As you all know training is a must in every rugby players diary, its the love of their life, their passion, something they would never EVER miss.
In the life of a rugby player, many things will happen to try and prevent a player from attending training, some common examples are:-
'Hmm my heads fallen off...I'll worry about that later...I've got training to do.....'
'Hmmm...its the Apocalypse....the 4 horseman are riding.....however theres training to be done...'
'Hmmm....I seem to have turned into a small dancing hamster.....no worries, the boys will understand...I have training to do....'
However, sometimes a player HAS to miss training, its unavoidable. Tears will be shed, hearts broken.
Here on the Annan RFC Excuses page you will see some of the greatest excuses that have prevented Annan RFC and other rugby players from attending training or god forbid, miss a game. Many of these players have never been the same since, the shame being too much.
I hope you will read these excuses and try to understand the reasons behind them and perhaps one day you will be able to forgive them
Please take a deep breath and drink, steady yourself and prepare for some of the most heart-wrenching excuses every to be uttered.
Sean Rutter - "It was raining" - Sometime in 2007
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Sean Rutter - "I could not go to training last week because the grass was wet!" - May 2007
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Craig Coupland - "I have hurt my big toe in roller skating accident last night so I can't play tomorrow" - 9th October 2006
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Pete Lovett - "I cant play today I'm at my sisters in Cirencester" (South West England). Only to be seen a few minutes later standing in his garage in Gretna - Circa 1998
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Startled - "Sorry Kenny, I fell asleep in front of the fire.
" - Circa 1990
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Gary Williamson - "I can not attend training because i am geting my hand sorted out, hopeful i will be able to catch the ball now" - 20 April 2006
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Neal Coupland - "I can't attend training as I am figure skating with my friend florence" - Early 2006
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Barry Graham - "I dropped 2 euros so I will have to do overtime to make it up" - Dublin 2004
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James 'Lector' Gilmour - "Got a few jobs that need doing" - December to end of every season
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Johnny Crombie - "I cant attend - I am having dancing lessons in Dumfries with my friend" - early 2006
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Steve Kelly - "Sorry, but I'll be late to training as I have the cold" - January 2006
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Steve Kelly - "I'll be late for the game cause I'm watching a film!" - Sometime in 2005
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Paul Carruthers/Andrew Eggleton - "I had to stop and ask the guy in the booth at the Forth Road Bridge the way to PL rugby club" - Arriving at Half time, Preston Lodge v Annan 2002
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Dwayne Barnes - 'I couldn't handle my 50cc scooter - it is just too fast and it threw me off! As a result of this I have broke my wrist! Sorry to all the Colts see you in 6 weeks' - 2nd December 2005
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Joe Crowther - 'When I got in the car to come to the club, my Dad pinched the keys out of the ignition and told me I wasn't playing." - November 2005
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Jonny Callaghan - 'I can't play for the club anymore. I tried to do my highers last year and failed them. I will study all the time now.' - 2005
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Cameron Smith - 'I am going shopping with my girlfriend!' - December 2002
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David 'Copey' Copland - 'I am putting up my Christmas tree' - December 2001
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Paul Carruthers - 'Look the reason I did not turn up for the game against Dumfries was because I was trapped in the Lanes Shopping Centre Car Park in Carlisle' - November 24th 2001
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Ross Johnstone - 'I can't play on Saturday, I'm getting a tattoo' - August 17th 2001
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Neil 'Baz' Smith - 'I can't attend training, I'm looking for a job' - Second half of 2000 and some of 2001
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Michael Newton - 'I can't attend training - I've fallen down a rabbit hole ' - Sept 2000
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Paul Quinn - 'I have to take my dog for an operation' - Jan 2000
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Paul Quinn - 'My girlfriend is doing a parachute jump' - Sept 1999
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John Getty - 'I've got sunburn' - circa 1984
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John Getty - 'My boots are still wet from Saturday' - circa 1984
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Johnny Linton - 'I'm putting up some bunkbeds' - circa 1989
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Richard Nolan - 'My mum says I can't play for Annan' - circa 1997
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Ian 'Smi' Gray - 'I've got to cut down some Christmas trees' - circa 1985
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David McInnes - 'I'm tired and need some rest from doing nothing' - Cougar Rugby Club, Carmichael, CA, USA - Every Monday
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Adi Brown - 'Adi (under-10's asst coach) is missing the Llanera Cup in March 2007 along with his son and key player, Sam. He is claiming to be on a Gay Pride march. Those in the know are aware that this is not true but less embarrassing than admitting to having tickets for Aston Villa v Liverpool.
' - Hinkley RFC - Jan 2007
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Martin Bolton - 'I never turned up for the game because my Alarm Clock fell out my window in the storm last night' - Cambuslang RFC - April 2005
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Joel Dunnit - 'I can't play on Sat because I have a modelling job' - Paisley RFC - March 2006
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Cameron Sinclair - 'i cant play because i have to visit my gran in georgetown' - Dumfries RFC - Early 2006
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Calum Stanit - 'I off to Band Camp..' - Dumfries RFC - May 2005
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Craig Bryson - 'I cant play on Sunday because I have revision to do' - Dumfries RFC - 3 Dec 2005
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Eck Bryden - 'The Girlfriend says I have to spend the day with her' - Dumfries RFC - 20 Sept 2002
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Richard Nolan - 'My girlfriend says I can't train tonight.' - Glasgow Southern - Season 2001/2002
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Eck Bryden - 'Can't play on Saturday as I have to buy a fridge' - Dumfries RFC - Sometime in 2000
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Gordon Mackelwam - 'I can't play tonight as I've been stung on the throat by a wasp' - Sept 2000
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There are of course, many other excuses out there. Please share them with us at the Annan RFC Webpage. They will be put up on this page, and may God have mercy on their souls.