Jim Brownrigg said his farewells last week

All the best Jim
By Duncan Wood
May 28 2002

Amongst all the presentations made at the Supporters Club dinner last week, Jim Brownrigg took the opportunity to say his farewells to the Bristol supporters. Jim leaves at the end of the season to join Cardiff.

Jim took the opportunity to take the microphone and say his farewells at the Supporters Club dinner during the raffle for signed players' shirts.

I won't quote word for word but he thanked everyone at the club for all their support over the years and particularly the supporters. It's his only club to date and it's going to feel very strange moving on and he'll miss a lot of people.

He remembered when he first arrived at the club as a skinny student with floppy blond hair! In his own words, "If you think I'm skinny now, you should have seen me then!" He pointed out that there have been an awful lot of changes over the years and that there's really only Craig Short and himself left from the relegation season which isn't all that long ago when you think about it.

With that, he offered his thanks, said his farewells, promised to keep in touch and come along and watch the Shoguns whenever he can. He left the stage to a standing ovation from supporters and players alike.

You can't really blame the guy for moving on to seek more first team rugby. He's only made a handful of appearances due to the sheer level of competition for places in the Bristol back row.

The irony is that he's coming off two of his very best performances in a Bristol shirt, away at Saracens and away at Leicester. I've no idea if he'll be involved against Northampton on Saturday but, if he is selected, he'll get a cracking reception from the Bristol faithful.

It makes you wonder how his Bristol career would have progressed had it not been for the fateful collision with Freddie Mendez back in February 2000. Yes, it really is that long ago!

The neck injury took some time to recover from. He missed the rest of the 1999-2000 season and took another bump on it during his comeback game for the United up at Cleve Rugby Club on a wet and windy evening when Felipe Contepomi made his first appearance in a Bristol shirt.

By the time he'd returned, Bob Dwyer had moved on and Ben Sturnham had been signed to play number eight. He managed the odd appearance but it appeared that things had moved on in his absence.

The very best of luck Jim. Let's hope that you get the ultimate sendoff - a farewell appearance at Twickenham!