Programme Notes 2006/7

Sale Sharks

I apologise. Two weeks ago, I said we would beat Leicester and that you should trust me. But you have to admit that it was a close run thing and we deserved at least the bonus point out of the game. Of course, many didn’t expect to us to beat Leicester in a league match; few teams do. That got me thinking though. Leicester supporters can never know the joy of watching their team win. What? ……  you must me thinking, as you sit reading this in your Library, with the kids banging on the door wanting to brush their teeth. The man’s an idiot. Do I really want to be a Member of Quinssa, with this man on the Committee? But think about it.

Leicester always win. It is expected and their supporters demand nothing less. In fact, they know God is on their side, because no matter how many injuries their players suffered last week, miracles were performed in front of our very own eyes. It only took a short stoppage and laying-on of hands before they jumped to their feet and ran around as if no injury or hurt had ever befallen them.  But as I walked from the Stoop and looked at the faces of Leicester supporters, there was no great sense of jubilation, which I found strange. For when Quins win, the sun comes out and the birds sing. We embrace each other with tears of joy and boast that we can look forward to a mid-table finish Young girls throw single flowers onto my car bonnet as we cruise southwards down the A316; all to a background of the Hallelujah Chorus. 

To us a Quins victory is like the birth of a grandchild, or falling in love for the first time. To Leicester, it’s like bumping into a neighbour. Don’t you feel sorry for them? They can never know what it feels like to be us.

Mark Evans has constantly remarked that although it is claimed that Quins found its soul when we were relegated, it had always been there. I totally agree, but I believe that the match that confirmed it to me in relation to the supporters was when we last played today’s visitors, Sale, on that fateful day nearly 18 months ago. I had never been at a match at the Stoop that was so loud before or during a game. And I’d never been at the Stoop when it was so quiet when the final whistle blew. The threat of relegation was with us throughout that season and I’m sure many questioned whether they would continue to commit to the club in ND1. That last whistle blast of the 2004-2005 season provided the answer, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Regarding the future, I would imagine many supporters are now getting excited about the forthcoming overseas trips to Galway and Connacht, so can I remind Quinssa Members that we are, and will be, providing information regarding travel and hotels for both matches. Don’t forget to come and visit us in the East Stand Bar, and if you’re not a Quinssa Member, why not join?

Cliff Funnell
Cliff@quinssa.org.uk

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