across the Forth to Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle. Food served

between 10.30am and 9pm. Putting green, practice nets, practice chipping area. The course: The course attracts visitors of all abilities from around the world. It’s two par three holes are particularly unusual, with the first being an elevated tee hitting down to a green set on a rocky promontory and the second teeing off from a rocky platform which demands a shot across a bay to an elevated green set into a steep hillside. 5,460 yards; par 67. Voted the fourth best golfing experience in Scotland by Bunkered magazine.

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building the business – location report

BRORA GOLF CLUB Brora, Sutherland Founded: 1923. Designed by James Braid. Location: Brora is around 55 miles North of Inverness (the club can arrange transport from Inverness Airport). Kintradwell Bay and a backdrop of the Sutherland foothills all form part of the stunning setting. Members/guests: Visitors are welcome with a few tee-time restrictions. There are plenty of activities at the club which are open to all. Facilities: The clubhouse opens at 7.30 am, the bar at 11 am with food served from opening time. The club is proud of its position within the village community and encourages members, friends and holiday-makers to get the most out of their ‘Brora experience’ through an extensive programme of entertainment including dances, concerts and quizzes. The course: Described as ‘the most northerly golf memorial to James Braid in his native Scotland’, the 6110 yard

CRUDEN BAY GOLF CLUB

course has altered little since its inception, with a mix of bent grass, beach sand and gorse. A railway comes into play from the tenth tee and there’s a webcam at the 1st and 18th. Testimonials: “One of my favourite links is Brora on the Moray Firth, where the golfers share a precious piece of territory with a hundred or so woolly sheep. What could epitomise nature better than such a communion? I pray it will continue and last as long as the world.” Peter Thomson, CBE (five-times Open Champion.)

CRAIL GOLFING SOCIETY Crail, Fife Founded: 1786. The Balcomie course was designed by Tom Morris (1895) and the Craighead (1998) by Gil Hanse (Golf Architect of the Year, 2009). Location: 11 miles from St Andrew’s. The clubhouse is perched on a rock overlooking the 18th green on the Balcomie Course with a panoramic view of the sea, beach and rocks and in the distance the Stevenson built Bell Rock Lighthouse. The area between the Craighead course and the sea has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust has a reserve there. Facilities: The modern clubhouse (extended and refurbished in 2009) offers two bars and three separate eating areas, with everything from breakfasts and clubhouse combos to home-made steak pie. Pro shop, tuition, club repair. Members/guests: Visitors are welcome (unrestricted) and golf societies are by arrangement. Social membership is £44, up to 15s it’s £51 and full membership is £363, plus a £50 levy towards the clubhouse refurbishment fund and the SGU/SLGA fees (currently £12.80/£14). Discounts and reciprocal arrangements with other courses form part of the membership package.

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The courses: Balcomie Links is described as ‘a devilishly testing layout’ with shots over rocky bays and greens on top of vertical cliffs. The fifth, a 447 yard par four, is dubbed Hell’s hole; former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance said that this is probably the hardest par four in Scotland. 5,861 yards; par 69. The challenging cliff-top Craighead Links offers spectacular views with the sea visible from every hole and no trees to protect golfers from wind. 6,651 yards; par 72. Testimonials: “Whether you play the famous ancient links of Balcomie or the excellent new Craighead course, the friendly members and welcoming staff will make your visit to Crail Golfing Society an unforgettable experience.” Bernard Gallagher OBE.

Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire Founded: 1899. Designed by Old Tom Morris with help from Archie Simpson. Location: A two hour drive from St Andrews, the ‘Home of Golf’ with panoramic sea-scape views. Members/guests: The club welcomes members and visitors: “We are very proud of our club and welcome the opportunity to share our golf course and clubhouse facilities with visiting golfers from across the globe.” Facilities: Driving range, putting green, pro shop, bar, catering franchise. The course: Set against a backdrop of contoured greens and panoramic views, the courses have been are described as ‘devlish’. The course has hidden greens, blind drives and provides a roller-coaster of a round. Golf World magazine: “It’s an incomparable amalgam of Seascape and Dune-land; a links whose beauty is enhanced by its quality and a near mischievous eccentricity.” 6287 yards; par 71. Also: 9 hole St Olaf’s course. Winner of the Golf Tourism Scotland Award for the top Course in Scotland (2012) and voted 29th in the World by over 240 golf course architects (2013).

DEESIDE GOLF CLUB Bieldshire, Aberdeenshire Founded: 1903. Course designed by Archie Simpson. Location: Sited on the River Dee at Bieldside, the clubhouse boasts spectacular views of the river, surrounding woods and the Kincardineshire hills on the opposite bank. Members/guests: Private golf club. Visitors are welcome. Facilities: Pro shop, computerised teaching system, chipping and bunker short course practise area, driving range, bar and restaurant with daily specials, ranging from home made chicken liver pate served with oatcakes & home made chutney to grilled Aberdeen Angus fillet steak au poivre served with Lyonnaise potatoes. The course: The parkland course comprise the 18-hole Haughton (6,424 yards, par 70) and 9 hole Blairs (5633 yards, par 72).

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PRESTWICK GOLF CLUB

MORAY GOLF CLUB Lossiemouth, Moray Founded: 1889. Old course designed by Old Tom Morris; new course designed by Henry Cotton. Location: Six miles north of Elgin sited on the southern shores of a scenic lake with magnificent views across the Moray Firth. Members/guests: Visitors are welcome with a handicap certificate. Facilities: Accommodation, clubhouse and club bar with lunches, dinner etc (various opening times). Online booking service.

The course: The old course is a classic links with deep revetted bunkers, undulating gorse-lined fairways and smooth fast greens with seven par fours over 400 yards. Henry Cotton’s course is a shorter but tighter new course, equally challenging and rewarding.

Prestwick, Ayrshire Founded: 1851. Course designed by Old Tom Morris Location: Just three minutes by cab from Prestwick airport, and 30 miles from Glasgow airport. Most areas of the clubhouse enjoy panoramic views of the Ayrshire coast, Ailsa Craig and the island of Arran. Members/guests: Private members club. Visitors welcome. Jacket, collar and tie (gentlemen) required for the Dining Room and Members’ Bar. Smart casual wear is acceptable in the Cardinal Bar and Lounge. Facilities: Snacks, meals and drinks are served in the mixed lounge, casual bar and dining room snacks. The refurbished Tom Morris Room ‘reflects the timeless values of a club with a history stretching back to 1851’. Pro shop, lessons. The course: Prestwick Golf Club inaugurated the first Open Championship in 1860. The Pow Burn provides a natural obstacle, along with a number of sand dunes in the centre of the course. The Irish Sea and Firth of Clyde make the western boundary of the course. Royal Troon Golf Club is immediately to the north and Turnberry is to the southwest down the coastline. 6,908; par 71. Testimonials: “I think every serious golfer should try to play Prestwick at least once to see where the Open began.” Ernie Els, Open Champion, 2002 and 2012.

WHITEKIRK GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

NORTH BERWICK GOLF CLUB North Berwick, East Lothian Founded: 1832. Designer of original course is unknown. Location: East of Edinburgh, North Berwick is an exceptionally scenic links course with views over white sandy beaches, islands and across to the hills of the East Neuk of Fife. Members/guests: Smart casual dress (including smart jeans) is acceptable in the clubhouse. Facilities: Bar, lounge and restaurant which provides both informal and fine-dining – from Golfers Grill (bacon, egg, pork or Lorne sausage, black pudding, haggis, hash browns and toast) to seared Shetland scallops served with black pudding and caramelised apple. North Berwick

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includes a 9 hole children’s course and practice area with a large putting green, two bunkers, pitching and chipping areas, a purpose-built teeing area and three raised target greens. Pro shop and tuition. The course: Interesting hazards include the beach, light rough, walls intersecting fairways and streams crossing three of the fairways. The par three 15th, Redan, has been copied across the world and is 192 yards long with bunkers and sloping green protecting the pin. 6,458; par 71. The Top 100 Golf Course Rankings for 2014/2015 ranked the club as 7th in Scotland, 17th in the UK and 51st in the World.

North Berwick, East Lothian Founded: 1995. Course designed by Cameron Sinclair. Location: East of Edinburgh. Set on Whitekirk hill the course enjoys commanding views of East Lothian, Fife and the landmarks of Bass Rock, North Berwick and Tantallon Castle. Members/guests: Different memberships available plus extensive member competition schedule. Visitors are welcome and the main restaurant can hold 150 for larger corporate events. Facilities: Public bar and restaurant plus Sunday Carvery. Driving range and putting green, tuition, club repair, hair and beauty salon. Leisure club (pool, gym, classes etc). The course: Gorse covered banks and lush fairways, with many elevated tees maximising the views. Set some two miles from the sea, it is designed to have a links feel, but with play on rich, grassy fairways. Natural water hazards have been incorporated along with the undulating East Lothian terrain to produce a course which can be enjoyed by golfers at all levels. 6,526; par 72. The golf course has already earned championship status, hosting the PGA Mastercard Tour annually from 1998 to 2001 and the Sky televised PGA Europro Tour from 2002 to 2006.

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Association update - GCMA news

VIEW FROM THE TOP Club Mirror caught up with Bob Williams, CEO of the Golf Club Managers Association (GCMA), to find out how the Association is determined to help drive the game of golf to even greater heights. Last time we spoke you were still bedding into your new role as CEO. How’s life looking in 2014? When you take on any new job you always feel as though you want to make an immediate impact, unfortunately in the golf club world so much of the programme is extremely repetitive; there will always be an AGM, the annual club championships as well as many other golfing and social events throughout the calendar year. As a parallel the GCMA follows a very similar pattern, with a succession of yearly events, so whilst I always wanted to make that immediate impact you have to understand and accept the nature of the beast that you are dealing with. Now as I am well into my second year I have been able to look back and reflect on where we are now – and just as important – identify the direction in which we are heading! Looking back (and forward) the role of the person at the helm is to accept the responsibility of the decisions that are made. Hence it has been necessary and vital for me to have a full understanding of the organisation before any changes are made. I am now at a stage where I am confident the changes we are making will stand the Association in good stead for the next period of its life.

Bob Williams (l) and Peter Bell (r), Chairman of Bristol & Clifton Golf Club at the GCMA’s new home.

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So what are those changes? Team Changes. Firstly, behind every manager there is a need for a strong team. Hence a few modifications and additions have been made over the last six or seven months. Having lost the existing Education Manager at the end of 2013, I was most fortunate in being able to recruit Niki Hunter for the role of Education Coordinator. Niki initially worked for IBM before taking on the role of GM at Letchworth Golf Club in Hertfordshire, a position she held for eight years before joining us at GCMA. Over the last month we have also secured the services of Mike Hyde to look after the Associations Digital Communications programme. Mike joins us after working for the Dance Association in a very similar role; he is also an

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The Conference Team at the FA Centre.

extremely competent golfer playing off a 10 handicap at Harborne Golf Club in the Midlands.

published by Club Mirror owner Alchemy Contract Publishing.)

GCMA Headquarters. We agreed to move the Associations headquarters from Weston-super-Mare. Having been based there since 1990 I always wanted to explore the opportunities of the GCMA being based within a golfing environment, in much the same way as the PGA at the Belfry or England Golf at Woodhall Spa. Now, after some lengthy discussions, I am pleased to announce that we have now taken up residence at the Bristol & Clifton Golf Club. Having just moved in as this issue of Club Mirror goes to press, we are still settling in to the new premises. Overall, though, the marriage between the club and the Association is certainly seen as a ‘win-win’ situation for both parties.

GCMAtv, communications programme. In conjunction with the appointment of Mike Hyde we are now in the process of re-developing the GCMA web-site, which will also include the delivery of GCMAtv – a series of videos aimed at delivering both educational information, as well as a catalogue of short digital productions that are aimed at keeping Golf Club Managers up to date with the very latest developments. The aim is to launch a series of new communication channels at the beginning of 2015.

Collaborated Educational pathway. As you may have seen recently a press release has just been issued on behalf of the GCMA , CMAE (the Club Managers Association of Europe) and England Golf regarding a joint initiative to provide an educational pathway for both existing Golf Club Managers and for those wishing to progress into the world to golf club management. In conjunction with the CMAE Vice president Marc Newey from the Roehampton Club and Richard Flint from England Golf we will be delivering a series of residential training courses from the end of this year. (Editor’s note: Clubhouse Europe magazine is

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Plans for the next 12 months ? It is important that we now build for the future. In conjunction with the GCMA Board of Directors we are presently reviewing the long term strategic plan and where we see the Association being within the next five to ten years. This is not a set of directions that can be rolled out over a short period of time and needs to be given serious thought before setting out the future strategy. We have also just advised the GCMA membership of the venue and dates of the 2015 conference. Following a number of consultations and meetings we will be hosting the conference at the recently built FA Centre of Excellence at St Georges Park, Burton-on-Trent on November 15th to 17th. This is without doubt a stunning location and a credit to the FA for the deliv-

ery of such a venue – it can only be good for the development of football and for those other sporting organisations who wish to make use of it. And looking ahead to the future of the game... Looking ahead it is imperative to the development of the game that, in conjunction with the other golfing organisations – Home Golf Unions, PGA, R&A, BIGGA, CMAE, Golf Foundation etc – we all work together to deliver a sustainable game for the future. Whilst we definitely need the exploits of Rory McIlroy as a figure head, all clubs and golfing organisations need to embrace and understand that there is a need for change in how the game is delivered, as well as understanding that it has a lot competition out there for people’s leisure time. I keep hearing the call that we need more members – which is an obvious statement to make – however the step before that is to capture potential golfers within the market place. They will come from all walks of life and from all age groups – but we need to ensure that we engage with them and don’t turn them away with some of the unwelcoming practices that are unfortunately all too evident in some clubs. Whichever way we want to address it, we all work in a world where we have to understand who the customer is and the service that they require. And another European victory with a UK player holing the final putt won’t do the industry any harm!

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building the business – al fresco dining

THE GREAT OUTDOORS With umbrella systems, outdoor lighting and heating now readily available, al fresco dining is achievable 24/7, 365 days a year. Top tips and recipes for thrill-with-the-grill action - whatever the weather! n the summer months the UK’s obsession with al fresco dining comes to the fore, and all eyes turn inevitably to the ubiquitous barbecue. But the challenge for clubs is to ensure that members and guests join the festivities at the club, rather than lighting the barbie at home. And with over 10 million people hosting barbecues last year, the home represents serious competition. So how do you ensure that the club barbecue is the one they all talk about?

Making some noise Letting members know that you’ll be twirling the tongs – whatever the weather – is a good starting point. Umbrella systems have reached such a level of sophistication now that not only can they protect against both rain and sun in equal measures, optimistic, a beating sun – but they can include heating, lighting, fibre optics, speakers and graphics to ensure that every activity, from barbecues to weddings, can be held outdoors in comfort. Look for umbrellas which are resistant to dirt, and if the club is in an area used to severe weather warnings, make sure you look for the most durable options! Patio heaters too have proved a boon for outdoor diners, and are now available as free standing, table top, or even wall mounted. As a rule of thumb, a full size free standing patio heater (just under 8 foot) will cast enough heat to warm an area six metres in diameter. Put into practical terms, that’s around four to five tables. Where space is at a premium, table top heaters might be the answer. Terrace screens are another consideration – particularly for clubs whose sun trap is also a wind tunnel. Screens can be

tailor-made and installed, with an option of colours and designs. The club logo can also be included. Outdoor dining - the barbecue Ensuring that food is cooked through without being burnt is a perennial challenge for barbecue officiandos – particularly when burgers (which are still the nation’s perennial Barbie favourite). Cook too quickly (burnt outside; raw inside) and you’re

leaving out a welcome mat for bacteria and pathogens. Cook too long (burnt outside; burnt inside) and you kill off the pathogens as well as any taste the now charcoal brick may ever have had. The quality of the meat you use (and of course each burger’s thickness) will also affect cooking times, so practise ahead of the event if you possibly can. Marinading meats before cooking, as well as basting, will also help to retain the moisture without slowing the cooking process.

KEBAB CORNER PESTO MARINATED COD KEBABS WITH PANCETTA AND MUSHROOM Wafer-thin slices of pancetta wrapped around pesto marinated cod, create ‘skewable’ parcels which also help to protect the fish from drying out during cooking. Makes 10 large or 20 small kebabs. INGREDIENTS 2.5kg cod loin 3kg medium closed cup field mushrooms 1kg wafer thin slices of smoked pancetta FOR THE PESTO 250g freshly grated parmesan 250g pine nuts 750g basil leaves 10 cloves garlic (crushed) 450ml olive oil

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PESTO Blend the pesto ingredients together in a food processor. 1. Cut the cod into square chunks (approx. 3cm x 3cm). Mix and coat with the pesto. 2. Wipe mushrooms clean, remove stalks and fry mushrooms in a little olive oil/butter until al dente. Set aside to cool. 3. Skewer the mushrooms and fish alternately, and wrap pancetta around each piece of cod. 4. Oil lightly before placing on the barbecue. Turn regularly. Kebabs are ready when the fish has just turned opaque in the middle. Serving suggestions: serve on a bed of linguini tossed in olive oil with toasted pine nuts and a chiffonade of basil.

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building the business – al fresco dining STICKY TURKEY KEBABS Deliciously different and quick to cook. Serves 8. INGREDIENTS 1kg/2lb 4oz diced turkey thighs 4tbsp tomato ketchup 2tbsp American or Dijon mustard 4tsp black treacle 2tbsp white wine vinegar 4tbsp sunflower oil 4 green peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks 2 red onions, peeled, cut into chunks and layers separated 1. Mix together the ketchup, mustard, treacle, vinegar and oil until smooth. 2. Thread turkey meat on to 8 skewers, alternating with the chunks of pepper and onion. Lay kebabs side by side in shallow dish and spoon/brush the marinade over meat, turning the kebabs to cover both sides of the turkey. 3. Cover dish with cling film. Leave in cool place for 3-4 hours or until ready to cook. 4. Barbecue kebabs for 6-8 minutes – or until the turkey is cooked and the vegetables scorched at the edges – brushing any remaining marinade over turkey as it cooks. Fishy Teriyaki Kebabs

Tangy Turkey Burgers

2. Thread alternate chunks of salmon, monkfish, red and yellow peppers and shallots on a lightly oiled skewer. Finish with a quarter of lime. 3. Cook on the barbecue, brushing occasionally with the marinade, until the fish is firm and opaque and the vegetables are lightly charred. Serve with a mixed leaf salad and buttered new potatoes. FISHY TERIYAKI KEBABS Serves 8. INGREDIENTS 8 tbsp Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade 450g/1lb salmon fillet, cut into chunks 450g/1lb monkfish, cut into chunks 4 red peppers deseeded and cut into chunks 4 yellow peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks 16 shallots, peeled and halved 4 limes 1. Squeeze lime juice into a bowl and add the Teriyaki. Marinate the salmon and monkfish for a minimum of half an hour. Turn fish to ensure all pieces are coated.

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MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE KEBABS Simple to make and serve, a tasty addition as a side dish or a vegetarian option. Makes 6 kebabs INGREDIENTS 2 red, yellow and green pepper, deseeded and cut into large chunks 1 red onion, cut into large chunks Olive oil for basting 1. Thread peppers and onions alternately on to a wooden skewer. 2. Brush with olive oil and place on barbecue.

BURGER BAR TANGY BURGERS IN CIABATTA Serves 6. INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 450g/1lb mince 6 sun dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped 75g/3oz fresh white bread crumbs 6 ciabatta bread rolls Mixed salad leaves and tomato wedges to serve Sea salt and black pepper 1. Heat oil in large frying pan and fry the onion for a few minutes until softened. Transfer to a bowl, add herbs and stir well. 2. Add mince, sun dried tomatoes, breadcrumbs and seasoning. Mix well to form a soft mixture. Divide into six patties; chill until required.

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BARBECUE BANGERS AND HOT HOT DOGS 10 things to do with sausages and hot dogs! • Wrap in bacon before cooking (hold bacon in place with a cocktail stick) • Serve with grilled/fried onions and salsa in a wrap • Chop into chunks and toss into rice salad • Create mini kebabs, alternating the meat with colourful peppers • Serve in pitta bread filled with creamy mashed potatoes • Slice down the middle of the sausage/hot dog and fill with cheese • Chop up hot dog and toss in rice salad with green and red peppers

INGREDIENTS FOR MASH 1kg potatoes (Desiree or Maris Piper are recommended) 200g butter 1. Peel and cut potatotes into large chunks. Cover with cold, salted water, bring to the boil and simmer until soft. Drain. Put through a potato ricer or mouli legume, or, if not available, use a masher. Add butter gradually and mix in until fully combined. Season to taste. Chill in fridge. 2. Mix all the burger ingredients together in a bowl. Chill in fridge. 3. When mash is cold and firm, assemble the burgers. Take enough mix for half a burger and shape into a pattie. Make a well as wide as possible without breaking the sides. Green Cous Cous Salad

• Pierce skin of sausage/hot dog and pour over a marinade of mustard, Worcestershire sauce and ketchup • Chop small baguettes in half, hollow out centre and insert ketchup followed by sausage/hot dog • Chop sausage/hotdog and serve in a bap with gerkins and mustard

Sausage and Mash Burgers

4. Take a spoonful of mash and place in the well. Take another quarter of the mix and place over the top of the first one and shape into the finished pattie, giving thick but flat burger shape. Make sure the two halves are well sealed together. Dust both sides very lightly with plain flour and refrigerate until needed. To serve, brush with oil, fry or char-grill until golden brown and finish in the oven – they will not need as much cooking time as a regular burger of this size due to the potato just having to heat through (the meat therefore stays moist).

5. When the cous cous has been standing for 10 minutes, tip into a large flat tray to cool down quickly and evenly. Add the chives, coriander, drained peas and seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste and drizzle over a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Cover and refrigerate. ROSEMARY AND CUMIN FLAT BREAD Simple to make, this flat bread requires no proofing to activate yeast. Experiment with flavours (try lemon zest with a squeeze of juice). Makes approximately six pitta sized pieces.

ACCOMPANIMENTS GREEN COUS COUS SALAD A versatile salad, serve hot or cold, and add ingredients to suit. Serves 10 (as a side dish).

3. Cook over barbecue (25 minutes) turning occasionally 4. Split ciabatta rolls and toast lightly. Fill rolls with salad and burger. Serve immediately. SAUSAGE AND MASH BURGERS A new service style for a favourite food combination. Makes 10 large burgers. INGREDIENTS FOR SAUSAGE BURGERS 1kg minced pork 2 large onions (finely chopped) 10 cloves of garlic (crushed) 50g chopped parsley 30g chopped sage 5 small eggs 150g breadcrumbs salt and pepper plain flour for dusting

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INGREDIENTS 600g cous cous 3 green pepper (1/2cm dice) 3 onion (finely chopped) 6 cloves garlic (crushed) 3 dsp green chillies (finely chopped) Zest of 6 limes (chopped) 3 tbsp chopped coriander 3 tbsp chopped chives 600g frozen peas 6 dsp pumpkin seeds 450ml beer (Leffe Blond) 450ml water

INGREDIENTS 150g plain flour 100ml water 1tsp cumin powder half tsp baking powder 3 sprigs fresh rosemary (stalks removed, leaves finely chopped) pinch of salt 1. Place all ingredients except the water in a food processor and switch on. Add the water a little at a time until the dough starts forming a ball, coming away from the sides of the bowl. Remove and form into a ball (the dough should be slightly tacky leaving only a trace of dough as you pass it from hand to hand). 2. Lightly dust a work surface with flour, break off a piece of dough a little bigger than a golf ball and roll out as thinly as possible (it will naturally form a pitta shaped piece). Dust off excess flour.

1. Pour the beer and water into a pan and bring to the boil. 2. In the mean time, sweat the onions, pepper, chilli and garlic in olive oil until soft but without colour. Add the cous cous and cook for a couple of minutes mixing well with the vegetables. 3. Pour the boiling Leffe and water over the cous cous. Immediately remove from the heat and cover with cling film or tight fitting lid. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. 4. Cook the peas in boiling salted water, drain and refresh under cold water.

3. Place on the barbecue. Turn when one side becomes coloured and bar-marked.

PERFECT PRESENTATION For professional-looking cross-hatch’ grill-lines sear food on the highest heat section at right angles to the grill bars. Then remove the food and lightly wipe with oil before turning it over and repeating the process. Once both sides are seared at this angle, turn the food lengthwise to the grill bars and repeat the process, before returning to the normal cooking heat.

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