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Fans doing it for themselves

8/ 3/2006

IT is not only Sale Sharks' players who have done the Edgeley Park outfit proud this season - supporters have played their part too.

In just two years since Sale Sharks' Supporters Club's conception the organisation has boosted away attendance, set-up a players' hall of fame and now boasts 600 members.

The achievements of the independent Supporters' Club has exceeded even chairwoman Anne Blakeney's expectations.

She said: "It's been really successful and I'm really proud of what we've achieved.

"Improving away support has been a huge achievement. Traditionally Sale had very poor away support but by making it easy for supporters to book tickets and get to away games we've increased the number of Sale fans travelling. All the coaches and players have commented on the difference this larger, more vocal away support has made to the team."

Fans' interaction with players has also been a priority for the supporters' club who organise free events which Sharks' players attend, one of the most recent being a question and answer evening with the club's Southern hemisphere stars.

The independent supporters' club are now looking to the future and are seeking to improve further on their fcurrent success and emulate the achievements of established organisations such as Munster Rugby's Supporters Club, who enjoy good links with Limerick council and their local community. Forthcoming events run by Sale Sharks Supporters' Club include:

• AN evening with Sale stalwart Robbie Dixon to be held in the Urmston Hotel, Stretford Road, Urmston on March 14 at 7.30 pm.

• THE fans' player awards ceremony. Members of the supporters club vote for their favourite team-member and can nominate a player or coach to be elevated to the Hall of Fame. Details of the evening will be posted on the Sharks' supporters club website when they become available.

For more information on these events or to join Sale Sharks' Supporters Club visit www.salesupporters.co.uk, email chairman@salesupporters.co.uk or call Anne Blakeney on 07843 018367.