It is hard to believe that ten years have past since the humble beginnings of the Murphy’s Misfits Rugby Club. We had a game and celebrations to remember on April 7th 2012. It was a day enjoyed by all and will be remembered for the next 10 years.

The Misfits played against a mixed team of Bulgarian friends aptly named the Bulgarian Dream Team.

The only mishap of the day was when the Doctor needed a Doctor. Luckily it was only his head so there was not too much to worry about.

Our gratitude for all those who played and came to celebrate with us on this momentous occasion. Lets hope the next ten years are filled with as many memories and camaraderie as the first ten years has given to all who have been a part of this club.

A special Thank You to Murray Te Huki who came back from Senegal to celebrate with the club he was instrumental in forming.It was great to see him in Misfits colors again, it was like he never left.

Another early Misfit that played in the game came from the UAE to score her first try with the Misfits, Anna Andreeva. The most graceful try ever scored in rugby.

Thank You also to Rueben Mills who always kept a watchful eye on the play officiating the game.

Also the special birthday cake that was created by Pavel and Olivier that was enjoyed by all that evening. A big Thank You to Branko of J.J.Murphy’s Pub who has been a great supporter of the club from the beginning. Thank You to everyone else that continues to keep this club alive and thriving with the game of rugby and friendship like no other.

On the occasion to celebrate 10 Years of Murphy’s Misfits Rugby Club I find myself reminiscing of days and events of the past. The Misfits are a unique mix of players from all over the world who have come and gone and the stable group of Bulgarians who have embraced the mantra that has been built within the club over the years. From the humble beginnings that was questioned if this idea would even work to 10 years of Misfit’s events that have a tradition of not only the game of rugby itself but the sense of family that the club embraces are second to none. I have been fortunate to have had as many experiences with the club as I have, I played my first contact rugby game with the Misfits, I have had fractured ribs,broken ankle and damaged knee but that has not dampened the spirit and feeling that I have for the club and most of all the great friends that I have met through the Misfits. Once a Misfit… Always a Misfit.

I remember my first contact game at what is known as Murrayfield against a team from Pernik on a very cold and rainy day in March being at the bottom of a ruck in the middle of the pitch. There was a big hole(it cannot be described as anything else as it had to be a hole to hold that much water) that I was at the bottom of and thinking that I might drown right there as I had to hold my head up to keep above water. I was on my back and the water was over my chest. Funny thing is I came back after that experience to continue playing.

I remember the many beers shared at J.J.Murphy’s Pub. There was always somebody there to watch rugby with and drink a few too many beers with(Kevin). The events that we have had to share things with family and friends. The other sports that were played besides rugby and of course the Pub crawls. Who could forget those…. or maybe for some… Who can remember?

Please leave your experiences in the comments below. Everyone has their own stories and it would be great to share them all. Thank You.

Andy Lang

Мърфис Мисфитс ще празнува своята 10 годишнина тази събота!

За целта най-веселите ръгбисти на България организират звезден ръгби мач и, разбира се, парти в техния втори дом – ирландския пъб ДжейДжей Мърфис на Кърниградска.

Ветерани и стари величия на родното ръгби от всички краища на страната ще се обеденят в Дрийм тийм и ще премерят сили срещу рожденниците, след което се очаква всички обилно и както подобава да полеят веселия празник. Като гости се очаква да пристигнат играчи от Габрово, Перник, Варна и други софийски отбори, а специално чак от Сенегал за повода пътува известният бивш президент и основател на клуба Мъри Те Хуки.

Всички приятели и любители на ръгби са поканени да се насладят на специалния мач или по-късно просто да споделят парче торта и една бира (или повече?) с момчетата в зелено и черно.

Какво?

Мърфис Мисфитс – Дрийм тийм България

мач по ръгби / ветерани, аматьори / 4 х 20 мин

Къде?

Стадион Бенковски

кв. Бенковски, гр. София

Кога?

07.04.2012

16:00 – първи съдийски сигнал

А?

Парти, торта и… бира цяла вечер в Мърфис!

ФЕЙСБУК

Rugby is the Source

Misfits celebrate anniversary with a RUGBY game and BEER party!

Extraordinary Murphy’s Misfits team are gonna celebrate their 10^th anniversary this Saturday.

For the occasion the merriest rugby players in Bulgaria will have a special rugby game and of course a nightlong party in their clubhouse – JJ Murphy’s.

Veterans and former stars of the bulgarian rugby will join forces in a Dream team and try their best against the birthday boys. After the rugby fun a party to remember is scheduled for everybody. As guests are expected players from Gabrovo, Pernik, Varna, Sofia and even from Senegal – the famous ex-president and co-founder of the club Murray Te-Huki is coming specially for the occasion.

All friends and rugby goers are invited to join the fun!

FACEBOOK

Софийски ръгби ентусиасти ще организират за трета поредна година мач по случай Освобождението на България.

Събитието превърнало се в традиция се организира от отборите на Мърфис Мисфитс и Варварите София, а поводът разбира се е 134-тата годишнина от Освобождението на България . Вратите са отворени за всички играчи желаещи да се включат в битката между Хайдути и Лъвове, а публиката ще има бойната задачата да пази касите с бира, наблюдавайки гарантирано зрелищната игра.

Срещата ще се проведе на 4ти март на стадион Бенковски, а първият съдийски сигнал ще бъде даден в 12:00. Играчите трябва да бъдат на терена не по-късно от 11:30, като е желателно да носят по възможност черен/жълт екип. Тази година за капитани на двата отбора са определени Сашо Еленков (Лъвовете) и Константин Димитров (Хайдутите), а за съдийството ще се погрижи Здравко Тодоров.

Събитието във Фейсбук

Репортажи от предното издание ТУК и ТУК.

Rugby enthusiasts from Sofia will arrange the 3rd annual 15′s Game to comemorate Bulgaria’s Liberation Day.

This traditional event is run by Sofia Baa Baas and Murphys Misfits, doors are wide open for all rugby enthusiasts keen on joining the battle between The Rebels and The Lions.

The Game will kick off at 12:00 on March 4 at Benkovski pitch. Players are kindly requested to be there no later than 11:30; take your own black and/or amber rugby shirt if available. This year the appointed team selectors and skipers are Sasho Elenkov (Lions) and Konstantin Dimitrov (Rebels). The Game will be proficiently conducted by Zdravko Todorov.

Poster courtesy to Stoyan Markov

Link for the event in Facebook.

Report from last year’s edition here и here.

Turkey Bowl 2011

Turkey Bowl 2011 will be held on Saturday, 3 of December at the Benkovski stadium.
The Misfits we will meet the Sofia Bears for a friendly game of touch rugby and flag football.
We will have a BBQ and lots of beers around the field, supporters are welcome as always!

Време е за една малко по-различна игра! На 26ти ноември, събота, от 13:00 ч. на стадиона в кв. Бенковски, точно преди тазгодишния ни Pub Crawl, ще се съберем да поиграем Ръгби 15, но с едно условие! Условието е, че играчите трябва да се облекат с по-необичайни дрехи по време на мача – като типични джентълмени, с костюм, сако, риза, панталон, фрак и тн. или като горди дами, с полички, роклички, корсети, жартиери и тн. Така че преровете скрина си (или този на жена си) и да си спретнем един много забавен ден!

It’s time for one unusual game of rugby! On November 26, Saturday at 13:00h at Benkovski stadium, just  before our annual Pub Crawl, will gather to play Rugby 15, but with one condition! The condition is that players must be dresses with unusual clothes during the game – as typical gentlemen with a suit jacket, shirt, pants, tails and so on. or proud ladies with skirts, dresses, corsets, suspenders and so on. So explore your dresser (or your wife’s ) and let’s have a very funny day!

Rugby Is The Source

Only two weeks after we visit London for our 2011 Tour, our friends from Yantra RC will host us for a 15′s game on 15th of October, Saturday.

Like we did last year, we will travel by bus, leaving Sofia on Saturday morning, we will stay overnight and will return to Sofia on Sunday.

If you plan to come please write a comment below – we need to know the numbers for our trip as soon as possible.

PS. Friends/girlfriends are more than welcome as long as they support us (buying us beer)!

Our last game with Yantra was during the winter of 2010 | Последният ни мач с Янтра беше през зимата на 2010 г.

Време е за ежегодната ни визита до Габрово където всички толкова много се забавляваме!

Само две седмици след като посетим Лондон по време на Турне 2011, приятелите ни от РК Янтра ще ни приемат за мач по Ръгби 15  в събота, 15-ти Октомври.

Също като миналата година, ще пътуваме с автобус. Тръгваме от София в събота сутрин, оставаме в Габрово за през нощта и се прибираме обратно към София в неделя.

Ако мислите да се включите в пътуването пишете коментар по-долу – трябва да знаем колко души сме възможно най-скоро.

ПС. Приятели/приятелки са повече от добре дошли стига да ни подкрепят (купувайки ни бира)!

How to find London Irish Amateur Rugby

Some possible options are:

Sofia to London – Dep. 29^th of September 2011, 12:15, arr. 29^th of September 2011, 13:30, at Gatwick, flight 8974, price 64,99 EUR
London Gatwick to Sofia – Dep. 2^nd of October 2011, 06:25, arr. 2^nd of October 2011, 11:30, flight 8973, price 42,24 EUR
London Luton to Sofia – Dep. 2^nd of October 2011, 22:20, arr. 3rd of October 2011, 03:20, flight W6 4302, price 77,20 EUR

Distance from Airports to pitch as per Google Maps:

Gatwick – 64 km | 45 min
Heathrow – 28 km | 23 min
Luton – 74 km | 51 min

Accommodation: Prices of the rooms in hostels in the area of the London Irish Amateur team clubhouse are twin room for 29 GBP ( = 35 EUR) per room.

Teams before the game

As always, our team was a mix of young and old guys. Niki Hinov, currently studying in Austria, was on a holiday in Sofia and helped the team with a solid performance. Their first ever appearances for the team made Brian from Canada – starting as a hooker and Alex, a local hero, who went into play during the second half as a fullback.

Big scrum

Misfits moving forward

Mirco scored one try for the team

Niki Hinov back in the team after a short break...

... showing us great offloading skills.

Despite the fact we don’t have any more 15′s games planned until September, we’ll still meet every week during the summer.  There will be touch rugby every Saturday at 11:30 at the Benkovski stadium. If you need any more rugby you can always join some of us every Monday at the Borisova gradina at 7 pm for some park rugby. Also every Wednesday there is a contact practice at the Benkovski stadium – 6:30 pm.

Where's the relay?

Final score was 12:36

Rugby is the Source!

We start on Friday night when there will be a meeting with the French team from Saint-Sever – we meet at 8 pm at J.J.Murphy’s. Come for a beer or two – there will be also big rugby game on the night – the final for the Amlin Cup Harlequins vs. Stade Francais.

On Saturday the day will start in the early morning with the Kids rugby from 10.30 am at the Benkovski stadium. After the kids finish with their practice Andrew (Andy’s Foods) will set up a BBQ next to the stadium so that everyone can enjoy a tasty burger. There will be also tons of cold beers.

The kick-off of the Murphy’s Misfits vs. Old Black’s St. Sever game is set for 1.00 pm, but if you plan to play in the game you should show up no later than 12:00 pm at the Benkovski stadium.

And the best is yet to come! From 5 pm. in the garden of J.J.Murphy’s will start the third half of our game and after some quick drinking games it will time again for some top-class rugby with the Leinster vs. Northampton Saints final for the Heineken Cup.

Murphy's Misfits vs. Old Blacks Saint Sever

Задава се поредният ГОЛЯМ ръгби уикенд!

Стартираме в петък вечер когато е срещата ни с френския отбор от Сейнт-Север – ще се срещнем с тях в 20 ч. в J.J.Murphy’s. Елате за по бира или две – същата вечер ще се играе и голям ръгби мач – финалът за Амлин Къп Харлекуинс срещу Стад Франсе.

В събота денят ще започне още в ранното утро с детско ръгби от 10:30 часа на стадиона в Бенковски. След като децата приключат с тренировката Ендрю (Andy’s Foods) ще приготви барбекю близо до стадиона и всеки ще може да се наслади на вкусен бургер. Ще има и купища студена бира.

Началото на мача Мърфис Мисфитс срещу Олд Блекс Сейнт Север ще бъде в 13:00 часа, но ако смятате да се включите и да поиграете трябва да бъдете на стадиона не по-късно от 12:00 часа.

И най-доброто тепърва предстои! От 17:00 ч. в градината на J.J.Murphy’s ще започне третото полувреме и след няколко бързи ”бирени” игри отново ще стане време за първокласно ръгби с мача между Лейнстър и Нортхемптън Сейнтс – финал за Хайнекен Къп.