Tigerstart may be the alter ego of a devoted and committed Leicester Tigers fan, where she has earned herself a bit of a wild reputation, especially via the message board and her antics, so its about time she explained why every other thought concerns the Tigers team selection, where she can be Joshie-baby’s official groupie and why Boothie is best. (Please note Mad-Hatter that this will form part of TT’s autobiography that will be pending in 2022, hence a former thread on the message board!)

In the days of polytechnics, a Derbyshire lad was educated at Loughborough (that renowned place for sporty people) doing teaching. At the same time, unknown to him, was a certain Welsh superstar Gerald Davies at the same establishment. The dates, if anyone is interested were 1963-1966. So my dad had his first taste of rugby, watching Gerald Davies on the field.

Having come from a divided religious football family from Derby, my dad enjoyed watching sport. The difficultly was that my Grandad was a Nottingham Forest supporter, whilst my Gran was a Derby fan. In those days, just like today, there was fierce rivalry between local teams, to the effect that no player could ever be transferred between the two teams.

Having supported Forest for many years, my Dad’s claim to fame is that he still has the 1976 European Campaign 45” single of Paper Lace singing “We’ve got the whole world in our hands” complete with supporters backing vocals, which I got signed for him by Larry Lloyd, in another alter ego of journalist.

Having moved with my parents to Leicester in 1983, I adopted the city as my new, true home and have remained here for the last 19 years (and counting). As my dad was of the football persuasion, a trip to Filbert Street (now Walker’s Bowl) was completely out of question, so rugby was settled upon.

My first memory of being introduced into rugby consisted of me watching the 5-Nations on the television (the brilliant BBC coverage) with my dad explaining the rules. Back in 1991, my dad had his “accident” and broke his wrist and badly cut his leg, so he was whisked off in an ambulance to leave me alone to watch England and all he cared about was who was going to win the Championship!

My dad decided that it was time to take me to Welford Road – the fortress of the Tigers. Dredging the memory banks, I believe my first match was Leicester vs Newcastle in the 1992-1993 season aged 14. The best of it all was that my dad and I stood on the terraces, near the Aylestone Road, and got soaked in the first half, but moved down the terrace to dry off in the second half.

Albeit, the journey home on the bus was bad because we were still soaked! Still the sight of seeing the players for real was amazing and strengthened my love and passion for the game – some may say madness. The cry of Jez Hariesssssssssssssss was wonderful every time he slotted over a conversion or penalty and I remember taking some action shots of Tony “Easy Jet” Underwood scoring in front of us.

So, my love affair with WR started. During the season 1993-1994, I became a junior member and went alone to the Fortress. Probably because I become so obsessed with rugby and that my dad wasn’t too bothered about going to every game.

TT quickly made friends with a bunch of lovely people whom she still stands with on the terraces, left of where the players run out and about 5 meters down from the bus shelters (team bench). My parents decided that TT had been such a good girl that they would treat her to a (proper) Tigers shirt, which has been lovingly cherished ever since with a nice Tetleys Bitter emblem (which is about 8 years old now, surely a collector’s item!)

So equipped with a shirt and junior membership, which slowly turned into student and adult membership; a terrace spot was taken up by TT. All of the home League and Cup games were attended, as well as the odd few away League games with my friends from the terraces.

My first trip adventure to Twickenham – the HQ of rugby, (I don’t think so, having been to Cardiff), was the May 4th 1996 Pilkington Cup final Leicester vs Bath. Obviously, it was a lot to take in, the first time at being at Twickers, and the structure didn’t impress TT one bit – she moaned that it was far too grey and boring!

TT seems to think that the match didn’t really have much action – huge under-estimation – as despite Pooley scoring, Bath were awarded a late penalty try which brought them victory. At the final whistle Backy had a bit of double vision and thought he pushed a Bath player, when in fact it was Mr. Lander! A 6-month ban ensued. Not the best first trip to HQ, especially considering Backy was TT’s god (and she was wearing the printed t-shirt - Backy – The Blonde Bullet)

The following year another attempt at Twickenham was made with my friends. 10th May 1997 saw Tigers clinch the Pilkington Cup by beating Sale in a tense and narrow game. TT was very proud that she finally saw a Twickenham victory for the Tigers. It also saw Leicester’s first attempt at the European Cup (seems so long ago now and at such a funny time in the season). A day trip to Cardiff on 25th January saw Tigers lose to Brive – TT felt privileged to have been to the old Welsh stadium (and stood).

The first away match I attended with the Leicester Tigers Away Supporters Club (LTASC) was away at Bath in March 1998 (lost 16-5). Having stated my university life in the autumn of 1997, I quickly got involved in the University’s newspaper “The Ripple”. Having covered rugby for the paper, I did a full-page spread as a diary about an away trip (these days that would have to be censored!) At 1.50pm the Sky cameraman accepted my obligatory money and filmed me, which has continued as I pay my subs each year to be filmed and star in the end of the season video! Craig Joiner scored with Stansky’s miskick allowing Guscott to score with our friend Lander referring.

By now, TT was a regular at all home games, with a stop rigidly at the front, in shouting distance of the players (especially at warm up time). In the 2000-2001 season, TT became a regular at all of the away games on the away supporters bus. An 18-hour coach journey to Pau, complete with circuits of the one-way system of the town centre, was endured to see Tigers enter a passionate ground and come away with an enthralling victory, (13th January) on the road to a final in Paris. TT took Paris by storm (19th May), as she partied deep into the Friday night and loitered with intent underneath the Eiffel Tower. Boy what a game and what a result, and even saw Paddy Howard back at WR on the Sunday evening (god-like status in TT’s reckoning).

Entering the 2001-2002 season saw TT have a network of friends on the away supporters bus, in the various bars that she inhabits before and after the game, and her long-standing friends on the terrace. And was a regular at away games. Thanks to a pylon on the M25, the Bath game was missed (but I was there in mind and spirit) – the highlight of that day was peeing on the embankment!

Picturesque Italy was the first stop for the European campaign, a nice flight to Calvisano with a day out in Verona (went out on the town Saturday night and managed to go for an early swim!) Unfazed by coach journeys, Perpignan was 24 hours, (drank the bar dry Friday night, toured the city and evening game on Saturday with another evening of drinking the and a love affair grew with swimming pools!).

TT made Llanelli a weekend with her friends and was disappointed to lose. The Semi-final made up for that, and a long weekend ensured, as Leicester was painted red, green and white the Saturday night, TT ran a coach on the Sunday, the game was won and Sunday night was long, with a Beach Party at her other home, “The Walkabout”.

Cardiff 2002 was magical – an inspirational ground and a performance to match. Privileged with the honour of running a coach, TT arrived safely and went partying in Cardiff (guess where?) It was awesome to be in the Millennium stadium and tears were wept at the end when Tigers held onto their European Cup but TT had a quiet night of celebrating!

TT’s passion for rugby continues and am awaiting a nice European leg of the new 2002-2003 season, and maintaining her reputation!

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