By Paul Ingleston
July 21 2021

Welcome to yet another contributor to the site; Paul Ingleston, who as many will know is Chair of Coventry Rugby Supporters' Club. Thank you Paul. 

TODAY should have been the start of a big adventure for me. I should have been flying from the UK to South Africa to the British and Irish Lions Tour, my first ever Lions Tour. A memorable way to celebrate, if that’s the word, my 65th birthday last month.

Sadly, my dreams were crushed. All the excitement of three years planning and anticipation just gone, due to the uncertainty and realism of the effects of the pandemic. The almost 12 months of worry, will it go ahead? Will I, and friends, go? In the end it was just too much. The uncertainty, the raised hopes, the ever-changing schedule. This wasn’t the plan.

The British and Irish Lions have travelled; to what? A country still having problems due to the pandemic, high case numbers and even outbreaks amongst the hosts and the Lions themselves.

I was so looking forward to this tour, myself and two others, including my son, Billy, on what should have been ‘the trip of a lifetime’. A Three-Test Tour, Cape Town- and Johannesburg-based. Fantastic.

Luckily, we had all taken the option of the official Lions Tour, paid up front, a full guaranteed refund and money back. Thank heavens we did.

I think it was about February the decision was made. We won’t go. Once that decision had been taken, I felt rather relieved. Confident that the right decision had been made, although obviously with a tremendous sense of disappointment. Gutted, in fact.

But why is this on a Coventry thread, when it is about the British and Irish Lions? Well, I know at least 11 Coventry Rugby supporters have had to make the same choice, the same sad realisation that it just wasn’t meant to be. I shall still be watching, and supporting, from afar, even though I do not think they should have travelled. No spectators, no ‘Sea of Red’, not really, as I have been told repeatedly, “It’s not really a Lions Tour”. But, if they do complete the tour, and personally I have my doubts, they will have got it done, but at what cost?

At least now I can concentrate all my thoughts on the 2021/2022 Coventry Rugby season. Season Tickets to buy, shirts to buy, sizes permitting of course.

Come on Cov. I have some money to spend now……

Travel Travails

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 22/07/2021 09:09

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
22/07/2021 09:09

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:08:04:16:07:52 by Kimbo.

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Moosemagic
22/07/2021 10:12

Great article Paul, like you I should be in J'Burg now, doing the 2nd leg of the three tour hat trick,
With the next tour to SA 12 years away, it does seem that is a bucket lister that may not be achieved.
But heads up, all being well it is only four years to Australia and in the mean time we have our own wonderful Coventry to support, bring it on!

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HoboAl
23/07/2021 17:13

I really feel for the fans that had planned way in advance for this trip and have had the disapointment of not going.

I am sure you have made the right decision not to travel. Let's hope Coventry Rugby have a successful season and help you to forget your disapointment.

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longford tim
24/07/2021 03:06

I can not understand why the Lions tour was not delayed until next year

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