News from the Eagles Nest – 8 March 2012
Frank Brennan Trophy
Frank Brennan was a man of steel, an inspirational centre-half who made 351 appearances for Newcastle United spanning a decade, including two FA Cup victories in 1951 and 1952. Sport Newcastle saw fit to name their Trophy for sporting excellence after the legendary Brennan and on Monday, the Newcastle Eagles were delighted to receive this accolade for the second time.
Fab Flournoy and Charles Smith were on hand to collect the Trophy on behalf of the team and staff and it is well deserved recognition for what has been a memorable season already. The lads can park it in the Trophy cabinet right next to the BBL Cup. It’s not too greedy to hope for another two or three to add to the collection is it?
Well done to everyone at the club and thanks to Sport Newcastle for recognising the region’s most successful team!
It’s Getting Mighty Crowded
Newcastle Eagles Managing Director, Paul Blake, confirmed this week what many of us had been noticing, attendances at Sport Central are on the rise. In fact, the average attendance at the last five home games has been an impressive 2,500 culminating in record Sport Central gate receipts at Friday’s clash with Plymouth Raiders. The club are starting to capture the imagination of the North East sporting public, most noticeably at the sellout Sheffield Sharks game immediately following the BBL Cup Final victory.
The public want to see a successful team and that’s what they’re being given at a fantastic venue. There’s a feeling in the Eagles camp that the regular Friday night games are helping to build a loyal following too. All the ingredients for success are there and the future is certainly looking rosy for the Eagles both on and off the court. With weekly home games between now and the end of the regular season, Sport Central is sure to be jumping every Friday night.
The Sound of Silence Part 2
Following last week’s ‘Drummergate’ down at the Plymouth Pavilions word reaches me that young Jamie has officially become public enemy number one down in Plymouth. Not content with silencing him (something few of us believed possible!), the Raiders’ hierarchy have banned him from attending future games at the venue.
With the BBL Trophy Final first leg down there in a couple of weeks, Jamie is understandably upset at the prospect of missing out. The rest of the OOTA might just have to make an extra bit of noise to fill the void unless someone down on the South coast is willing to give the lad a reprieve? Go on, we don’t want him banging his drum in front of statcast do we?
Follow Darrin Smith on Twitter @OleDJ
