The South West Clarets
The South West Clarets were founded in 1997, and have quickly
grown. Although based in Dorset and Devon, they also have members in Wales, Cornwall,
Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire and Hampshire
Chairman Phil Hardaker tells the story:
"We began by a very small advert being placed in a south
west newspaper asking anyone wishing to watch a Burnley game at the Turf to
contact Marty Richards. Expecting a minimal response we were amazed when we were
inundated with replies and ran a coach over Easter with over forty on board. These
people and others who had expressed an interest were then invited to a meeting in Honiton
during the Summer of 1997, and the SWC was then officially formed. Key players in the
first year were John Kettley, who agreed to be our President (and still is), Clive Holt,
who gave us a lot of support, and Angus Williamson and Dave Wynne of CISA who helped to
spread the word. We are still closely connected to CISA. We now have over 130 members and
meet as a "whole" once a year at Honiton. We produce several newsletters each
year, run coach and mini-bus trips and share lifts regularly.
One major benefit of the SWC is that we have made people
aware of other Clarets close-by and this has led to many people driving regularly to the
Turf who did not previously do so. We sponsor kit (or at least did) and match balls (last
one at Notts County at Easter).
Anyone who wants to join should contact me and I would then
introduce any new member to their area rep (sounds grand but it such a wide area we cover
that we do have to have someone in each area if only to pass on info!)."
Membership rates for 1999-2000 are £5 for the first adult
family member, £2.50 for the second adult family member and £1 for students, pensioners
and children.
For more information, e-mail Phil, or visit
the South West Clarets website.
