May 20 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
May 20 2004

So the emotional rollercoaster (yes I had to mention it one last time) that is a Saints season came to a shuddering halt on Sunday. And it came to rest not scaling the heights at Twickers as we had hoped but down in deepest Bucks at the, as one Saints fan has renamed it, ‘Lost’ Causeway Stadium.

For half an hour we lived with Wasps and took the game to them but once they had edged their noses in front there was no matching them for pace and power. I said a few weeks ago after the league defeat that they were the best side we had played in a long, long time, now I am starting to think that maybe the are the best club outfit I have ever seen. Once they have got the bit between their teeth they can play on adifferent level to anyone else and are going to take some stopping both domestically and in Europe for some time to come.

At the moment it is something we must aspire too and maybe Alan Solomons and a raft of new signings will take us further down that road. Sadly for a good quarter of the game on Sunday we were light years away.

TEARS FOR SOUVENIRS

The result took a bit of a shine off the last game for several players and of course departing coach Wayne Smith but his tenure cannot be judged on this one game alone and though there must be a niggling thought that he has left a job undone his legacy to the club will be the structure and a return of the feelgood factor that will keep the club in good stead for years to come. I still have a sneaking feeling he might be back one day to complete that task. Good luck Wayne with the All Blacks, (but watch out for those Lions on the horizon!)

So while the majority of supporters were shell shocked at the result thoughts soon turned to those departing. A special mention has to go to an emotional Jon Phillips who, along with the staying Andy Blowers, took time out to come down and see the supporters for one last time. As he wandered down the pitch towards us most of us hardy folk complained of dust in eyes, or someone cutting onions in the vicinity. I don’t think there was a dry eye or a lumpless throat in the house.

FAREWELL DAWS

Its just a shame that the circumstances of Matt Dawsons departure, and his obvious emotional state on Sunday, did not allow the fans to give him the proper send off he deserves after many years at the sharp end for the club. It is going to be strange seeing Matt in an alien shirt next season and I for one wish him well in his new life away from the Gardens. Things will not quite be the same but in Sharky Robinson we have I believe the best scrumhalf playing in the UK and I can only see him getting better, its just a shame that Matt’s not here to fight it out with him for the No.9 shirt.

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS? WELL MAYBE.........

So as one era ends another begins. We now look forward to the wisdom of Alan Solomons to guide us through the next few years. Coming with ‘Solly’ there are a few new faces already signed and rumours of more (as ever) on the horizon. As yet there has been no official confirmation but it sounds like the worst kept secret in rugby that Corne Krige will be a Saintsman next season. The rumoured appointment has divided many supporters on both the clubs official and unofficial websites with some claiming that he is not the kind of player we want at Northampton because of his past misdemeanours citing he is not hard but fair like the Shelfords, Pagels and Rodbers we have had in the past. Well to borrow a phrase aimed at this column last week, poppycock!

While we all view the club through rose tinted spectacles at times we can’t forget that even the mighty Garry Pagel had a blemished record when he joined us. Those of you who followed rugby at the time will no doubt remember the horrific facial injuries a raking by Garrys boot caused to French hooker Jean-Francois Tordo when GP was playing for Western Province. When it happened there was talk of him being drummed out the game but in time a repentant Garry served his ban, knuckled down and got on with his rugby career turning up at the Gardens a few years later to go down in the clubs history.

Now why can’t we cut Corne the same kind of slack and give him a fresh start at Northampton? There is no doubt he is a talented player with the skills that would be a step along the road to emulating then overtaking the likes of Wasps. Sadly some have already decided he is the very devil himself and people are talking about not buying season tickets etc but I’m inclined to say give the guy a break and judge him on his performance in the Gold, Black and Green just like we did with his fellow countryman who we took to our hearts and who went on to become not only a revered Saints legend but a European Cup winner too. In two years time I am sure you would all settle for that?

HUZZAH NEW SHIRTS?

Its not only Mr Krige that the supporters are divided over, the new hi-tech shirt seems to have spawned two polarised camps too. It seems you either love it or hate it. Although there is a fledgling ‘Bring Back The Hoops’ campaign those at the club should not lose heart. Two years ago there was a mini uproar about the current shirts but looking around on Sunday it looked just about the most popular design we have ever had sales wise and I have even seen quite a few of the early anti-brigade wearing the very same jersey.

I must admit I actually like the new design. Not having been a great fan of the last one which I always thought was too green (I opted for the gold away style), this one looks more balanced and smarter.

If they do a supporters version in a more traditional material with a ‘proper’ collar I will be flashing the cash but then again if we got everyone in a figure hugging version (and for those that know me, yes it wouldn’t be a pretty sight) we could probably squeeze another 4,000 people into the Gardens and we could put the new stand on hold. Now theres a thought for the money men?

AU REVOIR
As this will be my last column of the season I would just like to wish you all a glorious summer, happy holidays and I’ll see you all back here in September when hopefully we will be revving up that rollercoaster once more.And remember folks the futures Gold, Black and Green.



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May 12 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
May 12 2004

So at the end of the first stage of the campaign the lads came good, just, and Saints drive for the title carries on for at least another week after the ‘demolition’ of Quins on Saturday at the Gardens.

To say that the score of 18-17 was not a fair reflection of the game was somewhat of an understatement as the Saints pack dominated from start to finish, indeed it has been a long, long time since I’ve seen a Northampton eight steamroller the opposition in such a manner.

Two factors it seems kept Quins in touch. Firstly with Geoff Allen relaying the other score that affected our progress, Bath playing Gloucester at the Rec, across the PA it must have been very hard for the boys to concentrate on the matter in hand and keep their foot on the gas knowing that Glos were getting a real tonking and third place was all but secure. The other factor was the refereeing of Roy Maybank.

Coaches Smith and Ratcliffe, who have probably forgotten more about the game than I’ll ever know, have already questioned his performance but even to the common layman like myself it looked like some of his decisions looked like they had been clutched out of the twilight zone. How a scrum that has been trundled back a dozen yards, failing to get the ball out, still gets the put in at the reset is beyond me. However Mr Maybank’s defence he did ask Quins Andre Vos for clarification of the laws concerning the set piece at every opportunity. Mr Vos was only too keen to help out even breaking off the scrum at times to point out ‘indiscretions’ in our front row. Vos did seem to go quiet though after Cap’n Wally sat on him at the base of a ruck. What a pity Wally couldn’t park his posterior on Mr Maybank’s whistle too.

As the ref kept Quins in the game by negating Saints forward power they gradually clawed themselves back into the game and but for the width of an upright might have snatched an undeserved victory which even their coach Mark Evans commented would have been a big travesty. Luckily Quins late bonus point had no bearing on final positions in the ZP but I am sure if a team had been edged out of the wildcard playoffs they would have had good grounds for complaint.

But on reflection we only had ourselves to blame and should have been out of sight at half time after squandering two or three good opportunities but a win is a win and we end the league season in third, a place in next seasons Heineken Cup secured and a Championship semi final to look forward to this Sunday at the Causeway Stadium.

TRULY IN WITH A CHANCE

In some respects the pressure is now slightly off us as we go into this game. It is the only thing we have to focus on while Wasps, I am sure, will have one eye on their European final against Toulouse a week later. While this in itself could give us an edge, mentally the Wasps players must be in turmoil. Now of course they are all mentally tough professional sportsmen but even subconsciously the thought that an action may result in either an injury or a card that may mean you miss the biggest day in your clubs history must be starting to niggle in some minds. The heavy defeat by Tigers will have done nothing to allay any further doubts they may have after since a fine run over the last six months.

For us it is simply all or nothing with no distraction of a bigger prize on the horizon. We can throw everything and the kitchen sink at this one and remarks from Wayne smith in the post match briefing has me thinking we just might.
Forget the league game a few weeks ago, this is a whole different kettle of fish. We can win this one, and I know I’m repeating myself for the third week running but remember the mantra. Think Agen, Think Agen.

TRUE CHAMPIONS

So our friends from the West Country ended up at the top of the ZP pile come tea time on Saturday and now are shouting from the rooftops that they are the true champions whatever happens at Twickenham and how the playoffs are a farce etc. I must say I don’t 100% agree with the playoffs in their current format as they do not seem well thought out but we all abide by the same set of rules and knew the format at season start. While other sports worldwide use the grand finale system we seem a little more restrained in this part of the planet and are not that keen on change. Indeed one local wag ‘Ajack’ took this theory a step further in suggesting maybe we should go back to the roots of the game when scoring a try just gave you an attempt at goal to score your point. Here is what he posted on the Bath website on Monday morning.

“Regarding the championship I think we all know who are the real champions are. Before people started messing about with the scoring system, leagues, playoffs and all that nonsense it was no points for a try and 1 for a ‘try’ at kicking for goal. So the true champions are Northampton Saints (who topped the conversions table). I am sure all true fans of the game will wish to acknowledge this and not this crazy system we have at the moment. I would like in advance to thank all the true rugby fans down in Bath for their heartfelt congratulations.”

Sadly, not all of them could see the joke. But it certainly made me laugh.

TRUE GENT

I was saddened to see the passing away of Saints legend Jeff Butterfield last week. A fixture in the Saints midfield through the fifties and sixties plus a glowing career for England, who he captained, and the British Lions. My memories of him were not on the playing field but as President of our local rugby club Milton Keynes. Now I don’t claim to have known him well but as a youngster thirty years or so ago playing mini rugby, (very badly I might add), Jeff was one among many who worked behind the scenes getting the mini game promoted in its infancy throughout England by getting us exhibition matches all over the place.

Using contacts in the game one week it could be a game at Wasps, the next some village fete.

The game of course flourished into what it is today and I know of many friends who graduated to the senior game at the club via this route. As the game spread I am sure this is now the case countrywide. As kids we were always a bit in awe of Mr Butterfield, as we called him, being an ex-international and all that but he always struck me as a true gentleman with a word of encouragement for all, yes even us clueless ones.

Geoff Allens tribute to him on Saturday was just about perfect.

May 6 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron

By Chris Gleadell
May 6 2004

So with just one game to go in the regular season everything is still all up in the air after the Saints came back with a blistering second half performance in the Yorkshire sun on Sunday to secure the five point win and to keep us in the driving seat for third spot in the Zurich Premiership. After Gloucester had overcome Wasps on Saturday and edged us down the table the pressure was certainly on the lads to perform at Headlingley. In the first half the jitters started to show as we did just about everything but, (apart from a Darren Fox try), make that final break for the line. Indeed by half time we could have well secured the four try bonus point had we had the rub of the green but it was just not to be and went in at the break trailing the Tykes.

The second period was a different story though as the team regrouped, upped it a notch then ran away with the game with further tries from Nick Beal and a brace from Ben Cohen the first set up with a sublime bit of quick thinking under pressure from youngster Andy Vilk. Andy is not the finished article yet but he shows big, big promise for the future.

The win now leaves us three points clear with just the visit of Harlequins to the Gardens on Saturday to come. The pressure however does not drop and the win is still needed to 100% guarantee our place in the championship playoffs and secure Heineken Cup rugby next season.

Quins have ambitions of their own and will be no pushovers. They need one point from the game to cement a wildcard playoff place but a win may give them a home draw. Rather than having to rely on winning the Parker Pen against Montferrand to secure a place in the European Cup they will be eager to keep all their options open. As we saw earlier this season at the Stoop, on their day Quins are a match for anyone and morale will be high after their win over table toppers Bath but I am taking the lads to ride out the storm and the Saints to be in the Zurich Championship semi by 4:45 on Saturday.

Awaiting us, if we are successful against Quins, will be Wasps or Bath. It has turned out to be quite ironic that the two teams that a few Bath supporters accused of being ‘big game chokers’, Saints and Gloucester, are now the very same teams that have an opportunity to well and truly put the skids under their teams season.

If Glos win at the Rec on Saturday and Wasps prevail over the Tigers, the High Wycombe side will leapfrog over Bath to win the league leaving the West Country side to face either Glos or us (lets hope it’s us!) in the semi final playoff. With Bath having already lost three big games on the trot I would fancy our chances and as Gloucester proved on Saturday Wasps are fallible so the season looks like it could be far from over with a few more twists and turns to come yet.

FAREWELL

With it being the last game of the season at the Gardens we will be saying goodbye to some old faces on Saturday. This week Mark Connors announced he will be the latest to leave as he takes up an option to play out his career in Japan. There is also talk that James Brooks, Matt Miles and Oriol Ripol will be moving off to pastures new at season end and with the likes of Nick Beal, Jon Phillips, Steve Williams and John Leslie already confirming their departure it will be a emotional time for the lads so give them all an extra cheer and I’m sure you will join me in wishing them all the best for future. As the old adage goes, once a Saint, always a Saint.

......AND AU REVOIR SMUDGER

Saturday will also be the last time (for now anyway) that Wayne Smith takes charge of a team at the Gardens. In the three years that Wayne has been at the club things have only changed for the good. Maybe no silverware (yet!), but things behind the scenes have changed immeasurably and the oft talked pride in the jersey and the feeling of one big Saints family at the club has returned and although everyone should be praised for their part and effort in this I am sure without the driving force of Wayne most of this would simply not have happened. Lets hope the structure, systems and initiatives that have been put into place during his tenure are here and working positively long, long after he leaves.

You only have to look back to the mess we were in before his arrival and the position we are now in to see that he has been a massive influence not only on where the club are at present but what happens here in years to come. So best of luck Wayne with the All Blacks, (at least until we come over with the Lions). I’m sure that Uncle Keith will always keep an empty chair at that Saints family table for you.

HUZZAH FOR THE FANS

Finally, and I know this sounds a bit self congratulatory, lets give one big cheer for us the fans! On Sunday we were just immense. In a crowd of just over four thousand we almost outnumbered the home support and certainly outsung them from start to finish. It was a real Gardens, home from home. To take an estimated 1500 people to an away game a hundred or so miles on a Sunday afternoon is impressive to say the least. Just like in Agen and countless times at the Gardens we proved that when we get it together we are the best supported club in the land bar none.

Other clubs may turn up in their hundreds and chant their teams name endlessly from start to finish but I would like to think we do it with a bit of humour too. My biggest cheer goes to those fans, mostly from the SSC, who turned up on Sunday in their Hawaiian gear, they really looked like they had made a party of it from start to finish. One chap who I always thought the shy and retiring type did a rip curling display on his surfboard at pitch side to the cheers of the crowd while the girls who had made tops out of seashells made a sight I am sure that Yorkshire has not seen in many a year on a Sunday afternoon. Well done to all and keep it up!