Northampton Saints
My Mate
By Jazzman
March 9 2011
I first met him back in the early to middle 1990s when I started going to regular Saints games. (My then boss was a season ticket holder in the old main stand and through various reasons was not able to attend every match. I was the lucky beneficiary of this.) My (soon to be) Mate always sat nearby and our friendship developed from a ‘nodding’ acquaintance to a genuine camaraderie.
My Mate
When the Tetley Stand was built, he moved with me and JJ to our seats
above ‘B’ Block and we all made friends with those around us. It was
obvious he didn’t have the best of health, but watching the Saints win
always did him good and I don’t think I saw him happier than on that day
in May 2000 at HQ.
Later when we decided JJ and I to move to ‘C’ Block there was no
question in his mind that he would move too. He was quite happy to
forsake his seat and come and stand with us, exposed to the elements and
with our new friends Mark, Sue, Haley, Ben and Simon. His health had
yo-yoed a bit in the ‘Solly’ era and during our time in Division One,
but success in the Amlin,the LV and in spite of the agony of the playoff
last year the smile was back on his face.
I know for a fact that he has attended every game at FG that we have
gone to and I am sure he has been there at the handful we have missed.
He tells me he goes to most away games too and claims to have sat next
to Smurf while the camera clicks away. He also claims he has shared a
beer or three with St.Marlowe, dined with Uncle Keith, travelled with
ChrisG and even slept with Wilma! (Not sure about the dining claim
though.)
Although I have known him for so long, I know absolutely nothing about
his family or private life. When I have asked about wife, kids or
grandchildren he has just smiled. I am not even sure where he lives
although it is close to the Gardens.
2011 has not been kind to him though and I feel that this may be his
last year as a regular attendee. His health has had a relapse over the
winter and he has said that he feels his condition is terminal. He has a
check-up later this week and hopes the result will keep him going at
least until the middle of April.
Please think of him and if you have religious affiliations please have a
word with your God on his behalf otherwise in a quiet moment perhaps we
will all raise a glass to his memory.
Ah, I almost forgot to tell you his name……..
HOPE
(He says he springs back every year, but I fear this time it may be wishful thinking, but again he may prove me wrong...again?)
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“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
who sometimes lurks around the gardens before a game but always used to slip away once a game started and Hope smiled again.
Unfortunately he has been staying longer lately and seems to be taking up permanent residence.
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Well done sir.
I see him most weekends at Headingley!
Will he be with us this weekend I wonder and what shirt will he be wearing?
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
I always meet doom and gloom in the bar before the match and if they stay there it is ok...........
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Hope springs eternal in the Saintly breast - or something like that.
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