Saints with Heart - What it really means.

SWH3
By Mark Coleman - WMS
October 15 2004

Almost 2 years ago to the day (Oct 18th), in Biarritz, I drank some dodgy beer!!!!.......seriously though, I knew something was wrong before we left Stanstead......but you know how it is.....I'd got a ticket and was up for the best weekend of the season.

Binary Bob and Marky H got
me to Ondarts, and I wanted so much to be a part of the most wonderful
group of supporters there can possibly be. We spoke with Lionel, Daws
and Tim Exeter. Gill (Mrs Connect) drooled over Anthony Pountney and we
basked in the late summer sun

The evening went well - teaching the locals the Wendy song and loving
the camaraderie with the Wolverton crowd. Meeting Robbies Mum and Dad.

During the night....well not so good....but I made it down to breakfast
with a bleary eyed Statto. I spent the morning gazing out over the sea
wondering if I'd make it to the game but the coach came and I got
on.........Bob - were you actually ill over the future Mrs Dawson?

At the ground there were just faces. St Marlowe getting me some awful
bacon thing; Mary and her husband helping me to my seat and, seeing my
difficulty, pouring water and aspirins down me. The wonderful, wonderful
Hippo whom I shall never be able to thank for her kindness.

As for the match.......at half time I got myself down to the club bar
for more water......there was an almighty roar......Oh Bum!.....they
must have scored. But no, it was us.....The Buzzard!

I didn't really care that much about the result....I just wanted to be
home. I lay on my hotel bed that evening....listening to the reverie
outside Pascal's with all the team. Every few minutes Sarah and Gill
came up.........'Let us take you to a hospital.....!'. Stubborn buggers
us men sometimes.

Sunday and thanks to Mark H, (and a dental nurse on the plane?) I made
it back to England. I remember speaking to Mr Robson briefly on the
shuttle to the car park.

The next few weeks were hard......the hardest I can remember ( I missed
our first victory in the Hundred Acre Wood for over a thousand years) .
I still have the messages from this site that were printed out and
brought to me in the hospital. I look at them often. Funny how you can be
such good friends with people you have never seen.

A few weeks later, when Rich suggested some form of fund raiser I (and
I'm sure Bob & Rob) was so touched and humbled. Not being able to take
part hurt but I was there. Jorgy and Sarge...what good blokes!

And now look at it........there are no words for you people.......and
it doesn't stop there. Wuss, Irish,
Pests........everyone.......especially those bouncy ones from up the road.

We members of the Saints
Cardiac Club know it is not about individuals but we can never repay the
generosity, kindness and friendship we have been shown.

I know my co-founders will join me in simply saying - THANK YOU!.