BA = Blue Army
SJ = Stephen Jones
BA = Full name and nickname if you have one ?
SJ = Stephen Jones, At school I was Jonah, for a while in recent years I was "jaffa" ( I will let you work out why ! ) and generally now I am "Stevo" but that is not in relation to that idiot on Sky sports !!
BA = How long have you been in Rugby League ?
SJ = I've been a fan for as long as I can remember and played at school.
BA = Have you played Rugby League if yes who ?
SJ = I played for my school (Beamont, Warrington )
BA = Do you like watching live or TV rugby league?
SJ = Nothing beats watching a match live but we could do with a Big Screen at Iffley Road after some of the decisions this season !
BA = What is your best moment in Rugby League ?
SJ = Historically it was playing for Beamont against Bewsey in a curtain raiser at Wilderspool before a Wire game.Can't remember a lot of the game after tackling a lad called Malc Mills in the first few minutes.He was way over 6 foot and it was just me between him and the try line.Fight or flight instinct kicked in but as there were a few thousand people watching, "flight" wasn't an option ! The rest of the match was played with one eye and in a daze. ... and no, he didn't score ! "Currently my best moment is going to be representing Oxford RL at Wembley on Saturday"
BA = What is your funniest moment in Rugby League ?
SJ = My most embarrassing ( but funny to everyone else ) was at Wilderspool.I caught the ball in the terraces and, feeling dead proud of myself, thought I would drop kick it back onto the pitch which is when I slipped over missed the ball and rolled down about 5 steps. Got the biggest cheer of the game !! "Last season at Iffley Road against Gateshead wearing my Warrington shirt being greeted with a chorus of Wanky Warrington by some Castleford fans
BA = What do you think of Rugby League in the south ?
SJ = It's the south's best kept secret ! We neet to let the secret out and show people what they are missing.
BA = Why did you become a Rugby League fan ?
SJ = I am a Warringtonian.. it's in my blood
BA = How did you become a ORL fan (Blue Army) ?
SJ = I was intrigued by the news that Oxford were building a team for Championship 1. I thought there was only ever going to be one team for me (Warrington) but I went along to Iffley Road thinking that I would perhaps go and watch them occasionally.The rest is history as the saying goes !
BA = Do you like home or away matches more ?
SJ = Equally I think...The ethos of Respect in RL means you are warmly welcomed at away games and we know that the team appreciates our support. Iffley Road ( described in the "Leaguer" as the prettiest ground in Rugby League ) is a great friendly place with great people.
BA = Were do you see the ORL in the next 5 years ?
SJ = I totally agree with the club's vow to use home grown players and dismiss dual registration.
I'd like to see a settled squad and steady progression...when we go up, we stay up !
BA = Do you think you can help raise the profile of the ORL ?
SJ = I am doing whatever I can but down here it's like trying to push string. I am looking at Oxfordshire town and village magazines with a view to writing to them just before next season and hopefully generate interest so if anyone has contacts please do the same or pass to me.I bang on about the club whenever I get the chance !
BA = Can you tell us 5 things about the Club?
SJ = 1) Martin Roddy is an anagram of Raymond Dirt, 2)Oxford Union RFC bought the field from Christ Church in the 1890's for £1000, 3)Adrian Smith is a guitarist in Iron Maiden, 4)The club's WAG's are to do a "Calender Girls" Calender for 2015, 5)They are a Crackin' bunch of people !
BA = What would you like from the ORL Blue Army ?
SJ = Got to go with Ed on this one.. Cheerleaders ! "Bulldogs Belles "
BA = Is there anything you would like to say to the Club, the players and the supporters ?
SJ = Thank you to the players for entertaining us and giving 100% every game. I hope JJ can get fully fit when he's recovered.
Thank you to the backroom boys for including us in the development of the club. The new minibus is BLUE !! ( although we will hopefully progress to a bigger bus next season ! )
Thank Steve for your time.
COYB's
