JUST WHAT IT MEANS TO ME.............................. : Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:31 am  

Well after a few years away I thought I would venture back onto this board......and a change to my user name..........previously GIANT ROOSTER now Shipley Giant.....

I wanted to share with you just what getting to the Challenge Cup Final means to me and wondered if any of you guys would like to do likewise..

Having watched the Giants for some 20 years now (initially from Rastrick but now living in the Aire Valley) this really is a special moment for me and no doubt alot of you guys also. I must admit at the start of last week I was confident of beating Saints but as the week went on I became more nervous.

The day was one I will never ever forget, starting my journey from Shipley Station and receiving a few good wishes from the locals I set off in bouyant yet nervous mood. We got the train from Leeds and arrived in Huddersfield for the Claret and Gold hoards to get on the train - standing room only but who cares. Arriving in Warrington straight into the pub for some liquid refreshment and then at 3.30pm onto the stadium.

I must admit I have never been so drained after a game and I must, as many of you lived every emotion. The feeling of pure elation at the end was one I have rarely if ever felt after a Giants win.

The walk back to the station and good wishes from the Saints fans on the way, the after match drink and journey home were just magic so many happy faces and again something I will never forget. Arriving back in Shipley on Sunday night walking past a bar where everyone yes everyone clapped me as I walked by was just pure magic. The dozens of text messages from friends and relatives about beating Saints.

So at long last my and our team return to Wembley - its the first time that I will watch my and our team at Wembley. I was at Twickenham in 2006 but this is very special and quite something else. What makes it even more special is that I will be there with my 6 year old son and its my 40th birthday this year - doesnt life begin at 40? what a 40th present it would be for me and us to lift that famous trophy at Wembley and I am sure that I may well shed a tear or two on the day whatever the result but I just hope that we can finish the job.

If the players and staff wonder what their achievements have done for this club and its supporters they should read this board but I am sure after Sunday they will have an idea.

Yes we have won nothing yet and all we can all ask is that as many fartowners as possible wherever they may be from get to Wembley and support those boys for their efforts this season and hopefully spur them on to winning the Cup.

I have never been so proud as I am today to say I support the Huddersfield Giants.

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:33 am  

Welcome back !!

[Durham Giant]

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:21 am  

I can only echo your sentiments. I have been watching the Giants since 1977 and have experienced many highs and Lows. mainly lows. I remember all the beatings we used to get and the demoralisation that came with it. I seem to remember the lows more than the highs. The relegations , the big points defeats etc.

In all my time i have NEVER seen HRLFC have a winning season in the top flight until this year and that is why it is so special now.
i was at leeds for the semi in 2006 but to be honest never expected us to win. When we did i was in shock and did not believe it and so the memories are blurred. At Twickenham i was so proud of the boys for the first 25 minutes and dared to dream but reality soon sunk in. I was still proud of them and said so to Eorls wife. But again to me it just felt like another day of hurt and what might have been.

This time i was at warrington and knew that we beat a good team , not as a one off or through luck but as being better than them and that is what makes this so sweet. I really feel that HRLFC have finally arrived at the top table and deserve to be there.

I am going to wembley believing that we are going there to win and not just make up the numbers.

Last sunday i cried at the end of the game and feel tearful now writing this .

Even now though i cannot help feeling negative and fearful as all the failures in the past are deeply embedded. I still have a feeling we will lose. No matter how hard i try to be positive , or rationalise it, or look at the stats i cannot but be pessimistic.

i am going to wembley to enjoy it, if we win i will be ecstatic but the tears i will shed may flood the whole arena. I would reccommend you bring an umbrella if you are stood near me.

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:40 am  

100% echo those sentiments DG, from start to finish.

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:47 am  

Yeh i'd probably say Sunday will go down as one of the top 3 days off my life.

[Durham Giant]

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:51 am  

PONNER wrote:

Yeh i'd probably say Sunday will go down as one of the top 3 days off my life.

have you not had 4 kids and two wives

someone is going to feel a bit left out.

I hope you do not let them read the board

For me it will be the fifth best day off my life. After my wedding day and the days my three kids were born.

I will be showing them all this post particularly my lovely , understanding supportive wife. ( who let me change our holiday arrangements).

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:57 am  

Yeah, one of the best.

IF we win...well, that might just take top billing, but my wife understands (and probably agrees!)

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:04 pm  

i had a tear in my eye at Twickers during abide with me and after Wild's try on sunday so Wembley, i would expect will be even more heart wrenching.

who would have thought after trudging away from Fartown after another horrendous display in front of 5-600 people in the late 1980's and being used to watching the great sides of the day play in the cup final that just over 20 years later we would be there ourselves - as equals after earning the right to play in that very same final with a very,very good chance of bringing that cup home ? it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

is it real ? are we dreaming ? or have our crappy little club with no fans, no hope, no potential really achieved this ?

My youngest will be going with me to Wembley - its his 14th birthday that day ( he was born on the 100th anniversary of rugby league) and if only he and all the other new fans knew what this club was like 20 years ago they wouldnt believe it either !!

Fartown at Wembley - the dream has finally come true !!!

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:11 pm  

Durham Giant wrote:

have you not had 4 kids and two wives

someone is going to feel a bit left out.

I hope you do not let them read the board

For me it will be the fifth best day off my life. After my wedding day and the days my three kids were born.

I will be showing them all this post particularly my lovely , understanding supportive wife. ( who let me change our holiday arrangements).

No matey I've only had 2 kids(Lel has 2 also) and I've only been married once(although not anymore), i suppose I'm as good as married to Lel(just over 8 years together) without the piece of paper to show it. Anyway, my 2 kids births come in the top 3

: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:30 pm  

Last time at Wembley I was 11 years old. Used to walk length of Leeds Road then across to Fartown and back in all weathers. After the semi announced to my Dad I'm off to Wembley. You're only eleven he said you cant go there on your own. Wait til next time when you're a bit older. THE WAIT IS OVER. Family all coming including 6 yr old granddaughter. Who knows how long a wait she'd have if she misses this one. They get back form Crete at 6 o'clock on cup final day then straight down M6 with the Wire fans. They can go home after the match.