In the days leading up to the Harrogate fixture the Loafer had been beavering away in the back office unearthing programmes of previous Harrogate encounters and the return of the Harrogate fixture brought the memories flooding back, helped by the Loafer’s selection of primary documents.
Gilly remembered his last game was against Harrogate in 1952 before going off for his National Service and when he returned in to civilian life in 1954, after being in action in Korea, his first game was against Harrogate.
On the last league fixture against Harrogate, 16th November 1991, played at Powderhouse Lane and won by ‘Gate, 15-10, the Vale were captained by Monsieur Le Drop, the Solicitor was Chair of Rugby, First Team Manager was Smoothie, the Borough Treasurer was Second Team Manager and Shagpile was Match Secretary.
Other Alies held positions within the club way back then. As was to be expected the Accountant was Deputy Treasurer, Muggy was Subscription Secretary, the Oil Tycoon was House Chairman and the Electrician was responsible for Game Sponsorship.
Making the headlines that November was the release of Terry Waite, a dramatic plummeting of shares on Wall Street (no connection with the release of Terry), Robert Maxwell drowned off the Canary Isles. On the rugby front, Australia beat England in the final of the World Cup, 12-6, at Twickenham.
Of course some of the Alies were still bopping around, perhaps to the Michael Jackson hit “Black or White!” which topped the charts in the middle of November or tracks from the bestselling album, “We Can’t Dance,” by Genesis. At the end of the month the pop world mourned the death of Freddie Mercury.
There was an air of gloom pervading the Round Table after the final whistle of the Harrogate game after Vale’s half time lead of 35-17 had been blown away and turned into a 45-38 defeat. One of Genesis’ songs which is entitled “Fading Lights” contains the lines, “Another time it might have been so different/Oh only if we could do it all again.” Well if the nerves can stand the strain, everlasting bulbs and a pack of fuses might be the order of the day for the return fixture on March 2 when the Vale will be making their first visit to the Stratstone Stadium on Rudding Lane.
A blank Saturday allowed some of the despair following the defeat by Harrogate to evaporate but as always there is plenty of raw meat to chew on; team selection, cost of travel, and the fortunes of the club’s sides and of course the latest reports on living a healthy life style. Then there was the outcome of the All Blacks game to set yet another refereeing hare running.
During the week, ahead of the Crossing of the Pennines to Sandal, there were indications that the Alies’ numbers would be reduced; the Major was cavorting with the Bin Man in Kent, both Muggy and Gilly had handed in early “excuse me” notes. Eventually seven lugged their screw tops aboard Mark’s coach but Candy Man had trouble plonking himself into his seat which he likened to something out of a rally car.
Once again an early start caused the Accountant to synchronise bottle opening with the sun and the yard arm but he confirmed that the Alnwick and Blaydon timings would kick in. The Platelayer was getting very excited about the fitting of a new carpet, he received some advice from Maximus, who is up to speed where anything Axminster is concerned, and reminded the Platelayer about the importance of a thick, firm underlay; a subject close to Shagpile’s heart.
It was busy on the motorway network but everything flowed nicely although once again the Accountant let rip a tirade at a middle lane hogger between dispensing the Shiraz.
The sat-nav came up with the goods and on arrival at Milnthorpe Road the Alies piled into the clubhouse to be greeted by a splendid cluster of Sandal members who pointed the Alies in the direction of a wide range of beers. Everyone hit it off immediately as “rugger-buggers” tend to do, and it was hard to imagine that the last visit was 25 years ago.
After a lunch of Lymm style proportions washed down with quality wines the Alies again reluctantly eased themselves from the table. It was well worth the effort because the game was a free flowing, eleven try contest, but once again Vale’s half time lead disappeared into the atmosphere. A flurry of Sandal scoring caused the electronic scoreboard operator palpitations with advice coming from all quarters; he eventually sorted the digits into the right combination which satisfied the locals.
A quick return was organised to view the Ireland game back at HQ but the Accountant was able to top up the beakers in what, apart from the result, had been an enjoyable occasion in the company of some affable, down to earth, rugby buffs.
Before the Alies said their good-byes referee Chris Broomfield, who had been in charge of the Hull fixture at The Lane in October, and who resides in Hull, came over for a chat and said that Hull Rugby Union Club was only one hour further on down the M62 and A63 from Sandal Magna; something for the Alies to remember ahead of the fixture on February 9 when they will be visiting, for the first time, the “Ferens Ground” on Chanterlands Avenue where Hull moved to at the start of the 2008/09 season.
For the Billingham game Doctor Foster returned from his nautical adventures and looked in the rudest of heath, obviously being lashed to the main mast, or should it be lashed with the main mast, walking on the planking, jigging in the rigging or even taking his turn in the barrel had done him no harm.
Unlike the Ancient Mariner he brought jubilation to the party, because after a winless voyage that began after the win against Northwich on April 14, the Vale had been buffeted in storm tossed seas. At last an anchor was dropped in a victory harbour after eleven attempts to cross the bar.
Of course it was not just the return of the devil-may-care sea-dog, a squad of players and their coaches also played their part as did those two hung-sung heroes on ground duty, the Solicitor and Ash, two d-i-y practitioners for who any job is never too small for their nimble fingers and a razor sharp awareness of all things mechanical or electrical. Before, during and after the game the changing rooms were their domain and when the last light was switched off the sparkle still remained; this duo must be candidates for the prestigious “Golden Mop” award at the end of season presentations.
Even after such an undreamed of victory the Alies took things quietly, everyone remained upright but they could not hide the ruddy glow on their faces, in particular those who had sipped a wonderful, salty Malt from a far flung Scottish Isle, courtesy of the Consultant’s hip flask, and their ever widening smiles. They had witnessed a breathtaking game of rugby between two totally committed sides with all the players who took part being a credit to their respective clubs; this was rugby at its finest and the perfect way to end Movember, that is, if one is a Vale supporter.