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History of ERE Part 4
By Glen Leat July 30 2006
In this rather erratic summary of how ERE has evolved through the years we reach Issue 4, a time when we had moved from worrying that no one would want read our offering to being worried that we wouldn't be able to keep up with demand.

At the time our print run was in the region of 300 copies but we sold out of Issue 3 within 45 minutes and so we increased Issue 4 to 450 copies: no mean feat when one should remember we were copying the thing by hand at the time.

Even back in the early 90's we were making comment about the increasing(sic) lack of fixtures. In 1984 there were 53 (yes 53) fixtures for Bath supporters to enjoy whereas in 1991 this had shrunk to 33. If you add in this year's friendlies we're not too far away from this 1991/92 fixture list but back then we had quite a few classic Welsh matches to enjoy. Pontypool, Llanelli, Cardiff, Newport, Neath, Swansea, Newbridge and Bridgend - makes one drool just thinking back!

ERE's (then) resident moaner, Arnold Whinge, was in a right old state having had to pay £6 to watch Bath from behind the posts at Harlequins at a time when we were used to paying £2-3 for matches. Not only was he unhappy about forking out so much dosh he was annoyed that Quins wanted a further £2 to guarantee a reasonable view. If being stitched up financially wasn't enough for the poor old boy the killer moment came when referee David Leslie was announced as the match official. At the time, Leslie was second only to Les Peard as the referee most hated by Bath fans. The Rec's  animosity to these two make our relationships with the likes of Steve Lander appear cuddly. 

Following our trip to The Stoop we wrote to Quins to complain about the entry and programme (a costly £1) prices and a Mr J. Moore-Gillon batted us off nicely with an explanation about market forces. 

Arnold's money worries seem somewhat laughable by today's standards but this was a time when £50 would secure you a year's enjoyment on the Flowerpots to watch between 15 and 18 matches. If the lad had known what was to happen 4-5 years later I think he would keeled over on the spot.

ERE always enjoyed it's lists and we focused on "Rugby Union Sings The Beatles" in this edition but they are so dated an unfunny that I daren't reproduce them here.

In an attempt to bridge the gap between Bath Rugby and Bath City we invited a lifelong City fan (Martin "Basil" Brush) to tell us whey he follows the footy in a mainly rugby City. Some of you may recognise Martin as the face of City supporters whenever the media need to interview a passionate fan. It strikes me, reading the interview some 14 years later, of the similarities between football and rugby supporters. A parent or grandparent getting one interested in the sport. Going to all home and many away games. Making a trip up to the North East only to find the game is cancelled because of bad weather. Struggling to understand why right-thinking people would follow the "other" sport. Whilst I follow both sports with interest I have to be honest and say I haven't been to Twerton Park since I was a boy standing on the air-raid shelters behind one of the goals.

And that was it, another edition was written, copied and sold and so it was on to Issue 5. Hopefully it'll be a bit more interesting than this one!

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