Rugby / Bristol Bears
20,000 fans pack into Ashton Gate for Bristol Bears’ final home game of season
Bristol Bears chairman Chris Booy thanked fans from the touchline of Ashton Gate on Friday evening for being the team’s “sixteenth man” this season.
The Bears’ final home game of 2018/19 saw them draw 20-20 against Sale Sharks, with a pulsating final few minutes seeing two missed penalties from both teams which could have seen either steal the win, and then Bristol taking the ball the length of the pitch after Sales’ kick came back off the post to almost score with the last play of the match.
It means that a finish in the top-six of the Gallagher Premiership that would see qualification for the Heineken Champions Cup is still mathematically possible, with Bristol’s last game of the season at Newcastle Falcons on May 18.
is needed now More than ever
Charles Piutau scoring one of the Bears’ two tries against Sale Sharks – photo by JMP
But for many fans, and for Booy, Premiership survival was the primary aim this year, and this has been secured.
“What a season!” Booy said at half-time as Bears trailed 10-13. “We did it! We will be playing Premiership rugby again next season.”
After thanking head coach Pat Lam and other staff, he said: “Mostly of course it’s about our fans and the fantastic support that you give us.”
Lam reiterated this sentiment in his programme notes: “Home and away, your support has been passionate, loud and unwavering, and it has certainly got us over the line in some big games.”
On the pitch, highlights this season have included wins against Gloucester, Saracens and Leicester (over which the Bears did the double).
Off the pitch, there have been record attendances, including 26,079 for the first game of the season on August 31 2018 against Bath which resulted in a famous 17-10 win; record replica shirts and season ticket sales; and an engaging social media presence.
20,328 fans packed into Ashton Gate on Friday evening for Bristol Bears’ last home game of this season, which after the pandemonium of the final few minutes saw departing teammates presented with mementos marking their time at the club, before a rendition by the players of unofficial club anthem Drink Up Thy Zider.
Season tickets for the 2019/20 season are now available from £175. For more information, visit www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/be-part-of-the-journey-with-a-201920-season-card
Pam Lam addresses the Bears squad at full-time – photo by JMP
Main photo courtesy of JMP
Read more: Bristol Bears beat Premiership champions Saracens at Ashton Gate
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