You never forget your first time.......... : Sat Dec 03, 2011 5:15 pm  

I know Saints are about to embark on a new and exciting era but I hope you wont mind a little reflection on the past, it may stir some memories for others.

I was thinking back to the first Saints match I saw. I reckon it must have been early November 1957, I was only seven years old so you'll have to forgive me if memory has distorted it a little.
Saints had just signed Vollenhoven and he was playing for th A team against either Whitehaven or Workington. I went along with my dad, he paid for me through the juniors turnstyle, then shepherded me towards the boy's pen in front of the old clubhouse.
I stood against the boundary wall behind the posts, if I recall Voll scored a hat-trick, I can picture it in my mind now of him running behind the posts and touching-down.

There was an article about the match in the local paper a few years ago, apparantly Voll had made his debut the week before but because the 1st team were then away they played Voll in the A team to get a big crowd.....I think it said it is still a record for a reserve game.

Following from that my memories for the following years are a bit patchy, mainly cup game stick in my mind and games against Wigan they were the big events. My main memories kick in the 60/61 season notably the cup run,
we drew at home to Widnes in a rain soaked game but won the mid week replay, I don't recall the second round but the third round was a memorable game against Swinton.
They were a top side at the time, we were losing at half time (5-2 I think) and seemed to be tackling us out of the game until Dick Huddart charged through and scored Rhodes conversion put us ahead, it was still tight until Brian McGinn scored then Murphy clinched it.
The four teams through to the semi's were Hull, Halifax, Wigan and Saints.
Saints were matched with Hull, so that meant me & me mum on Gavin Murray's coach to Odsal, it was along drive pre M62. The game was tight we got our nose in front just before half-time and obviously went on to win.

That set up the dream final

Saints vs Wigan for the first time in the cup final
the first time we wore the Red V
my first trip to Wembley as an 11 year old all decked out with scarf and bob-hat.........an awesome day and a great win.

These days Saints seem to be in so many finals and big occasions but you don't forget your first one.

Just curious if there is anyone else on here who was at that Vollenhoven-A team game.

Anyone else got any memories of that era or the first match?

Saints 57

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:49 pm  

My mum wasnt even born in 57 !

My first cup final was 89, travelling back on the train to Wigan ater that game is the reason I never ever get tired of bad things happening to Wigan.

My Favourite cup final and the one I remember best was 96 - we'd waited so long to get back to the top and to do it at the dawn of the modern era of Rugby when all teams were professional just made it even more special. The catalyst for the success we've enjoyed since imo.

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:41 pm  

I can't remember my very first saints game as I was to young but the first game that i really can remember was saints v Halifax when mark Elia dropped the ball over the line.

It was the 96 final v bulks was the first time I'd seem saints win at Wembley after some bad trips down to Wembley including the 27-0 against the pies.

Shame I can't recall my first game at Knowsley road.

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:12 pm  

I cant really remember who my first game was against. I was about 6, so about 1972 ish, I remeber it was a midweek, floodlight game, but nothing else apart from that. I used to go with my dad, and we would stand in the paddock. I was too small to see over the wall, so I had a box to stand on, which was fine, except that during the game the crowd would move from side to side a bit, leaving my box a few feet away from my dangling legs! I also remeber having to wear 16 layers of clothes, and still being perished. I do remember the likes of Kel Coslett, Chisnalls, George Nichols, Bertie Mantle, John Warlow and John Walsh playing, oh and Les Jones and Roy Mathias.

So I guess I can't go along with the idea that you never forget your first time!!

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:29 pm  

The first game I went to watch was the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley when we lost by one point to Halifax. That was a long journey home! All I remember of it was jumping up and down thinking we had scored to win but the try was disallowed. I also remember sitting on concrete steps, but did they have concrete steps at the old Wembley? Oh, and there being a post nearby that blocked my view.

My second match was away at Leigh (old ground). We lost then too.

I stopped going after that!

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:34 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

The first game I went to watch was the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley when we lost by one point to Halifax. That was a long journey home! All I remember of it was jumping up and down thinking we had scored to win but the try was disallowed. I also remember sitting on concrete steps, but did they have concrete steps at the old Wembley? Oh, and there being a post nearby that blocked my view.

My second match was away at Leigh (old ground). We lost then too.

I stopped going after that!

Did we start winning again

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:40 pm  

Top Saint wrote:

Did we start winning again

No idea mate as I lost all interest. But the next time I went to a Saints match was in July 2007 and we won.

However, I have yet to see Saints win a Grand Final! Maybe I should stop going and then they will win the bloody thing.

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:42 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

:D

No idea mate as I lost all interest. But the next time I went to a Saints match was in July 2007 and we won.

However, I have yet to see Saints win a Grand Final! Maybe I should stop going and then they will win the bloody thing.

Typical glory hunter

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:45 pm  

St pete wrote:

Typical glory hunter

Oh aye, yes. Five losses on the trot. What glory! Ha!

I did watch them beat Hull at Wembley though, so the curse of SaintsFan cannot be universal.

Re: You never forget your first time.......... : Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:49 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Oh aye, yes. Five losses on the trot. What glory! Ha!

I did watch them beat Hull at Wembley though, so the curse of SaintsFan cannot be universal.

I saw them lose many many finals but then went on great wining streak but now we are on a losing run.

I'm just happy I've seen us win every cup possible we can win.