On Saturday the sites resident wordsmith, West Mids Sai nt, had the pleaseure of seeing his lad lead out the team as one of the
Saints mascots on Saturday. Here are father and sons thoughts on the day.

The Day Ben led out the Jimmies

The day Ben led out the Jimmies
He leapt out of bed about eight
He rushed in to wake up his father.
The poor lad was in a right state.

He said 'Dad do me a favour,
Stand there. Pretend to be Budge.
I want to practise our meeting
and just what to say to our Smudge'

So we went over one or two greetings
There was soon a broad smile on his face
There were still seven hours till kick-off
So the floor he then started to pace.

'Can we go yet?' he asked his poor Mother
He repeated again and again
She said 'Don't you think it's too early?'
'It's still only quarter past ten'

So he watched a cartoon on the telly
and read Becca's letter once more.
But soon he had lost concentration
And got his kit out of his drawer.

He put on his beloved Saints shirt
He's proud of the Black, Gold and Green.
And on the car aerial ribbons
That by the whole world could be seen.

At twelve o'clock Dad said 'Come on then
Get your stuff into the car
And if we get there really early
We can have one or two in the bar'

Ben shouted 'Come on Dad, please hurry
The journey takes more than an hour'
But soon we had pulled off of the M1
To the welcoming sight of the tower.

We turned into Ross Road in sunshine
And parked in our usual place.
But now Ben began to get worried
Apprehension all over his face.

Mum was given a tour of the Gardens
Her first time this season, it's true
She couldn't believe the new set up
Looking pristine and brand spanking new.

Ben was due in the Jimmy's pavillion
The one where the players all go.
He said 'This is where the boys meet up
For the team talk,' with pride he did glow.

We were met by such a nice lady
She told us that Ros was her name.
We chatted for several minutes
She told Ben to enjoy his fame.

She asked us to go to the tunnel
And meet at a quarter to three
So Ben went back to the village
And there started spending with glee.

A Burger and chips and a Fanta
A key ring, a really nice Fleece
But Mum, true to her station
said, 'Don't get it covered in grease!'

So now the time was upon us
To the Tunnel young Ben made his way
He was given the Match Ball to carry
Yes the ball with which they would play.

The referee came out and checked it
He even gave Ben a big smile.
Ben grinned and looked really nervous
But what an enjoyable trial.

Then into the main stand they led him
To meet with his heroes at last
Wayne Smith said 'Hello' as he passed him
The whole thing just flew by so fast.

Out onto the pitch with the skipper
'It's so loud and it's such a long way'
A proud dad had so many questions
'Come on son, What did Budge say?'

'He asked me my name and he thanked me
For coming to lead out the team'
Who knows Ben might one day be skipper?
I'm his father, I'm entitled to dream.