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Chapter 12
Ian McGeechan and The European Cup
Many sportsmen struggle with life after sport. I will never forget a point that David Coulthard made about him finding everyday life slightly underwhelming because he found that people were not used to delivering to the same high standards that he was used to in F1.
I can’t profess to knowing what it was like to win in Monaco or Silverstone, however for a part of my life, I was lucky enough in a high performing squad of players, led by Sir Ian McGeechan, one of the greatest-ever Lions coaches. Over a five-year period, this man showed us what being part of a successful team really stood for, and I will always be indebted to him for this. This ultimately led to Northampton Saints winning the European Cup in 2000 at Twickenham. A truly brilliant mind, tactician of the game and custodian to the ethos of the game loved by so many.
By Harvey Thorneycroft
Chapter 12: Ian McGeechan and The European Cup
For the next section of this story, I just wanted to pick up on a point that David Coulthard made to us at Lords about him finding everyday life slightly underwhelming because he found that people were not used to delivering to the same high standards that he was used to in F1.
There of course is no surprise here and to some extent this is what I miss more than anything in life: that sense of being part of a purpose-driven team. I can’t profess to knowing what it was like to win in Monaco or Silverstone. However, being part of the journey that was masterminded by a very special Brilliant Mind in my opinion, Sir Ian McGeechan, equipped me with the skills that I have transferred into business. He led us from relegation to the second division of the Courage League to winning the Heineken Cup,
The reason why I mention the Heineken Cup is that Covid19 put paid to the 20-year reunion of a squad of players who were part of the most successful period that Northampton Saints had ever seen, leading to the final of the European Cup at Twickenham on 27th May 2000. This was the first year that the Saints had qualified for the Heineken European Cup, and they found themselves in the final after the first attempt. The Club had been established for 119 years, and they had never won anything. This all started in 1994/95 when he saw a club get relegated from the Premiership which was a bitter pill and he and the squad needed little motivation to knuckle down to secure their Premiership status the following season. The Saints in the 1995/96 season broke every record set in the Courage League, setting new marks. Fast forward to 4th June 1999, after another successful season on record, the squad each received a letter from Geech entitled, “We are not turning back!” He stated, “We must keep moving forward – be fitter and stronger to keep pace and intensity in our game, because I am convinced we have a game which can win us the European Cup. The style of the last seven games, in particular, make us very difficult opponents for any side in Europe… But, as in everything we now do, it is down to your honesty and commitment. These are exciting times for us, let’s make the most of them – we are definitely not turning back.”
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