Firstly, a big welcome to our friends from Cornwall, the Cornish Pirates, who have made the long trip today. We had a real battle with them at the beginning of the season in a game that could have gone either way. They looked a good side then and the rest of the season has proved that they are no five furlong horse. They have only lost three games and stand third in the National League One table. So, game on!
We are hoping that today’s game at the Gardens will create a bit of history. The record crowd attendance in the league is 12,301 created by Harlequins when they played Plymouth Albion in April 2006. If we don’t break that today we will probably be very close.
No matter, we will definitely break it on January 5th when we entertain local rivals the Bedford Blues. There are now only a few tickets left and the odd corporate box. A sell-out is on the cards. Don’t leave it too late before getting your ticket!
So, we have reached the half-way stage of the season, having played 15 games. Today is the start of the second half (although we still have to play Launceston twice) and we must strive to win another 15. However, as you will see this afternoon there are some good sides in this division and everyone wants to beat us. We won’t continue to win unless we give 100% and a bit more. As usual I ask the wonderful supporters to get behind the lads and cheer them on.
Talking about supporters, there is one guy who really gets under my skin.
He regularly contributes to the FanZone column in the Chron under the subterfuge of J.P. Hs remarks are always critical. Here’s an example from last week: ‘The Saints are only worthy of playing on a local park, their performance resembled a pub team. Total garbage!.... So we’ve rotated the squad, Jim, and an even worse performance. What next?’ And he goes on.
Now all fans are welcome to their views. Nobody is ever going to argue with that. But call me old fashioned, in my day if we wanted to criticise we looked people in the eye, or if writing put our name and address to it. Some people might think it cowardly to hide behind an anonymous pseudonym.
J.P. you are part of the Saints family. In this programme we have the Second Opinion column and I am very happy for you to have your say, which we’ll print word for word. All we ask is you put down your full name and address. I’ll even arrange for you to have a face-to-face with Jim, Dorian and Paul. Mate, either put up or shut up.
The results of the first team have caught the eye. What we cannot forget is that the Wanderers are also undefeated in competitive games this season and are eight points clear at the top of the Guinness ‘A’ League, including having done the double over Leicester, which is always nice! Congratulations to everyone involved in the team.
Finally, I wish all Saints supporters, including J.P. the mystery man, a very Happy Christmas and a brilliant and successful New Year.
