Another edition of the Blue Diamond Club lunch rolled into town on 24th September at a new venue, namely the Civil Service Club, just a stone’s throw from the Memorial Stadium – we’re getting closer, after quite a time on the road!

For many members amongst those gathered around the tables in the club, it was a time to reminisce of the time they scored a goal, hit a boundary or managed a spare in either Football, Cricket or Skittles at this sporting venue, or managed all three in their sporting careers! 

Our numbers were depleted on this occasion, as one group of ten were on a cruise and another ten were at Disney World. Just goes to show what an affluent lot we are, I suppose! 

Nevertheless, many of the usual suspects were on hand to partake of the a glass or three to wash down the food on offer and to sit back and listen to Rovers Head of Media and Engagement Mitch Waddon tell us a little bit of his background and how he came to arrive in BS7. 

More of Mitch later, but it was left to skipper Tony Mills to introduce proceedings, aided and abetted by his trusty lieutenant Mo Bell, naturally! 

Thankfully, our leader didn’t attempt any jokes this time around, much to the relief of his audience, who have heard them all before and probably on more than one occasion! Once again, though, after he had announced what was happening and before we got down to lunch, he forgot to say Grace. Once is forgiveable, but six times on the trot is a bit much! 

Anyway, we had all pre-ordered food from the menu beforehand so we knew what to expect by way of what we were going to be eating. Table by table we were summoned to the serving dishes all lined up at one end of the room. It took some of us, well this writer in particular, back to his schooldays and, believe me, they were quite a while ago, in that we had to queue to be served our food by some very friendly staff, it must be said – well, they were very civil, after all it was the Civil Service Club!

Only complaint about the food, for some at least, there were no mushy peas to compliment the excellent fish and chips that was served up. Garden peas, yes, mushy peas no – sacrilege! 

It should be said at this point that the room we ate in is quite large and seems as though it’s already been prepared for Christmas, as there were rows and rows of fairy lights all around the place. Bit like Santa’s Grotto, if truth be told. Let’s just say that the lighting was subdued and leave it there.

Following the main course, we were served apple pie and cream, though given the schooldays analogy I was half expecting some thick custard to accompany the pie. 

Then it was time for help yourself tea/coffee/hot chocolate while raffle tickets were being sold. It must be said that we have a very generous support base, as there is always a plethora of prizes to be won and on this occasion, there were almost enough for us to give a prize to everyone who turned up! 

Then it was the turn of the star of the show, Mitch Waddon who had brought with him Marketing Manager Laura Marlow, who has always been very affable and chatty when discussing all things Rovers. She’s been brought up properly as her Dad is a Gashead! However, it was surprising that she wasn’t going to join Mitch on the microphone on this occasion – hadn’t marked her down as a shrinking violet! (Only joking, Laura!) 

Mitch spoke very well and told us that he was a Somerset lad, from Taunton, and had previously worked for West Ham but was more than happy that he’s swapped the Hammers for The Gas! 

He appears to have enjoyed the transition from the Olympic Stadium to the Memorial Stadium and paid tribute to the Rovers fans who see him as one of the Gas family. Always willing to help when called on he said that his proudest moment to date was fronting the John Green campaign to improve the awareness of prostate cancer. An excellent campaign it was, as well, and he was quite close to John who passed away in the summer. 

It clearly brought Mitch into contact with many Gasheads and the experience left him with much respect for this club’s supporters. Always willing to listen and to help where possible. He fielded questions at the end of his talk and his openness and honesty were appreciated.

It was then left to the skipper to conduct the raffle and as he went around the room asking people to pull a ticket out of the hat (cardboard box, really, but hat sounds better and more professional!) it was amazing how many people pulled out their own number and strolled up to the stage to collect their prize. 

First prize was Hospitality for four at a Rovers home game, so thanks are due to Mitch and Laura for their generous support for our fundraising activities.  

In spite of a reduced attendance, we managed to raise the sum of £310 which will be going towards the British Heart Foundations Go Fund me effort – supporting the daughter of Jack Sparkes, who needs heart surgery at some point in the future

It would have been rude not to ask Mitch and Laura if it would be possible to hold the next, and subsequent Blue Diamond Lunches at The Mem – it is, after all, a Rovers related event. They could see no problems and promised to raise the matter with Head of Commercial Sam Greenfield and report back to us. 

No disrespect to the Civil Service Club, who looked after us very well, or to any of the other venues that have hosted us whilst we’ve been in exile, but we really would like to host future Blue Diamond Lunches, not to mention Former Players Dinners at the Memorial Stadium.

Thanks to the staff now in place at the club, people who respect our club’s history, then that is becoming a distinct possibility in the not too distant future.

Watch this space! 

Report and photos courtesy of Keith Brookman to whom we owe our many thanks.