| People have been known to ask “Why support the Herd?” Well to us the Herd are everything Lookfly. Starting from a chuck about in the park to finishing high on the Mixed Tour, they embody the classic ultimate story. With patient coaches answering the call of newcomers wanting to take a lunch time chuck about further, the Herd have a reassuring focus on attracting new players and strong ethos of creating an environment to develop them. Their aim is to be herdcore, the optimum balance of fun and competition. The story of the herd starts during the summer heat wave of 2003. On the grounds of Walpole Park in Ealing a group of self confessed corporate geeks from Dunnhumby were escaping the office for a lunch time chuck about. Among them were RZLA, Bullet Time and Kathy who were aware that something more existed than throw and catch. They wanted to play ultimate. Hiding in the depths of Dunnhumby were a few legends of the game. Showing a real commitment to the game, the likes of RV, Rob McGowan and Tom Russell prepared to give up their time, going back to basics teaching forces and sidearms. When they saw their new creation cutting across an arid Walpole Park and the dust bowl it kicked up, the name ‘Thundering Herd’ was born. A name that is suitably eccentric and with a nod to their origins, just as it should be. Along with their mascot daisy, herdcore attitude and distinctive kit they have carved out a place in British Ultimate. |  | Since 2003 they have steadily crafted a team that is more than just elite performers. Regularly entering two squads into the Mixed Tour and attracting new players to the field, the Herd offer a starting place for some or a new home for others. The resulting stampede has been four years of Mixed Ultimate including winning London Summer League in 2006, a trip to Worlds in Perth and 6th place finish at the 2007 Mixed Tour. ‘These shorts are so cool they’re Friesian’ Nothing can be said about herd without their kit coming to mind, and what a kit it is. The creative passion of RZLA combined with Lookfly’s nothing is impossible attitude has produced something special. Their bold logo, red jerseys and cow print shorts are an unmistakeable sight charging across the pitch. Such is the demand and appreciation of the Herd’s shorts they have even spawned facebook group of their own. We love teams like this. The herd are something great, a good wholesome tale of Ultimate. Teams like Herd make up so much of our community, the people we work for, making quality kit to give your team and our game its own identity. Thanks Herd, keep up the stampede. (Rumour has it this year’s track workout will be based in Pamplona, sometime during July) |
