Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:09 pm  

[quote="(Saint) Does anyone else have any strange nondescript games that inexplicably stick in their mind?[/quote]


My first game was a nondescript sort of game, routine win over Halifax in 1984, I only remember a couple of things. After going in under the scoreboard, seeing the crowd and thinking wow!!! (even though by todays standards it was rubbish) Then looked at all the players on the pitch and I just immediately fixed on one player. "Who's that??" to my grandad. "That's Mal Meninga" If WTF had been invented in 1984 I'd have said it. I'd heard about him and Vievers and wanted to see them, but he wouldn't take me until this day, when he finally gave in. And even though the tight sod only took me in at half time when it was free, it was the best thing he ever did for me!!! If he hadn't took me I could have missed out being a Saints fan, missing the greatest comeback at Wembley, 41-6, Wide to West, and funnily enough, some of the dirty players who really riled the crowds into a frenzy, like Skerrett, Cowie, Newton, etc, but Brendan Tuuta most of all for some mad reason!!

Sadly, my grandad passed away in 2006 from cancer but during that year watching probably the best Saints side ever gave him a lot of pleasure to take his mind off things. I'll shed a tear or two tomorrow knowing that it's the end of an era for all us Saints and sharing many fantastic memories with the man who brought me to what is truly the greatest game.

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:28 pm  

NOT TROLLING I PROMISE.

As much as it pains me to say I'm sure you will win tomorrow and probably by a fair number in a fitting KR goodbye to KC, but, whatever happens treasure your last day at Knowsley Road from leaving your house, going to the pub, walking through the turnstyles, standing on your spot, half time shannanigans - everything and I'm sure it will be an emotional day for you lot- I miss Central Park more than anything and it's the silly little things you'll remember.

Good bye Knowsley Road - many great memories from me

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:32 pm  

I was sad first game of the season. Knew it was probably my last visit to one of the remaining proper grounds. Took some photies - the old place looked very atmospheric in that fog.

I was reminded about how sad you must feel as the Boulevard has been demolished over the last couple of weeks, They're giving away the old seats on a "first come first served" basis on Saturday - can't recover bits of the old Threepenny stand, though, that went in the early 90s and lost forever then.

Bye Bye, Knowsley Road, it's been great knowing you over the last 30 years.

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:58 pm  

From a Wigan Fan, im gutted to be honnest that the old girl is winding up,

we've had some great matches over the years, i have some fond memories of my visits to the place.

relish your last match there and all the memories you have,

here's to Knowsley Road !!!!

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:34 am  

Ell Saint Blues wrote:

Fogarty fighting with Skerett and probably Cowie too.

foggy actually nutted him as they were packing down and cowies beak ended up all over his fizogue! always remember him comming off to the old dug out and the scaff cheering like mad and cowie mouthing the words 'he's gunna f*****g gerrit he is' he never did get him back weird that...

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:44 am  

From a Wiganner
Strange this, but it was a game that Didn't involve Wigan!

My Dad (Who's passed away now) took me to watch Saints v Bradford approx early 85.

He'd only just learned to drive and ended up parking near an all weather pitch about 3 miles from the ground (Because he thought the lights were KR!) and basically he wanted to see Hanley!

IIRC he scored 4 that night and was unbelievable but I remember being stood with the Saints fans and even though they gave him plenty stick during the game they applauded hm off the field at the end!

As Tracie said earlier, Have a Great Day and remember enjoy every second, I still 10/11 years later sometimes forget that Central Park isn't there and Miss those days with a passion, but trust me it's the best thing to do!

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:21 am  

I will make the 25 mile trip down the East Lancs tonight for the last time as from now it will be a case of M62 to Widnes and the new ground.My first visit to KR was in 1981 once I had enough money to buy a car.I have also introduced my son to Saints with his first game in 1999 when we lost to London Broncos-not a great start!Many great memories of the place including Mal's season in 1984/85.Probably the stand out single moment was Wide to West.

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:08 am  

I remember on a previous trip to KR a steward stopping one of our fans taking photos, this surely this wont be the case tonight???? they can go forth and multiply if they do!

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:43 am  

A very emotional night in store for tonight. Some of the posts on this thread have really resonated with me.

As with many, it was my Dad who took me to my first game. He was born and raised in Thatto Heath (nutgrove), and was taken to games by his Dad (my Grandad, although I never met him). During the 70s and 80s, my Dad didn't really follow the saints. However, the Knowsley Road Centenary game in 1990 brought him back. There was a match against the touring Aussies, and pre match was a parade of past players. My dad wanted to go to see Vollenhoven who had flown over for it. He decided to take me along, just to keep him company really - at that time, I had no interest in Rugby League at all.

The day changed my life.

Whilst I don't remember much about that day (I do remember some of the past players who went on to play for Wigan getting jokingly booed !), the love affair with Rugby league, and in particular Saints, had begun.

Coming to Knowsley road over the years has given me some very happy memories, not always rugby related either. We lived in Chorley, and whilst I was learning to drive, my dad always let me drive to St Helens on match days. Must have done hundreds of miles before my test! I have met some great people at the ground too.

Memorable highlights of KR for me are:

1. The 1997 Cup win over Wigan with 12 men, and particularly the Hunte interception
2. Clinching the 1996 Super League
3. The last 10 mins of the Cas game the other week
4. The Sheffield game in 1996, where we scored some brilliant long range tries
5. The lancashire cup final in 1993, against Wigan, even though we got beat 5-4 (we had a try disallowed too). KR was bursting at the seams that day.
6. The regal trophy semi against wire - 80-0.

The ulimate KR moment for me was 41-6 against the pies in 1992. What a game, what a performance.

I am looking forward to my last visit to KR tonight. I am thankful that I will be spending it with some friends, my cousin, my Uncle, and importantly, my Dad.

Obsure matches..

A game against Bradford Northern in 1993 I think, where we won 54-3 - Loughlin was on fire, and created 4 tries for Sully. Was on Sky too - watching the tape at home, I remember Eddie saying "They're gonna get the 50!!" as Gus O'Donnoll ran under the posts.

Also remember a game against Halifax in 1993 too, where we drew 18 all or 16 all. Prekkie had just broke into the first team, and had to kick a late goal to earn a draw. I actually remember the game for 2 tries that Halifax winger Mark preston scored!

Re: This is the end, beautiful friend, the end : Fri Sep 24, 2010 12:20 pm  

Just manged to get a ticket for tonight and really looking forward to sending Knowsley Road off! I maybe a Widnes fan but I was brought into the game watching Saints on TV and some of my best memories stem from Knowsley Road watching Widnes there and also a few side Saints games.

Though it was needed will be a shame to see KR go (definately need a final wee on the wall tonight ) and I am sure it will be an emotional affair for a lot of you and then I welcome you to the Stobart stadium next year

Saints, Cunningham, Gidley... let's go out in style!