Close but no cigar

Well done - glad you enjoyed the day if not the result.



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

From what I saw yesterday, with a few tweaks here and there, next season will belong to yourselves.

Really enjoyable day - weather - wot was that all about. I knew that they were Saintly and had devine intervention, esepcially when the snow started when we had the ball and brilliant sunshine when they had it. Blizzard at half time, whistle goes - completely disappears.

Although we might be close and competitive on the pitch with players, we have got a lot to learn about GP standards. It is clear that although close it was not close enough. I was more concerned about not getting our a*se kicked and humiliated like Bristol and Quins. It shows we have come a long way but the signings for next season are key. We didn't play 15 man rugby but we resorted to 8 man rugby and the differences in the backs was noticeable. I rate Chris Ashton but he didn't fire as I expected but no doubt he will wait for Twickers!!

No whistling from any one of the Saints fans when GK was kicking - shows the poor standards ND1 have when Albion or Pirates kick at SP and vice versa. The football and corporate elements definitely spoil it for the rest of us.

Glad to see the toilet Q's were about the same - definitely urinals are the order of the day for any extensions! And we still had to Q - good bit of realism for the moaners of SP.

Bar Q's - Nice big signs and people Q'ing rather than the rabble we end up with. Good to see GP prices at SP and FG

Looking forward to having ref link - interesting the comments about Dale on the website and his performaces GP refereeing a lot quicker but interestingly in the Pirates DVD he does explain to the players what is needed.

Stewarding - was better and more will be needed to cope with 14k at SP.

Mascot - well we will need one Bernie entertained the kids through out.

Now the big CRUNCH - the grandstand tickets £30 or £40 with NO concessions. The club will be seeing the £££'ss signs already but is there any of the SW club ready to pay that sort of money. Looks like a lot will be volunteering to become stewards over the coming seasons - better get my name down quick and avoid the stampede!!

Clearly the gap between ND1 and GP is huge and realistically it is easier coming down than going up. I would suggest that there are not many clubs that can do it and stay up?

I don't think for those of us who did travel to FG and saw the differences will feel comfortable with what we have at SP. I don't feel that we have and internal structure that is ready which means the Captain Mainwaring or LCprl Jones affect "Don't Panic, Don't Panic" will be ready for the next members meeting. When anyone assures me that they have a cunning plan, I think of Balbrick. Lets see and hear it for a change!

Congratulations to PDiddy and the boys they are arriving at the required standard. Well done to the Saints and their fans I had a good laugh in the bar especially when I told the one about meeting them in two years time when we are both competing in Europe and in a Twickers final!!

I add my thanks to the comms guy (Chris?) the stewards and the hospitality staff who made sure I got a reasonable filming position at the end of the ground. However, a big finger to the ITV cameraman who turned up at the last minute and insisted I shifted which meant all three of the Saints tries were scored behind the pillar obscuring my view.

I didn't appreciate his comment that the ITV pay huge amounts of money which was far more important than my silly little training video . . . Could somebody enlighten me to just how much ITV put into ND1?

My normally sunny disposition wasn't helped by the fact that condensation/snow played havoc with my camera so I lost the first five minutes of play - apologies to anyone who sees the (possible) highlights package next week at the Esher game.

Also: Mrs Videoman and her travelling band drank the bar dry of Baileys - note to Saints Bar Staff - if Mrs V. visits again, then a six pack of litre bottles of Baileys may be a good idea. I'll ensure there is ample warning of her ample presence!

Good fans, good stewards, good luck in the Prem.

Videoman.

Chris Wearmouth is the STAR who runs the Press side of the Saints, his Mum was running the press hospitality room!

If I think I know the ITV cameraman you refer to, (Gary) and if who I think it is, I would be very suprised if his attitude was as you suggested, he is a decent bloke.

Great report for us followers but no frequent visitors !

Training Video !

He was probably paid by Saints to give you a bad spot so we can't analyse the video for our trip to HQ.

Connect I don't see why you feel the need to defend a comment by the most humble man on here Videoman. ITV man was obviously an @#$%& !

OK - let's stop this right now. The guy wasn't that bad and I think he too was feeling a bit sore because the official gantry was full of Sky guys.

Let's draw a line - I don't want one of my throwaway lines to cause an upset. Let's face it - I was VERY irritated about mmissing the first five minutes, which ruined my 100% record of getting the action for the coaches in one way or another, so was getting narky about everything else!

Peace pipe offered!


Videomanw

Videoman, yes lets draw a line, I didn't mean to cause any offence!

I know what it is like when (myself working for a 'minor' broadcasting organisation) the 'Big Boys' muscle in, and pull the 'We have rights' card!

As far as I know, ITV do not contribute any money (I could be wrong), to ND1 Rugby.

See you in Two weeks time!

Chaderexe there are concessions at FG for the over 65's e.g £30 tickets are £17.

Also the Stewards are paid at FG and they have taken their NVQ in stewardship which is what we are being asked to do next season. At the moment some of our stewards have had no training at all.

We do not get paid and if we want a seat we pay the differnce of ground price and seat price. We do get a free pasty and cup of coffee. Stewards are asked to be at the ground at 11.30am and keep their jackets on untill everyone has cleared the grandstand no matter what the weather is even a down poor like the game against Nottingham

We will need more stewards nest season as we will have the new covered stand at the south end. Stewart Kennedy is looking now for names for next season

Concerning the £40 tickets. I bet you can't buy one.

This is a theoretical price for tickets in a block that is completely full of season ticket holders.

It is so long since we had a home cup match that is not included in the package I do not suppose we have ever sold one at that price.

Dear and Honourable Chiefs - What a great season we have had. I enjoyed my short stay at Sandy Park (windy, though).

It is good if you win, of course.

But Twickenham is another day, and every time in the last 20 years that I have been to the old Cabbage Patch with Saints, we have lost (I was in Canada when we won the Euro Cup, and could not make it make in time).

See you at Twickers on the big day...


The Saint...

Extended highlights coverage from Anglia

Sorry Videoman but ITV man got his video up on line. I like him now !! hooray to ITVVIDEOMAN.

Note the absence of a VERY LARGE PILLAR!

V.

Videoman, Tell him where to get off you were there 1st so tough luck, possession is 9 tenths of the law. Was the spot reserved for him? If so, was it indicated that it was?