World Footy News

The Merseyside Saints have been on a very steep learning curve in 2016, their inaugural season within the AFLCNE (Australian Football League Central & Northern England). The club was expecting defeats – heavy ones – and that has played out as expected. They also had a dream that maybe, just maybe, they might get their first win also. That, too, has played out to a myriad of emotions during the Lightning Round hosted by the Saints last weekend.

Their 11 point win over the Tyne Tees Tigers – 5 15 45 to 5 4 34 – will go down in club and league history as a day when the Saints proved to all and sundry that they belong.


Merseyside Saints President, Will Sykes, happily shared his and the club’s emotions. “ The feeling throughout the club was one of anticipation at first after the final whistle as despite extremely tired legs we knew we had had the better of it the second half but had missed several easy chances in front of goal.”

“When the score was confirmed there was a host of emotions shown by all the players involved. After such a tough first season there was excitement, shock and confusion. Confusion because after coping such beatings week in, week out some weren’t sure how to react. That was quickly forgotten when the first words of the victory song, ‘Oh, When the Saints’ was belted out.”

“The first historic win has done and will continue to do wonders for all the boys. They have battled hard all season and not forfeited any games despite being outgunned every week, so this is just reward for their efforts. They have had a taste of victory and they all love it. They can’t wait to get out on the training track to continue to improve and build on more wins.”

There are so many words that can be used when a club withstands so much adversity and comes out the other side with victory. It is the basic premise of some of the greatest stories ever told. Words such as determination, spirit, belief, resilience, persistence, heart, courage – the list is formidable.

But one word – relief – must be in there also. Relief that one particularly nasty and annoying monkey has been removed from the Saints’ backs. Whatever happens from here, that first victory is done and dusted. No matter what happens now, the Merseyside Saints can always state categorically:

“We have won before and we will win again.”

Congratulations, Merseyside Saints.