December 26 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
December 26 2003

Well the lads certainly came up trumps to give us all an early Christmas present with the festive win over the Tigers. The Saints rode out the first half on a pitch that looked more suited to the breast stroke, butterfly and crawl than it did rugby even though Tigers had the upper hand.

But for all their hard work, especially that of new signing Jaco van der Westhuyzen, the Tigers didn’t look like scoring in a month of Sundays and a penalty from Shine Drahm saw us take a very slender lead into the break.

Whatever was put in the half time tea did wonders for the Saints who came out and dominated the second half playing long for long periods in Tigers territory and certainly making far better use of the bar of soap that the ball had become than our local rivals ever looked like doing.

Alas poor Tigers, their frustration just bred more mistakes and the Saints pack gradually wore them down and went over for the decisive AB score in the dying seconds. A job certainly well done and that elusive double secured to go with the title of the undisputed kings of Midlands rugby!

So for all the talk of a return to form Tigers were a pale shadow of their old selves.
Their returning World Cup stars just didn’t cut the mustard as Rob Hunter and Buzzard Connors, who had his best game this season, disrupted the much vaunted lineout of Johnson and Kay and young Darren Fox played Neil Back all but off the park.

Even the famous Tigers rolling maul was stopped in its tracks more often than not, just a liberal use of ‘use it or lose it’ time by referee Chris White preventing further turnover ball. But then Saints didn’t need Mr Whites assistance in securing the ball, sooner or later the visitors gave it back anyway.

The frustration of the day got to England skipper Johnson more than anyone and he lead his team by example To say his attitude was petulant was somewhat of an understatement. Questioning every decision and constantly whinging about everything but the price of fish i’m pretty sure it was only his lofty reputation that stopped him getting a breather in the bin after a series of personal infringements.

The slapping away of a hand of help from Andy Blowers when he lay prone on the ground was just about the final straw but then not to be undone Little Austin Healey capped it all by shouting an expletive at D Block. I’m sure any lip readers watching the game on Sky will have crossed him off their Christmas card list already.

In another sport Healey would be on a charge of incitement but us being level headed Saints folk it was just water (yes more water) off a ducks back although I’m not sure those with children in that area would agree.

In these days of sporting role models Messrs Johnson and Healey should take a leaf out of Mr Blowers book. AB is the very epitome of a gentleman both on and off the field even when we are on the end of a drubbng. A lesson others could well learn.

SMUDGER

The defeat of Leicester put further pressure on the Tigers hotseat and rumours are circulating that John Mitchell, recently relieved of the All Blacks job is to return to these shores to take the helm at Welford Road. It looks like poor old Deano might have to return to being a traffic cop but alas the coaching merry-go-round in the Land of the Long White Cloud could also have a serious effect on us.

It is believed new incumbent, the ever smiling Graham Henry, has offered Smudger (or even Smithy!) a flight home and a place on his new coaching panel. Now although Wayne has said he is committed to the Saints till season end that is just five months away. Surely the club cannot let him leave the Gardens without pulling out every stop to ensure he stays at Kiwi Corner.

Now I’m sure being the canny businessman he is that Uncle Keith will be doing just that but we can all play a part too in persuading Smudger that we want him to remain in his Gardens role to complete the task by emailing or writing to him at the club.

There’s no doubt since he joined us there has been an upturn in our fortunes and a return of general all round confidence and that pride in the jersey that we hear so much about. Okay there is no silverware of note yet but you sense that time will come, a feeling that has not been around the Gardens for quite a few seasons.

I just cannot see anyone stepping into his shoes without us losing some of that belief or indeed the quality of players he attracts.
You can understand his sentiment that he has All Black blood running through his veins, well lets hope we have added a mighty dose of Green n Gold to his bloodstream too and he stays to build on the sterling work he has already started.


They say success is a journey not a destination, lets hope Wayne Smith is still traveling that route on the Northampton bus at the start of next season.

Once a Saint, always a Saint, you know it makes sense Wayne.

LOOKING AHEAD

Well after all the festivities, and after Matt Dawson has unwrapped his whistle and Bertie Bassett refereeing kit on Christmas morning, (yes I couldn’t believe he wants the job either) its up to the far windswept north for the Saints on the 28th for the Zurich clash against Newcastle Falcons.

In the game at the Gardens earlier this season Newcastle played most of the rugby for the first hour with Saints hanging on their coat tails. Now whether this was by design or not, in the final quarter the Falcons tired the Saints upped a gear and ripped them apart even securing a very unlikely try scoring bonus point.

I somehow don’t think they are going to fall for that one twice and with the possible return of Jonny Wilko it could be a fascinating match up. So enjoy the day, or the weekend, up there but take plenty of warm clothes, the last time I visited the area the place was overrun with brass monkeys speaking in high pitched tones. Enjoy!

And finally as this is the last column of the year can I wish all my readers, yes all five of you, the very best of the season and here’s to a prosperous Saintly New Year!

December 18 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
December 18 2003

Well after the near miss the previous Friday the Saints European Cup crusade finally got off to winning ways with a victory over Agen. A steadfast defence from the French held the lads at bay until Big Ben upped a gear and scored a sublime second half triple to seal the game for the Saints.

During the week Crenca stated that, after the previous weeks battle against Borders, which saw their flyhalf sent off for a headbutt, there would be no more shenanigans (or whatever the French equivalent is) and his team would have to be more disciplined against Northampton or suffer the consequences. Well he kept his word for all of five minutes then a sudden rush of blood, or maybe just Wally smiling at him, pushed Crenca over the edge and he planted an ‘Aquitaine kiss’ straight on the England hookers fizzog. The incident was straight in front of referee, Nigel Whitehouse who was left with no option but to brandish la carte rouge.

Now Crenca felt a bit aggrieved at this treatment and it seems so did those listening to the game back in France. Due to the wonders of the internet, and some intrepid work from one of Greens Norton’s finest, our readers were treated on Sunday to a translated version of the Agenais online chat during the game. Some things of course were lost in translation, exactly what “the referee does not import koi” means is lost on me, but “the red paperboard of Crenca was too severe: Crenca did not touch the English player with his head! It is right fact gesture of intimidation!!” could not be any clearer. The general consensus of opinion was that they were hard done by, never got the rub of the green and the man in the middle was biased in the oppositions favour. (Wait a minute, that’s sounds a lot like this column every week?)

Now in their defence they were swayed by the Radio Sud reporter at the Gardens, (alas not everyone’s as lucky to have such totally unbiased reporting BBC from the likes of James Knight and Adam Blackmore each week), but our new best friend, Roland from Agen, confirmed to us on Monday that his team have found themselves with an unwarranted reputation. It transpires a conspiracy in French rugby to keep the less aristocratic Agenais down because they come from an industrial provincial town (sounds familiar) is behind all the bad press they have been getting. The two red and three yellow cards in the last two games were obviously an aberration then?

So come January 24th in France we can expect nothing but sweetness and light from Agen in the away leg at Stade Armandie. Now if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!

LOOKING FORWARD

Now I know it’s the time of year where we all over indulge but I have just one request, please make mine a double! Yes for the first time in lord knows how many years the Saints go into Saturday’s sellout game at the Gardens against the Tigers with the chance of putting the double over our illustrious neighbours.

After the victory at Welford Road earlier this season one comment from a Tigers fan in the pub afterwards has stuck in my mind, “Are you going to cheer when Leicester win the World Cup?” A somewhat blinkered view considering the final outcome and blindly ignoring the fact that we had beaten a full strength Tigers side on their own turf the season before. Now what sweeter way to finish off the year at the Gardens than by beating Leicester on our patch confirming our position as the top side in the Midlands and shutting up these moaning minnies into the bargain?

It’s a tall order though, the Tigers are finally finding some form, as anyone who watched their Heineken Cup game against the Dragons can confirm. Their England contingent (who partly won the World Cup) are back to do their business for a club that found itself in the doldrums up to last weeks return to form. However instrumental in this upturn is one that stayed at home. Yes Little Austin Healey looks like it’s not just his hair that’s been rejuvenated but his game as well. He looks back to his best with hands, feet and no doubt lip and when on top form he is a constant danger.

So come Saturday forget the game too far at Twickenham in the evening, the Midlands derby is the real match of the day. If you have not got a ticket for the game don’t worry it is also being covered by Sky and everything kicks off at 2:45. So if you are on the terrace with your pint and pastie or in your armchair with your mulled wine and mince pie, enjoy the day as it looks like being a Christmas cracker!

WHOOPS

Yes a big booboo by me in last week’s column in getting my Quinnell brothers mixed up which was so kindly pointed out to me by several alert (and a couple of not so alert) readers. To further confuse matters the lads at Llanelli are raving about the next product off the Quinnell production line, Gavin a powerful No.8 who is predicted to be the best of the lot. But I can only apologise for the mistake.
It crossed my mind to use the monikers attributed to Scott and Craig by some wags in Wales namely ‘Pies’ and Pies Junior’ but after almost getting on the wrong side of Craig in a Richmond pub a few years ago I think from now on I’ll just call them both Sir!

ON THE BUSES

The Saints Supporters Club are running coaches to the Newcastle and London Irish games over the Christmas holiday period. For the Newcastle game on Sunday December 28th, coaches will leave the Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 9am
Adults: £15 Children/Students/OAPs: £10
For the Irish game on Sunday January 4th, it’s a midday start from the VIP car park and prices are: Adults: £12 Children/Students/OAPs: £7
To book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats.
If you are thinking of letting the train take the strain for either of these games, one word of advice. Don’t!

December 11 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
December 11 2003

Well the European Cup started pretty much inconspicuously as far as the Saints were concerned with a narrow loss down in deep darkest Wales on Friday night with defeat at Llanelli Scarlets.

There’s no doubting the better side won but Saints ran them close and could have edged it had the rub of the green gone their way. In the end a try by undisputed man of the match Scott Quinnell, which was dubious to say the least (surely he was offside?) was all that separated the sides.

Had David McHugh seen the deliberate knock on in stopping a Bruce Reihana try more seriously we could have sneaked it at the death but it was not to be.

However we came away with a very valuable bonus point which could prove crucial in the long term for the group, or too secure one of the two wildcard places in the quarter finals.

I was unable to make the trip to the Valleys myself so settled down to watch the game on Sky. Was it just me or was their coverage all ‘Llanelli this’ and Llanelli that’ with us just there to make up the numbers?

The effusive (look it up) Mr Barnes had me fuming by half time. Now theres nothing unusual in that but when they trundled out Jonathan Humphreys as one of the ‘experts’ during the break I almost climbed on the roof and knocked down the satellite dish. Listening to the impartial former Welsh international hooker you would have thought we were at least 40 points down and being played off the park as he slated the team saying we were not that interested in getting a result as much as Llanelli were. What utter tripe! I just hope the lads remember this, especially Wally, when Mr Humpreys visits with Bath later in the season.

It seems even our bonus point was down to that nice Stephen Jones gifting it to us by losing his kicking touch with a new ball that the maestro himself Paul Grayson and Shane Drahm seemed to have little problem with. Strange that.

However Sky redeemed themselves over the next two days as I remained glued to my armchair with the likes of Ian McGeechan, Clive Woodward, Scott Quinnell and Will Greeenwood giving thoughtful analysis alongside the consummate professional Michael Lynagh.

Greenwood is an absolute natural as far as broadcasting is concerned and come his retirement Messrs Morris and Barnes should start looking over their shoulders for the likes of Greenwood and Matt Dawson who seems to be mentioned on Soccer AM more often than Alex Ferguson these days.

After our very own JP appearing in Sky’s Xmas adverts with his ‘slight of hand’ a Gold Black n Green tinted rugby presenter would be worth the subscription alone!
Now where did I put Rupert Murdochs email address?

LOOKING AHEAD

So with an away point pocketed the Saints look forward to entertaining Frances Agen on Saturday. The game looks like it could well be a sellou.t It also looks like it could be one hell of a battle as Agen have a reputation that is ‘uncompromising’ to say the least.

Even before the season started Saracens coach Rod Kafer withdrew his side during a friendly in Agen, yes a friendly, after only 55 minutes as he considered it was too dangerous to carry on after several fights and off the ball incidents.

We also hear that the highlights shown of the clash with Borders at the weekend was only a glimpse of what actually went on. What was described in the media as a ‘card fest’ with the Agen flyhalf sent off for a headbutt was also marred by several outbreaks of violence not caught by referee or camera.

However Agen skipper Jean-Jacques Crenca, who played for France in the World Cup has warned his side they must be more disciplined and step up a gear against a Saints side containing several world champions or they will be punished. Lets hope if they resort to plan A we are graced with a referee that will take the bull by the horns. Please, please please ERC, not Ian Ramage. (Thankfully since writing we hear its 'Paul' Whitehouse)

But that is all on the pitch. Off it, as usual against a French team I’m sure there are new acquaintances to be made with the small number of visiting French fans. With no doubt the usual few hundred suspects going down to Agen in January, for what is always THE weekend of the season, it’s as good a time as any to extend that hand of friendship to our Gallic counterparts – in the very least to find where all the best bars are in six weeks time.

DEAR BILL

Well what a spectacle Mondays parade was in London was. In the acres of red and white there was also a fair smattering of Gold Black and Green along the route including the Gardens own David Percy and his son Will, a junior player for Tows, who were ‘adopted’ by the BBC for the day. Both were followed by Beeb cameras from an early Nether Heyford breakfast then down by train to the main event on the streets of the capital.

As David said it was a once in a lifetime experience and I’m sure it will live long in the memory for a lot of the kids like Will that managed to get the day off school. But I can’t help thinking it was father David who looked like all his Sundays had come at once when that Sweet Chariot passed his way.

Well after Mondays extravaganza Bill (or the William Webb-Ellis trophy to you posh people) goes on a tour of all the Zurich grounds. Unfortunately it looks like our name was last out the hat as dear Bill is not down to visit till January 31st.

Now I know it will brighten a dull mid winters day for all us English Saints but this is the day we play Llanelli a game which could be our group decider in the Heineken Cup. I don’t know about you but as much as I’d like to see William paraded around the Gardens I could see this as being more as an incentive to a team containing 14 Welsh internationals than it is to us.

Indeed a couple of Welsh rugby message boards are crowing about it already as being another example of English arrogance. Seven days later we play Rotherham, wouldn’t this be a far better date for all concerned?

December 4 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
December 4 2003

Well the Gloucester locals don’t call Kingsholm, Castle Grim for nothing. On Saturday for those of a Saintly persuasion the last twenty minutes were indeed grim after such a promising start. The Saints were well in touch, and leading 17-10 at half time.

For three quarters of the game it could have gone either way but when Gloucester brought on their returning front row World Cup heroes in Trevor Woodman and Phil Vickery the screw was tightened and for the last twenty minutes the lads were simply outplayed.

It could have been so much different after two first half tries had silenced a rather muted Shed but it was not to be. After the battle of Piggy’s Patch at the Gardens in early November the game went off without incident and all credit to Sharky Robinson, returning from a two week ban for his part in the earlier dust up, who played the consummate scrumhalf’s game stealing two tries into the bargain.

However my man of the match, no I’ve not been drinking, was Tony Spreadbury who, given the history of the clash, refereed the game with aplomb. My only criticism being he was a touch quick on the whistle for the penalty that ‘robbed’ us of a late bonus point something I think we just about deserved for effort alone.

LOOKING AHEAD

So now we put the Zurich Premiership to bed till Christmas and all eyes turn to Europe once more, the true premier competition. Saints open their campaign this year down in the cauldron, or should that be saucepan, of Stradey Park home of the new Welsh district the Scarlets (yes it’s just Llanelli under a new name).

We travel down with a fine record on Welsh soil in European Competition but Llanelli is undoubtedly the hardest ground in the principality to try and grind out a result.

Added to this the Scarlets will be looking to avenge the semi final defeat at the Madstad in 2000, our European winning season, when a rush of blood to the head of Ian Boobyer in the dying moments of the game allowed Larry to step up and kick us into the final against Munster at Twickenham.

A return of some of the English contingent and a slight step up in gear could see the lads steal a win that even so early in the competition could set down the marker for our group. Here’s hoping.

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Here’s a date for you all scribble down in your brand new 2004 diaries. After talking about Edgar Mobbs in the column a few weeks back I was contacted by the East Midlands Rugby Union with details of this seasons Mobbs Memorial game between the East Mids and the Barbarians. The game will take place on Wednesday 17th March 2004 at 6:00pm at the Gardens.

As a curtain raiser the finals of the Mobbs U10 and U12 finals will take place at 5:15 on the main pitch.

With the game being in the middle of the Six Nations, and the Saints out of the Powergen Cup, it could be an oasis of live rugby in a sea of armchair games and with all proceeds going to youth rugby in the area its an ideal chance to get some fresh air in your lungs and help along those Wally and Bens of tomorrow. So be there!


MEDIA DARLINGS

So it seems that the game in this country is in for a boom time, according to some pundits, after England’s World Cup win. Last weekend saw Zurich Premiership attendances almost reach an average of ten thousand as interest in the game is at an all time high.

It seems a long way from the days when you could see daylight from one end of the Gordon Terrace to the other and if you were unlucky to be the first out the bar you might find yourself playing on the wing.

However this renaissance in the game at the top of the English club level has been building for several years and while underlying growth looks good long term, especially at clubs like the Saints, I am not so sure the interest produced by the heroics of Daws, Larry, Ben and Wally will be that lasting in your average Joe Publics eyes.

We have had a few enquiries through comeonyousaints.com and we hear the clubs phones have been red hot with new (pardon the pun) converts to the game and I’m sure a few will remain members of the rugby family but I am not so sure the national medias new love affair with our game will last.

Their obsession with the roundball game and especially 1966, (when in all truth it was only the Ben and his Uncle George angle that really warranted, and quite rightly so, column inches on the matter) was starting to get a bit absurd in the run up to the final as any tie up with their beloved game was picked over with even the most tenuous link. It almost got the point where I was half expecting the Sun or the Star to suggest England must win because Matt Dawson and Nobby Stiles both wear shorts. Uncanny!

Fair enough footie is our national game but on Saturday I read three nationals, reading from the back page forward as I’m sure we all do, but even after ten pages of soccer it was hard to find anything of note about that’s weekends games apart from the fact that their new darling Jonny Wilko WASN’T playing for Newcastle.

By Christmas I’m sure we will just be another sport, especially for the tabloids, as it is going to be quite hard to find muck to rake over your average rugby player and it will be a cold day in hell before the likes of Jonny even does so much as drop litter. Then no doubt we will be back to wall to wall soccer and the media obsession with certain individuals rather than the game itself.

But perhaps I’m being a bit hard on the hacks of Fleet Street, after all in Japan they simply ignore the main story and cut straight to the chase. After England’s World Cup triumph in Sydney a leading Tokyo newspaper lead with the headline ‘Beckhams Friend Wins World Cup’.

Now we are not quite that bad.............yet!

November 28 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 28 2003

Well what a Saturday! It was certainly a good day to be an English Saint as both the lads at home and down under came up trumps to win crucial games. The Saints, after they had entered the general bonhomie of the day and gifted Leeds a ten point start.

The Saints struck back though with four tries, thirty one points, to secure that extra bonus point before half time. Racking up two more tries in the second half the Saints ran out easy winners to move into second place in the table. With the half way stage of the Zurich season coming next week we stand set fair with the lads returning from Australia but they are going to have a fight to get those Gold Black n Green shirts back. Bruce Reihana and Shane Drahm were again instrumental in the success but my man of the match was young Johnny Howard at scrumhalf. In my opinion he had his best game so far in a Saints shirt and increasingly shows great promise for the future.

So at the final whistle the Franklins faithful went home happy, the English contingent even more so. Our trio of Saints, Ben, Wally and Daws all played their parts in the mornings Rugby World Cup Final. Along with Grays, who sat this one out in the stand they really did their country and their club proud. People may go on and on about Jonny Wilko’s drop goal but it was engineered by one of our own Matt Dawson who, just like he did for the Lions in 97, is getting in the habit of throwing big match dummies and setting up game winning drop goals. On the day the only person to let us down was whoever organised the weather as it threw down bucketloads on both sides of the world but I’m sure most wandered off home on Saturday night a lot more wetter on the inside than out.
All in all though one hell of an unforgettable day that will live long in the memory.

LOOKING AHEAD

This Saturday the Saints travel down to Castle Grim (Kingsholm) for the return game against Gloucester. Unfortunately for most outsiders the home leg will be remembered for all the wrong reasons with the mass brawl and subsequent citings and appeals no doubt casting a shadow over this game. Those at the game, especially those of a Saintly persuasion, will remember it for other reasons such as the thirteen man rearguard action in the second half after some sublime rugby in the first. A repeat of that passion, without the handbags and shenanigans would go down a treat on a cold winters afternoon. Lets hope both sets of players, and which ever referee is appointed, puts the Gardens game behind them and start afresh.

The Saints Supporters Club are running coaches to Gloucester leaving Franklin’s Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 10am.
The prices are,Adults:£13, Children/Students/OAPs:£8
To book places please call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283

For those letting the train take the strain you can travel via Birmingham in just over two hours at a cost of around £24 return.

STATS

The six tries against Leeds takes our tally up to 30 in the Zurich Premiership, an average of three a game so far while we are averaging 30 points each ZP outing. That’s quite a contrast from last season where we averaged just 23 points per game, so as for scoring we are 23% up so far this term. Leading the way are both Bruce and Shane who lead the Zurich try scoring and points tally tables respectively. The downside is we have conceded an average of 24 points per game where last season the deficit was just 17 per game. So if we could just marry last years defence to this years attack we would have each season sewn up by Christmas. But would it be as exciting? I somehow doubt it.

EUROPE

Well at last the governing body of the Heineken Cup, the ERC, has released the times and dates of the first four rounds of this seasons competition. Is it just me or was leaving the bidding for the television rights till the last minute not envisioned to cause problems?
An old remark from Keith Barwell about Nigel and Rupert at the RFU and breweries comes to mind.
As always it seems that with all the sports governing bodies the people that pay their cash week in week out are the last consideration when it comes to organising things. It seems it is always the TV people that call the shots. Of course the clubs hands are tied on these matters too and it must be as frustrating for them as it is us trying to organise travel, accommodation (and for us time off work) at shorter and shorter notice.
The Saints have not suffered too badly this time round with just the Llanelli away game being switched to a Friday for television, which under the old BBC deal it probably would have been anyway, but other clubs supporters have found their games switched to late Sunday afternoon which has caused extra expense and disruption. Indeed this week Ulster even issued an apology to their own and Tigers supporters on the moving of their game from the original Friday night to Sunday lunchtime.
Prior warning and advanced notice could have solved this inconvenience, but no as with everything it’s a last minute rush where the European Cup is concerned.
Now that Sky have secured the rights for three years and we know all European Cup qualifiers when the French season finishes in June, do you think they could get their house in order a lot earlier next year? I’m not holding my breath though.

Now don’t get me wrong I’m quite glad that Sky have secured the rights to the Heineken Cup.
Apart from the regional stations in Wales and Northern Ireland I have never thought that the BBC has done it justice. How often does a pulsating game get to half time and they have to rush off for live shove ha’penny results from Nuneaton or at final whistle, rather than post match reaction straight to incoming football reports with Ron Manager pontificating about his teams 0-0 draw with Crewe Alexandra in Third Division North?

One thing is sure with Sky, they will get their full moneys worth out of the deal and have schedules with around thirteen hours of Heineken Cup rugby viewing each weekend, something that the BBC quite simply could not do. Now I know Rupert Murdoch is not everybody’s cup of tea and you do have to pay through your teeth for the pleasure but I’m looking forward to all this extra coverage. My only problem it seems will be trying to get out the armchair once it all ends each Sunday night.

November 20 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 20 2003

Well we can only look for some silver lining in that grey cloud this week as the Saints mini slump continues with Saturday’s 42-13 loss at the 'Wreck' to Bath in the Powergen Cup. But hey, look on the bright side.

You will not have to scramble around to get tickets for your thirty once a year ‘friends and acquaintances’ who only seem to know you when Saints get to a final. You will not have to worry about being stuck on a boiling hot coach on the North Circular for two hours with kick-off rapidly approaching and no sign of Twickers on the horizon. And lastly you will not have to suffer the bitter disappointment of the last two visits to HQ when we were outplayed by Irish and Glos.

Yes your right, I’m clutching at straws. It’s no consolation at all is it? We were getting rather used to our annual jaunt down to Twickenham despite our run of results hoping that one day our luck would change but alas this season it’s not to be.

As Wayne Smith said post match you could not fault the lads effort but our attack, which had up to Saturday scored 24 tries in nine outings, could not unlock a Bath defence that was kept pinned in its twenty two for long periods of the game without breaking. Unfortunately pressure does not win you games, points do, and to add insult to injury Bath broke away to score three times while we were throwing everything at their line.

However it could have been such a different story. At halftime a missed Shane Drahm penalty and a throwaway interception try was all that separated two very evenly matched sides. Had we gone in at the break 9-9 Bruce Reihana’s try after the restart could have been the platform we needed but all credit to Bath they played with a confidence that reflects their league position and they rode out the storm and secured a place in the last eight running away with it at the end. They go into the hat for the last eight while we just have a few free Saturdays to look forward to. But then, there is always Europe…….

CHOO CHOO

Now I don’t know if the BBC are ever planning to do another series of ‘Great Train Journeys of the World’ but if they are can I suggest they consider the Bath to Northampton ‘Von Robson’s Express’ route for one programme? Like a few hundred others I travelled down to the West Country on Saturday on the clubs chartered train and despite a few hiccups, like broken down locomotives and a tour of Birmingham football grounds along the way, our group of eight, including a chap from Canada going to his first game of rugby, thoroughly enjoyed the day (apart from the result of course). Now I understand some suffered on the return route in carriages with no heat or light and were down to their last shared Jaffa cake on reaching Northampton, only good old Dunkirk spirit getting them through the journey. However I’m sure these are problems that the club can iron out with the charter company because it would be a shame to see this initiative fold after just one bad experience. Indeed the only thing missing for me while I lunched on smoke salmon and Alsace beer was views of Mount Fuji and wildebeest wandering down to the waterholes so if anyone from the Beeb is reading this forget Michael Palin and Clive Anderson, give me a call!

LOOKING FORWARD

Saturday sees the visit of Phil Davies’s Leeds side, one of the surprise packages of last season. Despite being most people’s dead certs for relegation after finishing bottom of the pile the previous term, and after Rotherham were denied promotion to the top flight, the Tykes secured fifth place in the table and a place in the Heineken Cup playing some good enterprising rugby. Indeed the Leeds v Saints game up in Yorkshire was Tykes first win over the us since they came into being with the amalgamation of the Headingley and Roundhay clubs in 1991. Davies made some astute signings over the summer in the likes of Phil Christophers and Aaron Persico but he surprisingly let two of last years outstanding players George Harder and Zak Feanauti move on to pastures new and their season has failed to ignite yet. I’m sure most of you remember the 73-35 cup win a couple of seasons back, well I cannot see that happening again but I would take the Saints to get things back on track on home soil to restore the Franklins faith. It will however be interesting to see what effect a little game taking place down under in the morning has on proceedings.

CLIVES MASTERPLAN

So Clive Woodward’s master plan has almost paid off. Fooling the whole rugby world that England had peaked too early and were scraping past teams that would have been considered mere steeping stones pre RWC (and what a convincing job they did) they line up on Saturday against Australia in the World Cup Final. Now all being well three Saints, Wally, Ben and Daws, should be in the starting lineup so there is a lot of local as well as national pride at stake. With a 9:00am kick-off it is going to be a long, long day however the club will be opening the club bars including the ‘Rodbar’ at 8:30 so you can all watch it on the large screens.

For those that can’t make the Gardens there are around 10,000 (and counting) special licences for pubs and clubs up and down the country so you should all be able to see it somewhere if you want to leave the comfort of your own armchair. Everywhere is bound to be busy as the whole of the English nation, and his brother, come out of the woodwork as closet rugby fans this week cheering on ‘Mark Dawson, Len Cohen and Steve Tompkins’ to hopefully victory. Apologies to all our ‘foreign’ readers but C’MON ENGLAND!!!.

XMAS ALREADY

The Saints Supporters Club are holding their 8th Annual Free Christmas Draw on Friday 29th November at 7.30 pm, in the Sturtridge Pavillion. The draw is totally free to all SSC members but fear not all non members can join up on the night. There are plenty of prizes on offer, including a top prize of £200 up for grabs. You must however be there to stand a chance of winning in other words you gotta be in it to win it! The SSC are hoping there may even be a player or two in attendance to dish out the prizes. So be there!

November 14 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 14 2003

Well that was certainly a case of after the Lord Mayors Show on Saturday as the Saints turned up at the Stoop in body but not mind or spirit to be taken apart by a Quins side that played well but were flattered by Saints inability to get out of first gear till the final few minutes of the game.

We conceded a couple of well crafted but soft tries and there did not appear to be much shape to our game from the off. Frustratingly when we did make room to spin the ball wide it would be three forwards waiting in the wings rather than our rapier backs who have run in a hatful already this season. All in all a very disappointing afternoon that left you feeling hollow and somewhat depressed aftfer the high expectations following last weeks performance.

Now all this is hopefully down (fingers crossed) to a hangover of the previous two weeks rousing wins over Tigers and Gloucester. Some people’s minds could have been on disciplinary matters both internally and externally that must have disrupted the squad’s week but on Saturday we simply were not even at the races. The mindset looked all wrong and maybe it was the Gloucester shadow still looming large and the lads just found it hard to raise their game both physically and mentally after last weeks heroics.

However consistency is the key if you are going to win any silverware and I’m sure Wayne Smith and his team will be delving deep this week to look for the answers but it must be of some concern that we can play like world beaters with thirteen men one week then barely get out of the starting blocks with a full battalion seven days later. I hope the comment I heard from a fellow Saint on leaving the Stoop, that “We’re just the same old inconsistent Northampton” is proved wrong by seasons end. Time, as always, will tell but lets not hit any panic button yet.

LOOKING AHEAD

Was it just me or did we supporters give a below par performance on Saturday too? Granted, there was not a lot to cheer on the pitch but I thought our efforts after last week were a bit jaded too. I know it’s a bit different in the enclosed cauldron of the Gardens but even at the windswept open stands at the Stoop (where you can’t even see Concorde coming in to land anymore) we could not raise more than the odd muted Oh Wendy, by half time we had even given up on them. However Saturday gives us a chance to put that all right.

This weekend we visit Bath for the second time this season in the Powergen Cup and it is the clubs intention to get 1,000 of us down there for the game at the ‘Wreck’. Smudger and Allan Robson put their heads together after the Gloucester game and agreed the Gold, Black and Green hordes can travel to the West Country on the clubs chartered train (dubbed Von Robson’s Express) at a reduced price of £10 standard and £20 in the posh seats. So its party time all the way and hopefully a bigger party all the way home. Call 01604 581000 for further details.

For those not wanting to let the train take the strain the Saints Supporters Club are running coaches leaving the Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 9am. Adults: £13, Children/Students/OAPs: £8
call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283 for details.

As for the game itself it would be good to put one over this years surprise Zurich high flyers after the dismal game down there in September when Saints were caught cold from the off. We will of course travel down as underdogs with their confidence sky high after their recent run. We could however just catch them on the hop.
If it is anything like last years cup game down there we are in for a good day out. So no excuses get yourself down there and make some noise. Might just be the day for a Saints smash and grab raid, or should that be a great train robbery?

BLAIR SWANNELL

Im mentioning Edgar Mobbs in the last couple of weeks I have been reminded of another rather more eccentric Saint and dual international who lost his life in the First World War. Blair Swannell was born in Weston Underwood, near Olney in 1876. In eight years between 1896 and 1904 he played 116 games for the Saints scoring 16 tries. He was an ‘uncompromising forward’ and soon came to the notice of selectors for the Lions, touring Australia and New Zealand in 1899 and 1904. He stayed on Down Under and even played a game for Australia against the famous 1905 All Blacks the following year, the same team that played Northampton at the Gardens later that season.

Now why eccentric I here you ask, well it seems, and I quote from a NZ journal of the day “ (Swannell) being a notoriously dirty player, stood apart from everyone else because his personal hygiene left a lot to be desired. His unsavoury play and unusual hygiene, always turning up to club matches in a filthy, once-white sweater, with badges and dates of all countries he represented on it. His prized possession was an also once-white pair of football breeches, which he refused to wash, and which he wore in every match.”

Now despite all this Blair made the rank of Major in the Australian army and led his own company up the Gallopoli beaches. He died in the assault at Bloody Angle and is buried nearby. It was said of him, shortly before the Battle of Gallipoli began, “he realised he would play this game as he had played Rugby football…with his whole heart”



CONSTABLE SPREADERS & LANDER of HMPS

It seems that Tony Spreadbury is maybe the only Englishman appreciated down under during the World Cup. the ‘Australian’ daily paper saying "Spreadbury possessed that familiar stern-but-fair manner you might expect from the local bobby in an episode of All Creatures Great And Small.”
Now this got me thinking what other refs could we shift sideways into the entertainment world. Well of course Ed Morrison is a dead ringer for Father Ted and Tom & Barbara & Jerry & Margot enjoy the Goodliffe (oh come on, think about it). We could even pass our old pal Ashley Rowden off as the housewifes favourite Alan Titchmarsh but theres one image I cannot get out of my mind. Steve Lander as Mr Mckay from Porridge. The facial expressions, manner and over officiousness is almost uncanny.

November 7 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 7 2003

Well we are finally hitting the heights as the season continued on an ever increasing upward curve after the 30-17, technical knockout, two falls and a submission victory over Gloucester at the Gardens on Saturday.

It was a game that had just about everything but the kitchen sink (although if Glos could have found one I’m sure they would have chucked it at Shane Drahm).

As Jimmy Greaves might have said a decade ago ‘It was a game of two halves Saints’. The first we played some great creative rugby really taking it to Glos from the off. The second we defended like demons.

Now I’m pretty sure the news from the Gloucester Friday evening newspaper had reached Saintly ears by Saturday morning given the way the first try was scored. Andy Hazell had been crowing in print about how he and his teammates were coming to the Gardens to ‘push the Saints all over the park’. Well not quite Andy mate! The Saints pack scored a peach of a try from a driving maul through Chris Budgen (now sponsored by ComeOnYouSaints.Com) that, for want of a better phrase, proved that they really don’t like it up em!

I don’t think I have ever seen the forwards celebrate a try with such enthusiasm before and the crowd almost raised the roof but were only just warming up for what was to come.

You can read the whys and wherefores of the brawl elsewhere and no doubt will for weeks to come but, though not condoning violence on the pitch, I really though it was a defining moment for our team. One in all in, everyone there to help his fellow Saint. As a unit I think all the lads took a step forward and grew as a squad.

The sending off of Sharky Robinson just bonded that Gold Black n Green resolve further and a rearguard action in the second half kept Gloucester at bay by hook or by crook as the clock wound down.

Now I don’t want to get all Shakespearian on you but I know the squad are keen to foster the Band of Brothers tag, well this was true Agincourt stuff with our heavily outnumbered troops using superior guile and wit to steal the day. As Bill the Bard said ‘we'll remember, with advantages, what feats we did that day’. I’m sure many of the team on Saturday will. There is talk already from some fans of that rolling maul having started outside the county boundaries but who would begrudge the players a few embellishments on the truth as the years go by after Saturdays performance?

The Gardens crowd of course played a major part in the victory too. At the end of eighty minutes the rounds of ‘Oh Wendys’ were probably the loudest in the last few seasons with everyone out their seats to celebrate a great victory.
‘Hurricane’ Blowers, who got a standing ovation for getting a yellow card (it was that kind of day) later went out of his way to praise the Franklins Faithful, top man. All in all it was one of the all time great memorable days at the Gardens. And all this on All Saints Day too! I’m starting to think someone up there likes us?



LOOKING AHEAD

On Saturday it’s once more unto the breach dear friends, once more with the trip to Harlequins. The fancy dans of the English game have gone through somewhat of an image change in recent years. Gone are the days when a Quins score was greeted by a smattering of polite applause from their blazered members. Now they have their very own set of ‘elite’ supporters, the Diamond Geezers, who have actually been known to cheer the odd try or two. You may have seen them in their multicheck trousers (looking somewhat like escapees from the Crossroad Motel kitchens) but they do add to the occasion and seeing as Quins have the second best bar in the league, and a team going well, it should be a good day out. The Saints Supporters Club are running coaches to the Stoop leaving the Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 11:30am, prices are, Adults: £11, Children/Students/OAPs: £7. Call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283 for details. For those travelling by train be warned that after eight in the evening it is buses on the route north from Euston. The alternate route changing at Watford and Willseden looks the better and quicker option. See you there!

MORE ON EDGAR MOBBS

I got more feedback on last weeks article on Edgar Mobbs than any other I have written for the Chron. It seems he is still a very popular figure at the club which got me thinking, why isn’t there a permanent memorial to probably one of the greatest Saints at the club? Now I know in their time Messrs Sturtridge, Gordon and Rodber did sterling service for the club but surely there should be something of a more permanent nature at the Gardens to a man that Captained both Saints and England then gave his life for his country? Yes there’s the once a year game against the BaaBaas and the memorial in town but wouldn’t something more concrete in Edgar Mobbs name at the Gardens just add more to the club itself. Perhaps a renaming of the South Stand to the Mobbs if it is not getting a sponsor or maybe even a fund where we could all contribute so a permanent statue could be erected to the great man whilst not taking anything away from the focus and importance of the main pitch side war memorial itself. I would be interested to hear your views on this.

BLACK GREEN AND GOLD

A reader pulled me up last week for calling our colours Gold Black and Green rather than the carved in stone Black Green and Gold. Now I can assure you all it was no mistake or indeed no intended insult to tradition (perish the thought) but being a child of the Gordon Terrace the former is always the one that sticks in my mind from ‘We all follow the Gold Black and
Green’, to the tune of Yellow Submarine, from the old GT choir and although I know I’ll pay the price in the afterlife that’s the ways its going to stay, sorry folks. While on the subject of songs its good to hear a few variants coming into to play from various parts of the ground but don’t you think that signing ‘Are you Leicester in disguise?’ to Gloucester on Saturday was just a touch cruel?

No me neither!

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October 31 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
October 31 2003

Well it’s onwards and upwards this week for the Saints after travelling up to Welford Road to secure a rousing victory over local rivals Leicester for the second season running.

Bruce Reihana sped in with two well taken tries but Nick Beal’s 60 metre drop goal (I’m sure that distance will get bigger as the years go on) was the icing on the Saints cake. Maybe not such an emotionally charged affair as last year when we ended their five year unbeaten home run with our first victory in a decade but a win is a win in the Tigers backyard and hopefully we are now getting into the winning habit after the recent domestic dominance of our dear neighbours

Now of course the victory didn’t go down too well with the Tigers but while the vast majority of their supporters took the defeat sportingly we did get a few jibes and comments on leaving and in the bars afterwards. The opinion was that we only won because Tigers could not choose from a full strength side (conveniently forgetting it was a full strength side we beat last year) and that Leicester were paying the price for England’s RWC campaign in Australia. I was personally asked if I would cheer when “Leicester win the World Cup”.

Now I’m as one eyed as the next man where my team is concerned but I’m not that blind to see that several other teams are in exactly the same position. These others clubs have recruited well to cover holes in their squad and have rode out this disruptive period. Indeed Bath who have lost possibly their three most influential backs in Catt, Tindall and Balshaw sit at the top of the table while three others hit by callups, Gloucester, Saints and Wasps fill the next three slots. Granted Tigers have lost virtually their whole first choice pack but I did not see a whole lot of creativity behind the scrum on Saturday to suggest even the return of Messrs Johnson, Back, Kay etc will turn their season around. Their decline cannot be laid at the feet of Clive Woodward. It could well be the end of an era and as one Tiger supporter suggested that the wheel is starting to gradually turn in the Saints favour. Time will tell but Saturdays victory and Nicks monster drop goal edged it round a touch further.

LOOKING FORWARD

It’s the visit of Gloucester on Saturday Now the boys from Castle Grim (Kingsholm) did the ‘treble’ over us last year with wins both home and away in Zurich Premiership and the Cup Final defeat. To say that we owe them one is somewhat of an understatement but even though Glos are missing the likes of Vickery and Woodman it will still be, as always, a tough and uncompromising battle. No doubt there will be a fair few Shedheads making the journey east to add to the occasion so get there early and shout yourself hoarse.

RENAUD

It was sad to hear that our new signing Renaud Peillard has had to retire from the game after picking up a neck injury so short into to his Saints career. We all wish Renaud and his family well for the future in what must be a devastatingly blow but his plight highlights just what these chaps put on the line for their clubs and countries each week. With this in mind I noticed with some alarm that towards the end of Namibias 142-0 defeat by Australia you could clearly see one of the dog tired Namibian props engaging but not binding at a scrum as he took a breather. Now of course at club and at national level I’m sure the health of the players is paramount, and indeed Renauds injury was just that, an unforeseen accident, but the IRB must seriously look at ending these mismatches at the highest level as it will not only be the scoreboard that is in danger of breaking. Sadly it may take just such an accident before anyone in the ivory towers of the IRB takes notice but the cynic in me says be it Australia v England or Australia v Namibia, they can still sell tickets by the tens of thousand. It makes you wonder if anyone remembers Max Britto?

TOULOUSE LE TREK

While on the subject of players welfare I am sure some of you are aware of the work of the PRA. The Professional Rugby Players Association through its Benevolent Fund helps players who have had to retire from the sport through serious injury and illness. Jarrod Cunningham and our own Andy Blyth have both benefited in recent years. A couple of seasons back a few of us got together and formed The Jimmies End T-Shirt Company (Jetsco) with the aim of supplying small numbers of limited edition shirts with a Saints theme in order to raise money for rugby charities. For the game in Toulouse last season we produced a ‘Toulouse Le Trek’ (geddit?) shirt that you may have seen about. Such was success of the Le Trek shirt with supporters that this week Nick Beal and Jon Phillips will be accepting a cheque from Jetsco for £1000 on the PRA’s behalf. It is intended to run a new design for this years European campaign to raise further funds. I will keep you all posted.

REMEMBER

This Saturday, being the nearest home game to Remembrance Sunday there will be the traditional wreath laying and minutes silence at the Gardens before the reading of those few short lines that say so much ‘When you go home, think of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.’ Its always a very moving occasion and one of those long held traditions that still makes the Gardens that special. Every year my thoughts go not only to family members lost but to ‘one of our own’, Edgar Mobbs.
Having captained both Saints and England early this century Edgar was denied an officers commission because he was considered too old at 32.
However being a resourceful chap he went away and set up his own battalion, the 7th of the Northamptonshire Regiment more famously known as The Sportsman Battalion as many of its volunteers came from local sporting clubs, including the Saints. Despite being wounded on three separate occasions he always returned to action until the Third Battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele in 1917. The battle over 400,000 casualties. Colonel Edgar Mobbs was one of them. Attacking a machine gun post that was holding up his infantry he got within thirty yards before he was mown down in a hail of German bullets. Despite his injuries he managed to write down the location of the post before he died, an action that saved many of his men. It was his final act, his body was never found and he still lies where he fell.
So on Saturday when Geoff Allen reads the time honoured tribute just pause and spare a thought for those hundreds of thousands of Edgars from all walks of life that never made it home.

October 24 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
October 24 2003

Well every week I mention that emotional rollercoaster but I never thought we would be experiencing the highs and the lows of a Saints season within about thirty minutes of rugby as we did on Saturday afternoon against Newcastle.

The team looked down and out at halftime despite still being able to cling onto Falcons shirttails at just two points down as a bigger pack gave them an object lesson in forward power.
However ten minutes into the second half the likes of Archer and Andrews began to wilt and our boys superior fitness began to shine through. From being also rans we quickly grew in stature to become thoroughbreds and ran away with it in the last quarter, even securing a very surprising bonus point. Leading the way was the evergreen Nick Beal, having a bit of an Indian summer in the autumn of his career with two tries taken at pace. Pick of the forwards was young Darren Fox who had the bit between his teeth darting about all over the park. If they can play like that for eighty minutes one week someone is in for the mother of all beatings. Starting on Saturday at Welford Road would a good place to start. Please

LOOKING AHEAD

How times change. We travel through bandit country to Welford Road to play the ‘auld enemy’ on Saturday probably rated by most as favourites.
The Tigers are not having a good time of it at the moment and languish three from bottom of the Zurich Premiership. The World Cup hits them more than most in the loss of players but while others had put their head down and got one with it Tigers are struggling to find any kind of form at present. However all that goes out of the window in Northampton v Leicester games and we all know from past experience that just about any result is possible when the two teams meet. Last year of course we staged that dramatic smash and grab raid with Budges cheeky lineout try igniting one of the all time great days in Saints history. At the end of eighty minutes it was 25/12, all our Christmases come at once! Now my mother always told me never to smile at others misfortune but there were many wide grins that night watching the poor Leicester faithful traipse off home with their five-year home record shattered. But hats off to those Tigers who stopped to shake hands with the Saints fans on the way out, it must have been galling after all those years to lose out to their near neighbours. Lets hope we can all be as magnanimous in defeat if they take our ten-year home record in 2013!

The Saints Supporters Club are running coaches to Welford Road leaving the Gardens at midday. Call Jean on 01604 583283 for further details before the end of today. (Wednesday). For those of you travelling by rail be aware that there could be short notice cancellations and/or changes on the Bedford/Wellingborough line to Leicester.
The alternative route via Coventry looks the better option. See you there!

1stXV MEMBERS CLUB

I was lucky enough, being a member of the new 1stXV Members Club, to attend the post match briefing after recent defeat by London Irish. It’s a great initiative by the club, not only to raise funds for squad projects but also to give us the supporters a chance to see the workings behind the scenes and attend briefings such as this. Smudger (or Smithy as I’ve been told to call him), Lennie Newman, Hynesy and several of the first team squad talked about the days game and were open to questions from the floor. It made a refreshing change to hear them talk quite candidly about where they went wrong, and right, rather than the usual sound bites that you are given through the media by coaches whose hands are tied by protocol. One thing that came across very clearly is how much all these players want to play and do well for the Saints and you really got a feel that the talked about ‘pride in the jersey’ is indeed returning. Newcomer Shane Drahms few words spoke volumes about how he already feels about the club and despite it being a post defeat briefing most left the room with their faith in the playing side of the club enhanced no end.

PROZONE

Another benefit of being in the 1stXV Members Club (no I’m not on commission, but take a look it’s well worth joining) was being able to go along to a demonstration of the clubs Prozone analysis system last week. I work in IT in my day job but I must say it was somewhat of an eye opener.
Prozone is the Big Brother of the sports analysis world. Every players, every movement is filmed, logged and analysed by this amazing software. There is no hiding place as the system recognises various players’ features allowing them and the coaches, to look at individual aspects of their game and work on improvements if needed.
Now this is all well and good and I’m sure the club are going to see real benefits on the pitch long term but I can think of one area where its installation would be much more beneficial. Now if those cameras were installed in the main bar and we all registered our handsome features I’m sure coaching trio of Hynesy, Ratcliffe and Smith would have the halftime and fulltime scrum for Guinness in the ‘Rodbar’ sorted in no time. So is it drift, outside-in or inside-out defence for the bar staff?

WORLD CUP HANGOVER

Well England stuttered slightly but finally overcame the Springboks on Saturday to ease themselves on the easy route to world domination. Now I know we are all not Englishman at the Gardens but the exertions (and no doubt lubrication) of the previous two hours seemed to produce some very lukewarm supporting first half. We only really got going on ‘Oh Wendy’ once the team showed dramatic improvement in the second. In the next two weeks we play the two other biggest supported clubs in the league, Leicester and Gloucester, so improvement all round please boys and girls to drown out those one word dirges. You know it makes sense.

CASHBACK TICKETS

Talking of the Gloucester game the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity which is dedicated to the care of people affected by cancer have fifty Church’s Stand cashback tickets available for the game. A percentage of money raised through the sale of match tickets is returned to the charity.
If you have not purchased your seats yet please consider buying your tickets from this source to help out a very worthy cause.
You can obtain the tickets and further information by either calling Babs Gale at Marie Curie on 01604 442300 or emailing Babs.Gale@mariecurie.org.uk

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October 18 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
October 18 2003

Well a dip on that emotional rollercoaster that is a Saints season this week with the loss to London Irish. It really was just one of those days where we seemed to play all the rugby, Irish played the referee and the referee, well I’m not quite sure what he was playing.

A frustrating day all round but you could not fault the players for effort or indeed point the finger at any individual for mistakes it was just one of those collective days where nowt seems to go right no matter how hard you try. On another day with the rub of the green the Exiles could well have been buried by half time but it was just not to be on Saturday.

One pleasing part of the day was the continued impression that Shane Drahm is making at flyhalf since arriving from Bristol. I know this will be sacrilege to some of Paul Grayson’s admirers (and I guess I’m off John Steele’s Xmas card list already) but Shane is shaping up rapidly as the best No.10 we have had at the club in many a year.
His kicking is top notch and he can create and ask questions of a teams defence with just a shrug of his shoulder as he did when he ghosted through the Irish defenders when scoring on Saturday. Now don’t get me wrong Larry has been a great servant to the club, getting us out of many a hole over the years and I’m not writing him off yet, (we all did that two years ago and on Sunday he played for England!) but Shane looks like he could be the lynchpin of the team for many years to come. It could be very interesting when the lads return from down under but then, just as with Daws, Jonny Howard and Sharky Robinson a little competition for places should raise peoples games all round. That can only be good for the Saints.

LOOKING AHEAD

This weekend sees the visit of young Mr Andrews Newcastle. They come of course without the talismatic Jonny Wilkinson but still have the likes of Noon, Stephenson and Mayerhofler in their backs who can cause all kind of problems. There is no doubt however that they have the most uncompromising second row in the division, probably any division in the universe come to that. The Springboks most capped and most abrasive (now that’s saying something!) forward Mark Andrews teams up with Gardens favourite Gareth Archer in a combination that most people would put money on not completing 80 minutes. Lets hope referee Mr Ashton-Jones is up to task and we do not get another repeat of Mr Archers peculiar kind of floorshow that has seen him get more yellow and red cards at the Gardens than Jon Phillips has had haircuts.

The game kicks off late at 4:00pm on Saturday so that everyone can watch the England v South Africa games on the large screens at the club. I’m sure you all remember the last time we played a late kick off game against the Falcons, lets hope its an omen.
After an afternoon of hurricane force winds when parts of the Saints tented village made their way down Abbey Street the Saints kicked off at 6:00pm against Newcastle in a Powergen Cup semi final in March 2002. The lads booked their place at Twickers playing one of the most complete halfs of fifteen man rugby seen at the Gardens. If we can come anywhere near that display on Saturday all would be well with the world.

THE WALK

I wrote last week about a supporter, Jacka, on our Saints with Heart walk who was sponsored by a group of Tigers fans to wear a Leicester shirt. Taking up the challenge Jacka in turn set up a sponsor race between the two clubs. Whichever set of fans pledged the most to him before Friday evening would earn the right to have their shirt worn. What initially started as a joke soon snowballed and by the end of business over sixteen hundred pounds had been raised. The Saints edged it slightly but in all fairness those down the road had done a sterling job (unlike their team this season) so Jacka wore both shirts on the day. He was however quite surprised to find that the Tigers shirt, one worn by Darren Garforth in a European tie, fitted him like a glove!

As for the walk itself it was a good day all round and we hope to have raised in the region of £8,000 for the British Heart Foundation. All forty walkers, the organisers and the weather all came up trumps and even Anglia television came out to film the occasion. The only dark spot on the day was due to a communication breakdown we managed to lose Maggie Barwell, Keith’s wife, along the way. She was at one end of Blisworth Tunnel while we were all at the other. Happily Maggie and friend made it in later in the day none the worse for wear and we hope it does not deter her too much from taking part next time round at what is now an annual event.

Special mention must also go to two London Irish supporters, Marie and Pete, who joined us on the 16 mile trek, they were the life and soul of the party (who would have thought?) and just goes to show that while other sports may be having problem upon problem at the moment the camaraderie and spirit of rugby is alive and well.

If you still wish to donate its not too late, email coysdc@aol.com for details.

WORLD CUP

Well after all the hype it was good to see the World Cup finally kick off on Friday. Tom Smith made a quiet start for Scotland as they struggled to break down Japan but all four Saints managed to get on the scoreboard for England against Georgia. However listening to ITVs less than impressive commentary you would have thought differently. Despite him leaving the field with an injury that may put him out of Saturdays game Daws returned in several different guises including one where he looked remarkably like Paul Grayson setting Ben up for his first try. I’m also looking forward to seeing that new Saint Steve TOMPKINS when the tournament is over! Now I never thought I would hear myself say this but I almost hanker for the professionalism of Stuart Barnes and Brian Moore.

Its not just the commentators that are under pressure at the RWC. The referees are having an unsure time of it too. Is it just me or are some refs hiding behind the video replays too often? Fair enough there have been some split decisions but overuse seems to be killing off the flow of some games.
At the moment in the Zurich Premiership this facility can only be used in televised games, even the all seeing eye of our good friend Mr Rowden had recourse to call on it on Saturday, but please, please, please do not let the powers that be install this across every ZP clash. I would have been quite happy for an extra half hour on Saturday out in the glorious October sunshine while Mr Pearson deliberated the whys and wherefores but come darkest January I’m not too sure I still want to be standing in brass monkeys weather on the Gordon Terrace at nine o’clock on a Saturday night while Steve Lander decides for the umpteenth time whether a penalty try was grounded or not!


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October 10 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron 4
By Chris Gleadell
October 10 2003

Well despite the early doubts after that loss at Bath a fortnight ago the Saints finally look like they are getting into their stride this season. The victory over Wasps at the Gardens was followed up by a somewhat comprehensive five try, bonus point win over Zurich new boys Rotherham.

Although there was some discontent of the ease of victory and quality (or not) of the opposition by some supporters at the end of the day the Saints can only beat what has been put in front of them. Smudger put it down as the best performance so far this term and it was pleasing once again to see some of those youngsters in the team seize their chance with both hands. The win shoots the Saints up to third, still in touch with surprise leaders Bath who have proved themselves anything but ‘The Shower’ most, including myself, predicted, before season start. Buts the ZP is a marathon not a sprint and after four games Saints are sitting pretty behind the leaders. The Saintly campaign is starting to shape up well.

LOOKING AHEAD

If the Saints have had a bogey side over the last few years it has to be Saturdays visitors London Irish. I’m sure quite a few of you remember that wet Tuesday night in January 1999 when the Saints who had been flying just needed the win against lowly Irish to top the table for the first time several seasons. In a monsoon the Irish walked it with Niall Woods scoring four tries to send the Gardens faithful home in silence.
I know people who still have nightmares (especially my two friends the spread betters) about that Powergen Cup Final. Then came last seasons Gardens clash, a clash in the true sense of the word with the charming Doctor Brendan Venter playing, when Saints were caught cold and were turned over with ease. To say that the win at the Kassam in the cup semi later that season was one well owed was somewhat of an understatement as the Saints ran riot scoring some cracking tries including my pick of the season by Peter Jorgensen.
The big question is, as with any game between the two, which Saints side, and indeed which Irish side will turn up on the day. I’m taking our lads to carry on where they left off at Oxford. See you there.

GET THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK

For a few of us it is not only the game on our minds for Saturday. It’s the day of the Saints with Heart II walk I wrote about two weeks ago. Raising money for the British Heart Foundation two groups of walkers are setting off from Wolverton and Stoke Bruerne en route to the Gardens. One supporter, known to all as Jacka, has found a novel way of raising funds. Through our friends (yes friends!!) at the Tigers website Jacka, a long time Saints member, has agreed to walk the whole distance in one of Darren Garforths shirts if the Tigers bunch can raise more sponsor money for his effort than the Saints clan can. Now despite Jacka raising around £400 so far the Tigers are edging the race by quite a distance as unfortunately everyone in Saints part of the world is already sponsoring someone else. So dear readers, this is where you lot come in. If you’re a Saint and want to prevent this tragedy happening, or indeed if you are a Tiger up there in bandit country who wants to see Jacka get his comeuppance email me at coysdc@aol.com to pledge for your cause. Remember it all goes to help a very worthwhile charity. I’ll let you all know the outcome next week. For those not pledging but going to the game we will also be doing a bucket shake inside the ground on the day so c’mon search the back of that sofa, raid the kids piggy bank and lets us have all that loose copper and silver and that dusty old fiver at the back of your wallet.

HATS OFF TO THE UNSUNG HEROES

Friday sees the start of the Rugby World Cup in Australia. Of course we wish all our lads well. Wally, Daws, Larry and Ben for England and Wee Tam for Scotland not only represent their countries but of course the club itself. How many of you have found yourselves shouting for one of our boys over the years wearing the colours of the ‘enemy’? Looking through the various pullouts in the media this week an article caught my eye about two English players being the best in their relative positions, wing and hooker, in the world. Yes our Ben and our Wally. Now quite rightly both players families and friends and all Saints supporters are proud of the pair but way up there in the pride stakes are Old Scouts rugby club. Both players learnt their trade at Scouts before moving up to the Saints and they can be rightly proud of the achievement. At a time when schools for one reason or another are giving up rugby wholesale clubs like Scouts and many of hundreds of others around the country are now the future of the game and for some kids its the only opportunity to play rugby locally. I played mini rugby in its infancy at Wolverton Rugby Club thirty years ago and the game would not have got off the ground if it was not for enthusiastic individuals giving up their time on a Sunday morning to put the games next generation through its paces. These same people today now hundreds in number carry on this coaching and coaxing for very little more than the love of the game. In their own way looking at the future of rugby they are just as important as your Clive Woodwards and Ian McGeechans. Unsung heroes maybe, but without them no new Wally or Bens on the horizon. Thanks.

WHO ATE ALL THE PIES? NOT SAINTS!

Heard the one about three Saints supporters and their wives who ordered meals in a Rotherham pub on Saturday only to see late arriving locals being fed well before them. When they enquired, most politely, why this was so the landlord threw their first meal back into the kitchen and barred all of them on the spot. Seems you can move rugby teams to footballs stadiums but you cannot educate the locals about the finer sensitivities, taste and finesse of your average rugby follower. So it’s back to the Bus Club and Weedon Road chippy on Saturday night then?

ON A HIDING TO NOTHING

I just can’t win. Last week I reported how one person accused this column of being nothing but a sycophantic praise outlet for the club. Well this week it seems I got the opposite reaction. After expressing my own personal opinion about the main bar closing after the Tigers game the column was branded ‘utter rubbish’ in one irate message to myself. I now realise in some quarters its heresy to either praise or criticise the club, silly me. But its all swings and roundabouts and sticks and stones and all that but I actually great take heart from these attacks. You see now I know I have TWO readers. One thing still worries me though, why wasn’t the column ‘utter rubbish’ in the weeks the club was praised?

CAN YOU HELP THE SCARLETS?

Finally I have been contacted by Les Williams the club historian at Llanelli who is hunting down some missing sections of the clubs past. He is looking for Saints v Scarlets programmes, all played at the Gardens, on 6/10/69, 7/12/68 and 3/12/66.
If you can help please email me at coysdc@aol.com. I would give my phone number but I’m worried my two readers might be on to me.

September 26 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
September 26 2003

Well I knew I should have kept my mouth shut in talking about the joys of an emotional rollercoaster of a season. No sooner had we atarted this seasons big dipper ride and were (almost) scaling the heights at Sale, on Saturday at the ‘Wreck’ it was way back down to earth with a bump.

The visit to Bath did not quite go to plan for the lads and unfortunately it was one of the performances we usually reserve for playing London Irish just about every other season. To be honest, it was dire.
On the day nothing clicked and the team was a pale shadow of the group that fought back at Sale. When Dan Richmond stole one against the head in the Saints twenty two only to see the ball fumbled seconds later and Bath stroll over for the try it just about summed up the day. Taking nothing away from Bath though, they were deserved winners and a much improved and streetwise side than we have seen for the last few years.
However for the Saints its onwards and upwards. I’m sure (fingers, toes, legs and arms crossed) that this was just a blip and the early season kick up the backside we may have needed and no doubt things have been put right on the training paddock this week. Lets hope that Wasps will be on the receiving end of the backlash this week.

Sit down!

Things may be going well for Bath on the pitch but off it they are still beset by problems with their facilities. A strong resistance from certain groups within the city, not wishing them to carry out any improvements, or indeed be in the centre of Bath itself has not helped matters. On Saturday our group, along with the bulk of Saints support, were located in their brand spanking new Virgin Mobile Stand. For a temporary stand, which is all the club is allowed, it’s not bad but the bottom tier has a way too shallow gradient meaning some areas of the pitch are not visible unless you stand up. However on standing up to get our moneys worth we were told by a steward, a product of the Phil & Grant Mitchell school of charm, that standing was not allowed as it ruined the skyline for people living a quarter of a mile away.
Yes I know that sounds daft (and it didn’t stop the very same stewards jumping up and down when Bath scored) but we later found out it was totally true, the NIMBY brigade in Bath had made complaints. Bath may be a heritage site of national importance but does seeing a few distant rugby shirts really make that much difference an hour or so a few times a year?
Now I know it’s easy to point the finger at other clubs facilities when, due to the vision of our very own Uncle Keith, we have the best set up in the league but could you envisage a scenario where Geoff Allen asks the Gardens crowd to keep the noise down as some chap in Kislingbury cannot hear the Archers? No me neither.


Cardiac Club

You may not have heard of the Saints Cardiac Club but it is certainly not a club we would wish any of you to become a member of. Three avid Saints supporters Rob, Bob and Mark were all struck down in the last couple of years in the prime of life with heart attacks. Indeed Mark was struck down while on Saintly duty in Biarritz last season. What most of us thought was a bad hangover, after a night singing in an Althletico Bilbao supporters bar, was far worse. A warning to all maybe?
Thankfully all are now well but their illness set a few alarm bells ringing within the community and the idea of the Saints with Heart walk was born.
Towards the end of last year a group of us did a sponsored round trip walk to the Gardens raising £3500 for the British Heart Foundation.
This year we have set our sights a bit higher with two walks (Saints with Hearts II – The Walkers Stride Back) both heading off to the Gardens before the Irish game on October 11th. Group one, including yours truly, sets off from the sun kissed foothills of Wolverton at dawn meeting up with group two at Stoke Bruerne late morning for the walk into town.
The club have given their full backing and there will be a bucket shake inside the ground on the day.
If you would like to donate, sponsor a walker, lend a hand on the day or even take part yourself please contact me at coysdc@aol.com and I will pass on the details.

Cashback Tickets for London Irish

Being the all round good eggs that they are the club have also supplied us with 100 cashback tickets for the day to raise further funds for the British Heart Foundation.
If you have not purchased your tickets for the Irish game yet please consider buying these with the proceeds going to a very worthwhile cause. Contact Barry Forrestal on 0795 1743744 for details

Predictions, Predictions, Predictions

Of course this the time of year when every rugby pundit predicts their standings for the current season. Most predict Saints to do well, with even Stuart Barnes and Paul Ackford picking us to win the whole caboodle but I was quite amazed to read the expert at gambling website Readabet saying Saints will finish seventh. We may have had that blip on Saturday but seventh!!!.
Now I’m a glass half full kind of chap and every year I think Saints will win the Premiership, the Cup, the European Cup and the Eurovision Song Contest but even the most rabid Tigers supporter (and most of them are rabid) would not have us down as seventh.
When I questioned the logic of the prediction in print and enquired whether the author had been dropped on his head as a baby I was surprised to hear from Richard Cree at Readabet within the hour defending his decision. Fair enough, I thought, everyone is entitled to their opinion till later that day I noticed he had Saracens down to play Newcastle ‘Knights’!
The moral of this story? Parents, watch how you carry those infants this weekend.

And finally.

After the traumas of the last two weeks it will be nice to get back home to the Gardens this weekend for the first game on our home turf. There is something special about getting into the old routine, seeing familiar faces and when Geoff Allen announces ‘Welcome to Franklins Gardens, home of the Saints’ it feels like the real start of the season to me.

See you there!

September 19 2003

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
September 19 2003

As some of you may already know, I started to write a column for the local evening paper, the Chronicle & Echo, this week. Each Friday will will be publishing the column here, but why wait, rush out each Wednesday to your newsagents and get the pretty version.

THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER BEGINS

Well the emotional rollercoaster that is a Saints season started in spectacular manner with the nine try draw at Sales Edgeley Park on Friday night. Those supporters who travelled north or listened to the game via the radio or net were entertained right up till ‘Wee Dram’ hit that last gasp penalty to secure the draw well into injury time. Fingernails will be in short supply come next May if the lads carry on in this style but would we have it any other way? Aren’t those emotional highs and lows what make a season? The lows (only a couple this year please lads) makes those highs taste all the more sweeter. To me it’s all part of being a Saint. Going by Fridays ups and downs we are in for one hell of a season but fingers bitten back to our knuckles.

‘SOMETHING’ AND BREWERIES COME TO MIND

Thank god for the professional backroom staff we have at the Gardens. (there, that’s got me off on the right foot in my first column, but don’t expect it every week).
The shortage of cuticles in the Northants area was not helped by Sales ticketing arrangements for Friday nights game. The Sharks began selling tickets a month ago, but despite money being taken straight from local fans accounts on booking nothing dropped on their doormat in the ensuing weeks. Despite assurances that ‘they are in the post’ postie still didn’t deliver the goods and the fire at the Barrack Road sorting office just added to peoples anguish. One supporter was more worried than most as he had booked tickets for several friends so he contacted Sale direct. After several hours of calls and being fobbed off and disconnected he was dismayed to hear, after they had checked the book (yes the ‘book’) he had not ordered any tickets through them, despite them having HIS cash in THEIR bank account. He finally got into the game after a lot chasing around but we hear this was not an isolated incident.
So next time we have a gripe at the Gardens ticket arrangements remember we are much much better off than some other Zurich clubs.

YELLOW RED OR INDIFFERENT?

The facial injury to Andy Blowers on Friday put a dampener on the evening for all. Despite not being seen by any official, several supporters claim that it was clearly a punch thrown to AB’s head, even the local BBC commentator, forgetting his mike was still switched on post game, muttered ‘how the hell did the touch judge miss that punch?’ Video evidence may of course confirm or disprove this but surely if proven the punishment should fit the crime.
The week before in the not too friendly against Gloucester, Oriol Ripol was punched off the ball. The villain of the piece received a yellow card. The supposed punishment for killing the ball and slowing up the game was treated the same as an action which could end a players career, or worse.
Now referees do a sterling job and I’m not one to question their motives (just most of their decisions on a Saturday afternoon) but I think it is getting all too easy to hide behind a yellow card when a red should be mandatory for such acts.
Last season Matt Dawson was taken out quite blatantly in the opening moments of the Quin’s game at the Gardens. The perpetrator spent ten minutes in the bin, Daws spent a month on the sidelines. Where is the justice in that?


SEE, WE WERE RIGHT ALL ALONG.

Talking of referees, we have been graced by the company of a well known Zurich referee (I cannot tell you who he is but it rhymes with Mashley Sowden) on our site the last few weeks, answering, in good sport, questions on aspects of the laws of the game decision making etc. Accepting an invitation from one of our regulars he spent the Gloucester game standing in C Block of the Gordon Terrace to see things from the other side of the fence.
A good afternoon was had by all as the honoured guest kept us all entertained during the game with an insight on how a ref ticks and why he sometimes comes to decisions which fox the rest of us.
However one thing the ref did agree with was what a better view we had of proceedings from the terrace and even conceded that we all clearly saw a forward pass that on pitch referee Chris White missed. Which beggars this question.
In these days of cost cutting and on the field congestion would it not be more prudent to do away with officials and hand all decision making over to us?
Altogether now, 123 OFFSIDE!!!

A VISIT TO THE PRETTY CITY

So it’s off to Bath this Saturday for all and sundry for the game at the Rec against the once mighty Bath (although going on the last two seasons perhaps they should be downgraded to The Shower). It is always one of the highlights of the season and with the Saints going for a sixth win in a row against Bath, something unthinkable a decade ago, it’s a must go fixture.
For those thinking of letting the train take the strain, you should note that, yet again, buses will be running on the return stretch via London and there is planned rail work on the Birmingham, Bristol route.
However there is an alternative. If you can make the short trip to Oxford, trains run to Bath with a single change at Didcot Parkway. Not only does this cut around two hours off your journey time, giving you more time in the Pretty City, it is about a quarter of the normal price giving you more money to spend in The Boater.

See you there!!!