MY MOMENT – RACHEL BACKHOUSE
My moment of the 2013/14 isn't one that happened on the pitch. In fact, it took place in the car park at Franklins Gardens!
My first memory of the Saints is seeing them lose the Powergen Cup final in 2000 when I was about 12. Since then we've stuck together through relegation and a fair few lost finals, including trips to Twickenham and Cardiff.
Never losing faith, and proudly strolling around my new hometown of Leicester in my Saints shirt!
So, Premiership final day. As usual, the atmosphere on the buses from the Gardens to Twickenham was buzzing and the emotion at the final whistle showed more than words could ever explain, with my twin sister and I crying on each other's shoulders as the trophy was lifted. An amazing moment.
Anyway, back to the car park at the Gardens.
As the team were piling off the coach with the trophy aloft, I managed to track down one man - our Jim Mallinder, who looked like he hadn't stopped smiling since the end of the game. I was able to congratulate him, but more importantly thank him for what he'd done for the club, the town and for me, for giving me the best moment of my life.
Jim's reaction without hesitation was: 'No, thank you, it's been an absolute honour, it's the best job in the world!' followed by sweeping me up in a bear hug.
What a season for our boys in black, green and gold, and being able to thank the man responsible topped off an incredible day that we'll never, ever forget.
Thanks to everyone else who entered and if you want to be at the 2014/15 curtain-raiser at Franklin’s Gardens, there’s still time to book your tickets online by CLICKING HERE or call 01604 581000.
Season Ticket Holders can also claim 50% off using voucher code ‘2014PR7S’.
