Monday 17th April 2000 : Not bad for "nerds"!

The Moosenet mailing list organised another list 'meet' at the Bristol Rovers match last weekend and over 40 of the 130 plus members attended a pre-match buffet in the Harris Suite, watched the match from the executive seats and continued their get-together after the match.

Although members travelled from several corners of the British Isles to be in attendance, only one overseas member attended this time and he had pressing business elsewhere at the ground for much of the day. Seattle-based Paul Barry was appointed as a director that day but still made time to join the gathering at half-time. 'Moosenetters' have travelled from as far afield as Norway, Germany, and Italy as well as the USA for previous meetings.

Although Moosenet did not sponsor the Bristol Rovers match we voted for our own 'man of the match' (Scott Eustace) and he was presented with a bottle of champagne afterwards. Unfortunately it was not possible to present the U's Net March Player of the Month award to Tom Youngs who made a quick get away after the match because he was returning for the CUSA Race Night later that evening, so the presentation was made then instead.

Despite an overheard reference to "Internet nerds" after the game, the list members can be delighted with the details of the financial support given to the club this season. As in previous seasons we continued our player sponsorship of Michael Kyd, but also added a second player sponsorship of Neil Mackenzie when he joined the club in October. When added to the match sponsorship of the Bamber Bridge FA Cup match, the money for tickets and catering at the Bristol Rovers match, a race at the CUSA Race Night and a bulk purchase of replica kit for Moosenet FC, the total amounts to over £3,400 this season alone. And as treasurer Jamie Dyer commented, that doesn't take account of some not inconsiderable bar bills in the Harris Suite at the various get-togethers!

On a more serious note, Moosenet members worldwide also contributed to a collection for the Special Care Baby Unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, where Paul Wanless' daughter Emily was cared for after she was born prematurely in January. The total amount raised was £340 and organiser Mark Slater is pictured presenting the cheque to Paul a few weeks ago. Picture courtesy of Terry Wilby.

The Moosenet mailing list is an excellent source of U's related news, gossip and chat and joining instructions can be found here.