Blue Diamond Club Lunch

October 2025

BLUE DIAMOND LUNCH – 8TH OCTOBER 2025

 The travelling roadshow that is the Blue Diamond Lunch Club road tested a new venue for the Autumn chapter of their voyage around Bristol and South Gloucestershire. 

On this occasion it was an eagerly anticipated journey to the training ground of the Football Club that we all support, namely Bristol Rovers. 

Joint managers Mo Bell and Tony Mills were forced to split their squad for this two legged tie and the first team squad of 42 were selected at random for this first leg, while the back up squad of 45 will be used for the second leg in two weeks’ time. 

Understandably, the nerves were palpable as the chosen ones gathered in the car park which was to be expected given that many of the haven’t been to a dinner of this magnitude for a number of years. 

Nevertheless, all were impeccably turned out and some old friends we hadn’t seen for a while were welcomed back into the team. 

Our managers had lined up two excellent speakers for the day in Director of Football Ricky Martin and Community Trust CEO Adam Tutton. 

As the clock ticked round to the 12.30 kick off time, the players made their way down the tunnel, at the entrance The Quarters Training Facility. However, a swift left turn once inside took them, not out on to the pitch, but into the dining area where a sumptuous feat was about to be served. 

Joint manager Mills set the scene for the afternoon and introduced the speakers before issuing his final instructions to his team; ‘Go out there and enjoy yourselves, everyone, and let’s give the second string a lead they can hold on to in two weeks’ time!’ or words to that effect. 

He then handed us over to the ladies who would be waiting on us and they soon delivered, bringing out a soup starter, followed by a roast main course and a dessert that piled on the pounds just by looking at it! Some of our players were noticeably wilting at this stage helped, no doubt, by a few glasses of the alcoholic beverages strategically placed on each table. 

While the more dedicated among us stuck to the water or soft drinks that were available, coffee was then served, and raffle tickets sold. Wallets were opened (it’s a cash only facility) and a grand total of £275 collected.

 Then it was time for the pep talks – short, sweet and to the point. Ricky Martin welcomed everyone to The Quarters and he made the point that whilst he was unable to alter the past relationship the Blue Diamond Club and indeed other support groups had with the Football Club, things would change under his watch. Essentially, we can do nothing to change what has gone before, but we can affect/influence the future. 

He promised a Q & A session and a tour of the facilities following Adam Tutton’s pep talk and the awarding of the raffle prizes. 

Adam, who has spoken to our gatherings on more than one occasion, kept things brief and thanked everyone for the proceeds of the raffle which will be donated to the Community Trust and will go towards purchasing a new projector for their Extra Time Club. 

Raffle prizes were duly handed out and manager Mills expressed his disappointment at not having been successful in winning one – he had his eyes on four cans of a well known beer. Obviously a true athlete! 

Ricky then took questions and was very open and honest with his answers and relayed some amusing anecdotes from his time in football. We’re certain there are many more, as he worked at Norwich City and Stoke City prior to his transfer to The Gas. 

And then it was time for the tour and down the tunnel to the dressing rooms we went where Ricky told about the togetherness of the current squad and how their wives and partners are also made to feel part of the club. 

Our team were able to sit on the benches with their training strip behind them, though after the lunch they had just enjoyed, it’s doubtful if any of the shirts would fit! 

The tour continued to the games room and the gym, but this correspondent was forced to miss that part of the afternoon as he was called away to a meeting back at base and scurried off to The Memorial Stadium leaving his teammates to complete proceedings – will he return for the second leg after his colleagues played out an honourable goalless first leg draw, or has he been sacked? 

Just to be serious for one minute, the day was a resounding success and we were incredibly well looked after by our host, Ricky Martin and by the excellent catering staff who normally get Wednesdays off but who had come in specially to ensure our time at The Quarters was so enjoyable. 

Adam was, well, just Adam and the work that he and the staff of our Community Trust deserve all the plaudits they get.

 The new regime at our Football Club are to be commended for recognising and appreciating the efforts of all support groups and for listening to supporters. Once again, there is a belief that we are moving forward off the pitch as well as on it. 

Here’s to the second leg!

Report by Keith Brookman