So nice to see caring culture reap success after heartbreak
DURING winter months I have occupied Friday evenings watching Leicester Tigers play their league matches on television. Before the season I doubt many viewers except their own followers expected great results, but this was to be a season when the team excelled even their own expectations.
They topped the league rankings and managed to complete the season by winning all of their home games. They topped the league, which in turn meant they were competing for the Gallagher Premiership Cup at Twickenham on June 18.
My introduction to the Tigers came one Boxing Day when I was just eight year old. My grandfather’s boss at De Montford Hall must have had a spare ticket for that holiday fixture against Barbarians, and maybe my family were pleased to get a break from me and a quiet day! For my part, I was not a rugby follower, but I had been told what the game involved.
Angela, his daughter, was a lot older than me but kindly explained what was happening. When lineouts or scrums happened, the game slowed down and I gradually got used to what was involved on the pitch. That match I have often recalled as I know it was when my interest in rugby union first started. My secondary school did not play rugby, but it has remained my favourite winter sport ever since.
Way back in 1963 while working at Stratford I found a fellow engineering trainee was Bob Hiller, who had recently made the first team at the top Harlequins Rugby Club. The reports of his games fascinated us all and this interest grew as he climbed the heights to first the England side and then as full back for the British Lions.
Years later, I started to attend rugby training to try and get myself fitter. I managed to surprise myself by being selected to play for a junior side at the club. I played a few seasons before limited skill and increasing injuries determined my decision to retire from playing rugby. Watching thereafter remained a ready option and visits to Twickenham were a regular excursion when England were playing.
This past season has been the first when I have regularly watched the club’s matches on Friday night TV. The semi-final at Welford Road, the Tigers’ home ground, was a must watch and I was delighted when Leicester booked a final place at Twickenham by beating Northampton Saints. When Saracens won the other semifinal, I was more concerned for Leicester’s chances.
June 18 saw me glued to the TV to watch that final. Like the media, I did feel that Saracens were maybe favourites, but the commentators did remind viewers that the side leading at half time more often won. Tigers led at halftime 12–6, and I just had some hope that the trophy would come to the East Midlands. Saracens chipped away at that Leicester lead and got the score to 12 all. Leicester were then down to 14 players and any bookmaker would have given long odds on a Tigers win.
But a lucky dropped goal put them ahead in the last minute and they won!
It was a popular win for the club. Many pundits have made much of the family atmosphere that goes with the club and that was never more so than when three days before the final, Tom Young’s wife died of cancer.
He had retired from rugby at Leicester to be with his wife and family, but his brother, Ben, played in the final. Pictures of them both with the cup were emotional.
I also value that Kevin Sinfield was brought into the coaching team by the head coach. The same Kevin Sinfield who has done many massive charity runs to raise money for his friend with motor neurone disease (MND), Rob Burrows, and it is that caring culture that makes the Tigers so great.
I played a few seasons before limited skill and increasing injuries determined my decision to retire from playing rugby.