Craic Supporter of Season 05/06 - Bill Newton

By BrianC
May 9 2006

The first time I can recall meeting Bill was at our Henley gathering four years ago. For many of us who had come to know each other online that gathering was the first time we actually met face to face.

Craic Supporter of the Season 2005/6

Bill Newton (Bisach)

Unknown to any of us Bill had produced name badges for all the usual suspects. He was aware that, whilst we knew each others handles, many of us would not know what the others looked like and quietly set about doing something to address the issue. That is very much the measure of the man. Always helping others, usually without making any fuss about it. Down the years I can think of many such acts.

His wife Sarah and son Charles are always by his side. In many ways they are the unsung heroes here. They not only put up with all the work he puts in, they often actively assist.

There are a small number of expats, of whom I am one, who regularly receive copies of or games every week throughout the season from Bill. I have tried paying him, if only to cover the cost of postage and the DVDs, he wouldn't have any of it. At our Saint Patrick's game this season he press ganged a few fellow supporters into entering with him the 'Supporter of the Day' photo competition. They won a years supply of Guinness which Bill is selling to raise funds for wee Jack Wakefield.

The Bill Newton I have come to know down the years is endowed with a great sense of fun. On our Toulouse tour in 2002 he made a point of going into a hairdressers on the morning of the match, fully wigged up, asking for a cut and blow dry. Later that same year, in Edinburgh, he climbed up a statue in the center of the town to seal for posterity a picture of us greening that city. Bill also devotes a lot of his spare time to refereeing. Although he is the first to admit that he will criticise any referee who gets things wrong at the Madejski.

Bill, on behalf of your fellow supporters, let me congratulate you on being voted Craic Supporter of the Season 2005/6. Thank you for all you do for this club and your fellow supporters, you are a credit to the club. You will be pleased to know that having won this once you will never have to go through such humiliation again. As with the previous winners you will now join the committee that chooses your successor.

Supporter of the Season 2005/6 Nomination Committee
Brian Campbell (BrianC) - Site Co-Ed
Robin Clive (OxonRob) - Supporter of the Season 2003/4
Graeme Griffiths (Griff) - Site Co-Ed
Marie Hilliard (Mulledwinemarie) - Supporter of the Season 2004/5
Giles Lester (Gilesthedrunk) - Site Co-Ed
Chris Tampsett (Reading Fatboy) - Supporter of the Season 2002/3