Leave Nothing On The Pitch ! Leave Nothing In The Stands Sunday, 26th Feb 2017 11:00 As Saints fans head up to Wembley for the biggest game in the lives of most who are heading up there, the message is all about getting behind the team. The favourite quote of many managers as they send their team into the tunnel for a major cup final is "Leave nothing on the pitch and have no regrets". That means that a player should come off the pitch knowing that he has given his all for the cause and has kept going for the full 90 minutes plus injury or extra time. It is the teams that do that, that keep going when a game is in the balance or when all seems lost that turn losses into wins. It also has the undertone that you never know when the chance of glory will arrive again, if ever, so you have to grasp the opportunity when it comes. But a similar phrase of "Leave nothing in the stands" applies to the 32,000 Saints fans who will be cheering the side on, we need to grasp the opportunity to get behind our team and help them win the trophy. When I left Wembley 41 years ago, I did not think that in the next four decades I would rarely get the feeling of being within sight of a major trophy again, in fact since that magic moment I have only experienced it twice more up until Sunday. Very few people will be at Wembley on Sunday who where there in 1976, a few more will have gone in 1979 and perhaps 2/3 of our travelling support went to Cardiff, in those three games Saints fans showed that they were up there with any other club in terms of backing and supporting their team, we kept going throughout all three games and never stopped, we were outnumbered in two of those games yet it was our support, the colour and the noise that was remembered after the games. WE need to capture this again against Manchester United at Wembley and we need to stay behind the team even if it isn't going our way, Lawrie McMenemy said back in 1976 that the difference between Saints and Newcastle fans was not our passion, but the way it came out, the Geordies give something to the team and then the team responds, but in Southampton it is the other way round, the team has to give something to the fans and then the supporters get going. That was not the case in 1976 at Wembley, nor in 1979 or 2003, our support was magnificent and a credit to the club, we need it to be again. So every man, woman, child at Wembley needs to raise their voices, I don't care if your usual manner at St Mary's is to sit silently and cheer only when we score, this is a cup final, only our sixth in 132 years, now is not the time to be silent it is the time to raise our voices and be the 12th man. When you leave Wembley on Sunday evening, do so with pride and do so with your voice hoarse, leave nothing in the stands, know that whatever the result you have played a part in it. If we win then it will be even more satisfying, if we lose then at least you know that you have done your bit. Being a Saints fan doesn't have many moments like this Sunday, let's enjoy it but let's enjoy it by playing a full part in the day, a game is never lost till the final whistle, remember that and remember to take your voice to Wembley. Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
   Blogs 31 bloggersSouthampton Polls[ Vote here ] |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
