The never relenting support for Ulster Rugby once again saw the province lift the trophy for the Best Supported Team in the Celtic League. Despite what sometimes were seen by the world as dire performances at more often than not rain drenched Ravenhill the critical masses turned out to support the Ulstermen. Thankfully there was no relegation otherwise we could have been involved in a titanic struggle to survive. But just as the law of diminishing returns stood on his head the men, women and children kept turning up no matter what the outcome. Grumbling with discontent time after time after home defeat after home defeat, maybe out of curiosity, maybe because a lot were season ticket holders and wanted to see out their investment. No I would prefer to say that it was out of loyalty to their province and commitment to the boys deemed worthy to wear the colours of their province. This is a support that any team in the League would be proud of, a commitment and a tenacity that is greatly respected by the players of Ulster Rugby.

The season has been littered with highs and lows which have taught us if nothing else to be humble. Our fortress was demolished brick by brick and is steadily being rebuilt. Who will ever forget the Ospreys? We were 14 to the good at half time and within ten minutes we found ourselves 21 to 14 down in no short measure attributed to the jinxing feet of Shane Williams and the dearth of anything resembling a defence. The defeats against Leinster and Munster at home were galling enough. David Humphries conspired to lose the game against Gloucester with his hopeful passing and intercepts while at the same time dazzling us with a display of supreme genius against Stade. That try, and what a try should be put into every coaching video on individual skill. It was inspired and so very unforgettable.

That was the start of the recovery or rather maybe the tentative win against Cardiff started it off. Some of our performances on the road were close but not quite close enough. Some dubious decisions by Scottish referees cost us dearly. Remember the Ospreys away. A Humphries penalty that sailed through the sticks but was not given. It would have won us the game. Ahh Scottish referees while we are on the subject definitely a low light worth mentioning. The Changalang brothers ….. Oh dear. I watched a Glasgow player use Girvan Dempsey’s head, as a doormat while a Changalang stood idly by; shameful just shameful. Gerry Thornley thanked his maker that the Celtic Cup final was not ruined as spectacle by the appointment of a Scottish referee.

We saw Tommy Bowe launched onto the international scene for the first of what will hopefully be many Irish caps. Kiernan Campbell proved that there was an alternative to the Munster domination at halfback. In the pack McCullough, Best and Wilson were superlative throughout. And Ulster provided the bulk of the team of the supposedly emerging national side. However there were disappointments for Neil Best and Bryn Cunningham, two of out most consistent and gifted performers and ignored. We also saw the retirement of Gary Longwell, Andy Ward as well as Neil Doak. I cannot say anything that has not already been said.

Then again there is the IRFU and its policies that seemed to turn to the wind when necessary. We would all love to see the rugby in Ireland coached by Irishmen and all of our prodigies returned from England and afar away as France. Ulster had a local coach after the refusal of the PGA to reappoint Alan Solomons. Mark McCall and Allen Clarke took the helm of HMS Ulster ran into the odd low tide and occasional sandbank. The crew were confused panicked and lost their morale. But Neil Kelly came just in time to rescue us from oblivion. Selection was haphazard and Paddy Wallace has become restless. Once described as probably the most dangerous Irish back at the last RWC, Paddy needs to get more game time and be used as the main outhalf for next season. We are in the process of bringing back Fists Fitzpatrick as well as Ill Get Up Your Nose Harrison to bring a true hard edge to our formation. Meanwhile Leinster have had a few problems with Declan Kidney as Mick Dawson pulled the knife out of his back, Kidney trotted of to Munster on the departure of Alan Gaffney. Sounds like the Irishness of coaching Irish teams is unsustainable as can be seen in Ulster. Hopefully Harrison will take the pressure or even total responsibility of Allen Clarke.

So far it looks like only Fistzpatrick will be returning to these shores but no sign of Jonny O’Connor, Staunton et al returning to Connaght. Instead we are haemorrhaging quality like Shane Jennings Leo Cullen to Leicester to name but a few. The implication is that they know they do not have a cat’s chance in hell of winning the HEC where they are. And guess what Leinster have appointed a class act from down under as their management team. Admission if ever there was one that the IRFU’s policy is not working.

The relationship between the supporters and the Ulster Branch has been a fraught one throughout the season. The URSC has worked steadfastly throughout providing cohesion and structure and the odd social event of great significance. Great work boys and girls, thank you all. However there is a certain distrust of all things Ulster Branch from a lot of sections of the membership. The URSC website proved to be a big hit with all those many hundreds that visited it each day. But it has now closed and the site integrated into the main site less the Message Board, which is a great loss to those that frequented it. Thus the Phoenix will arise and be yet again an unofficial extension of the URSC. There can only be one governing supporter’s body.

Looking forward to the new season I see a much better organised side thanks to the antipodean Justin and his colleague Paul Steinmetz who hopefully will be refreshed from his honeymoon and the majority of the key players inspired after their trip to the land of the rising sun. Hopefully Neil McMillan will rejoin his brothers in arms in the back row ably supported by the very influential Campbell Feather. Besty can return to what he does best, forget his disappointment of not making the Japan trip and show the Irish management what a huge mistake they made with his omission. Win the home games and play each one like a Heiny game in the wet cold driving rain that only the Ulster weather can muster at Ravenhill. Feel and hear the Ravenhill roar deep in your stomach, feel proud as the boys take the field. Roar with all of your might as you feel deep inside your inner being what it means to be an Ulsterman. There is no club like this in European rugby. Be part of something very special. Be proud of who you are, be proud of who you support and above all else Standup for the Ulstermen.

Yer Man In The Stand.