Kingsland Codger

Away at Bolton in 2003 (ish)?

Listen to the Randy Pausch 'Last Lecture"

At the start of the season, ahead of the Cardiff match, the pundits on Sky (McNally, Merson, Cottee and Billy Davies) were asked about Saints by Jeff Stelling. McNally, Merson and Cottee showed an appalling lack of research - none of them had ever heard of (World Cup finalist) JP; one would have thought a quick Google search ahead of their well-paid TV performance might have been a minimum requirement. Billy Davies on the other hand showed some knowledge and went on to describe Saints in glowing terms (can't remember his exact words but it was along the lines of us being a brilliant club with fantastic facilities). In short, he appeared to be putting himself in the frame in case things went tits-up. But whether he would be suitable or not is a good discussion topic but will never happen. We have no money and couldn't afford to let the Dutch go, let alone hire BD.

I might as well own up to not only liking Noggin The Nog but also thoroughly enjoying Muffin The Mule.

Nor should we forget the joys of the old money. Those old penny coins were so heavy but just one of them would get you 4 chews at the sweet shop (Fruit Salad or Back Jack). The thrupenny bit would buy a 3D ice lolly and a tanner was a Real Treat. Sweets were bought loose and in 4ozs measures - "a quarter of pineapple chunks" - and are sherbert fountains still available? We had to learn our times table and would to stand up and recite it when instructed to do so by the teacher. Weekly spelling tests, grammar lessons, learning poems and passages from Shakespeare off-by-heart - mostly still remembered even now. Wearing a school cap and having to give the peak a quick touch when you passed a lady in the street (sounds weird now but was the norm then) ...

The match at White Hart Lane where we lost 5-1. Saints were only one goal down at the time but Spurs were all over us. A cross came in and landed well for Defoe to hit on the volley from 5 yards out - he connected perfectly and from point-blank range our favourite Finn not only manages to save it but he held onto it. There was a communal gasp from all sections of the crowd, acknowledging we had witnessed something that appeared not physically possible. Then a round of applause from everyone. The Spurs players retreated to defend, the Saints players re-arranged themselves and Niemi bowls the ball out 25 yards to one of our midfielders - who passed the ball square to ... Jermaine Defoe who had a simple run-in for a one-on-one with Niemi and this time there was nothing he could do. Spurs went 2-0 up. It made you wonder how such a marvellous goalkeeper could remin sane in front of such a chaotic defence.

Dexter Blackstock's 'Perfect Hat-Trick' against Colchester A 2-0 victory over you-know-who and a win against Yeovil

I strive to pursue happiness but am encumbered by being a Saints fan.