Among the thousands of passionate supporters filling the stands at Sharks matches, there are individuals whose extraordinary actions and inspiring stories stand out. Whether they’ve overcome significant challenges, made remarkable contributions to their community, or achieved great personal milestones, these fans remind us that you never know who might be sitting next to you at a match.
We are taking time to interact with such people and are asking some questions but overall allowing them to tell their story to a much bigger audience. Today we will be introducing someone who has true passion for the Sale Sharks. At the Foundation, we were very lucky to meet and interact with multiple people and Jack is someone that brightened our days at each match.
What inspired your love for rugby and particularly for Sale Sharks?
Jack: “Having been a lifelong 6 Nations fan it was Covid of all things that brought me into the Sharks Family, a perfect storm not being able to be a film critic for over a year with cinemas unable to open, Manu Tuilagi signing for the club, all while a Masters degree fell apart due to the restrictions. As a result of the team arguably getting me through the lockdown, in 2021, when Alex Sanderson began to work his magic, me and my mum became season ticket holders in the East stand. Since then I’ve become quite embedded in our little ‘fabric of the North’, seemingly by accident, feeding in to the club on matchday experience with my little black notebook in hand, doing all sorts of stuff on socials and within the Sale Supporter’s Club like the calendar, relaying broadcast information and relevant info, and playing a small part in the mission to get the stadium full for our home games.”
How has being involved with rugby positively impacted your life?
Jack: “Away from cinema life it’s given me something to look forward to every weekend, even if the team is having a slump in results, knowing that, for example ‘we’ve got Quins at home next week’, and the buzz of making what is quite a long journey via train, tram and bus up to the stadium makes it all worth it. Seeing the growth of Sharks over the last 4 years, especially with a core of young Northern talent, has legitimately, and quite fittingly created a second family. Getting to know current players like Georgie Perris-Redding, former players like Will Cliff and Vicky Irwin (as well as the Foundation’s own India Perris-Redding too), meeting our fellow members of the self-proclaimed East Stand Fam, and working closely with the G4S, Heathcote and Stadium teams to see where the club can evolve and enhance the matchday experience… that is our why. It’s never just about the results, it’s about the friends and connections you make on the way.
On top of the connections in the stadium I’ve made some top quality mates with fans at other clubs, namely Newcastle and Bath, and it’s also allowed me to get a foot in the door in rugby media too. Going on TNT Sports with the lovely Sarra Elgan, featuring on the ITV4 highlights show a few times as the club’s resident Fan in the Stands, and being called on by Radio Manchester to discuss a few games… as I joked to one member of Sharks staff, I seem to be getting more well known for the rugby than I am as a film guy!”
How does the Sale Sharks Foundation’s work in promoting rugby and community engagement resonate with you personally?
Jack: “I think what the Foundation are doing is pretty important not just for the club, not just because of the Women’s World Cup coming into view either, but for the wider Northwest as a whole. For many, the perception of rugby union is still a brutal sport, people read all the headlines about injuries and the lawsuits, but as the men’s and women’s teams prove every weekend, it’s the togetherness and the community that makes this sport unique, and we’ve got to protect that. Having seen their work first-hand at the last two Foundation Day fixtures, the double headers at Heywood Road and in Salford, as well as the Kwizzbit online quiz that was run before Christmas, it’s important to be able to use the special nature of our sport to inspire the next generation and the generation after that. We’re up against a lot of sport up here – 4 major football teams on our doorstep, cricket, rugby league and more, so it’s vital that we bang the drum for the game and engage with the community, especially younger fans and females, to get them playing on the Sharks pathway or even at grassroots level.”
Can you share a memorable experience or story related as a Sale Sharks supporter?
Jack: “There are MANY. Particular memories which stand out for me are the trip to Twickenham for the Premiership final in 2023, being in the Salford Stadium for our women’s first game in ‘the big house’, being up close to the warmups for the final game of this season with head of PR Steve Bland, but I think the one which stands out is the home playoff against Tigers, arguably because of how loud that place got when the final whistle went. That season was one where I got to know the ‘team behind the team’ at Carrington very well via the post-game feedback I do, and knowing just how much preparation goes into delivering a match beyond what you see on the pitch, seeing an atmosphere like that happen organically was a watershed moment for where this club is going. Was a proud moment to tell Josh – the club’s matchday guru at the time – in the Monday morning email that it was all spot on, and since then I’ve got to know the wider ops team as it’s evolved, most of whom are now firm friends for life.
As for on-pitch, the moments I won’t forget are Denny Solomana scoring in the South West corner on the final match of the season vs Gloucester, Reedy going 95m for that try against Sarries (which I got to react to on ITV) and the Women’s team beating Bristol at home on the last day of the 23/24 PWR season. I’m not biased when I say that we have the best fans in the league, and they answer the call without fail every time”
This is just one of many stories we will tell throughout the season hoping to inspire future generations of Sale Sharks fans.