On a chilly Wednesday evening the Saintettes are ensconced Chez Radio Verulam to record an interview for the Saturday Sports show. Even though it’s pre-recorded we are all slightly nervous, particularly having received the instruction to ‘not swear’. The interviewer Matt and the programme host are welcoming, Helen, Julie and Donna are articulate and full of bonhomie. TLF talks a bit too much about Christmas cookies and has a massive mind meltdown when asked to complete the sentence “I love my Saints because…” but at least I don’t swear.
The following Satday anticipation was high. TLF parentals were in town, we were all booked to see Fairport Convention at the Alban Arena that night and our interview was scheduled to be broadcast shortly after the game. All we needed were for the Mighty Saints to serve up some rip-roaring match day entertainment.
Now I accept that Saints weren’t the main attraction; merely the warm up act for an august day as The Saintettes made their media debut, but there wasn’t quite the need to be as disappointing as they were. Playing against bottom four side Chippenham Town, there was little to warm the cockles of the shivering occupants of the terraces. Unless you count a comedy disaster of a free kick ‘routine’. Which I don’t. Instead we had to rely on terrace banter courtesy of Trevor, Barry and Adrian. The latter was responsible for the classic, ‘surely you mean your sister,’ when he was introduced to Mummy TLF. Funny how she never complains even though she has heard it before. TLF plumbed new depths, responding to Trevor’s offer of KitKat with, “I can never turn down the offer of a finger from you Trevor.” It was the football’s fault. They drove me to it.
All any of us wanted was the final whistle, but the ref who had been a spectacular irritant throughout, was presumably punishing us for the verbal abuse we had aimed in his direction when he played four minutes of extra time. Our despair at the thought of four more freezing minutes turned to joy however as Banton stuck away a penalty, followed up by a Rhys cracker. 90 minutes of misery was forgotten, with Julie extra ecstatic – no one wins a golden goal with the 90 minute ticket!
But would the Saintettes’ interview maintain the joie d’vivre? Apparently so. Nothing guaranteed more to curl your toes up than listening back to yourself, but with a generous build up by presenter Tony Rice and some great responses on social media I think we did ourselves and our club proud.
Video killed the radio star(s)? I think not Mr Trevor of Horn…..
Marconi Fox
Did anyone mention a Sony award?