By Howlin'
August 6 2002

The countdown clock at the top of the message board makes us painfully aware of how long we need to wait to see the Saints in full blooded action again. Or in my case I'll have to wait until 7th September for the real thing (not counting the friendly). I just can't wait! Every day I log on eager for news on new signings or other developments, how's the new stand coming on etc etc.

But hang on a minute we've hardly been starved of rugby during the "closed season". There's been the southern hemisphere tours, the super 12s, the TRi Nations, the sevens.....and in my case at least reruns of Saints videos ! So is it lack of rugby that's getting me all twitchy and trembling in anticipation?

The answer has got to be no.

It must be the need to feel the Frankins Gardens experience again!

So I then get to thinking what does that mean. It must mean something different to all of us but then again something that binds us all together. For me it is not just the game of rugby.

It's getting dressed in the Saints shirt, the multi pocketed trousers to carry beer money, season ticket, mobile phone and programme (leaving hands free to drink beer), getting in the car with my daughter and talking about the opposition as Mrs Howlin drives us to the ground. It's about getting there early, buying a sandwich or pie in the shop over the road, buying a programme, a stroll round the Tetley village on good days, straight to the bar on worse ones. It's about drinking (poor beer) and reading the programme while the bar and ground starts to fill up and the atmosphere builds, meeting mates and chatting about the previous week, the last performance, our chances in the game to come.

Then most of all it's about finally taking our seat , acknowledging the neighbours and cheering the Saints onto the pitch and through another game. A game that can thrill, cheer, annoy or disappoint, but you can never really predict. Then back to the bar, queue for the toilets drink more beer, more chat about the game and then driven back home by Mrs Howlin to eagerly await the next time I can do it all again.

Roll on September.

What's the Franklins experience for you ? Tell us now on the message board.
(But don't keep staring at that clock!)