“It may sound cheesy but I have a playlist,” laughs Mary Williams. “I listen to Pitbull’s Triumph, it is just one of those songs that gets you going.
“I also have Against All Odds by Chase and Status, Standing in the Way of Control (Gossip), Killing in the Name (Rage Against the Machine). They are all there to get me in the mood to scream the house down.”
Mary, surprisingly, is not revealing her routine ahead of a big night out on the town. This is how the 31-year-old gets ready for a Glasgow Warriors rugby game.
The banker is the chairperson of The XVIth Warrior supporters' group, which was set up in May to get behind the west of Scotland’s only professional rugby side.
Along with thousands of other fans, Mary is now looking forward to the new RaboDirect PRO 12 league season, which kicks off tonight for the Glasgow side in Ireland against Ulster.
“Over the summer, I have watched some French rugby but it is not the same as watching your own team play,” says Mary.
“The real rugby starts back on Friday. Last year we did pretty well, finishing in the top half of the table. I have no doubt that we will be able to achieve what we did last year.
“There is a can do attitude, I think the boys will be gunning for the top spot again.”
A number of things have changed for the Glasgow Warriors since the last time Mary and her fellow fans screamed their support. This year, there are seven new players for fans to cheer on and a new head coach Gregor Townsend.
Centre Byron McGuigan, winger Taylor Paris, forward Viliami Ma’afu, flanker Angus Macdonald, scrum half Niko Matawalu, winger and Scotland international Sean Lamont and lock Tim Swinson come in, while ex-Scotland player Johnnie Beattie and current star Richie Gray are amongst those who have left.
The Warriors have moved from Firhill Stadium, the home of Partick Thistle Football Club, into Scotstoun Stadium in the West End of the city over the summer.
Nathan Bombrys, the team’s managing director, thinks the move will be extremely beneficial.
“It’s one of the best integrated training, playing and administrative bases in European rugby, offering first class facilities for players and supporters alike," he explains.
“It’s the ideal base from which to continue the unprecedented growth the club has been experiencing on and off the pitch, with record season ticket sales, increased investment in the squad from Scottish Rugby and the team coming off the back of a strong season in the RaboDirect PRO12.”
Mary added: “The fact we have a proper home this season is immense. I went to the Glasgow 7s and it showed what Scotstoun can offer.
“With Firhill being a football ground, we couldn’t really make our mark. We have a proper home now. It gives a professional look to the side and gives us supporters somewhere to call home.”
In May, the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s - part of the HSBC Sevens World Series - took place for the first time at Scotstoun. Thousands of people attended the event, giving both rugby fans and locals a chance to experience what it will be like when the Warriors call the stadium home.
While some locals of Scotstoun hold some reservations over parking and congestion in the area on match days, others are looking forward to having a professional rugby side on their doorstep.
So for those who live locally, in the city or across the west of Scotland, why should you check out the Warriors this season?
Mary said: “You can bring your kids, you don’t have to be worried about what you are getting exposed too. All of the violence stays on the pitch.
“On match day, I will catch up with some of the other fans I sit with. We like to be the nosiest people there. If there is a lineout, we will scream. You want the noise to make a difference to the game. When you hear people shouting your name you do get that feeling ‘I’m going to push myself a little harder’.
“The fans are a fantastic bunch of people. Even if you have no idea about rugby, somebody will sit and explain it to you or say ‘you know what, just come for the atmosphere”. It is a friendly atmosphere, an infectious atmosphere. The ambition for the side is quite inspiring.”
- The RaboDirect PRO 12 is back with Edinburgh kicking off the new season at home to Munster while Glasgow travel to Belfast to face Ulster. Highlights will be presented by Eilidh Barbour, with commentary from Rory Hamilton, on STV at 11.45pm on Sunday and later online on the STV Player.
