You never really know who is sitting next to you at a Sale Sharks Match. You don’t know their back story or even what they have done to show how much our club means to that person.
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 are going to share the story of Judith Mayne and what Sale Sharks means to her.

What inspired your love for rugby and particularly for Sale Sharks?
Judith: “My parents both supported rugby before they married so once my mother moved north, they supported Sale FC playing at Heywood Rd. I was taken along but didn’t really appreciate it until in my early 20’s when l became hooked on rugby, thanks to the way the Wales team in the 70’s played. It was so exciting to watch and the rest they say is history. I became a regular supporter of Sale FC and l still am. And when the game went professional, I had two Sale teams to support. I’ve loved following these teams, especially the Sharks and will continue to do so as long as l can. ”

How has being involved with rugby positively impacted your life?
Judith: “Rugby, especially Sale Sharks, is a big part of my life. Being on my own l enjoy the social side, meeting up with fellow supporters from both Sale and the opposition. Seeing some of the great names of rugby playing for or against MY team LIVE is just great. Getting out of the house to follow the team is great and keeps me going in the depths of winter.
Following Sale has also given me the chance to travel to parts of Europe following the team. I love the ethos of rugby, fans sitting together, not segregated, having a beer after the game. It’s still a sport for all shapes and sizes and long may it continue.
The social side away from the pitch gives fans a chance to meet / chat with the players, which is such a privilege and is much appreciated by the fans . I really feel we ARE all the Sharks Family”

How does the Sale Sharks Foundation’s work in promoting rugby and community engagement resonate with you personally?
Judith: “I wasn’t one of the instigators of Walking Rugby, but l did have a go for a few weeks. It was great fun, but my hand/eye co-ordination was pretty useless which didn’t help, then l twisted my knee so abandoned it. But it’s great to see that it’s still going strong.
Around COVID time the then Community Trust initiated the Heritage Project when a few long-standing supporters all met together with Michelle Orange and Vicky Irwin to chat about how long we’d followed Sale etc., why we supported them, good times / bad times etc. We shared memorabilia – old match programmes , posters etc. That was my only involvement with the Foundation, but ideas were carried forward l think.
I think all the ideas and initiatives coming from the Foundation sound great; l signed one off the walls at the last home game during Foundation Day, which l thought was a lovely idea”

Can you share a memorable experience or story related as a Sale Sharks supporter?
Judith: “You ask for a memorable moment. Over my years of supporting Sale Sharks there have been SO many, but here are a few.
Sebastien Chabal upending Lawrence Dallaglio on 14th May 2006 at Edgeley Pk. It was the semi final, and that tackle helped get Sale to the final that year. Magic!
Jason Robinson scored a magical try in the dying minutes of his last game for Sale. It was at Edgeley Pk on 18th April 2007, and we were losing until Jason scored at the death to give us victory. He missed the conversion. 😂 What a way to finish your Sale career.
Standing ovations given to Faf, Sam James and Manu when they’d played their last game at AJ Bell.
So many other magical moments in games, beating teams against all odds, special tries and chatting to the player’s post-match.
l would have to mention winning the Premiership in 2006. That was VERY special, especially beating Leicester so handsomely. Always tough opponents but that day belonged to Sale Sharks.
Finally – a truly memorable moment, for me, was the 28th of May 2021 when small crowds were AT LAST allowed back into stadiums after COVID lockdown. I’d really missed going to the games, seeing my pals and just not having live rugby to go to. That night was an absolute joy, when the teams ran out it was just wonderful, we’d waited so long for that moment. We played Bristol who were near the top of the table, if not top, but we beat them 23-12. A truly memorable night, for me anyway”

This is just one of many stories we will tell throughout the season hoping to inspire future generations of Sale Sharks fans.
If you are able, please scan the QR code below to make a donation to the Sale Sharks Foundation. Your support will greatly help us in giving back to our communities
