Our Chairman’s Welcome to the new LISC Website
The London Irish Supporters Club ("LISC") was established in the 1998/99 season with 34 supporters. Our membership has now reached 1000 and continues to grow. With that in mind we have launched this site in the 2009/2010 season for a number of reasons including easier access and better online purchasing for our members.
My thanks must go to those who over the years have volunteered their time and skilled efforts and assistance in even getting to this stage, namely Graeme Griffiths, Brian Wallace and of course Paul Warrender without whom LISC would not originally have had a website.
LISC is independent of the club, but is privileged to enjoy close contact with the club's management and the players. It acts as the voice of the supporters to the rugby club. In addition LISC activities involve:
- The LISC newsletter, the “eXile Files”, is sent out by email after each game giving supporters a brief report of the game and informing them of forthcoming events and other news at the Club.
- LISC arranges a series of excellent social events at various venues including Sunbury, the Madejski Stadium and in and around Reading - examples include summer BBQs, Meet the Referee evenings, Meet the Coaches evenings, Quiz Nights, and Dinner Dances.
- LISC's range of merchandise includes rugby shirts, polo shirts, T-shirts, fleeces, berets, sports bags, sports coats and much more. Members can purchase items on line with the use and protection of PayPal or in person at the LISC Marquee (Father Ted’s Confessional) at home games situated between the Stadium ticket office and the North Stand Bar.
Behind the scenes there is a lot of work going on. As Chairman I have had a number of meetings with both the Madejski Stadium and London Irish management concerning the catering, the stewarding and the stadium facilities all to make match days a great rugby experience. The LISC committee also meets with London Irish management on a regular basis and particularly prior to big games. On a more personal level, given the range of talents the LISC members have, Dave “Cheffy” Marsh has given the LI Academy lads a ten week cookery course which culminated in them preparing a gourmet meal for present and past LI players. It was such a success that some of the senior squad want to join the next course.
LISC often makes former players Honorary Members. Indeed, it was from the LISC newsletter that former player Brendan Venter, newly appointed coach of Saracens, discovered that his new club was to meet London Irish in the opening game of the season.
The most important thing in supporting London Irish is to have fun and LISC certainly aims to promote this. To have you on board as a member would be great and if you wish to become more involved there is always room for volunteers on the committee.
If you are an existing member and wish to renew your membership or want to join as a new member then you can do so by going to the membership page on this site. Membership only costs £10 per year.
Simon Browne – LISC Chairman.