All the major events are half way through such as the Premiership and European cup. The only thing still to start is the also rans cup and even its organizers do not like it the way it is.

The Six Nations hasn’t started but that is just an excuse to knacker Tiger’s best players. No, the New Year really starts with the start of the rugby season so now is the time to make those promises. Here are mine :

1) I will not run onto the pitch with no clothes on. ( I will at least keep my Tigers scarf on)

2) I will not run onto the pitch and try to beat the ref up. ( I couldn’t bear to hear McHugh say “That’s a punch” as I brushed a bit of mud off his face)
3) I will not shout swear words or use offensive language ( Even when Rob Andrew comes calling)
4) I will not disturb other people’s view of the game by walking in front of them to get to the loo. ( I will stand still and wee in the pocket of the away supporter in front of me)
5) I will not encourage players of the team I support to do physical harm to the players of the other team. ( But if their players want to headbutt MJ’s fist so be it)
6) I will remain silent when the other team is taking a goal kick. ( Then everyone will know I am definitely a Tiger fan.)
7) I will not think unkind things about someone else just because they do not support the same team as me. ( You just have to pity the saddos that don’t support Tigers not hate them!)
8) If my team loses I will not blame the ref or say that the other team cheated. ( I can still take the old Welsh view that we weren’t really beaten, just that the other team scored more points.)
9) I will not laugh if the ref is knocked cold in an accidental collision with a clumsy player. ( I may still express relief that Spreadbury has been replaced.)
10) I will not laugh if the stretcher carrying an injured player is dropped. ( But I might still run over to the player and ask for his autograph.)

These resolutions will not be hard for me to stick to as I feel I am not guilty of these particular offences but now for some that will be harder for me personally to stick to.

11) I will not declare to the whole world that being 70 yards further away from the action than the referee ensures I know that that definitely wasn’t a penalty. ( Lander probably knows it wasn’t a penalty too but he is doing the equivalent of message board fishing.)
12) If I have to explain a decision to my wife or son I will do so quietly.( For me in the excitement of a game quietly means less than 80 decibels)
13) I will not allow the bad behaviour of other spectators to spoil my own pleasure. ( I can still wee down their pockets though.)
14) I will not be miserable for a whole week following a defeat. ( But I might sulk all evening and find a thousand excuses.)
15) I will not rise to any baiting along the lines of “Cheats” at away grounds. ( Instead I will wear these insults as a badge of honour. It shows they have no idea of how to beat us so they pass off their defeat by saying we cheated. It is really a compliment)
16) I will not complain about the bar prices or choice of beer at Welford road. ( Instead I will go to the pubs recommended by the prat who wrote the guide to Leicester.)
17) I will not post endless moans about kick off times on the message board. ( Instead I will go to the game at the time I choose even if it is not on then.)

18) I will not wear the clubs 4 in a row boastful t-shirts which might upset other fans. ( Instead I will have my own made up with messages like “In Northampton a treble is something you talk about before you have won anything, In Leicester a treble is winning three trophies in one year or the same trophy three years running.”)
19) I will not shout “only sing when you’re winning” at Gloucester. (Instead I will send the St. Johns Ambulance lot over to the Shed to check they are still alive.)
20)I will not pretend I know more about rugby/the tigers/the laws than anyone else, nor will I rely on the result of the match for my enjoyment. Instead I will take pleasure in good play whoever performs it and accept whatever happens with equanimity.

I will also try to remember that my right to enjoy myself at the game in my own way ends right where other spectators right to enjoy themselves in spite of my presence starts. I wish all of you a happy New Rugby Year, even Mike The Flunker.

Sadly, this article is only half tongue in cheek. I feel that crowd behaviour is deteriorating. While we can moan about kick off times, ticket arrangements for big games, beer prices, referees etc we cannot influence these things. But as supporters we can influence the direction crowd behaviour takes in the future. Unless we want to go the way of football with segregated crowds and lots of police we have to take the initiative ourselves. There should be an atmosphere at games and banter, noise and having a thick skin are part of that but aggression and bad behaviour are not.

We should not stand quietly by when people, whether our own fans or not, are behaving in an offensive way. We should contact stewards and write to clubs or even tell offenders we do not find their behaviour acceptable.

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