GARETH ARMY' CHANTS FOR ELLIS
By Wayne Cousins
11/08/2010 11:02:54 AM
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Gareth Ellis has always been considered a leader of the Wests Tigers pack. Now the world’s best second-rower has a small army of supporters following his every move.
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In just under two seasons since leaving Leeds, Ellis has become a real favourite amongst Wests Tigers supporters for his hard hitting defence and strong running.
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Named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year and the Members Player of the Year in 2009, Ellis has now received another ‘honour’ – his own Gareth Army!
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**The Gareth Army started one night at a home game at the Sydney Football Stadium last year** and is comprised of ‘officers’ Nick Hayes, Anthony Sinclair, Steven Marshall, Con Kyriacou and Jace Gray (pictured left to right with Ellis).
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“One of the boys came up with the chant ‘Gareth Army, Gareth Army’ in the same tone as the English cricket team's Barmy Army. Because he is an Englishman, the chant stuck and an Army was formed,’’ Sinclair said.
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“Later in the season, we were thinking of doing up some shirts for our annual Gold Coast trip to watch the boys play the Titans.
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"A mere 600 emails later, we had come up with a design for the orange Army style camouflage shirts.
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“The shirts had to be imported from the USA and then screen printed here in Sydney so it developed into quite a mission. The shirts arrived and we've worn them proudly to every game since.”
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It just hasn’t stopped with the t-shirts. There are now two Gareth Army banners for away games.
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“We don’t usually take them to home games as we are all Wests Tigers Members and we sit in the stands,’’ Sinclair added.
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“We were all massive fans of Gareth from the moment he arrived at Wests Tigers.
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“He is a class act on and off the field and the defensive steel he has added to the pack has been great to watch.
>
“We couldn't have been happier when he re-signed with the club well before his contract was due to expire.
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“That kind of loyalty really strikes a chord with the fans and we have no doubt that by the time he finishes up at Wests Tigers, he will be held in the same regard as club legends Hodgo, Skando and Buckets.”
>
Sinclair said some new ‘cadets’ may be recruited to the Gareth Army down the track.
>
“We've had a lot of enquiries from fellow fans about getting one of the t-shirts but at this stage there are only six in the world,’’ he said.
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“We presented Gareth with his last Sunday at the Wests Tigers Members Day at Concord Oval and the other five t-shirts are proudly worn by the Army members.
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“The Army would like to thank Gareth for allowing us to present him with his very own shirt. He appreciated the gesture and was touched that we had gone to so much trouble.
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“The Members Day was fantastic and we really appreciated the opportunity to grab a photo and have a chat to Gareth.”
It was the Parramatta game…........some stupid nutters started it!!!!!!!!!
By Wayne Cousins
11/08/2010 11:02:54 AM
>
Gareth Ellis has always been considered a leader of the Wests Tigers pack. Now the world’s best second-rower has a small army of supporters following his every move.
>
In just under two seasons since leaving Leeds, Ellis has become a real favourite amongst Wests Tigers supporters for his hard hitting defence and strong running.
>
Named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year and the Members Player of the Year in 2009, Ellis has now received another ‘honour’ – his own Gareth Army!
>
**The Gareth Army started one night at a home game at the Sydney Football Stadium last year** and is comprised of ‘officers’ Nick Hayes, Anthony Sinclair, Steven Marshall, Con Kyriacou and Jace Gray (pictured left to right with Ellis).
>
“One of the boys came up with the chant ‘Gareth Army, Gareth Army’ in the same tone as the English cricket team's Barmy Army. Because he is an Englishman, the chant stuck and an Army was formed,’’ Sinclair said.
>
“Later in the season, we were thinking of doing up some shirts for our annual Gold Coast trip to watch the boys play the Titans.
>
"A mere 600 emails later, we had come up with a design for the orange Army style camouflage shirts.
>
“The shirts had to be imported from the USA and then screen printed here in Sydney so it developed into quite a mission. The shirts arrived and we've worn them proudly to every game since.”
>
It just hasn’t stopped with the t-shirts. There are now two Gareth Army banners for away games.
>
“We don’t usually take them to home games as we are all Wests Tigers Members and we sit in the stands,’’ Sinclair added.
>
“We were all massive fans of Gareth from the moment he arrived at Wests Tigers.
>
“He is a class act on and off the field and the defensive steel he has added to the pack has been great to watch.
>
“We couldn't have been happier when he re-signed with the club well before his contract was due to expire.
>
“That kind of loyalty really strikes a chord with the fans and we have no doubt that by the time he finishes up at Wests Tigers, he will be held in the same regard as club legends Hodgo, Skando and Buckets.”
>
Sinclair said some new ‘cadets’ may be recruited to the Gareth Army down the track.
>
“We've had a lot of enquiries from fellow fans about getting one of the t-shirts but at this stage there are only six in the world,’’ he said.
>
“We presented Gareth with his last Sunday at the Wests Tigers Members Day at Concord Oval and the other five t-shirts are proudly worn by the Army members.
>
“The Army would like to thank Gareth for allowing us to present him with his very own shirt. He appreciated the gesture and was touched that we had gone to so much trouble.
>
“The Members Day was fantastic and we really appreciated the opportunity to grab a photo and have a chat to Gareth.”
It was the Parramatta game…........some stupid nutters started it!!!!!!!!!
