Northampton Saints
News: Support the Saints; Stuff the Council
By oddshapedballs
January 26 2011
While we nearly all may be able to concur with both ideas, let us be clear where our priorities lie. On the second weekend in April, we are going to be playing rugby at home. It will be a new home. Our first priority must be to make it our home from home; a place where our team feels comfortable and wants to play well.
I don't know what sort of atmosphere is generated by the usual inhabitants and their supporters but ours must strive to be half-as-big-again as the usual Franklins Gardens experience. All the effort before and during the match should be directed into generating such an atmosphere.
We don't want to be going anywhere that feels like an away trip. Worse still, we don't want our team playing at a neutral venue.
Please let us make up our minds not to go to be entertained. Let us go to support.
Recall to your mind's eye the spectacle that was the Saints-Munster opener in 2009. The Gardens rocked. Munster fans had got hold of tickets for all four corners of the ground and they sang and sang and sang. When they paused, our anthems came out long, loud and clear. Wendy had a pacy rhythm and a great deal of passion. I'll swear that someone near me was actually singing the tune.
Nobody is guaranteeing the Ulster fans will come in the same numbers as the Monster Men but they will be equally as loud and as passionate. Show our guests respect but make sure that "Oll-stir! Oll-stir!" is a mere aberration in the breeze and that "Come On You Saints!" is the pervasive chant in the north Buckinghamshire air.
St Wendy should rise on a record number of occasions - why not four choruses instead of two? When you are clapping along, remember your voice as well. Nobody will mind if you won't win X-Factor (or even Britain's Got Talent) just get behind the team. It's a bigger ground. It takes more filling with bodies - with noise.
Let us make sure that we have what it takes.
Our squabble with the council has no place in the stadium. Posturing, no matter how well meant or well aimed will have nothing but a deleterious effect on supporters. It would be a distraction.
When Ulster supporters arrive in this neck of the woods, they should be in no doubt that we support our team; that we are not distracted by a bunch of misguided suits that live in a world that thinks Northampton town centre will thrive as a shopping centre while they, Canute-like, hold their hands up against a supermarket. They and their predecessors allowed the town to be ringed by these big beasts some while ago. What makes them think that denying one more in the vicinity of so much new housing is going to suddenly save the town centre? They need to look for other solutions to that particular problem.
The council is an easy target because the things that it says and does are completely at odds with one another. Nothing will be resolved in that direction on or before 10th April.
However, something else will. A quarter final of the Heineken European Cup will be played and a semi-finalist decided.
Rugby heads on!
Concentration!
Discipline!
Go out there and make us proud!
Make some noise!
Support the boys!
Come On You Saints!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:10:23:22:22 by Phil..
Bridesmaids no more.
Just gutted that we'll miss it as one of the Connormen is on tour with the ONs out Ipswich way that weekend.
Heed well.
And when the day comes, let battle commence on the pitch and much boisterous bellowing from the massed ranks of Saints...
Come on you Saints!!
gripes into perspective.
This game is our chance to go one step further - and then who knows ?
So let all concerned heed OSBs wise words and get there however - whatever it takes and then make one hell of a noise.
On that Day Stadium MK must be our patch - a home from home where our lkads can sense feel and hear our support and opponents will tremble ( or Trimble as the case may be )
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