By Lynne Topp
February 27 2003

Guest contributor Lynne tells how her love affair with rugby - and Saracens, of course - began and blossomed since her chance attendance at the home game against Wasps a couple of years ago. I suppose that unlike me, many of you people out there have been true die-hard rugby fans for years. Following or playing for local clubs and being there on the side of the pitch at Bramley Road in all weathers is what makes you a true rugby fan.

Well my love affair with rugby and Saracens really only started at the beginning of the 2000/01 season.

One sunny Wednesday evening in September, I had returned home from an extremely arduous trip to Taunton to see my cancer stricken father who was down there on his own in hospital. I had a stinker of a day, very long journey and an emotional and devastating meeting with dad's consultant telling me that basically there was no hope. The last thing I wanted to do was go out and enjoy myself. Hubby informed me that some friends from Fullerians RFC had phoned and he had arranged for us to go to that evenings match, I think against Wasps but I'm sure you will put me right if that’s not the case.

Off we went and I could not believe I enjoyed it so much. This was completely unexpected, they served beer throughout the match, the fans all sat together, there was no fights, well none off the pitch anyway, and I really enjoyed the game, and no, not just the view of the tasty bods running around the pitch.

I drove everyone mad, asking why decisions were made, what the ref was waving his arms about for, and basically what the hell was going on but, too late, I was totally hooked.
That season I went to a number of home matches through the cashback scheme and gradually managed to understand all the arm waving etc without asking too many silly questions. I even started going without hubby as he decided that he preferred playing golf and watching footie on the TV.

Last season, after getting my sister, niece and her friend also hooked, we stared travelling to some away matches as well. We even made the journey for the weekend to Newcastle. Shame about the result, though.

This season my son, sister, niece, nephew and friend all become season ticket holders. We were so chuffed to have joined the elite. We have also hooked in a few others to join us. Sis's boyfriend, daughter, various sons' friends and my best friend now all attend on a fairly regular basis.

However,I'm afraid I have now become a bit of a die-hard . I even manage to book holidays around fixtures so I don't miss any, luckily that side of our social life is left to me so no-one has twigged yet! - sad or what?

Chris, my son, and I now travel to most away matches, usually in the good company of the SSA coach regulars. Chris, who is often the only kid on the coach now brings videos along, much to the bemusement of the Fez Boys, (yes I heard you singing along to Jungle Book though), and we really enjoy the whole experience.

He particulary likes the references to horse's a*** which appear in a number of the songs he has heard so far.

Highlight of our experience to date has to be the Autumn internationals where we sat and watched England's finest defeat both Australia and South Africa from the, very cold, south stand at Twickenham. Brilliant!

Now we just need the icing on the cake of seeing Sarries win a trophy or two. The Parker Pen Challenge Cup will do for starters.

Would I change allegiance or give up going? No. Never. Not after one chance game on a sunny September evening.