By Rabble Rouser
March 3 2003

Floozies, Boozers, Fezboys and Loozers! Quick, someone pass the Prozac! The recent form of the Men in Black has been depressing enough, but now the supporters are making me feel like I need therapy. Every man and his dog has an opinion on why Saracens are gonig through a dismal run of form at the moment.

Some blame the team, others the management but what really, really has annoyed me is the threat by some so-called supporters to ditch the club just becase they're not doing well.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we choose to follow a team because of the associated emotional roller-coaster? Along the way the joy, despair, laughter, tears, fun and frustration are all part and parcel of being a true fan. Not only in our great game of rugby union, but in any sport.

I recently met a group of Edinbugh ice hockey fans in a hotel in which we were all staying. They were on the second leg of a weekend trip which cost each one of them over £300 and when I asked what the score of their team's game earlier in the evening was, the response was "we were stuffed 8-1, but we don't care. We just love the sport and, win or lose, we enjoy it".

Those supporters to whom I spoke told me of their club's chequered history. It was once one of the top sides in the country until they fell on hard times. The results started going against them, casual support and the money disappeared and they were forced to downsize and play outside the top flight.

Saracens have had their own versions of an 8-1 drubbing of late and still the hardcore supporters keep coming back, knowing that form is temporary and that the good time will one day return.

Others, by way of comparison, are fickle to the point of childishness. It's a case of "it's my ball and I'm taking it home". Because their team isn't doing well, they think that deserting them is the thing to do. They believe that with every ticket purchased there is a cast-iron guarantee of a good performance, a win and a stylish one at that. Sorry to burst your bubble, folks, but it doesn't work like that.

Rather than saying "up yours" to those fans thinking of packing it in, I am appealing for their support until the end of this season at least. The team and the club as a whole need it now more than ever. Don't take the easy way out. Stick at it. Experience the full range of emotions. If you don't, when the good times do return (and they will) they will feel all the better.

You will then be able to join in with the old Fezboys standard "Where were you when we were pants?" with true convition. Because you WERE there when we were pants. And by being there, you helped Sarries live to tell the tale.