CLAN WENT STATESIDE...AND GAVE THE AMERICANS A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY!

March 2007 saw the first ever Scottish Paintball Team compete in a NPPL event. at Huntington Beach, California. With 252 of the World's finest Teams competing, and 50,000 spectators, it certainly is one of the largest and most intimidating venues globally, to participate in.

The Clan Team, consisting of Sandy 'Big' Sid Hubbard, Steve 'Flash' Monks, Mark 'Sumo' Nitkowski, Ben Davidson, Marco Magnotta, Garry 'Slim' Evans, Gavin Syme and Craig Galloway, played against some of America's BEST in Div3 of the NPPL.

Holding their own, they drove each game to their final minutes, and were victorious against Lee Valley Factory and Empire Factory. A couple of bad judicial calls saw them losing out on crucial points, however the final score giving them 2 games out of 8, is still not a feat to be sniffed at. With only 4 UK Teams appearing at the NPPL, it was certainly the most difficult league to compete in....and the guys did just that.

Playing some of their best paintball, The Clan still walked away with a smile, and a sense of achievement - albeit a little disappointed (you can't please a paintballer unless their winnin'!). So perhaps they'll be stepping up to the plate again next year...and hopefully be serving a lot more humble pie!

Well done guys.

RESULTS OF THE CLAN FOOTBALL HEAD TO HEAD!

Despite The Clan being notorious for their close-knit team spirit and work hard/play hard attitude, a bit of in-house rivalry was more the talk of the season earlier this year when the guys were divided in a 5 aside footie head-to-head.

Are Paintball Players competitive and bloody-minded?...Well put it this way...When Sid snogged Bear in Wales for a dare (with tongues!! Erch!), I thought I'd seen everything...but listening to these guys for weeks prior to the match left my ears rather than my eyes burning this time - and frankly thank god it's over!

All Paintballers want to win, but only one Team did this year, and that was Sid's Strikers! I thought Sumo was going to pop a vein!

The teams were:

SID'S STRIKERS
Capt: Sandy 'Big Sid' Hubbard
- Slim
- Stevie
- DsKize
- Craig

SUMO'S SABOTEURS
Capt: Mark 'Sumo' Nitkowski
- Marco
- Ben
- Gav
- Dougie

FINAL RESULT: Strikers (13), Saboteurs (7)

(And I didn't see any grinding or snogging, and no-one died! Woo hoo!)


NEW SIGNINGS

Clan would like to welcome Dan Prince, Steve Monks (aka Flash), Asa Baker and last but not least Fi$h (William Haddock), for the 2007 Season.

FLASH
Sid Says: - "Flash comes to the Team with a wealth of experience, playing for teams like Banzi and Manc Union. We look forward to ripping it up with him in both UK and Global Events this year, so welcome on board!"

Flash Says: - ""Ive played against The Clan at many different events over the years, and they have always impressed me with their high levels of professionalism and commitment to the game of paintball. When Sid offered me a chance to play X-Ball with The clan for the 2007 season I jumped at it and am looking forward to what I expect to be a pivotal season for Scotland's premier Paintball Team."

FI$H
Sid Says: - "William Haddock started his paintball days playing for The Clan when he was a short, skinny 14yr old kid. (Now he's 6ft 2 so it's it bit frustrating having to look up to him!) It was here that he was dubbed "Fi$h" - by me...and it's stuck ever since! Sorry mate! ;o) At 18, he got through Nexus trials to become a pro player, playing for Nexus, Manc Union and Icon (Frech Pro Team). However Fi$h has decided to come back to his roots This year to play PA X-Ball for The Clan. Good to have you back kid."

Awe...Memory Lane Boyz...Sid and Fi$h in 1999!!

NEW SPONSORSHIP FOR 2007

The Clan would like to thank Planet Eclipse and PMI Europe for their support this Season.

PLANET ECLIPSE
"Clan would just like to thank Planet Eclipse (and Ledz) for sponsoring them in 2007 with Eclipse Playing Gear and the awesome limited edition Clan Ego7. The team has used Eclipse products since it's conception in 1997, starting with Eclipse upgrades for the Automag and through the Eclipse Shocker years, E Blade and finally the Ego7. 2007 will see the Clan compete in the European Indoor, Huntington Beach NPPL and PA X-Ball league, so bring it on!!!!"


PMI
"PMI (Andy) have not only been great to work with in industry (through A1 Paintball), but we have also been lucky enough to have their support for The Clan Team over the last couple of years. Shooting RPS Paint, which is superb, and donning Extreme Rage packs this season, we are sure to leave our mark on the field! Clan would like to thank PMI for their on-going support, and look forward to 'shootin some fools'!

CLAN REBALL TRAINING CENTRE OPENING SOON

As you all know, training up here in Scotland is a bit of a hit or miss when it comes to the weather!! Well not anymore, Clan, in conjunction with A1 Paintball have built an Indoor Reball Centre! Check our Reball page for opening and contact details....