GM says thanks to all Claymores fans
CLAYMORES General Manager STEVE LIVINGSTONE has thanked all Claymores fans for their thoughts and support following the announcement of the closure of the Claymores last week.Dear Claymores' Supporter,
Last week, the NFL Europe League announced that our operations here in Scotland were to discontinue. The League has based this decision on economics and believes that it can gain greater returns at a faster rate by establishing another team in Germany than continuing the League in its present format. I am desperately disappointed that the League took this decision and I am devastated for all of our fans, supporters and our staff who have all worked so hard during the last 10 seasons to make the Claymores the success we have been.
We do not believe that the Claymores have failed. Despite indifferent seasons on the field during the last four seasons, we have grown our business in Glasgow off the field, increasing our season ticket holders, support and sponsorship for the club while at the same time developing strong partnerships in the community and with the City of Glasgow.
We recently hosted a very successful World Bowl and our schools development in local authorities across Scotland had been a model programme and has been growing at a phenomenal rate, generating a whole new generation of fans for the NFL.
Everyone associated with the Claymores is proud of the considerable successes that we have achieved here in Scotland during the past ten seasons - outside of the Old Firm, we were one of the best-supported teams in the country. I would like to thank everyone who has contacted the club over the last few days to offer their condolences and messages of support. It has been truly touching.
We are currently going through a wind down of our operations at our front office, however, with the NFL's support we hope to continue to develop the game at grassroots level and I have recently met with the governing bodies in Scotland to explore ways in which we can do this. We have also secured the Claymores name and logo for Scotland and will be looking at ways in which this can be utilised to develop an appropriate legacy.
I would urge all of you to stay involved in this wonderful game that the Claymores worked hard to grow in Scotland. I can understand if your feelings are bitter at present, however, please continue to at least support the game and in particular your local pee-wee, junior, youth and senior amateur teams. Seeing these teams thrive and grow would be the greatest legacy the Claymores could ever hope to achieve. The Claymores website www.claymores.com will continue to promote the amateur game in Scotland.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for all the wonderful support you have shown the team in our 10 seasons. While none of us can be happy at the current situation, we do have 10 seasons of wonderful memories to cherish - some terrific highs and some real lows - however, I am sure you will remember all of our Claymores times with fondness.
I t really has been a privilege to have been associated with the Claymores and you, our fans, and it has been my pleasure to work with you and serve you all. I would also like to pay tribute to all of our players, coaches, team staff, our wonderful cheerleaders and all of our gameday supporters.
I know I speak for everyone in the Front Office in thanking you for all your support - especially to our season ticket holders, our booster club members and all of the fans who took time out of their lives to come in and assist us with telesales in the last two seasons. The efforts you all went to - particularly in the last two weeks of our last season were tremendous and showed the NFL the true nature of what it is to be a Scottish Claymores fan.
In closing, I would like to say for the last time, Go Claymores! We never, ever quit. Long may our memories run.
21 Oct, 04 | 2:29 pm