The COYSDC End of Season Poll - Part Three
By Mark H & The Clan
June 25 2004
Part three, and the quest to find that worst referee continues (trust me, it’s a complete let down when you find out - when one of the arbiters of the laws found out who it was he was a bit shocked, knowing the gentleman in question, but this time out, we start with:-
Best Opposing Supporters (new category)
LONDON IRISH - 24.07%
Wasps - 16.67%
Llanelli - 16.67%
Leeds - 14.81%
Gloucester - 7.41%
Harlequins - 7.41%
Newcastle - 3.70%
Agen - 3.70%
Bath - 3.70%
Leicester - 1.85%
Our cohorts on the day of the walk Irish get the vote. Interesting that 8 of the ZP are mentioned; you can guess that Large didn’t vote with the absence of Sarries from the poll! For what it’s worth, my vote didn’t go in a westward direction…
Your comments:-
“As always - London Irish (say to the tune of Barcelona!)”
“Irish - BHF walk”
“London Irish - that rendition of 'Barcelona' in the Rodbar will live long in the memory!”
“Irish at their place - best visitors Llanelli despite one or two idiots (no soccer to drain them off down there) their passion and singing was awesome.”
“Irish (UK or Ireland based) generally – home or away. Llanelli had a very passionate support which was spoiled by the same sort of stupid small element that taints Gloucester too, except that Llanelli’s problem appeared to be anti-English bigotry – a very backward & sad thing in the 21st century. Otherwise they would have got my vote”
“Bath...................no seriously the Irish.”
“Wasps (speak as you find!)”
“Wasps - not arrogant, even though they've got a lot to be arrogant about”
(more than Bath, might I add)
“Llanelli (ignoring the odd idiot)”
“Most of the Scarlets mob”
“Leeds @ Headingley”
“Barring their idiot contingent, this would be Gloucester…”
“Hairy Queens - good but fair banter, appreciative of traditional rugby”
“Quins especially at the Final of the Zurich A match.... and cos Barbara proved there's always someone battier…”
“Leicester - always good to have a bit of local rivalry (especially when you're doing better than them)”
Best Away Ground (new category)
HEADINGLEY (LEEDS) - 25.00%
Madejski Stadium (Irish) - 14.29%
Causeway Stadium (Wasps) - 14.29%
Welford Road (Leicester) - 10.71%
Kingsholm (Gloucester) - 10.71%
The Stoop (Harlequins) - 7.14%
Kingston Park (Newcastle) - 3.57%
Stade Armandie (Agen) - 3.57%
Millmoor (Rotherham) - 3.57%
Netherdale (Borders) - 3.57%
Not found one yet - 3.57%
Sunny day, large following, and as someone says below, a proper rugby ground. And a right result. What a pity that Leeds don’t get the crowds that the setting demands.
Your comments:-
“Headingley – a proper rugby ground or Causeway Stadium where you’re really close to the pitch: I don’t mind parking a mile away & walking although others might! Kingston Park is good too.”
“Leeds and Wasps because we can get together under a proper roof and make ourselves heard“
“I quite like the Lost Causeway”
“Apart from the results, the access, the fact that it’s difficult to get to by public transport, etc, etc, I like the Causeway. Ditto Kingsholm, the atmosphere is electric (a few more seats wouldn’t hurt, though). Quite enjoyed the “retro” feel of Millmoor…”
“London Irish - Madjeski Stadium, Atmosphere, accessibility, viewing & great memories.”
“Welford Road - cos we keep winning there!”
“Welford Road (based on last two seasons)”
“Based on places visited this season, Kingsholm”
“I didn't go to any but from memory - Kingsholm”
“Quins cos of the East bar and its proximity to Richmond”
“Millmoor – really enjoyed the trip, good fun with oppo fans before and after, very cheap beer in the Mitre”
“…(this year and I aint been to many!) Borders”
“Haven’t found one yet although I hear Headingley was a good day out”
Least Favourite Away Ground (new category)
THE REC (BATH) - 31.67%
Kingsholm (Gloucester) - 21.10%
Vicarage Road (Saracens) - 21.10%
Welford Road (Leicester) - 10.00%
Causeway Stadium (Wasps) - 6.67%
Twickenham - 5.00%
Madejski Stadium (London Irish) - 2.77%
Stradey Park (Llanelli) - 1.67%
Have to say, I’m not hugely shocked by any of the choices - poor views, artificial atmospheres, tigers supporters, always losing there, and poor beer being some of the reasons off the top of my head. Still, that’s my opinion - you had a few too.
Your comments:-
“The Wreck - can never see a dam thing, and those supporters!”
“Bath, which is a bugger as it's the nearest Premiership ground to me!”
“Never been, never want to – The Rec”
“Bath - but only the ground!”
“The Rec - especially the Virgin Mobile stand”
“Gloucester, although I have never been,I am told not to go”
“The one I refuse to go back to - Vicarage Road - a poxhole of a ground. Welford Road has improved of late, as the faithful have realised that their team are human and are not in fact the second coming in disguise.”
“Vicarage Road cos it's mainly a dump (though Harry's Bar was nice!)”
“Vicarage Road; Madejski Stadium – both soulless football stadia. However the one most in need of modernisation & some thought put to the comfort of supporters is Kingsholm which by modern stadium standards is an accident waiting to happen when it gets full. I’m surprised it gets a safety certificate.”
“I still think Welford Road’s a dump”
“Wasps - and it will take more than winning to improve the experience”
“The Causeway - but it is getting better unlike the results!”
“Madstad and Twickers - because they are concrete toilets - Irish fans make up for the grimness of the place though. The wreck is pretty but inadequate - toilets give the epithet “bog” a whole new significance.”
“Stradey Park - Hostile crowd”
Which departee will we miss the most? (new category)
BUDGE POUNTNEY - 36.79%
Nick Beal - 29.90%
Matt Dawson - 23.55%
Mark Connors - 5.17%
Jon Phillips - 3.45%
John Leslie - 1.14%
To me, not a surprise. We certainly missed Budge during the season, and despite the false hopes of him acting as waterboy against Agen, they remained false hopes.
Your comments:-
“Budge - his influence around the club and ability to wind up the opposition fans and players by the quality of his play. Sign of respect they had for him.”
“BEALER! BEALER! BEALER!”
“Nick Beal. Long time servant of the club. Probably more of a Saintsman than Dawson”
“In his prime – MJSD. On this year’s form – Nick Beal”
“Bealer. Steady head and makes tons of yards.”
“Matt Dawson. he acknowledges the crowd everytime he takes to the pitch. I've missed that”
“Dawson - it's going to be very quiet around the scrum at FG next season except for one game when he comes back!”
“Too hard to answer, the biggest loss is Dawson but I'm fonder of JP and Beal.”
“In terms of impact, John Leslie & Budge; personally I’m going to miss the Bealer: his try against Pests just summed up some of the thrilling moments he’s given us over the last dozen years.”
“JP especially as it'll be odd seeing him turning out for the Blues”
Which newcomer will have the most impact? (new category)
CORNE KRIGE - 61.11%
Selbourne Boome - 16.67%
Robbie Kempson - 16.67%
Damian Browne - 5.56%
Well, as of 23rd June, he hasn’t signed yet, but you think that the ex-Springbok captain is the main that will galvanise the Saints into a unit next season. One thing’s for sure - if he comes, Welford Road will be unmissable, and the following week’s game at home to Wasps could be a bit lively too…
Your comments:-
“Corne Krige..if he comes!”
“Krige - an enforcer in the scrum.”
“Assuming he is coming - Corne Krige. Will add considerable muscle and toughen up the pack who some may say are a “little nice at times”.”
“Corne Krige? but let his rugby do the talking!”
“If it comes off Krige (in more ways than one!) if not then possibly Kempson”
“If he signs, Corne Krige. And it will be as much about attitude as anything else.”
“Not on the pitch but Mr Krige is already having an impact in all sorts of ways. I think the young fellah from Connacht might be the surprise signing.”
“Krige in more ways than one”
“Corne Krige (assuming he does come) otherwise Selbourne Boome”
“Selbourne Boome and David Beckham”
“Selbourne Boome, hopefully.”
“Boome. Needed someone like him for ages.”
“Selbourne Boome (I hope) or Brian O'Driscoll. I know his signing hasn't been announced but I am allowed to dream.”
“Boome, or Krige if he comes.”
“Kempson - I hope!”
“Depends how you mean, I'm hoping it's Damian Browne”
Best referee (new category)
CHRIS WHITE - 34.48%
Tony Spreadbury - 31.03%
Ashley Rowden - 12.07%
“Anyone but Maybank” - 3.45%
“Is there one” - 3.45%
“The French” - 3.45%
Steve Leyshon - 3.45%
Nigel Whitehouse - 3.45%
Paul Flatt - 1.72%
Again, not a great shock, despite the many bribery attempts from a Mr Norling…
Your comments:-
“From what I've seen, Chris White seems pretty good.”
“Chris White (did you see him drinking a pint before the game?)”
“Close call between Chris White and Tony Spreadbury”
“Spreaders by a west country mile”
“Tony Spreadbury - his humour and communication with the players is outstanding even if his interpretation of the forward pass is suspect!”
“Air Ashley - sense of humour and honesty, and COYSDC contributor”
“Ashley Rowden for coming out & therefore not being able to ref us... although I still have a soft spot for Chris White.... “
“That bloke who denied Bruce a try at Sale (I think this should be Newcastle - Mark) and then comes down our place asking to get smuggled into C bloc - cheek”
“Who’s that bloke with the blue head who gets the chips? I think the top line French refs are OK.”
“Flattie (was there a good one - if so I suppose it'll have to be Clive Norling, creep creep)”
Worst referee (new category)
Well, they’ve waited long enough. Having seen the “winner” of this category in a non-Saints match, that was what pointed me in his direction - I think a number of others may have taken into account both the Sarries and Quins games. I haven’t included Andre Watson, mentioned by a few, as he hasn’t officiated at a Saints match.
ROY MAYBANK - 46.55%
Steve Leyshon - 18.97%
Steve Lander - 10.34%
“The rest” - 3.45%
“Most of ZP” - 3.45%
“Pass” - 3.45%
Ashley Rowden - 3.45%
“The FISH in the South Stand” - 1.72%
Robin Goodliffe - 1.72%
Martin Fox - 1.72%
David McHugh - 1.14%
Alain Rolland - 1.14%
Donal Courtney - 1.14%
How that Rowden bloke isn’t higher after that try at Newcastle I will never know…
Your comments:-
“A Rowden...........nah make that Maybank”
“Mayhem (Technically accurate most of the time but unnecessarily pedantic and inconsistent. When you blow the whistle you probably have three things you could penalise. He always chooses the wrong thing!)”
“Roy Maybank - poor understanding of the scrum, whistle happy & an irritating smile / grin directed at players and block C! Special mention for Andre Watson.”
“Maybank, get that man a flag and a clue”
“Take yer pick - this year it has mostly been Mr Maybank”
“Roy Maybank - ZP - clearly blind, only referee I've seen injure himself by not watching what was happening. Andre Watson - International officials - he did it again in the Super 12 final! What was he on about?!”
“Steve Leyshon at Sorries”
“Steve Leyshon because he gave me plenty of opportunities to shout encouraging remarks.”
“Close after Quins but just Leyshon”
“Leyshon and Goodliffe have been poor this year”
“In one-two-three order: (1) Lander (just for being Lander); (2) Leyshon (for being Son of Lander); (3) Goodliffe, for being old and past it (and has been for at least the last five years)”
“Ashley Rowden ;)”
“The FISH who sits behind me in the South Stand (and Roy Maybank)”
“I really don’t like slagging off referees – I don’t think it’s productive. So the answer is the know-it-alls (including ours) in the crowd/message board who slag off at great length every single refereeing decision they don’t like/don’t understand. Tedious.”
“Most of the ZP ones this season.”“David McHugh / Alain Rolland / Donal Courtney – hmmm, all Irish!”
“As you can see I cant answer these two seriously as you cant trust any of em”
What's the most you'd pay to watch a ZP game (a) involving Saints and (b) not involving Saints (new category)
I asked this one more out of curiosity value, having seen a number of games this season that don’t involve Saints in any way, shape or form (did I mention I’m going to the French championship final?). There were some interesting prices and some interesting comments!
Your comments:-
“…(Saints) whatever it costs…”
“For Saints if forced i guess hundreds”
“…(Saints) £20 for terrace…”
“…(Saints) - no real limit (subject to venue, travel etc) some away matches can cost nearly £1,000 all in!”
“…(Saints) £35 @ HQ”
“£30 for a Saints similar for opposition”
“…(Saints) more than is good for me and I can't remember last time (b) occurred”
“…(Saints) £30 for a damn good seat”
“…(Saints) about £50 for a big one”
“…(Saints) I would gladly sell my house and all its contents to be in the ZP final against Rotherham on Saturday”
“You shouldn’t ask questions like this as Prawn Sandwich will only use this as an excuse to hike up an already disgustingly high gate rate. Frankly, no ticket for a Prem game should cost more than £20; and as for what I’d pay to watch others, depends who. Something like Gloucester and Leicester, yes, I’d pay £20; for Rotherham and Leeds, I’d expect to be paid £20 and get a chauffeur driven car each way”
“I don’t know! This question reminds of the skit on “Points Of View” that the “Not the Nine O’ Clock News” team did many years ago where one letter writer supposedly wrote in to say “£50 for a TV Licence? Not nearly enough! I would willingly pay all my salary & sell my house, etc. etc. etc.” !!”
“…(Other) nothing…”
“…(Other) - £0.00 (rather watch local league stuff -Kettering, Casuals etc.”
“…(Other) depends on the game…”
“…(Other) Why would I want to do that? Probably £25, but it would have to be two good teams who are both up for it.”
“…(Other) not much”
“…if Leeds £5!”
“£20 for both!”
“£20 for both or either”
“It’s all relative to income.”
“…irrelevant - if I want to go I’ll pay - if its too much I will moan. Value for money for a fan is a difficult concept”
The stated prices for a Saints game ranged from £18 to £60, but eventually averaged out as £31.12 - somewhat ironic as that’s just about the top priced ticket at FG next season. Prices stated for away games ranged from 15p to £35, and averaged out to £19.12, which by my reckoning would get you a standing place at every ground where terracing is available, but a seat only at Saracens, Wasps, Quins, Irish and Leeds…
Best COYSDC Event (new category)
QUIZ NIGHT - 35.71%
Saints With Heart 2 - 28.57%
Didn’t Attend One - 14.29%
All of them - 10.71%
Picnic - 7.14%
The Bucket Shake - 3.57%
How do you split them? Big thanks to all of the organisers, volunteers and participants - it’s our pat on the back time.
Your comments:-
“The JP quiz night. I travelled up specially for it, and will do so for the next one - whoever it's for.”
“Quiz (but missed the walk)”
“First quiz night (well I would say that, wouldn’t I?) No 2 was quite good too!!”
“Saints with a heart - BHF walk (did not do the walk but raised some money) will participate next year. Support from other ZP clubs shows how great our game of Rugby is!”
“…the Saints with Heart BHF Walk II even if we waited in vain for Aunty Maggie to catch up! Well done that woman! ;-)”
“BHF Walk - not that I could actually take part but it was an impressive result.”
“Probably the one I missed! But in terms of achievement the walk.”
“that run thing cant remember what it was called”
“You mean there was more than one? The picnic - although not driving and living out of town, I tend to socialise on match days only.”
“bucket collection outside the Sturtridge Pavillion for BHF, closely followed by the COYSDC pickernic.”
Favourite other Sport Network site (new category)
BATH - 44.44%
London Irish - 16.67%
None - 11.11%
England - 7.41%
Wasps - 5.56%
Newcastle - 3.70%
Gloucester - 3.70%
Top Of The Ninth - 3.70%
Harlequins - 1.85%
Saracens - 1.85%
Should I be surprised, or is it the sheer comedy provided by Ajack’s excursions that swung the vote? Let’s hope that all of our friends over there can keep up the “entertainment” next season.
Your comments:-
“For a laugh, the Bath site; otherwise possibly Quins”
“Bath - sheer comedy “makes I laugh”.”
“Bath-makes me realise how good COYSDC board is!”
“Bath - arrogant…”
“Bath (can’t recall actual title) always good for a laugh”
“The Barf message board is hilarious – to put it bluntly, full of sanctimonious know-it-alls claiming to have sense of humour. Very funny if you don’t take it personally!”
“Tied - Bath for the laugh/sport of fishing; Irish for the craic”
“I tend to read Bath's (because they're near to me), but it's not my favourite because I don't like their attitude very much. I probably find Wasps and Saracens the most interesting read.”
“Hate Bath!! Gloucester needs radical improvement!!”
“Bath for the sheer rubbish!!”
“Barf because they have provided us with endless fun - although I’m sure that they take themselves very seriously”
“Bath Rugby, especially when Ajack is about”
“Unofficial England Rugby - Kath would kill me if I put anything else!”
“London Wasps for Barnie's erudition .... and caption competitions!”
“…the Glos one seems pretty good”
If you could change one thing about the season… (last season - Powergen Cup Final)
BUDGE’S INJURY - 26.92%
Llanelli at home - 19.23%
Wayne Smith’s departure - 13.46%
Renaud’s injury - 9.62%
Starting after the end of the RWC - 3.85%
Saturday games only - 3.85%
The end of season fixture order - 3.85%
Wasps in the play off - 3.85%
The mid season gap - 3.85%
No regrets - 3.85%
The season structure - 3.85%
Matt Dawson’s departure - 1.92%
Matt Williams - 1.92%
The man who seems to have dominated the poll strikes again…
Your comments:-
“Retirements through injury of Budge & Renaud -sad way for their careers to end, and we never had the chance to see the 2003/4 pack play together and achieve what we all thought we would this season.”
“Budge would not have gone in the way he did”
“The injury to Budge-to have him able to make a full recovery is what I would wish for.”
“Budge breaking his leg against Cardiff”
“Budge not getting injured at the start. And Scotland not appointing Matt Williams as coach.”
“Budge's career ending injury (ditto Renaud)”
“Saints 19 Llanelli 18”
“the result against Llanelli at home in the HC”
“Oh, this is impossible to answer! I guess have changed the Llanelli result so we’d gone further in the Heiny but to be honest would it have made any difference? We wouldn’t have got to the final anyway, in my opinion.”
“The result vs. Llanelli”
“Wayne Smith & Rats going but looking forward to Solly's arrival given the reports from Ulster, though the nature of Daws' departure is upsetting too as at the time of typing it still doesn't seem to have a successful resolution for Matt”
“Henry's call to Smudger.”
“I'd have disconnected Graham Henrys phone”
“Wayne Smith leaving (If you’d said two things it would be Renaud and Budge’s injuries)”
“Start after the world cup and play the 6 nations at the end. It hasn't felt like a season, more of a disjointed long distance relay.”
“The nonsense at the end of the season whereby the most prestigious trophy (i.e. HEC) is decided before the national trophies. Then they'd have to come up with something different from the wild card lottery”
“We'd have beaten Wasps…'cos we'd have had a damn good chance of beating Bath at Twickenham.”
“Losing? The big gap in February > March, but – Home internationals still played in the WINTER!”
“More structured season so that Internationals and Club games are not played on the same weekend”
“silly question - it’s over - don’t indulge in might have beens”
Who would you have as next season’s captain? (new category)
STEVE THOMPSON - 33.93%
Bruce Reihana - 19.64%
Mark Robinson - 14.29%
Andrew Blowers - 14.29%
Corne Krige - 12.50%
No Obvious Contender - 3.57%
Matt Dawson - 1.79%
To me, this is the most interesting of all of the questions, as the decision (when Solly makes it) will have an impact for the next three years. As a Northampton lad, I’d love to see another local in charge, and given that it’s a choice between Wally and Ben, then I’d choose Wally after his attempts at the end of last season. I just get a feeling that it might be going to a South African though…
Your comments:-
“Blowers or Krige both should inspire,but Wally seems to be doing O.K.”
“Steve Thompson while not away and Sharky while he is.”
“Not Krige. Surprised, after my earlier comments? Well maybe, but I’d sooner have someone who has worn the BGG and therefore has the commitment in the bank. Candidates therefore are Steve Thompson, Andrew Blowers and Mark Robinson. If I had to pick? Steve Thompson, PROVIDED he wants the additional responsibility.”
“Wally, because he looks like he can do it and it lifts his personal game.”
“If he signs then Corne Krige - time has come for the New Saints to emerge in the mould of Solly. Tough tackling “hard but fair forwards” his experience will be crucial and the responsibility of skipper might save him a few yellows. If not…..? not sure will be a tough call between AB & Bruce - but neither strike me as the type of leader we need.
Longer term - Wally - Northampton born, top player etc.”
“Wally. It would complete him as a player, build his confidence and stand him in good stead for the future with England/Lions.”
“Steve Thompson - he's been getting good write-ups recently for it, and it'd be good to have someone from inside the team being promoted to captain. Maybe have one of the new boys the season after, or as a stand-in when Wally's away, but not from the start of the season.”
“Wally – sans doubt! Local boy, local hero! – you want passion, we can do passion!! Will make the new imports understand who & what they are fighting for”
“Steve Thompson. Northampton Boy, has a presence on the field and leads by example. As captain he can have his own banjo.”
“Steve Thompson – the extra responsibility suits him well, and he has shown he is a Saintsman. There are no other obvious candidates other than incoming players, and I think giving the job to a new arrival would send the wrong message”
“Steve Thompson - his passion for his club knows no bounds. It will be the making of him and us.”
“Bruce cos he's level headed”
“Bruce - reads the match and leads by example”
“Bruce Reihana - quiet authority and an ability to lead by example (AB has similar qualities but most can't aspire to follow where he goes)”
“Close!! Bruce but very close behind Sharky because they can both read the game see what is on and make the calls”
“Sharky – certainly talks enough and appears to have the respect of the team”
“AB - I don’t trust anyone else”
“AB, commands respect of everyone.”
“AB even if only for one season, he deserves it. though i think they'll choose Wally”
“Corne Krige if he does come; Sharky if he doesn’t.”
“Krige - we need a hard and proven leader of men.”
“…in the current squad there is no obvious choice”
And finally…
Any other comments
As last year, I’ve just gathered them all up for you to read. There’s lots.
“Total commitment (attendance) from players at signings, awards do's, etc, Ben and that guy who used to play scrum half for us were sadly missed at the latter.”
“Two yearly promotion and relegation. Points aggregated over the two seasons. Give time for the blip season to be evened out and for the upcoming club to gather strength. Currently they are doomed by October 31st. What player or investor is interested after that?”
“I haven't always enjoyed this season. The new facilities etc are fantastic but it doesn't feel the same anymore. I no longer feel surrounded by people who know and understand the Saints or Rugby Union. As a less popular sport, rugby seemed to hold more appeal. banter on the terraces seems to have been largely replaced by stupidity and a creeping feeling of hostility.
I'm not getting a season ticket next year, partly for financial reasons and partly to support cashback at either KRFC or for St. Andrew's Baa Baa's and partly because I missed no end of home games due to other commitments.”
“You really shouldn’t ask me questions like this!
(a) the standard of refereeing in this country is FISH and needs improving quickly. Frankly there are too many poor officials and a surfeit of good ones. Spreaders and White are consistently good; Lander (if his retirement is confirmed HIP HIP HOORAY!) is dire; Goodliffe should be pensioned off; Maybank needs a new watch, “Clive” is OK, from what I’ve seen; the new breed look out of their depth. Oh yeah, I forgot Pearson - don’t like him much either.
(b) Timekeeping. With all the cash the RFU have got they should give all ZP clubs the cash to buy four (one for each corner) electronic game clocks - and from the start of next season ALL games should be refereed timewise world cup style with the clock stopping for injuries etc. I’ve a good mind to market a Maybank watch - gives you 10-25% extra on your day! And where did the six mins of injury time come from in the first half yesterday? Were we counting the injuries in ‘Nam or sommat?
(c.) About time everyone woke up and realised that this is a PROFESSIONAL game and that RESULTS MATTER.
No doubt Mark these will be seen as harsh comments, but frankly I’ve on more than one occasion this season questioned why I continue to turn up when it feels that half the time the team don’t. Of course I’ll renew my season ticket - Northampton born and bred, me - but I’m getting a little concerned that on occasion we’ve seen a lot less than 100% commitment. I don’t buy this WS “Pride in the Shirt” mentality, ‘cos if it REALLY did what it says on the tin, we wouldn’t have ended the season yesterday. And I think that there are too many people looking with rose tinted spectacles at the last two and a half years. Time will tell whether I’m right or wrong. I finish with a dangerous prediction - Graham Henry, Wayne Smith et al will not be successful All Blacks coaches. I certainly don’t rate Henry, and I think WS is overrated. Again, time will prove me right or wrong.”
“Every year I say the same - sort out the fixtures!
No matches when the Internationals are on, stop devaluing the product. We pay to watch the best players from all teams, the Tiggers matches would have been better with a full compliment of Internationals.
Sunday & Friday night matches - no thanks.
Salary Cap - must sort this out, either all the European clubs play the game or none. The ZP are severely disadvantaged against the French Clubs, and has Uncle Keith keeps saying it’s not worth us signing or producing England Internationals for the amount of salary they command v’s the amount they play.”
“Thinking of players with media careers - whatever happened to Micky Skinner?”
“I'd like to see Bernie at more away matches. He's always good with the youngsters and a bit of banter with the oppo mascots is worth seeing. On Sunday, it was very entertaining watching both mascots kicking at goal. Tiggs brought both theirs to FG. The kids loved his antics (bigger kids especially).”
“…far too annoyed presently to say anything constructive”
“Thanks for sign writing the cheque Marky I never said it on the day!”
“We need to get a good deal tougher mentally if we’re not going to end up perpetual bridesmaids. And that extends to the support as well. It’s all very well going on about not coming if Corne Krige does but the fact is that we are just too “nice” all round when it gets to the business end. To paraphrase Millwall: “everyone likes us, they don’t care”!! I’m not advocating football-style violence/chanting etc. of course(!) but we must accept that we don’t possess the real steel that the likes of Pests do & that Corne Krige & his ilk will help in that department.”
“Funniest moment - Flattie telling Danny Grewcock and the other Bath replacements (warming up in the in goal area) to move out of the way. Took him 5 or 6 attempts but eventually DG entered into dialogue with 'air Flattie'. You just had to be there.”
“That Krige, he’s awfully rough.”
“I must be a distinctly hard devil to please - certainly when it comes to refereeing. My mind was pretty well made up about the best and worst that I had seen this year. The three that I had down as well below par, our record was P9, W9. The newcomers Ashton Jones (could easily have converted the 9 to 10) & Fox P2, W2. Lander P1 W1 - the '1' being the best news of the lot.
The referee that I rate the highest, we were P2 L2.
I watch the Saints from a distance (Bristol), so this is all based on the view from going to a couple of games, seeing whatever Sky deign to show, and reading COYSDC.”
“a) Scrap these absolutely insane playoffs. The winner of the league is the champion. If they want to have a playoff for the last HC place, OK, but *don't* do it like they have. Imagine this scenario, which only involves Quins and Sale switching places from how they actually finished this season:
Gloucester (4th) play Quins (7th) in one semi-final
Leicester (5th) v Sale (6th) in the other
Gloucester & Leicester win.
Wasps win the HC, making 7 places for English clubs, and Quins win the Bic Biro Cup.
Qualifiers would be Wasps & Bath (1st & 2nd), Saints (3rd), Quins (BicBiro) and Newcastle (Cup). Gloucester would qualify automatically as they're next in the league, but Quins couldn't go to the Wild-Card Final as they're in automatically too. Would they make Leicester play Sale again?”
“1) I wonder when we might think about setting up some sort of ZP supporters national structure. “The Voice of the Real Fans”??
2) Big transition time at the Saints. I hope we haven’t thrown Baby out with the bathwater
3) Salary Cap – somehow needs a big change. To not want to employ England Internationals is long-term madness”
“Salary cap must be raised to compete with Europe - Nuff Said”
“Yes - move the 6 nations to the end of season”
“Is this the bit where we can say how ill/skint/jobless we are?”
“RWC should NEVER be in October/November again. play Tri-Nations every other year (i.e. when there's no RWC/Lions) and play RWC August and September”
“The importance of the next two or three years to club rugby in England must not be underestimated. There is a real opportunity to grow the game at all levels on the back of successful Premiership clubs, but this must not be at the expense of the unique attributes of the game.”
“Best club initiative - 1stXV - it's expensive but worth every penny to hear the coaches and players talk about what's happening. Plus I'm on tenterhooks every time Alan Robson makes the draw - one day a shirt has to be mine!”
Thank you to everyone who sent me a poll sheet, we’ll do it all again next year.
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