I know Saints are about to embark on a new and exciting era but I hope you wont mind a little reflection on the past, it may stir some memories for others.

I was thinking back to the first Saints match I saw. I reckon it must have been early November 1957, I was only seven years old so you'll have to forgive me if memory has distorted it a little.
Saints had just signed Vollenhoven and he was playing for th A team against either Whitehaven or Workington. I went along with my dad, he paid for me through the juniors turnstyle, then shepherded me towards the boy's pen in front of the old clubhouse.
I stood against the boundary wall behind the posts, if I recall Voll scored a hat-trick, I can picture it in my mind now of him running behind the posts and touching-down.

There was an article about the match in the local paper a few years ago, apparantly Voll had made his debut the week before but because the 1st team were then away they played Voll in the A team to get a big crowd.....I think it said it is still a record for a reserve game.

Following from that my memories for the following years are a bit patchy, mainly cup game stick in my mind and games against Wigan they were the big events. My main memories kick in the 60/61 season notably the cup run,
we drew at home to Widnes in a rain soaked game but won the mid week replay, I don't recall the second round but the third round was a memorable game against Swinton.
They were a top side at the time, we were losing at half time (5-2 I think) and seemed to be tackling us out of the game until Dick Huddart charged through and scored Rhodes conversion put us ahead, it was still tight until Brian McGinn scored then Murphy clinched it.
The four teams through to the semi's were Hull, Halifax, Wigan and Saints.
Saints were matched with Hull, so that meant me & me mum on Gavin Murray's coach to Odsal, it was along drive pre M62. The game was tight we got our nose in front just before half-time and obviously went on to win.

That set up the dream final

Saints vs Wigan for the first time in the cup final
the first time we wore the Red V
my first trip to Wembley as an 11 year old all decked out with scarf and bob-hat.........an awesome day and a great win.

These days Saints seem to be in so many finals and big occasions but you don't forget your first one.

Just curious if there is anyone else on here who was at that Vollenhoven-A team game.

Anyone else got any memories of that era or the first match?

Saints 57

My mum wasnt even born in 57 !

My first cup final was 89, travelling back on the train to Wigan ater that game is the reason I never ever get tired of bad things happening to Wigan.

My Favourite cup final and the one I remember best was 96 - we'd waited so long to get back to the top and to do it at the dawn of the modern era of Rugby when all teams were professional just made it even more special. The catalyst for the success we've enjoyed since imo.

I can't remember my very first saints game as I was to young but the first game that i really can remember was saints v Halifax when mark Elia dropped the ball over the line.

It was the 96 final v bulks was the first time I'd seem saints win at Wembley after some bad trips down to Wembley including the 27-0 against the pies.

Shame I can't recall my first game at Knowsley road.

I cant really remember who my first game was against. I was about 6, so about 1972 ish, I remeber it was a midweek, floodlight game, but nothing else apart from that. I used to go with my dad, and we would stand in the paddock. I was too small to see over the wall, so I had a box to stand on, which was fine, except that during the game the crowd would move from side to side a bit, leaving my box a few feet away from my dangling legs! I also remeber having to wear 16 layers of clothes, and still being perished. I do remember the likes of Kel Coslett, Chisnalls, George Nichols, Bertie Mantle, John Warlow and John Walsh playing, oh and Les Jones and Roy Mathias.

So I guess I can't go along with the idea that you never forget your first time!!

The first game I went to watch was the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley when we lost by one point to Halifax. That was a long journey home! All I remember of it was jumping up and down thinking we had scored to win but the try was disallowed. I also remember sitting on concrete steps, but did they have concrete steps at the old Wembley? Oh, and there being a post nearby that blocked my view.

My second match was away at Leigh (old ground). We lost then too.

I stopped going after that!

Did we start winning again

I saw them lose many many finals but then went on great wining streak but now we are on a losing run.

I'm just happy I've seen us win every cup possible we can win.

My first game was as an 8 year old against Barrow in November 1984,we won 59-2. Big Mal Meninga was playing.

First cup final i was taken to was the sickening 13-8 loss to the Pies in the 1991 Challenge Cup. I was gutted when my dad couldn't get me a ticket for the shambles 2 years earlier but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

My first game was the 1976 CC Final against Widnes,been hooked ever since.

My first Saints home game was the following season against Wigan,can't remember the score,hopefully we won.

Wigan won 22 - 17

Incorrect. The first home game for Saints v Wigan after the challenge cup final was a 10-10 draw.

Quote: BackrowSaint "Incorrect. The first home game for Saints v Wigan after the challenge cup final was a 10-10 draw.'" No it was actually 14 - 12 for Wigan on 27th Dec 1976. wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/in ... age_id=396

Quote: BackrowSaint "Incorrect. The first home game for Saints v Wigan after the challenge cup final was a 10-10 draw.'" No it was actually 14 - 12 for Wigan on 27th Dec 1976. wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/in ... age_id=396