London Scottish rugby club is today delighted to launch a landmark new membership initiative which invites more than 15 million American Scots to join The Incredible Journey.
The American Friends of London Scottish membership initiative aims to build a Tartan Army of American supporters who can ultimately help London Scottish reach the very top echelons of professional club rugby once again.
The club’s Incredible Journey began in 1999, when London Scottish endured financial difficulties and were demoted eight divisions from the top of English rugby down to the very bottom of the league pyramid.
The Exiles, as London Scottish are widely known, then embarked on a meteoric rise back up the leagues which included seven promotions in 11 seasons.
Last season London Scottish finished third in the Greene King IPA Championship, the second tier of English club rugby, which made them the 15th best team in the country.
Finishing third means the club has continued its remarkable sequence of always finishing higher, in terms of league position, than the previous year, since 1999.
London Scottish is now calling on Americans of Scottish descent and all Americans who love supporting the ‘Underdog’ to join this famous rugby club’s Incredible Journey.
Former London Scottish, Scotland and British & Irish Lions captain, Gavin Hastings, has backed the campaign to reach out to the millions of American Scots across the pond.
Hastings, now a London Scottish ambassador, said: “I think this new membership scheme is a fantastic concept and I am right behind the idea of telling the London Scottish story to a brand new audience in America.
“London Scottish is a club rich in history and tradition which I’m sure will appeal to many American Scots.”
Mike Friday, who was London Scottish Director of Rugby last season, is now Head Coach of the USA Eagles Sevens team which recently qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
He said: “Rugby is the fastest growing team sport in the USA and the Rio 2016 Olympics will touch not only the rugby fans of America but also fans of other sports.
“The timing of the American Friends of London Scottish initiative is perfect and I think it would be fantastic for fans in the USA to attach themselves to a great club like London Scottish and join The Incredible Journey.”
An American Friends membership costs just $25 with members receiving an enamelled lapel pin, car window sticker and a membership card which grants free ground entry to a London Scottish home game.
American Friends of London Scottish members are also eligible to receive a 20% discount at participating Hilton Hotels & Resorts in the United States and up to a 20% discount in the UK.
To sign-up for this ground-breaking new membership scheme, go to www.americanfriendsoflondonscottish.com.
If your company would like to join London Scottish on the Incredible Journey across the USA, please contact Sponsorship Manager Mark Kemp on mark.kemp@londonscottish.com and become an American Partner.
First American Friends of London Scottish Members Announced.
London Scottish is also today delighted to announce Bobby Noble as the first American Friends of London Scottish member.
Bobby was born in February of this year to Chicago based Scot Gus Noble and his wife Aisha.
Gus, originally from Duns in the Scottish Borders, is the President of the St. Andrew’s Society of Illinois (The Chicago Scots), the oldest charity in the state.
He visited London Scottish three years ago to speak at the London Scottish Burns Supper and from that visit came the inspiration to create the American Friends of London Scottish membership.
Gus said: “The Chicago Scots are delighted the American Friends of London Scottish project is going ahead and look forward to working with London Scottish to make it a success for the mutual benefit of both our organisations.”
Steve and Elizabeth Wilson, now living in Houston, Texas have also bought two American Friends memberships which were donated by London Scottish to The British American Business Council Charity Dinner in January.
Elizabeth’s uncle, Gordon Waddell, played for London Scottish in the 1960’s as well as for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions.
Her grandfather, Herbert Waddell, former SRU and Barbarians President, dropped the winning goal for Scotland against England to win the Triple Crown in 1925.
Their two sons are currently London Scottish members.
London Scottish Chairman, Sir David Reid, said: “Bringing the Nobles and Wilsons on board is a great start to London Scottish building a Tartan Army of support in America!
“Today I ask all London Scots to encourage their friends and relations residing in the United States to join our Incredible Journey by signing up to be an American Friends of London Scottish member.”
To become an American Friends of London Scottish member, go to www.americanfriendsoflondonscottish.com.
If your company would like to join London Scottish on the Incredible Journey across the USA, please contact Sponsorship Manager Mark Kemp on mark.kemp@londonscottish.com and become an American Partner.
