This One For The Fans (Part 2)

So we left it at Quins..up next KCB, 

GLADYS IRUNGU - KCB

Shiko with Phillip Wamae, Fabian Olando and Benjamin Ojema this was Nakuru I think.

During the week she is a self-employed designer and cosmetologist, when Saturday comes you will never miss her smiling face rooting for KCB, Gladys Irungu also known as Shiko tells me she fell in love with the green lion in the early 2000’s.                                                                                                                 

The bond between the management, players and fans is what got to her she adds. The discipline and mutual respect within the club is what has brought the lions the great results they have been enjoying through the entire period she has been with them, she reckons. 

She describes the feeling after a KCB win as “The best feeling ever!” (I don’t think her boyfriend will be too happy with that hehe..)  When I asked her who her favourite player was she gave a very diplomatic answer. ”Every player has a unique trait, thus they are all special in their own way, so it will be hard to specify.”

Her most memorable moment this season was the National sevens circuit, where the lions finished second just behind Quins. She points out the fact that they only lost three matches in that campaign. She expects her lions to go on to win the 2012-13 Kenya Cup title, “No doubt victory is ours, they better watch this space.” You heard…*In an American accent* (That statement needed that..)

Finally Ms.Irungu concludes by saying, “Who wouldn’t want to be associated with KCB, I’m always a proud lioness..”  

IRENE MAINGI – NAKURU RFC.

I met the next lady at the NAC, after having traded banter on social media for a while, you all know how these Wanyores are, though unlike most, she actually is a loveable character. I have mentioned her here severally before, she goes by the alias @Kenyarugbygal on Twitter and Irene Maingi in the government records.

She says her initial attraction to Nakuru RFC was basically because she comes from Nakuru, “I root for the home team, Period! Ingekua soccer which I rarely watch ungenipata kwa games za Ulinzi ama Nakuru All Stars.” After a 9 year absence from Nakuru she describes the love that she got on her return as overwhelming, despite not knowing a good number of the people “It was like I never left..why should I go to another club?”

She says the Fans are the best part about supporting Nakuru RFC, “Win or lose the fans give it their all, when teams travel to the NAC, they don’t deal with the team on the field, they also prepare to deal with the fans.” She has little memory of her first Nakuru game, understandably so as she was in Form 2 and says she mixed a can of Castle beer and Vodka, lucky for her she was with her big bro. One game that she vividly remembers is the loss to Machine last season at the UoN grounds, she describes the scenes after the game like ones from a really sad funeral (are there happy ones?) “It was just terrible, and that grin on Arigi’s face just made it worse!”

She lives in Nairobi, thus a typical match day for her involves jumping into a MoloLine shuttle by 11 am, or Friday night depending on her schedule, she even books her tickets earlier just to avoid any delays and is usually on the last one back to Nairobi after the game or otherwise. One thing she must have on her on match day is her, green Mnyore - Khuri Clan wrist band.

Currently her favourite player is half back Martin Muita, she says the lad can only get better, given he is only 19. She also points to Gibson Weru saying, “When he is on the field you can sense the leadership.”

Her best moment so far this season, is the win against Homeboyz at Ruaraka, they were fresh from beating Quins and had taken the lead going into the half at 11-10, she says that at this point for the first time this season, she was worried. The Wanyore went onto win 36-11.

She expects the Wanyore to win all their remaining games, pointing out that there will be no room for slacking, she is also looking forward to the semi-finals and finals of the Kenya Cup. 

She concludes with this, “Shout out to those fans who are not loud on the side lines or don’t stand out per say but they support the team. Special SO to Maryann Mumbi, she went out of her way to start and organize a feeding program for the team once a week after training, that’s a true supporter.” To the players she says, “Naomba okombe this year priss, If I ever have a first born, I will make sure their name has the initials NKCC2012/2013 (Nakuru Kenya Cup Champs – 2012/2013)” I don’t know about you but a little part of me wants to see Nakuru win the Kenya Cup…poor child!

MARTIN KARIUKI – IMPALA

Go to Impala club on any given Match day chances are you will find the loud “Mad Kidd” Martin Kariuki (@palloti76). The Copywriter/Creative at Capital and MC juggles these responsibilities with his full time ‘job’ at Impala.

His relationship with the gazelles began way back in 98 when he donned the red shirt at the wing for them, before a knee injury cut his runs short.

What attracted him to Impala, “It is a big club, we have a pool and cricket pitch plus parking, and the colours are awesome!” Hehe very solid reasons…

Best part about supporting Impala? “When we beat the queen (Kenya Harlequins), the dunda..people here are generally the best.” He can’t really remember his first game, you can forgive him, some of you could not even think in 98, he however vividly remembers a match against USIU that same year, he was at the score board, “I will never forget, I was at the scoreboard just adding points like a fuel station attendant..I think we hammered them 70-0!”

He says all the Impala players both past and present are his favourite. He hopes Impala win all their games so that he doesn't check himself into the psych ward again.

He concludes with this message to the fans, “We must all come out and support the Impala at all matches starting with the big one on Jan 5^th against the queen cakes!” 

GEORGE DAVID OKENO – KISUMU

This was rather the most obvious one, the guy above needs no introduction, if you have ever been to anything that has to do with or has the slightest hint of involving Kisumu RFC, you definitely know who George David Okeno is..or rather know him by ‘Jaka daddy’. 

The Sales man says he was attracted to the Kondele boys by their fighting spirit leave alone the fact that it’s his home town oh sorry city. By the way it should be noted I got that name ‘Kondele boys’ from this guy. Kisumu had travelled to Nairobi to play Quins in the first fixture of the 2011-12 season, as we know that match was not played. Jakadady went on to air his grievances, “You have impaired the security of Kondele..all the big boys are here..” We were being collected under the tables and chairs so to speak..

He says the best part about supporting Kisumu is seeing his boys give it their all and fight it out to the end, with him by the side lines.

He can’t recall his first game but he’s pretty sure they lost, his favourite player..’Aturs’, his memory of the year is Kisumu playing in the Main cup semi in one of the legs in the NSC. He says that he expects Kisumu to remain in the top flight come next season.

His closing remarks to the club and players, “It can be done so let’s do it,” and to the fans, “Don’t stop supporting the team, even when we lose.”   

BRIAN NJOROGE – WESTERN BULLS

To a club that gave me a fair share of drama in coming up with the nominee, if you followed this process then you know what I’m talking about. If you didn’t then wacha tu..

Step forward Brian Njoroge popularly known as Brian Gadaffi, the student at Masinde Muliro University says he started following the Western Bulls religiously in the 2011-12 season, it came naturally to him as most of the players are also Masinde Muliro students.

His first game was also Western Bulls’ first fixture in the ESS against Quins II, he doesn’t remember the result but it’s safe to assume that they lost that one. His Favourite player is winger Bram Shikanda. His favourite memory is the 21-14 win against Impala in the Kenya Cup, his expectations for the rest of the campaign is that the Echulusi finish inside the top six.

He concludes by saying that, “Win or lose Western Bulls will always be my team…” and warns other clubs to be wary of the Echulusi.

CONRAD APOPO & RICHARD NJERU – NONDIES

Conrad Apopo..sema sura ya kazi..bet walikua wanabomolewa!!

Last but not least, the oldest club in the top flight, the Nondescripts. Finding a Nondies fan is as hard as.... well finding a Nondies fan, so who are the guys who shout during their games? Well apart from the officials, they are usually the guys from their second team. So who were those celebrating with them after they won floodies? Everyone wants to be associated with success, plus half of those guys were from Strath hehe. So you can imagine my excitement when I found two Nondies fans..so much so I decided to put the both of them here..

One Richard Njeru, who writes about the red lions and was very helpful during the Floodlights, Mr Njeru is a Business man in the Hotel Industry. 

Conrad Apopo who says he’s only a fan for a while as he will one day play for the rangers, is a 4^th year student at JKUAT.

Mr. Njeru says his relationship with the rangers came about as most of his close friends turned out for them and as a true friend he had to support them.

Mr. Apopo on the other hand says, “My attraction to the club is probably due to the heritage it has and the welcoming atmosphere you get when you visit the club’s ground. It is out of this world, it is something one rarely comes across in the Country” At this point I wonder if we are talking about the same Nondies here?

Mr.Njeru’s best part about supporting the red lions is winning, though he does admit these days the wins are few and far in between and hopes they get back to winning ways, apart from that he mentions that the fraternity at the red lion and as you can predict the party.

Conrad on his part says it’s seeing the commitment of the players, and the spirit of the fans that follow the team. What fans?

Both had their first encounters with Nondies in 2006, Richard in the draw against Impala and Conrad the 18-5 win over Quins..quite a good way to start don’t you think?

A typical match day for Njeru involves and I quote, “The match, then imbibing Guinness at the Red Lion.” For Conrad well let’s just say twitter..

Richard’s favourite player is one Derrick Wamalwa, for Apopo, Teddy Salano who he describes as one of the best rugby players he has ever come across.

Best memory this year, for Richard it was winning the floodlights title after the 10 year wait, for Conrad it was the recent win over arch rivals Quins.

When I ask what they expect at the end of the season, Richard says, “Average, we may not make the play offs because of losing the last four defeats, but hope remains high.”

Apopo has more or less the same in mind, “I hope we climb up the table to and take part in the play offs, I believe with the hard work being put in by the team we will manage.”

Their respective messages, Conrad urges the rest of the fans i.e Njeru to keep the spirit going, he goes on to salute the players and the club for making the red lion what it is.

Mr.Njeru keeps it simple and powerful, “The Nondies Live and Roar! Long Live the Nondies.”

As you can imagine putting this together was no easy task, I couldn't have done it alone so I have a few people to thank, first the 12 ladies and gents who were interviewed here, again I thank you. 

Walter Onchari, George Okowa, Mitch Ocholla, Bram Shikanda, The Impala rugby page, Kenya rugby 24/7, The Ministry of Rugby and all the guys who took time to nominate the above…can’t thank y’all enough!

Finally a shout out to Facebook/Twitter RFC, as their self-proclaimed coach and Elliptics fan of the year, Fiona Amusudzu (@fiphee) describes them, "Hecklers.....song singers....troublemakers....rugby drunkards etc etc...this who live and love rugby na mdomo."

 Becky 'Apple Bottoms' Nguru, Kadenyeka Muhidi, Stephen Musyoka (@smusyoka), Arigi Obiero, Kollo Nabiswa, my dear @Nyar_kisumu hehe, @blac_quin, @miss_sonnie, @madegwaEric, @avatica, @reneeology and lastly but definitely not least I had to mention these two @ominami and @hearttyqueen hehe..mlisikizana?

Don't think I can fit you all here, but I take a bow to you all..you make Kenya Rugby that much more fun!

With that ladies and gentlemen….

Happy Birthday Jesus, (Yes he does read this, even before I do..) a Merry Christmas to you all...

Aaannnndddddddd…..

KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!

Watch out for the 2012 review..