By Mark H & You
July 15 2003

Right, for those of you still awake, here’s the final part of the poll. After the announcement from the IRB that they were looking at alternative venues for the 2011 World Cup, let’s start off with one of Old Pete’s questions:- How long before the IRB stage a World Cup in the USA?

2011 - 15.38%
2015 - 15.38%
2019 - 7.69%
2023 or greater - 7.69%
Never - 30.77%
Would love to see it - 3.85%
Unspecified timescale - 19.23%

I knew this would be the question with the most debate on it, with no-one being indifferent on the issue, from the greatly in support, to those who thought that it would destroy the game completely. Certainly with that IRB study the prospect is nearer now that when the question was raised, but dare they take the plunge and do it?

“Interesting! Next but one…will the NFL stage a superbowl at Twickers?”
“Within the next ten years”
“Within next 3 world cups”
“15 years. They couldn’t hack the marketing or players payments”
“Not until they can get a team that can challenge - at least 20 years”
“Expect it within the next 20 years”
“Let’s hope never”
“Never - let’s hope”
“They won’t”
“Don’t think it would happen as the travelling support would not happen. In Europe it is accessible for many teams. Aussies have the southern hemisphere teams.”
“I hope not. The worst thing that could happen to our sport would be the yanks getting involved. I think it would confuse them all, and in order for it to be popular over there would have to be dumbed down no end. Mind you, the refs might have a chance then…”
“Not in my lifetime…”
“Don’t think it will happen, the US of A only buys into its own sports”
“NEVER!!!!! Learn the lessons from the football World Cup - the American populous doesn’t care about anything except home grown sport”
“A fair way off”
“A long time”
“Ages”
“Quite a while I should think. Doubtless there would have to be a committee and about 10 sub-committees set up just to think about it…”
“Many years yet, no heritage for rugby in the States and the cost of travel etc. would preclude many of the world’s supporters from going”
“A World Cup in the US would I’ve no doubt be fantastic and most importantly affordable for all rugby followers not just those paying through the teeth with the likes of Gullivers. I for one would love to see it.”
“Hey, we might even run a COYSDC tour…”


Howlin asked:-

Is the beer priced correctly at FG?

Too high - 42.31%
About right - 38.46%
Too low - 0.00%
Don’t know/don’t drink - 15.38%
Other - 3.85%
Again, one with differing opinions, but unsurprisingly no-one said it was too low. Interesting the number of people who commented on the poor service - it would be interesting to know whether this is before, half time, or after the game, and in which bar. My personal experience is that heroes has just about got it right with one queue, much better than what passes for a very poor scrum in the Rodbar, where he who waves a £20 (or even £50) note is king over those waving fives and tens.


“Too high! Will lose trade to the local pubs as virtually the same price but ****service”
“Nay! No! Niet!”
“Should be free when we win”
“I wouldn’t say that it was overpriced in the general scheme of things. However, the quality and bar service is variable. Prefer the Becket.”
About right
“Lol. I don’t care.”
“Yes, it’s in pounds and pence. Plenty of people seem to be buying it.”
“Wouldn’t know don’t drink it”
“For an entertainment/sporting venue the prices for the facilities are about right. HOWEVER: the poor service and lack of bar staff does not reflect on those prices, being made to wait 15 minutes to be served highlights the prices and creates consumer unrest. Mr PS needs to sort this out.”
“No, it is overpriced, and the food is way over the top.”
“Don’t drink beer but the wine is overpriced”
“what beer? It’s all rubbish. The Black Wine is 20p overpriced.”
“Don’t know don’t drink”
“No not unless you mug one of the Heineken sellers as we did after the Biarritz game - £1 a pint seemed a fair trade!”
“To be honest I don’t know. Compare with pub prices but as money aids the club I’m not complaining”
“A little expensive but it does make money for the club, and a few extra pints doesn’t actually hurt me”
“No, it’s not free”
“No it’s overpriced and under quality but no worse that any other stadium. Of course we’d all like a real ale bar with 8 guest beers to try and waitress service but that’s lah-lah land I’m afraid.”
“When Howlin buys it is correct”
“Can’t really complain compared to local pub prices and other grounds visited”


Onto another of OldPete’s questions:-

Will the Pie still be an object of power next season or will it be replaced by a jug of custard?

“False gods will be deposed in favour of the true Saints Saviour…Vin Rouge!”
“Judging by Flattie’s pickles, no to either”
“Next year is the year of the Crispy Duck”
“The advent of the “pie” coincided with us becoming as soft as puff pastry. Ditch it!!”
“The pie is dead, long live the pie”
“No”
“PIE or pork scratchings”
“The power of the pie has already diminished - being on the yellow stuff”
“Could be replaced by a custard tart”
“Pie was over-rated”
“I couldn’t possible comment”
“No - it will be a long white cloud”
“All hail the pie!”
“Jimgo will be the new craze…”
“Do not follow false icons - believe in the power of the purple bird - Cedric Rules! Loyal support Bird - to be seen at all home games and some away!”
“The custard I believe is a false god in the Golden Calf mode, there can only be one pie. COYSDC United Under The Crust.”
“As long as the two do not get mixed up”
“I think we might see an explosion in power of baked products in general next season. I especially think that the Yum Yum is going to be a big influence in the coming months.”
“The awesome power of the pie will be able to beat off this young pretender”
“All power to the pie”
“Another icon altogether will be presented to our tiny minds”
“Err…fifth amendment on that one your honour”
“Why not pie and custard? (spoken like a true Jimmy)”
“Sorry I thought this was serious.”


The next two questions relate to the site:-

How often do you visit ComeOnYouSaints.com?

Every day - 57.69%
5 days per week - 11.54%
Most days - 15.38%
Very rarely - 3.85%
Our esteemed editors - guess the comments!

“Very rarely. If people put as much into making a noise at the games, the Gardens could return to being a fortress again. Too many are too quiet!!!!”
“I don’t seem to be ever off it”
“More than is healthy. Probably for an hour or two every day.”
“3 to 4 times per day, but less so more recently”
“Numerous times a day”
“Too often - if I’m at home it’s always on”
“What is ComeOnYouSaints.com?”
“It is my second home, I spend a number of hours on most days”
“Several times a day at work. It helps pass the time.”
“Hardly ever really, what’s the address?”
“Daily and some”


Would you consider taking on some of the responsibilities of running the site (match reports, previews, articles etc) in the future (if you don’t already do so)

Yes - 69.24%
No - 15.38%
Maybe - 15.38%

“Yes, if I can fit it into my loveless life”
“No time to give something like that credit”
“Not averse to contributing occasional items, particularly match reports from the less well attended away games (e.g. Newcastle) but can’t really offer a definite regular commitment because of work demands unfortunately…”
“I’d try a match report if I had to”
“I have had a couple of articles ‘nicked’ (his words) by Chris from the message board and would be happy to contribute more. I am not sure that I could hold down a regular job on the site.”
“No - lack of free time”
“Yes - happy to contribute articles, be involved in fund raising and promoting the ComeOnYouSaints.com website and community.”
“Yes, perhaps rugby on TV, perhaps a few cut and pasted press releases”
“Yes but I am not especially talented on the techie side”
“Wrote one match report - would do another or other items if needed”
“Will happily help”
“Do you know something I don’t Mark?”
“Still will be taking photos if they are still required. I am afraid I have no idea how they get on the site once I have forwarded them to Ian at Oxford”
“If I could help, I would be willing to do so. Don’t know if I would have much to offer though. I am a compute programmer with web development experience, but I guess Sport Network runs the technical side.”
“Goodness me that sound like it could take over your life!”
“Yes but my skills are limited”
“Without doubt”
“Still a newbie so I wouldn’t presume but top marks to them that does”

Which all augurs well for the future of the site, whichever direction it goes in. And finally (especially as I’m now getting RSI)…

Any other comments

An open house. If you said it on the form, then it’s here. Thanks for reading all of these three articles and let’s hope that we can go two better next season and top the pile.

“Structure of season continues to be frustrating and unprofessional. Players are suffering burn out from the number of matches they have to play and their careers will be ‘cut short‘ like the Mighty Tim. Can’t see Wilkinson playing on after his late 20’s. Fixture organisation is destroying club’s financial forecasts leaving them many weeks without matches and revenue. Are the RFU listening? Salary Cap is fair if replicated across Europe - but the French League operates a different system and as a result clubs are disadvantaged in the HC. Toulouse are the Real Madrid of Rugby and this cannot be right long term.”
“I find the COYSDC site entertaining.”
“Lardy really is a t****r”
“Hope the Saints can go that one step further next season: get some silverware into the empty cabinet!”
“Was Lom really lost or was it an Agatha Christie style publicity stunt?”
“Thanks to everyone on the site, especially those who made it all possible”
“excellent poll…will be much more accurate than the one that said we like rugby on Sundays in oversized football stadiums with piped music and manic DJ’s and of course those all important cheerleaders. Of course radio controlled kicking tees and pizza moments need to become the norm at all grounds and I think we all need to buy light bulbs for Sale (even though they are moving). “
“We have a very special club and are the envy of a number of other clubs we must make sure that envy doesn’t turn into disdain. Our reputation for warmth and welcome is our responsibility and we should not underrate it.”
“Well done to Chris(Its not just me, but thanks.....Chris) for another excellent season on the COYSDC site. COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!!”
“I love this game! Came to the gardens for the first time 3 years ago having been given a ticket as a birthday treat. Prior to that I hadn’t been to a rugby match for years (shan’t say how many). Haven’t missed a home game since. Great club, great people, nuff said.”
“Why are we always so quiet in the transfer market when quality English players (not going to the World Cup) are available?”
“Keep up the good work chaps”
“Ditch the co-captains idea…- it doesn’t work. Appoint JL.”
“Crème Anglais should be banned.”
“As suggested by a Leeds fan, face painting in the colours of the opposition. Bar and facilities never closed for private functions on matchdays. Sub-contract staff (with a few exceptions) to learn some manners and, particularly, how to smile. I’m in favour of the hybrid ZP championship. Play-offs are a good idea but the season should be made shorter. (I’ve said how before.) Wildcard is also good but the semis should be one leg (home advantage to the side finishing higher).”

Mark H

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And finally a big thanks to Mark H from all at COYSDC for spending many hours compiling this . Lets hope he gets his just desserts ;-)