Sorry its late (due to ill health) but this is my account of my Grand Final.

It started off at my local pub in Appley Bridge in Wigan. All the boys were together and in high spirits. I was the only Saints fan in the party and I was told on many occasion what Wigan were going to do to us and how St Helens had no chance of winning the Grand Final. I simply replied on every occasion I got some abuse "Talk is cheap its doing it that counts!!!" In my heart of hearts I honestly was going into the Grand Final knowing defeat was almost a certainty. We had no Jonny Lomax, Luke Walsh and Jon Wilkin. I knew we would have to have the game of our lives to even come close.

Heading into Manchester the banter was again going from me and the Wigan supporters which to be honest I enjoy the craic. Again the Pies were so sure of themselves that victory was secured they started playing "We are the Champions!!!" It was only then I started to believe that maybe this could be our day but kept that to myself because I didn't want friends of mine knowing haha!

Dropped off our bags at the Hotel in Deansgate and went for a very nice meal at Sams Chophouse (which I can strongly recommend) and headed off to the Tollgate Pub just around the corner from Old Trafford!!!

After a few beers we started walking to the ground my heart was beating as fast as anyone could imagine (was that a good sign???) I was starting to feel more confident but still keeping my council infront of my pie eating mates, still playing down that Saints are there for the taking. Once we got into the ground I heard the news that Micky McIllorum wouldn't be playing and as soon as I told a few mates they looked at me in horror thinking I was winding them up. Sam Powell at Nine wouldn't be that much of a problem to us I felt and the loss of McIllorum would help us greatly.

As the teams walked out from the tunnel I had tears in my eyes, (I am not ashamed to admit that as I was confident something special was about to be witnessed) Then the game kicked off. I knew Saints were serious up for it because of the terrific shot on Dom Crosby by Mose Masoe in the first hit up, that gave even more confidence. Obviously as everyone knows after 90 or so seconds of the Grand Final Ben Flower was sent off and I knew then it was going to be our day. Although we were behind on the scoreboard at half time I wasn't unduly worried. I knew we would get chances in the second half and the Wigan side would obviously tire towards the end of the game. The Second Half was like a whirlwind for me. We went ahead but there weren't any real signs of Wigan tiring and were constant threat. I have to say some of our defence was quite possible some of the best, if the not the best I have ever witnessed from a Saints side. It was quite incredible, the dedication to one another and there never say die attitude was truly magnificent and inspiring. When Tommy Makinson collected the high ball and scored and there around 10 minutes left to play I knew we were almost there! Then for my most embarrassing moment haha! I looked to my left (with around 90 seconds to go and the game was safe) and saw the Saints fans, waving the flags, willing there side home and signing asloud at Old Trafford as I have ever heard them, memories came flooding back of our 5 Grand Final defeats and the pain we all suffered, the ridicule we had all taken and I burst into tears!!! (the first and only time I have done this by the way!!!) It was tears of absolute and utter joy that finally we had got that fat monkey off our backs. Most definitely my proudest moment being a Saints fan and boy did the party start then!

A very good friend of mine at a hotel bar after we got changed and ready for a night out came up too be with a very large Vodka and Coke and said "Won have won the Grand Final by default (he was joking), but to see the sheer joy on your face was great to see even if it did break my heart to see Wigan lose, we have given you some s**t over the years and you have taken it, your a legend, you deserve it but boy your going to have a fight on your hands next year because Wigan will be back stronger than ever!!! Enjoy your win kid!!!"

That was my Grand Final and I have to say it was the best of the lot that we have won previously! I get shivers down my spine thinking off it now!

Thanks for reading!

A saints fan is perfectly entitled to winge as much as they like on the saints board.

Aww, you had a shandy? Probably best not to mix alcohol and forum usage pal; it tends to end up with people looking like idiots.

Id just got home from work soft lad but thanks for your unique and whimsical comment.
I will ask again - you have never wound anyone up on this or any other forums?
If that is too difficult a question I will obviously understand

I probably have wound people up on occasion, but I've never set out to do so. Nor have I ever gone on to the Wigan board and forced anything and everything Saints-related on to a load of people who simply aren't interested.

Thanks for that YG.
I look forward to jousting with you next season in what hopefully will be a more regular intense competition.
I think Saints will be the team to beat along with Wire and Catalan especially if they can reproduce their home form whilst on their travels. Wigan will be there and there abouts with quite a lot dependant on how much some of our youngsters such Williams and Hampshire further develop.