December 9 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
December 9 2004

At last something to cheer and shout from the rooftops as the lads gave everyone of Saintly persuasion all their Christmases at once in the nail biting win over the aristocrats of European rugby, Toulouse at the Gardens on Saturday.

A friend muttered ‘superlative’ when talking about the game as we wandered away from the ground after the resounding victory and what a very apt word to sum up the whole day. As the dictionary says ‘lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing all other; supreme’. Given our season so far, Saturday’s performance was just about superlative in my estimation.

Given our league position no one much outside of the confines of the Saints catchment area were giving us even a sniff of a chance but on the day every player stood up to be counted. The collective will, belief and for want of a better word, desire looks like it has returned by the spade full – I would have said bucket full but I think frustrated Toulouse coach Guy Noves is still kicking that one round the pitch.

All round it was indeed the consummate Gardens day. The team did their heroics on the pitch while the support was back to its very best, loud and proud with virtually the whole stadium joining in choruses of Oh Wendy at times, and wasn’t it strange that no one left early this week!

And what scenes at the final whistle? The roof almost raised off the stands as the place went wild. I’m sure most of you noticed the sole figure of Keith Barwell galloping across the pitch to greet and hug the players, a vast change from the disgruntled Uncle Keith we’ve seen amble across the pitch in the latter days of Alan Solomons reign, certainly more sweetness and light than the fire and brimstone of recent times. If you had popped a trilby hat on his head he would have made more than a passing resemblance to Bob Stokoe when Sunderland won the FA Cup such was his joy.

Following the game new skipper Steve Thompson thanked the whole support which he thought was the best he had seen and heard at the Gardens since he was child standing on the terraces, well it was certainly up there and looking about there were a few misty eyed faces no doubt in relief more than anything else that the Saints, as Geoff Allen quite rightly bellowed over the tannoy, are back!

And to cap it all wasn’t it just great to see Shane Drahm pop over the winning drop goal with the reborn phrase ‘Saintsman’ on the back of his shirt?

NEW FRIENDS

It seems we made some new admirers from the visitors too on Saturday. Its not often an opposition player stays to applaud the Gardens crowd, in fact in the last decade or so I can only remember Biarritz’s Phillipe Bernat-Salles being so gracious but on Saturday French international flyhalf Frederic Michalak took time out to not only clap the Saints players off the pitch but to turn and acknowledge the Saints support too. He apparently commented later that he was humbled by the respect we had given him by the absolute silence during his kicks at goal which also seems to have greatly impressed the Toulouse support, both present and listening at home on Radio Sud. The Toulouse supporters websites this week have message after message about the sporting English crowd and their respect of their players perhaps best summed up in one rough translation “the true spirit of the game is in the English, the beautiful silence at the magnificent cathedral of Northampton that shows us such respect.” There are even suggestions that they might start to adopt the practice themselves. Now for those of that sampled cacophony of sound from the support at Toulouse two seasons back you’ll know that’s a near impossibility but what an honour that some of them think we can teach them a lesson or two about supporting their team.

LOOKING FORWARD

Now we’ve got the home leg out the way its all eyes to France for the return leg on Saturday. Again the ‘experts’, several of whom I’m sure were at a different game from me on Saturday, give us a snowflake in hells chance but as someone quite rightly pointed out on Monday “same team, just a different bit of grass”. In some respects the pressure is off us and certainly on Toulouse. They will be well aware that last year we went to Agen, an absolute fortress in French rugby, and broke a fifty odd game home run and after Saturdays defeat will know we are no shrinking violets but if the lads can carry on in the same vein we could again get something out of this game and by Saturday evening be set fair in the group.

There are an estimated 1250+ Saints supporters making the journey to La Ville Rose for the game so again it should be some weekend. As mentioned before the Frog & Rosbif at 14 Rue de L'industrie, seems to be the muster point for most of the travelling band with the free ‘Saints’ beer an added incentive. Obviously with these numbers the place is bound to get a bit crowded but with the bar being open after the game till 4am try and make the effort to make a visit at sometime.

It was quite some party last time round. See you there.

For those that do see daylight on the Sunday Mark Hazell has finalised the details for the trip on Sunday to watch the local Div2 derby between Albi and Montauban, kick off 3pm. It’s a chance to see another game and spread that Saintly word a little further. Trains are as follows from the Toulouse main railways station.

Depart Toulouse 1135, arrive Albi Ville 1226

Depart Toulouse 1242, arrive Albi Ville 1352

Depart Albi Ville 1817, arrive Toulouse 1920

Depart Albi Ville 1922, arrive Toulouse 2026

Depart Albi Ville 1955, arrive Toulouse 2052

Depart Albi Ville 2151, arrive Toulouse 2250

It is important to note that you do not get off at Albi Madeleine station, as it is outside the town. Albi Ville is more central and is easier to get to the ground from.

As Mark says this will be a local derby with French passion, French flair…and Saints supporters. Enjoy.

So while some supporters are cramming two games into the weekend one group is going a step further and taking in three! A group from The End travel out tomorrow to Montpellier where they will watch ex Saint Gregor Townsend’s side take on Connacht on Friday night. They travel up for the Saints game on Saturday before moving onto Albi on Sunday. That’s some tour.

December 2 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
December 2 2004

Well it wasn't the dream start we all hoped for on Sunday at Kingston Park but at least it looks like a definite step back in the right direction. Rome wasn't built in a day but it was built on firm foundations and it seems the Saints foundation, and indeed salvation, might be the return of a...

defence that saw Newcastle held back for a whole 80 minutes on Sunday without ever really getting a sniff our line.
If the team could sharpen up the discipline and give away less penalties
and we could be on to something.

To give the lads their due however they had only been under the new
regime for four unsettling days and things must have been tough mentally
after all the upheaval following Alan Solomons departure. You however
once again could not fault their commitment to the cause. Confidence in several players return by the bucketload, especially Shane Drahm who on this form could keep new coach Paul Grayson out the side. This week
though I suspect the real work begins and what a prospect for the first
home game for the new coaching team, Toulouse at home.

Saturday's game is about as big as they come. It could be a massive one
for the Saints too. Putting the league behind them till we travel to
Irish on the 27th it's a chance to put our house back in order and start
on Saturday by putting down a huge marker for the rest of the season. Of
course it will not be easy but renewed faith, a return to that Heineken
Cup form and with a full throttle Franklins faithful in top voice Saints
have it well within their means to get something out of this game and be
top of the group by Saturday evening.

The French have a tradition of not travelling well, Montferrand being
the only side to have won at the Gardens in the Heineken Cup and as I
write this on Monday evening the weather outlook for Saturday is bleak, certainly more Northampton than the south of France.

Taking this into account plus the fact that several
Toulouse players picked up injuries in France's loss to New Zealand at
the weekend bringing the number to a dozen or so that Stade have concerns about, including the talismatic Trevor Brennan who definitely misses out (I'm of course turning a blind eye to our own 'mini crisis') it has to be said what fair wind there is could be starting to turn in our direction.

Now I know some of you out there will be thinking I’m clutching at straws but I do honestly believe we have the armoury to get something out of the game, and I just can’t wait for kick off on Saturday. See you there, mes amis.

TOULOUSAIN NIGHT

On Friday, the night before the Toulouse game Paul Shaddick and the crew at The End pub at Southbridge are holding a ‘Soiree Toulousaine’ night. Paul has been in contact with the Stade supporters through the various websites inviting all Toulouse supporters in town to spend a night at his hostelry where there will be a definite French air about things with Toulouse sausages a speciality and money off deals on French beer.
The night gets going at around 7:30 onwards, pop along if you can.

JIMMIE’S RIDDLE

Some of you may remember the Saints wine that the club marketed a decade ago, if my memory serves me right England and Saints fullback Ian Hunter designed the label as part of his day job. Well it may have taken ten years but finally the Saints are going to have their own beer!

But hold your horses you will not be able to sup this tipple in the Rodber, the Sturtridge, the Bus Club or the Foundary it’s a little bit further afield,

I mentioned a couple of weeks back about the Frog and Rosbif a microbrewery/pub in Toulouse, and their offer of a free drink to all who produce their match ticket. Well Rob and the staff have taken things one step further and decided to specially brew a beer to commemorate the visit of the Saints to La Ville Rose in two weeks time. The brew is strictly a one off for the occasion and as you read this there an 800 litre tank of the stuff happily bubbling away awaiting our visit. Rob, who says it will produce around 1400 pints so get in early to avoid disappointment (he’s a good salesman that lad), has been running a competition on the comeonyousaints.com site this week to name the beer and although there is no outright winner so far this weeks working title is Jimmie’s Riddle – for the uninitiated Franklins Gardens is in the St James area of town and Jimmies is one of Saints traditional nicknames, not as Michael Dods thought a chant welcoming new Scottish players to the club. 

So remember to keep your hands on your ticket stub to claim your free pint.
Just don’t have too many and hand it over before you get to the match.

MINI

So okay which one of you is £90,000 lighter this week? According to reports a Saints supporter bid that amount for a special red Mini Cooper that was sold at auction last week. What made it so special that it fetched seven times its list price? Well it had been signed (and sealed to stop it washing off) by several England players including Paul Grayson and Kyran Brackan who organised the auction as part of their testimonial year. Overall over £200,000 was raised with money going to both The Wooden Spoon Society and the Saints Benevolent Fund.
Lets just hope this doesn’t set a new trend. I can understand those people who might want to get the players monikers on their Saints shirts but if people started trying to get Vauxhall Viva’s and Ford Cortina’s pitchside so Wally and Ben could sign them before they put them on Ebay I could see Piggy Powell get awfully dangerous with a pitchfork.

November 24 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 24 2004

So, much change at the Gardens since the last column, this week we enter into a new era at the Saints. The short reign of Alan Solomons is over after just a few months following the eighth Zurich Premiership defeat at home to Worcester on Saturday.

Just why and how it all went wrong is still a bit of a mystery but I have to say I feel a bit sorry for Solly. He came here with a good track record at both club and national level and the comments from some that he was out of depth were way off beam but for whatever reasons his methods bore little fruit at the Gardens and ultimately he has paid the price. I am sure he will find another position, get back on his feet and prove all us doubting Thomas’s wrong. I for one wish him well.

A new coaching panel has been put in place with Budge Pountney and Paul Grayson moving upstairs to join Paul Larkin, Frank Ponissi and Adrian Kennedy in the collective hotseat while the club scours the world for Solly’s replacement. It’s a great opportunity for Larry and Budge though and with a strong internal structure to support these two fledgling coaches they might just be the guys here for many years to come. It would be nice to say lets give these guys some time but time is something we do not have a lot of at the moment so it is straight in at the deep end for the new boys.

The Saints now sit just one point off the bottom of the table and it looks like we are in for one hard slog but to use a very well worn cliché if the lads just take one game at a time I’m sure we have the potential and the personnel to get this season back on track. Number one priority must of course be safety. We’ve proved we can do it in the wins over Bath, Quins and Llanelli, now it’s a matter of adding a heavy dose of positive consistency to the mix starting at Newcastle on Sunday

I am sure you will all remember a trip to Newcastle on a December Sunday three years ago. The Saints were again in the doldrums and John Steele had stepped aside to allow Wayne Smith to take over the mantle of coach. Wayne only arrived in the country that morning from New Zealand but headed straight up the North East and the lads put in the performance of the season winning 28-13 the start of a run that saw us eventually reach a Twickenham final and qualify for Europe by season end. It’s a tall order buts there’s still a lot of rugby out there to be played but I’m certainly more optimistic writing this column than I was this time last week. So its good luck to Budge, Larry and the lads, we’re all behind you, take a deep breath I’ve a feeling we have some exciting times ahead.

The Saints Supporters Club will be running coaches to Newcastle. To get further details and book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, after 6pm, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats required.

GET SHIRTY FOR TOULOUSE

On our last trip to Toulouse you may well remember the Toulouse ‘Le Trek’ T-shirts we had run up for the occasion with the proceeds going to rugby charities. Sales on the shirt in 2003 allowed us to contribute over £1,000 to the PRA
(Professional Rugby Players Association) Benevolent fund. This year we have produced the ‘Le Trek 2’ shirt for the weekend an image of the Moulin Rouge cancan girls playing rugby (see message board for pic), just the thing for the fashion conscious Saints supporter on the avenues and boulevards of Toulouse. You can order the shirts via the Jimmies End T-Shirt Company website at www.jetsco.org

Paul Shaddick is also trying to organize a ‘Toulousain’ night at ‘The End’ at Southbridge for any French supporters in town for the weekend on the Friday before the home game, more details next week.

AWAY WITH THE LIONS?

So whatever happened to Matt Sansome? Matt was the little lad that was born to Saints supporting parents on the day of the European Cup Final in 2000. Matt along with Mum and Dad, Chris and Beth and little sister Lucy have now moved to Matt’s Mums native New Zealand. Dad Chris who is Gold, Black and Green to the core stills keep up with events at the Gardens from afar and still instills the faith in Matt. Now I know it is a few months off yet but I know a few of you out there are looking forward to going to New Zealand for the Lions tour at season end. Chris now owns a car rental business in the land of the long white cloud and has been in touch offering reduced rates to any Saints supporters who may be in need of wheels on their trip down south. You can contact Chris in NZ on 06 757 5255 or email him at newplymouth@rentalcars.co.nz.

Chris is also organizing a ‘Saints Night’ while we are all in Auckland for the last test where it is hoped several familiar ex-Saints will be in attendance. All traveling Saints are of course invited and I’ll let you know details nearer the time. We are also hoping to organize a get together this side of the equator before everyone travels down to New Zealand so people can make contact while they are on tour. We know a lot of people travel in small groups or even alone and a network of Saints might help cut those costs for those day trips, nights out etc, and of course car hire!

WANDERERS

A date for your diaries. According to Chris Wearmouth who covers the Wanderers for the club the much awaited rematch between Saints and Tigers 2nd XV’s takes place on Monday evening (29th) at the Gardens. With over 9,000 turning up to the return game at Welford Road it just goes to prove how popular these games can be so why not pop along and give the lads a cheer.

November 17 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 17 2004

In the two years I’ve been writing this column this has probably been the hardest to write and it’s not been a pleasurable experience. Here we are again, another week, another loss, that’s now seven in a row. Each week we build up our hope, each week we have that hope shattered.

I don’t know about anyone else but for me it’s not so much a feeling of disappointment anymore, that almost seems inevitable, it’s more a feeling of being emotionally drained week in week out. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve asked myself is it all worth it but on Saturday that’s just how I felt at the final whistle. Of course that passes and I’ll be back week in week out like many thousands of others but to say our form is trying the patience of a Saint is an understatement.

What is even more worrying is that we are now hearing from players, coaches and other dignitaries at the club that we have indeed “run out of time”, we are “in a mess” and it’s the “last chance saloon”, but yet again we still have to suffer 80 minutes of frustration each and every Zurich afternoon.

The general opinion on Saturday from a fair few people I spoke to after the game was that the first half was the worst display of rugby seen at Franklins Gardens in many a year. Just when we thought it could not get any worse, it did. We only really fired into life with the introduction of Shane Drahm when all was almost lost and although we almost stole the game we yet again failed to close out the match that was there for the taking. The lineout was a shambles but we still persisted in a kicking game which saw the Irish win the ball on their throw then whack the ball back down into our territory where they knew nine times out of ten they would steal it on our put in.

We still seem bereft of a Plan B when the chips are down but are yet again told it’s down to luck, the rub of the green, the bounce of a ball and no doubt this week a gypsy curse. The Saints have always had the reputation of having a knowledgeable crowd – even the old ‘enemy’ Ed Morrison has stated so – we might not all be as concise as the Paul Ackfords and Stuart Barnes of this world but again talking to many people after the game the general consensus was that its abundantly clear that things are far from okay on the pitch and a lot of it is to do with things that are in our hands not the gods.

So please can we hear less that the game was lost because of XYZ, we’re not falling for it and its wasting time and effort and does little to engender new faces to the support. To put it bluntly people are getting sick of the excuses. Lets have some straight talking, if we are bad say we bad we would respect you for that (that might be a legacy of Wayne Smith but it sure worked). Supporters criticising (apart from those few hell bent on a witch hunt) are not the enemy as was thinly suggested on Saturday, if a lot of people criticise, there is usually a reason for it, it’s not a case of whinging for whingings sake, far from it, it’s people raising their concerns about a club they hold close to their hearts.

I am sure the whole club would feel better for it, a clean slate and a fresh start and a better understanding all round but above all a bit more openness. Let’s get this club out the mire together starting with a win on Saturday.

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LOOKING AHEAD

It’s the first visit in the leagues for Worcester on Saturday and given the closeness in points, and Quins win last week this is yet another must win game for the Saints.

The Worcester supporters have really thrown themselves into the season after making it into the top flight. They endeared themselves to a lot of the Saints support by raising over £2,000 for the recent Saints with Heart fundraising for the BHF and certainly look like they want to play a big part in the ZP supporter’s community.

On the pitch they have perhaps faired better than anyone outside the Worcester area could have expected and already they have a win under their belts so will not be the usual whipping boys we have seen in recent years coming up from Div One.

It could be a tough one and again we must fight tooth and nail for the victory.

So be nice to the Worcester supporters both before and after the game but lads, give their boys hell on the pitch.

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LOOKING EVEN FURTHER AHEAD

Being a bit of a Francophile the games in France are always one of the highlights of the season for me and with the game in Toulouse now less than a month away I’m starting to count the days.

Rob, a Northamptonian in exile who helps run the Frog and Rosbif in the city has been in touch with us once again welcoming all to the bar over the weekend and offers a free beer to anyone who produces their match ticket. It was quite some party in there last time round both on the Friday and Saturday night so it’s worth a visit, even if it’s just to visit my shirt that’s now framed on the wall in there. You can find the Frog and Rosbif on the Rue de la Industrie just north of the city centre.

On the Sunday, as you may have seen elsewhere in the Chron this week, an ever growing group of Saints supporters are planning to spread the entente cordiale a little further and take in another game, the local derby between Albi and Montauban in the French second division. These cultural attaches will be heading off up to Albi mid morning on the train from Toulouse’s main railway station. If more concrete details are available I will keep you all posted. 

November 11 2004

Northampton Saints: Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 11 2004

Did anyone hear a rather large bang in the Northamptonshire area on Friday night? No it wasn’t anything to do with Guy Fawkes, it was the collective sound of the Saints supporters backsides hitting the floor as the Zurich Premiership rug had been pulled out from under us yet again. (Leeds 26 Saints 21)

Just when we thought all was well and good in the world, after the resounding win over Llanelli Scarlets in the Heineken Cup last week, than we are rudely brought back to earth with a bump with yet another loss in the ZP and at that yet another game we should have won.

Ten weeks into the season and we have already lost more Zurich games than we did in the whole of the last term. Our worst run since our relegation season of 94/95. The rumblings from some sections of the Saints support are again starting to gather pace with some calling for heads to roll before it’s too late.

That’s not something I would subscribe too in the current climate as we could well find ourselves in a worse position if any such action divided the club and the talk from some of a dream coaching team of ex-players could in the short term do more harm than good not only to the club but to those being thrown in at the deep end and any possible future coaching ambitions they may have. Much as some would like to believe that returning heroes could save the day the only quick fix can come from the personnel already in place.

One things for sure the spirit can be there by the spade full as we saw in the Llanelli game last week and yet again you cannot fault the guys effort but we still seem to struggle in getting the ball over the whitewash and at times we still seem bereft of ideas which is all the more frustrating given that Scarlets victory.

However being ever the optimist I’m still backing the lads to turn it round but there does now surely have to be a reappraisal of our season and its aims.

The harsh reality is that the Zurich championship is now almost certainly already out of our reach with six defeats so early on. Qualification for next years Heineken Cup now must surely be the main aim, but then isn’t it always? To not qualify would be a disaster not only on the playing side but also as a business and would any of those international players we are rumoured to be talking to be interested in joining a club in the secondary competition? If this were to happen I’m sure those rumblings about drastic measures would be heard above all else at season end.

We now go into a run of three ZP games before our attention turns back to Europe and a double figure haul of points at the very least must be the target. We start with London Irish at home on Saturday, again a must win game. Irish have always been a bit of bogey side for us, indeed they were the only side to win here in the league last year, but all past history means nothing, as does the previous six games, come 12:30 on Saturday we have to throw everything and the kitchen sink at them. We simply have to win, no ifs no buts or we could well entertain Worcester the week after as underdogs. That simply cannot be allowed to happen.

WASPS, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Just what is it with Wasps and the Saints? Not content with Warren Gatland questioning Northamptons selection policies a few weeks back now shy and retiring Lawrence Dallaglio has got in on the act. The former England captain suggests that Saints are doing nothing for the England cause by having Corne Krige at skipper instead of Steve Thompson.

Not that it’s any of his business but just like his boss Dallaglio doesn’t look at himself and his own club before spouting forth. He suggests that Corne is blocking young England hopefuls getting skipper practice but guess who is captain at Wasps? Yes Dallaglio. Now he’ll never play for England again, having given the job up, so will he be standing aside to let a young English player get a grounding in the art of captainship at Wasps. No of course not, it’s a plain case of do as I say not do as I do and if you can disrupt another club into the bargain all well and good.

To his credit, when questioned Wally was very diplomatic on the subject and thanked Dallaglio for thinking so highly of him while making the point that he will learn an awful lot while serving as vice captain alongside Corne just as he had from Pat Lam.

Diplomacy has never been my strong point though so I’ll just put Dallaglio’s remarks down to someone talking out their backside.

THE FALLEN

Tomorrow, the 11th is Armistice Day and I make no apologies in repeating something I wrote about Edgar Mobbs a year ago. On Saturday 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 saw 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.

November 3 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
November 3 2004

Well all is well again in the world of the Saints. We’ve hopped off that terminal ghost train of a season and happily jumped on the merry-go-round and after Saturdays performance against Llanelli Scarlets merry is certainly a very apt word.

It was one of those days at the Gardens that will live long in the memory with almost a packed house and both team and supporters on song. After an early onslaught from the Welsh side the Saints took the game by the scruff of the neck and took the game to the Scarlets virtually sealing the win in five power packed minutes before half time. With first Darren Fox then Wylie Human scoring scorching tries to send Saints in at half time you could almost sense a tangible sigh of relief from the crowd that we were indeed back on track.

Wylie, who is fast becoming a crowd favourite, rounded off the game with a superb Paul Grayson and Bruce Reihana crafted try to put Saints out of sight a couple of minutes before the end. That score almost took the roof off the stands such was the noise inside and at game end the players took a very well deserved standing ovation.

Ben Cohen was back to his best and will be giving Andy Robinson food for thought this week. The Wylie, Bruce and Ben combination seems to work well as a back three unit. The return of Larry at 10 steadied the ship while Sharky at scrumhalf was a thorn in the Scarlets side all afternoon. The forwards had their best game as a pack this season.
Props Chris Budgen and Tom Smith were effective in both the tight and the loose while Damian Browne in the second row added a large abrasive presence we seem to have been missing for the last couple of years.
The backrow of Foxy, Andy Blowers and skipper Corne krige just about covered every inch of the Gardens and didn’t let Llanelli settle all afternoon.

Finally everything seems to have dropped into place. There was no apprehension or visible frustration from the team that we had seen in previous weeks, a great weight looked like it had been lifted from certain shoulders and above all the guys not only looked like they were playing for each other but looked like they were having a great time doing it.

Given the reaction of the crowd and the intensity of the support I think for the first time maybe some of the new guys really now know what it is like to be Saintsman.

Wylie laughing with the crowd, the wide wide grin on Damians face and the way Corne celebrated the last try spoke volumes about them and us as a club. That faith has returned, now lets take that form back into the Zurich Premiership.

A CREDIT TO THEIR CLUB

The fun was not over for some of us at the final whistle as sizable group of Scarlets supporters made their way to the Bus Club after the game. Far from being down after their teams performance they were determined to have a good time whatever. From teens to a 74 year old grandmother who sat at our table, not only were they singing from their own book of songs including Sospan Fach and Calon Lan but they also gave a liberal rousing of our club song and praise for Northampton as being the ‘One team in England’ They encouraged all to join in, anything from hymns and arias to Tom Jones and three hours later they were still at it and everybody both Saint and Scarlet had a great afternoon, my sore throats a testament to that. Given certain problems at last years game not only were the crowd from Llanelli a credit to their club they were a credit their country and the game itself.

On leaving one Welsh chap mentioned to me that despite their loss they had a great time and been made to feel more than welcome and invited us all to meet up with them in the return leg but the thing that I’ll remember was him commenting that in the closing moments of the game the singing of ‘Oh When The Saints’ made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. From a Welshman there’s probably no greater compliment.

SWH3

The night before the Scarlets game there was a final fund raising event for this years Saints with Heart in aid of the British Heart foundation at The End, Southbridge.
Everyone there seemed to enjoy the night but the biggest cheer was when Maggie Barwell, Keiths wife, won a pair of tickets for Leicester Tigers.
There was a good turnout and the raffle and auctions added to donations already made took this years total to over £20,000. A final figure will be published in December but so far we have doubled last years total. A big well done to all involved in the organisation of this years events and an even bigger thank you to those of you who donated.
We are already making plans for events next year, watch this space for details.

LOOKING FORWARD

It’s back to the bread and butter of the Zurich Premiership this week for Saints as they travel up to Yorkshire to play Leeds on Friday night. The Tykes are having a bit of a mixed bag of so far this season but with them going out of European competition last weekend to Dean Richards Grenoble they have just the ZP on their mind and could be a tough nut to crack. However I’m taking the lads to continue their new found form and come home with the spoils.

For those travelling up independently remember to allow yourselves plenty of time given the weight of traffic on the M1 on Friday afternoons.

October 27 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
October 27 2004

Well as the old saying goes a win is a win is a win! It might not have been pretty but Saints are back on the winning trail after edging Glasgow in the monsoon conditions at Hughenden on Sunday.

Given the weather conditions which saw more brooms on the pitch pre match than you would see at a Harry Potter convention and the ball being a the proverbial bar of soap the game was never going to be spectacle of the highest order but the lads stuck at it to grind out the much needed win. A Ben Cohen try after two minutes settled things in the end but the Saints line was never really under threat and the defence held firm and despite what certain some sections of the media would have you believe – Planet Rugby described us as ‘shaky’ - they deserved the win having gone into the game in some peoples eyes as underdogs.

One heartening aspect was that towards the end the boys even started to play like that lost belief had returned as they kept the Glasgow side pinned back in their half to run down the clock, a bit of that early season swagger had come back. It may not be the single game that turns the season round but it sure is a step in the right direction.

There is still obviously a bit of work to do though as we had problems at the set piece that I’m sure will be the focal point for our forwards this week and again we gave away more than our fair share of penalties but we go into Saturdays game at the Gardens in better shape than we were this time last week for that we should be well and truly thankful.

LOOKING FORWARD

So with Saints heading Pool Three in the Heineken Cup it is surely just a case of staying there. If only life were that simple.

On Saturday we can keep that ball European ball rolling with a victory over Llanelli. The Scarlets went down narrowly to Toulouse on Friday night but with the monsoon conditions again being a great leveller it is not easy to read anything formwise from this game. The Welsh side are however not having it all their own way in the Celtic League this season. Champions a matter of months back, they only won two games out of the first block of matches this time round (sounds familiar does it not?).

In the big game stakes we are one apiece in the Heineken Cup. With Scarlets winning the corresponding game last year they sneaked past us in the group and went on to the quarter finals with a victory on a wet dismal Sunday at the Gardens. This win, a week after the heroics of Agen, avenged that semi-final defeat of 2000 at the Madstad, Reading the year we went on to win the whole caboodle and I’m taking the lads to improve on last weeks performance, take another step back on that road to recovery and perform that feat again.

The long term weather forecast does not look good and showers are forecast for the day but I’ll take a 3-0 win in six inches of mud if it takes us into the double header against Toulouse in December still in with a large shout.

Again we supporters can play our part. The last time Llanelli visited we started well but just like the team faded as the afternoon went on and I’m sure anyone listening to the game at home would have thought the second half came from Stradey Park rather than the East Midlands as ‘Sospan Fach’ rang out around the stands. We cannot allow that to happen again so sing your hearts out from start to finish, you get an extra hour in bed this weekend to recover. Talking of hours, remember Saturday is an early, one o’clock, kick off. Turn up at your usual time and we will all be gone, hopefully celebrating somewhere. See you then!

MINES A TREBLE

Hats off to the club for finally acting over drinks prices in the bars. Despite early protestations that everything was tickety boo when compared with other local drinking dens in the area Alan Robson has held his hands up and declared they got it wrong. The introduction of ‘happy hours’ and the permanent reduction in the price of a pint of bitter will go some way to quelling the complaints but I guess the proof of pudding will be in the eating, or should that be drinking.

Of course the main Rodbar is a great facility but I always feel that the club is missing out by not having more seating facilities in there. Yes you can pack them in post match, but it seems most people just have a quick drink then wander off to drink elsewhere. Having nowhere to park your backside, especially those terrace dwellers that have spent the last few hours on their feet, or even having nowhere to just put your pint down for a minute does not altogether add to the welcoming aspect of the bar. You can see by the number of people sitting on the steps in there that there is a demand but who wants to sit on a cold step all night? A few more tables and chairs might encourage more to stay and of course spend more money over that bar especially if the Supporters Club have stumped up their hard earned cash to put entertainment on. You only have to look at the cash going into the tills of places like the Bus Club, The Foundary and the Thomas A Becket on match days to see what the club might be missing out on. Keep that party going in the Rodber and you might just start to get a few converts back from these other hostelries and with them their money. Make a night of it you might get them back for good.

WOULDN'T PASS THE DOORSTEP CHALLENGE

I have said before in the column that I’m quite a fan of the new home shirt design, (and would be even more so if they bought out a supporters version in ‘proper’ material), but like most people the new away shirt leaves me totally cold. I’m still not quite sure what colour it is supposed to be but on the television on Sunday it looked all the world like someone had put a pair of black socks in with them on a hot wash. They looked grey and washed out and not a good advert for the club. I am sure I was not the only who cheered when the team came out in the Gold, Black n Green in the second half. Why we cannot have a Gold version of the home shirt is not for me to guess but I know it would be a better seller.

October 21 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
October 21 2004

Well its seven weeks into the season and as yet I’ve managed to avoid mentioning the emotional rollercoaster of being a Saints supporter. You just knew it wouldn’t last didn’t you?

So far this term its not so much that rollercoaster more a perennial ride on a ghost train. Just when you think there’s surely daylight coming through the next set of doors you’re twisted round and hurled back into the darkness.

On Saturday yet again the lads fronted up went at it full throttle, the raft of injuries were a testament to that, but yet again we seem bereft of a cohesive game plan and Sale took home the spoils. We batter away for 80 minutes, or almost 100 minutes on referee Chris Whites watch, but yet again we come away with nothing. Saints just don’t lose five games in a row, nor lose three games at home so early in the season, nor do we not score tries. Something is clearly wrong at the club and something that surely cannot be allowed to continue.

We are told this isn’t a crisis and we are on the verge of getting it right but for the life of me I, like many Saints supporters, don’t yet see any light at the end of the tunnel. To hear someone just put their hands up and admit, “sorry, yes we’ve got things wrong, we’re trying something else” would allay some fears but to hear each week we are getting things right when we are clearly not doesn’t give much hope at the moment going into Europe. Now however is the ideal time to start putting things right. The Heineken Cup gives us a fresh start and one that should be grabbed with both hands.

The last five games have to be written off, they are history, the points and the early season advantage have now gone, there’s nothing that can be done about that now. What there is now is a chance to go up to Scotland with a clean slate, a fresh mind and the nightmare of the last month consigned to the bin and a new beginning with a return to form at Glasgow. More importantly collective confidence and belief as a team in their own and in their team mates abilities needs to be restored. Team morale is low and what better boost than a victory away in the Heineken Cup.

The Saints have a fine record north of the border in European competition and given the firepower we now have we should win should the boys play to their strengths. Now is the time to get that monkey off their back and look forward to the rest of the season starting Sunday afternoon at Hughenden.

However I suspect to do this and put the demons of the last few weeks to bed there has to be an acknowledgement that some things have not gone to plan rather than us just not having luck on our side. It’s time for people to stand up and be counted. Touch wood, fingers crossed, let’s hope the real season starts here.

SAINTS WITH HEART

One good aspect of Saturday was the success of the comeonyousaints.com organised Saints with Heart III walk for the British Heart Foundation. I think just about everybody who took part in the walk from Wolverton and Stoke Bruerne to the Gardens enjoyed the day, although their feet and joints might not have agreed with that sentiment on Sunday morning. I know as I sit here typing this my ankles are still mumbling ‘never again, never again’.

The fund raising for this year has not finished though. A week on Friday (29th Oct) we will be having a social night at Paul Shaddick’s pub ‘The End’ at Southbridge. Some of you will know Paul from his work at the club and he has kindly agreed to host an evening where we will draw the winners of the various signed shirts you may have seen on us wear on Saturday (yes I was that fool in the London Irish bright green wig) and hold a separate raffle for other prizes including a signed Saints shirt and a pair of England tickets. Most of all though it’s a chance to have a chinwag with fellow Saints and rugby followers while making an extra couple of quid for a worthwhile cause and if a success something we might hold again in the future. Proceeedings start 8:00pm(ish).

THE ART OF SEEING RED

Much as its seen in certain quarters as stepping over the line to criticise referees and their assistants, again we seem to have suffered over a handing out of a yellow card when red should be mandatory. On Saturday Robbie Kempson was felled off the ball, with a punch cleanly seen by half the Tetleys Stand and the touchjudge. The result after consultation between TJ and referee Chris White, was yes a yellow card. Robbie is out of the game for the duration, and potentially longer, the perpetrator got 10 minutes. Two seasons ago we saw this happen to Matt Dawson, Daws a month on the sidelines, Bill Davison who laid him out, ten minutes.

Now clearly this is an imbalance that needs putting right. An act of foul play, and it clearly is considered one if a card is issued, which results in a fellow player losing game time should be treated as an automatic ban lasting as long, if not longer, than the injured player. This might make the serial offenders of the game think twice about such assaults that are plainly premeditated and used to take opposition players out the game and/or intimidate. Yes it’s a rough tough game but as things are with these type of attack it is almost a licence to kill, lets just hope it doesn’t come to that before the powers that be act.

HEINEKEN CUP

Yes it’s the start of the big one again, the biggest club competition in the world, the Heineken Cup and yet again Sky have come up trumps for you armchair supporters.

There are seven games to be watched on the box this weekend including Saints game in Glasgow for those not travelling to Scotland, so sit back and enjoy the following.

Friday Llanelli v Toulouse 19.30, Perpignan v Edinburgh 21.30

Saturday Newport Gwent Dragons v Newcastle 13.00, Stade Francais v Gloucester 15.00, Munster v Harlequins 17.15

Sunday Glasgow v Saints 13.00, Wasps v Biarritz 15.00

Add to this both the NPC and Currie Cup finals live from New Zealand and South Africa respectively and you have a bumper weekend of rugger TV. Just don’t mention this column in any divorce proceedings.

October 13 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
October 13 2004

This is getting to be a bad habit. Another game, another loss, another game we should have won at a canter. It’s not a good time to be a Saints supporter, the feeling is low at the moment. Despondent is not quite the word for it, maybe frustration is nearer the mark.

Of course we’ll all return week in week out to support the team, that’s our part of the deal, but the current run of form is trying the patience of quite a few Saints. You would have to go back a few years to find a sequence of four consecutive losses so assurances that we are gradually getting it right when its plain that yet again we have not learnt from our mistakes, makes that frustration all the more acute. We don’t want to keep hearing how rough those seas are we just want you to bring home that ship.

I am sure in time we can turn it around but time is not something of a commodity at the moment. The Heineken Cup starts in two weeks and by tea time on Saturday virtually a third of the Zurich Premiership will be over. Problems have to be solved and quick but putting your finger on the exact problem doesn’t seem an easy task in itself.

Discussions on the various Saints websites this week point to all manner of things being at the root of our inability to score, most of them contradictory and in some cases downright daft. I don’t profess to be any expert on the game but I just can’t believe this is the same club that ran in 60 tries in the ZP last season and given the possession we are getting we should be running them in by the hatful, but for whatever reason it’s just not working.

You cannot fault the lads for effort, we again, dominated the game with possession and territory but as was said on the television commentary it was all perspiration not inspiration. Where was the incisive running? Where was the mix and match game, the variation. At times we looked like we wanted to walk the ball in rather than take the odd chance at something different that might have unlocked the Sarries defence. There almost seems to be a fear of failure so we keep ball in hand and continue to batter away and run up blind allies. We’re starting to look a pale shadow of the team that ripped Quins apart a month ago but what better way to put things right than to down high flying Sale at the Gardens on Saturday. The teams well capable, we know that, what they need is belief in themselves and our continuing support.

LOOKING FORWARD

So it’s the visit of the Sharks to FG on Saturday. People may talk of the Cueto’s Hanleys and Robinsons but the player I’m most looking forward to seeing is Frenchman Sebastien Chabal. In the nicest possible way, the guy is an absolute monster. He’s like Martin Johnson without the finesse, Dean Ryan without the charm and Garath Archer without the toys and pram all, rolled into one. We’ve got the pack to control him but please lads no one on one heroics, he’ll rip off your head and spit down the hole. I watched him on the television for Bourgoin playing against Stade Francais last season. He was a one man wrecking crew till a quite appropriate card (yes a French ref issued a card) saw him leave the field, then quite simply his team fell apart and Stade walked away with it.

From what I’ve seen and heard he is being that same type of talisman for Sale too this year and is in such fine form he has been recalled to the French squad. He’s at the centre of everything usually right on the limit and it should make interesting viewing should we dominate the set piece as we have in the last couple of weeks.

And it being midweek I am gradually becoming that glass half full optimist again so I’m taking the boys to finally pull things round and get something out of this game, a fifth defeat would be unthinkable, a win would go down quite nicely thank you very much before we break for Europe. Have faith.

SAINTS WITH HEART III

This Saturday also sees the third annual ‘Saints with Heart’ sponsored walk for the British Heart Foundation.

A band of walkers will be setting off at first light along river and canal from Wolverton heading to the Gardens meeting up with a second group of walkers, including Keith and Maggie Barwell and Bernie along the way at Stoke Bruerne.
For the young, and a few not so young, there’s a barge trip through Blisworth tunnel in the middle of the walk while the more hardy of us march, as Saints do, over the hill. We should all be arriving at the Gardens around two. Give us a wave.

There will be a bucket shake at the ground in aid of the fund so please fill your pockets with all that unwanted lose change before you head to the ground and if you’re feeling more generous, stop one of us in the walk shirts and we will happily take your hard earned cash off you on a sponsor form so we can claim the tax back too.

Having raised over £13,000 in the first two walks we are looking to make this a record year and every little bit helps. Dig deep.

DEDICATOR FOLLOWER OF FASHION?

That Stuart Barnes a cheeky so and so. I’m sure a few of you heard his ‘witticism’ on Sunday about Saints supporters, “they may be one of the most numerous and vociferous but certainly not the most sartorial bunch of fans”.
Who is he comparing us too? Leicester, Gloucester or Inter Milan and Paris St Germain? I mean he’s hardly the dedicated follower of fashion himself is he? Always struck me as the kind of chap who penny pinched on his clothing allowance, going for the large boys rather than the adult sizes. And that goatee beard he tried? Well if that was his idea of sartorial elegance then the Three Musketeers look must be coming back.
Lets face it to criticise other peoples dress sense you have to be more Savile Row than Jimmy Saville. Stick to the rugby Stuart, stick to the rugby.

October 8 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
October 8 2004

Well we still cannot get it right on the pitch can we? Five games in and yet another home defeat in a game, given the dominance and possession we had, we should have won by a country mile.

Make no mistake Wasps should have been well and truly swatted. The forwards outshone their opposite numbers in the set piece but when it came down to it we just didn’t have the nous to break Wasps down or it seems to vary our game to overcome or unlock their defence.

Despite running in ten tries in our first two outings we seem to have lost the touch and in all honesty on Saturday it did not look like we were going to cross the whitewash in a month of Sundays. So again its back to the drawing board as it’s clear the lessons of the Gloucester defeat have not been learned. These guys make or break our week and yet again there’s a lot of broken weeks out there. A most frustrating time to be a Saints fan.

LOOKING AHEAD

So on Sunday afternoon it’s off down to the Vicarage, (Road that is) as Saints again try and get their season back on the straight and narrow at Saracens. Yet again we have seen wholesale changes in Sarries personnel over the summer and reading between the lines and the noises coming from Nigel Wray about the expense of club rugby I get the feeling this is there last big throw of the dice before he walks. Despite an early win over Wasps they certainly do not appear to have mastered that double six yet.

If Saints can knit the forward dominance they showed on Saturday with some of their early attacking form they are in with a shout of coming away with the spoils but some mental demons will have to be overcome first after suffering a rare three defeats in a row. After losing their last home games to Leeds and being the first team to lose to Irish at Reading for ten months the Fezheads will be down in the doldrums too and also looking to relight their season. However I’m taking the lads to do some hard thinking this week in their few days off, return refreshed and show us doubting Thomas’s what they can really do and to restore some of that lost faith. Then its just a matter of doing it week in week out. This seasons already shaping into one long sprint!

The Saints Supporters Club will be running coaches to Saracens. They will be leaving Franklin’s Gardens VIP car park at 11.30am. Adults: £11 Children/Students/OAPs: £7
The game is also live on Sky Sports 2.

EMPTY VESSELS AND ALL THAT

That Warren Gatland's got some front hasn't he? The man from Waikato, New Zealand has the cheek to say the Saints are losing their English
identity because some of our squad hail from overseas. This wouldn't be the same Warren Gatland that was telling tales out of school undermining Englands efforts down under on the recent summer tour would it?

No of course not, different chap completely. It just couldn’t be
Warren because it seems the Wasps coach is now trying to promote himself as a
saviour to England's cause.

After Saturdays defeat he pointed out that we have players from here,
there and everywhere while trying to convince us that Wasps have only
Englands best interests at heart.

Well if this we're true I'd say well done Warren old mate, you worry about England,
we'll worry about Saints, but dig a little deeper and you will find Mr
Gatland's arguments don't hold much water.

Amongst others he mentions that we have two Australians in our side,
indeed we do Mark Stcherbina and Shane Drahm. However Shane is now England
qualified and if we are being picky about birthplace where exactly do
Dowd, Leota, Waters, Howley, Abbott, Van Gisbergen and O'Connor
hail from? Not an English born man amongst them whether they may or may
not qualify for England.

Then there is the question of quality. Again Gatland hinted that we are
importing sub standard product into this country to bolster our squad.
Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't the likes of Blowers, Krige,
Robinson, Reihana, Boome and Kempson all played at the very pinnacle of
the game for their respective countries? Could we say the same of Van
Gisbergen for New Zealand, Waters and Abbott for South Africa or
O'Connor for Ireland, all imported players to Wasps? Yes these guys now
have great talent and potential but surely a step down from what you
would call top notch when they first signed on the dotted line for
Wasps.

And as for true quality perhaps Warren should be reminded that at the
moment on the Wasps unofficial supporters website there's a discussion
about a Wasps player who a fair few supporters grade as the worst ever
to wear there clubs shirt. I cannot comment, I haven't seen him play but
one thing I do know is that he joined Wasps a matter of months ago from
Waikato, New Zealand. Is that not the pot not calling the kettle black
if these supporters are anywhere near the mark?

But finally if Mr Gatland really wants to help England perhaps he
should talk his skipper out of early international retirement while he's still in his
prime and maybe stop his scrumhalf from making media appearances on England
training days. Maybe too he shouldn’t let a player of the likes of Paul Volley,
the outstanding flanker in the ZP last year, be driven abroad because
his place was taken by an Irishman. If he did, some might start to
listen until then I'll just note it down as one of Gatlands many
soundbites which may return to haunt him come Six Nations and
international weekends. I'll look forward to it.

AND FINALLY……..

At last, some good news. The Wanderers (Saints 2nd XV) are again blazing all before them in the Zurich A League and really set their stall out on Monday night winning at Welford Road. They beat Tigers second string 20-14 in front of an amazing crowd of 9,209 a record for the A League. Well done lads, lets hope in some way it inspires the 1st XV to go about their business on Sunday.

September 29 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
September 29 2004

If Charles Dickens were to cover the Saints in the Chron instead of Terry Morris he could well have described September as being ‘it was the best of times, it was the worst of times’. Indeed the month was a true tale of two teams.

We started the month well, defending like demons and hitting Bath on the break before popping down to the Stoop to destroy Harlequins in a devastating display of running rugby. However in the last two weeks we’ve gone of the rails slightly.

First Gloucester came to the Gardens and did a job on us while on Saturday Tigers simply blew us away in a depressing second half leaving us in mid table with two wins and two losses in the Zurich Premiership so far. My hope that the Glos game was just a blip on the road the glory has quickly evaporated when in all truth for the last 40 minutes at Welford Road we were not at the races.

Although we are told not to panic and that it’s a long way to go till season end there has to be some concern that our ‘fortress’ home record has already gone and the very manner of the loss on Saturday.

Our much vaunted new look pack, whilst winning lineout ball this week, came up well short and handling errors in both forwards and backs coughed up what possession we could garner straight back to the opposition. All in all a very disappointing day and nothing I saw on Saturday gives me much hope for our season. C’mon lads please prove me wrong.

INSECT REPELLENT FOR YOUR GARDENS

Two losses in a row makes Saturdays game against English and European champions Wasps a huge one for the Saints. People are already calling it a season defining game and by 5:00 on Saturday with virtually a quarter of the ZP gone talk of marathons not sprints might start to fall on deaf ears. We simply have to get something out of this game.

Now Wasps have not exactly started the season in style either, winning and losing two (albeit those two wins are on the trot) so are not yet into their powerhouse mode that saw them leave every other club in their wake last year. If there’s a good time to play them, on their current form anyway, its now.

History is also on our side in this contest. Saints have run out winners in the last three clashes at the Garden a couple of them being very bruising encounters and I do not expect any less on Saturday. Wasps could welcome back both Trevor Leota and Lawrence Dallaglio but the most eagerly awaited player will of course be the return of ex-Saint Matt Dawson.

Whilst its not exactly the return of a prodigal son I am sure the last thing the lads will be wanting to do is to lay on a fatted calf for his return. Whatever the reasons for Matt’s departure, and I’ve heard enough conspiracy theories to fill a whole new series of the X-Files, it’s going to be interesting to see how he deals with not only the emotions of the day but, hopefully more, how he deals with the man that took his shirt, Sharky Robinson.

While all the talk will be of the perceived clash between Corne Krige and Daws I think the number nine head to head will prove to the real battle royal. There’s no doubting that although it would have been a luxury having both Matt and Sharky in our squad, Sharky was the first choice scrumhalf come season end. He was the guy in the driving seat and whilst it would have been good to see them both fight it out for the Gold, Black n Green jersey Saturday could be a winner takes all competition between the guys. It could also hold the key to the game. I’m backing the Kiwi.

ALL QUIET ON THE CORNE FRONT

As I mentioned earlier all eyes on Saturday will be on the perceived Dawson v Krige clash with no doubt some aspects of the media stirring the pot beforehand raking over old coals and autobiographies (which in the long run might burn just as good) trying to build it up into something that hopefully will not materalise.

I have to say I’ve been very impressed with Corne who has certainly done his talking on the pitch rather than off it since he joined the Saints. Week in week out, even in defeat you cannot fault the guys effort and application and he has all but won over just about everyone not only at the Gardens but elsewhere as well.

While I think the furore from Saints ‘supporters’ before his arrival was limited to only a handful of people making a lot of noise (does anyone actually know of a single person that sent their season ticket back?) I too, like many, thought he would be getting a lot of stick from opposition supporters. I have to say I’ve been surprised by the reception he’s got so far especially considering we have already played both Gloucester and Leicester.

On Saturday as the teams were read out I heard just a single half hearted boo for Corne. Of course taking the field for Tigers were Johnson, Healey and Back, all of whom have served lengthy bans for misdemeanours in the past so the Leicester crowd are used to their own pantomime villains but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised there was no more than a mere hint of displeasure. Now there will always be an odd, usually alcohol fuelled, idiot about, we even had one our own shouting at a kick on Saturday but I think our new skipper has rode out the worst he can expect and if he keeps his head down (sorry no pun intended) and carries on with the job in hand he will keep on winning people over week in week out.

DON’T LOSE OUT ON TOULOSE

I am sure the usual thousand or so intrepid souls will be making the annual pilgrimage to France in mid December for Saints Heineken Cup game against Toulouse. A word of warning though, don’t leave it late getting rooms booked. Some of the popular hotels have already sold out and whilst there’s still an abundance to choose from central hotels, yes those near the Frog and Rosbif and the Gandhi curry house, are already charging premium rates in some cases. The club is running an organised trip to the game but if like the majority you are a do it yourselfer book soon to avoid disappointment or a very large dent in your pre-Xmas wallet.

September 23 2004

Northampton Saints: Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
September 23 2004

Well the early season Saints runaway bandwagon took a dent on Saturday. Just when we had convinced ourselves that maybe this was going to be our season Gloucester came looming over the horizon catching us cold to take the thoroughly deserved victory and knock us off top spot in the ZP.

They did the proverbial ‘job’ on us. Studying for hours on how the new Saints ticked Messrs. Melville and Ryan came up with a gameplan that kept us on the backfoot virtually the whole afternoon. No sooner had we made inroads into their territory than the ball popped up to Duncan McRae who pinned us back with some very smart tactical kicking putting us straight back deep into our own half.

Then when we finally fought back to reduce the deficit to one point we suffered the sucker punch of yet another kick from McRae being picked up by Marcel Garvey who slid over the line for the killer try.

Overall though I’m not too despondent about the defeat. Gloucester may have started with (bar Olivier Azam) an inexperienced front row but outside of this they fielded quality in just about every other position and if we needed a reality check now was probably the best time to get it. Yes our lineout was exposed as wanting and the new press defence obviously needs tightening up to stop another player doing a McRae on us but these are things that can still be worked on in their infancy.

Of course its never nice to lose at home. But with new players still learning the ropes a short sharp shock that makes us think twice and still leaves us two points off the summit is preferable to a well bedded and drilled team that losing to the likes of London Irish at home. Time will tell if that early reminder of our non-invincibility pays dividends. I’ve a feeling it just might.

LOOKING AHEAD

On Saturday we travel up to Welford Road for the local derby against the Tigers. We may joke to Leicester supporting friends (yes I’ll admit to that crime) that the games not that important to us anymore now we have won there two seasons in succession. We kid them that to us now its just another ZP game but of course in reality its still one of the most eager awaited clashes of any season.

The clash holds some great memories. The last minute drop goal by Paul Grayson that secured the 15-15 draw in 1998, another monster one from Nick Beal last season that went over the bar a full ten minutes after it left Nicks boot (or so the legend increasingly goes). The memory that caps the lot though was young Mr Pountney’s steal of a try in 2002 when we were the first side to win there in five years. The wool was pulled over the Tigers lineout jumpers eyes and Budge just ambled to the front of the line to stroll over unopposed for the try.

With Tigers having not beaten us now since 2002 and the fact we nilled them here at the Gardens the last time the two sides met, the Tigers will be chomping at the bit for revenge. Going on Saturdays performance it’s a tall order to get anything out of the game but if you look over that as a blip and go on the Quins game form there’s no reason why the lads cannot put in some heavy work on the paddock this week, iron out a few problems and travel up in hope of competing on equal terms.
If they do they’ve every chance of coming away with something from the game.

The game is already a sellout. If you are travelling to Welford Road by rail be aware that the service to Leicester from Coventry is currently out of action and buses have replaced trains from Nuneaton onwards. A better option is to pop over to Wellingborough or Bedford and get a train direct.

The Saints Supporters Club will also be running coaches. They will be leaving late morning from Franklin’s Gardens VIP car park. The prices are: Adults: £9 Children/Students/OAPs: £5. To book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, after 6pm, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats required.

LEAVING EARLY

There has been some talk post match on both the official and unofficial website’s about the ‘mass exodus’ of supporter’s minutes before the final whistle. Of course its up to the individual when they leave but on two counts it just doesn’t seem right to me.
Firstly those leaving en masse like this, block the view of the diehards who are staying till the bitter end of the game especially those at the lower levels including where our disabled fans sit.
Secondly, what message does that send out to the team, especially when on Saturday they were still in the hunt for the spoils while those of little faith sloped off.

One day I’m hoping that after these fair weather supporters have exited the Saints run in three late tries to remind them it aint over till the fat lady sings. However a better suggestion came from a chap online who said it might be an idea for Geoff Allen to remind these people, as he does with silence at kicks, that not only are they doing the team a diservice but they are also ruining the enjoyment of their fellow fans. It might fall on deaf ears but then again it might make a few think twice.

SUPPORT

On the subject of support it wasn’t just the team that underperformed on Saturday, we were very low key in the stands too. Yes its hard to raise yourself when things are not going right on the pitch but I guess the definition of being a supporter is to support and we didn’t pay our part of the bargain either.

After last season finished I was lucky enough to travel down to Montpellier for the French championship semi final between Toulouse and Perpignan. Those that went to Saints Heineken Cup game two seasons ago in Toulouse will know how well organised, numerous and colourful the Stade fans were but though numerous they were nothing compared to the 30,000 Catalans that turned up for the game from Perpignan, They were simply overwhelming.

Their support from start to finish was relentless and unwavering even when their team was behind. Partisan in the extreme they surprised me even more in victory when five minutes after the final whistle they started a chant of ‘Toulousain, Toulousain’ which was soon taken up by all to honour the team they had just defeated. Its the most sporting thing I’ve ever seen or heard and although I’m not suggesting we go to Welford Road cheering ‘Tiger, Tigers’ there’s a lot we can learn from those Catalan fans.
We’ve two massive games coming up and it’s a chance yet again to put down the marker both on and off the pitch so sing yourself hoarse whatever’s happening on the pitch and for everyone’s sake please don’t clear off early!

September 16 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
September 16 2004

So two weeks into the new season and the Gold Black and Green bandwagon keeps trundling along at full tilt with maximum points gained to keep the Saints sitting pretty at the top of the table.

The six tries at Quins kept that 100% record intact and although its early days, and as Alan Solomons stated the Zurich Premiership is a marathon not a sprint, there is an air of expectation and a heightening of the feelgood factor for Saints fans.

Despite an early setback of a Quins try on Saturday the lads soon upped the pace and from minute ten onwards it was one way traffiic and with four rapid scores the game was all but over by halftime. The front row steadied the ship, the second row built the platform while the back row was rampant all over the park. And the backs didn’t have a too bad day either! Every man played his part and then some.

Four players in my opinion come in for a special mention. Damien Browne looks like a real find. The young Irishman looks all the ‘back four’ player that Tim Rodber always threatened to be. He was dominant in the lineout whatever number he jumped at and in the lose he was a constant thorn in Quins side. Young Johnny Howard was thrown in at the deep end when Sharky Robinson went off early in the game but played a solid and enterprising game and certainly looks like he can hold his own at this level.

The other two players are Grant Seeley and Mark Tucker. Wayne Smith rejuvenated several Saints players careers during his stint in the Gardens hot seat, most notably Paul Grayson’s. From what I have seen so far this season Alan Solomons and his coaching team are doing the same for Mark and Grant. I must admit before the season started I had misgivings about our cover at centre should we lose Marc Stcherbina at anytime. However Mark has stepped up to the plate and looks every inch the long term solution.

Grant had probably one his best game in a Saints shirt on Saturday and as a natural No.8 complements the back row of Andy Blowers and Corne Krige. A confidence building run in the team could see him becoming the surprise package of the season and while England look to replace Dallaglio its not outside the realms of possibility that Grant’s in with a shout should he sustain this form.

LOOKING AHEAD

I’m sure the outcome of the game the last time Saints and Gloucester met at the Gardens will live long in people’s memories. Earlier in the week, obviously forgetting about the wonders of the internet, Glos player Andy Hazell told their local paper that the Gloucester team were coming to up to Northampton to ‘push the Saints all over the park’. Of course several Saints supporters saw the online version and alerted the club and the way the lads played I’m sure they all had a copy of the interview tucked in the pocket of their shorts.

They came out all guns blazing, dominating the game with a Chris Budgen pushover try almost taking the roof off the stands. This obviously riled Gloucester and after a few off the ball incidents, including Mr Hazell taking out Shane Drahm very late, a re-enactment of the Battle of Midway broke out just before half time. It’s still a mystery to me today why Mark Robinson was singled out for punishment with a red card but that in itself made the lads raise their game further and in a game that was the definitive game of two halves the lads fought a reargurad action that kept the visitors at bay till the 80 minutes was up.

Lets hope it’s a slightly easier ride on Saturday but Gloucester are one of those sides that either blow hot or cold whatever the season. They have two wins under their belt already but have yet to get in their stride so I’m expecting the lads to come away with the win but the bonus this time round may be a tall order. Unless of course Mr Hazell takes part in any interviews this week.

SAINTS WITH HEART III

A date for your diaries. The third annual Saints with Heart Walk takes place on the 16th October before the game against Sale.

A band of intrepid walkers will be setting off at first light along river and canal from Milton Keynes heading to the Gardens meeting up with a second group of walkers along the way at Stoke Bruerne. Having raised nearly £10,000 last time round for the British Heart Foundation we are aiming to beat that target this year and have called on supporters from all the other clubs to give the fund a boost.

We are going to have a shirt from every ZP club plus Bristol and Bedford sponsored to take part in the walk alongside the fifty or so people walking in Saints colours. Already Newcastle, Bath and London Irish have donated signed shirts to be used on the walk then auctioned while from Tigers Martin Johnson is supplying a signed framed shirt which he will personally present to the winner of a draw at a later date. We are also in negotiations with all other clubs to come up with similar offers, watch this space.

Maggie Barwell has generously offered to become patron of the walk this year and will again be taking part and theres a chance husband Keith may take part too, so if you wish to sponsor someone or want further details please contact me via the email address at the top of the page.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

I have heard some of some daft ideas on motivating teams over the years but Steve Diamond’s idea of giving his side the edge at Saracens really caps the lot.

Before Sundays game against Worcester, on Diamonds instructions, the master of ceremonies asked all Sarries fans to greet the opposition onto the pitch with total silence. How unsporting is that? Now call me old fashioned but isn’t it the tradition to clap the opposition onto the pitch whoever they may be and by not doing so isn’t that a mark of disrespect?

To their credit the vast majority of Sarries fans are up in arms about this and rightly so because at the end of day it will reflect on them when they visit other ZP grounds.

I’m sure however I’m not the only one who thinks this may have exactly the opposite effect. Doesn’t disrespect from the opposition spur teams on that little bit more? Perhaps Steve Diamond should discuss the matter with a certain Andrew Hazell from Gloucester.

September 8 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
September 8 2004

Well that’s not a bad way to kick off a new season is it?. As supporters boiled on the terraces and in the stands the Saints blazed a trail on the pitch running in four tries including one that will go down Gardens folklore.

Despite certain people whinging from the West Country that they had lost the game rather than us winning it, a bonus point win against the team that topped the table last season is an ideal way to kick off Alan Solomons tenure at the Saints.

Yes our fellow supporters from Bath can moan all they want about missed opportunities and Saints living off their scraps but the last time I looked the way the object of the game is to get the ball over the whitewash.

For all their lions share of possession we won this game fair and square on defence rather than attack. They may have had ball in hand for long periods but they just couldn't unlock us till it was all but over and done.

They have a saying at Wasps that goes something like ‘Attack sells tickets, defence wins titles’.If we can defend like that all season we will not be far off the mark both domestically and in Europe.

The four tries were the icing on the cake, built on the foundation of that defence and what crackers they were.
A try apiece for the Rhino and the Coyote on the break before half time set out our stall before Mark Tucker added a third early in the second half but the best was left till last.

I always wince a bit when we run the ball out from under our posts, remembering Harvey flying headlong into one of the uprights a few years back to gift Sale an easy try, but this time the decision and precision were top drawer with the quartet of Stcherbina, Tucker, Rudd and Reihana storming upfield in an interchange of passing and elusive running that put Bruce in under the posts.

It was quite simply the best try I’ve ever seen at the Gardens and no doubt over the years, just like Nick Beals ever lengthening drop goal at Tigers last season, this one will be talked and reminisced about for years to come.

As Geoff Allen said “If this is the new look Saints, I like it!”
I’ll second that.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday sees the Gold, Black and Green army take to the road for the first time this season with the trip to south west London to play Harlequins. We certainly owe them one for the trip down there last season when we went with high hopes but were ripped apart as sadly the after effects of that bruising Gloucester encounter left a physically and mentally deflated Saints side floundering. I’m tipping the boys to up their game this time though and I expect us to edge it by an odd score with the battle of the backrows proving crucial.
I’ve no doubt Mr Vos and Mr Krige will be saving their exchange of pleasantries till after the game, it should be a good one.

With so few away games now played at 3:00pm on a Saturday afternoon, and Quins having the second best bar in the league, it’s a chance for a good social day out with like minded people and if the weather holds a lunchtime or evening spent by the Thames chewing the cud.

After the recent railworks all should be fine traveling down to Twickenham and remember traveling via Willesden and Richmond does make for a cheaper option.
The Saints Supporters Club will be running coaches to Quins.They will be leaving Franklin’s Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 11am. The prices are: Adults: £11, Children/Students/OAPs: £7. To book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, after 6pm, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats.

FAREWELL SIR CLIVE

I’m sure like most people I was a bit dumbfounded by the Woodward affair last week. Now I have the utmost respect for what Sir Clive did for England, we would never have got within a street of winning the World Cup without him but last week he increasingly looked like a chap rapidly losing the plot.

One minute the ZP clubs were the very devil themselves, the next the best thing since sliced bread. He contradicted himself so much at every turn that he reminded me of the character in televisions Fast Show who puts himself in such mental turmoil trying to agree with each side of every argument that in the end he forgets what his name is and where he is.

The press conference on Friday was a veritable comedy of errors too, and may well have been written by the Fast Show cast as well. While Clive lamented that everyone had it in for him the body language of RFU representative Graeme Cattermole spoke volumes as it looked like at any second he was going to bound out of his seat and throttle the hapless Sir Clive mid whinge.

So thank you Mr Woodward for all you’ve done but when it came down to wanting your cake and eating it with us the supporters (and of course the owners) of the clubs you want to plunder every other week picking up the tab its thank you but there’s the door.

At the end of the day you have to consider what the club is there for. For us? Its success to be enjoyed by each and every one of us, player, supporter owner alike or just there to serve the ‘greater good’ of Team England?

Of course in an ideal world there should be a balance and we should be nurturing English talent but Sir Clive wanted to forever further tip the scales of that balance that little bit further forcing clubs like the Saints to actively NOT sign current internationals because they spend half their life away from the Gardens.

Lets hope Andy Robinson, or whoever takes the England job long term builds on the good work already put in place before Sir Clive went off at more demanding tangents and once again there is a climate where its an attractive prospect to have an odd English international complimenting your side. We won a World Cup with that balance and surely can do again but if that balance goes and it means watching a team with players from all over the globe making a better Saints side then give me ‘East Midlands Tribe’ anyday.