THE CRUELLEST sound of the sporting weekend?

Not the gut-wrenching snap of bones halting Liverpool duo Jamie Carragher and Milan Baros. Neither the yells of hell-for-leather Yeovil fans crowing at their 3-0 conquest of York City. Nor too, the insistent ring-tones of jockeys' mobile phones (off course, of course) as the dispute between riders and Jockey Club intensifies.

And as for the sighs of the American women turned over in Sweden by a rampant Europe team, who recaptured the Solheim Cup to mirror the respective Great Britain and Europe and GB and Ireland victories in the Ryder and Walker Cups, well, that had to be the most joyous noise.

No, the most discordant note of all was that of spectators' feet shuffling away early from the Huntington Stadium terraces after a quite courageous and conspicuous campaign from York City Knights concluded in their conquest by Barrow Raiders.

Where do some fans get off on getting off early? I recall times watching Liverpool from the Kop and willingly berating the 'half-four brigade' - those fans who would vacate their seats in the Kemlyn Road stand so as they could get away early.

It constantly amazed me that after forking out hard-earned cash, fans would even contemplate leaving early, let alone depart before the final whistle, especially when the Reds had perfected a penchant for pinching last-gasp winners.

Over at the Huntington Stadium some fans staged a premature evacuation as the climax to the Knights' play-off push ended in a 50-30 defeat to Barrow.

Rather than saluting those players clad in hues of blue, some sought the sanctuary of the exit sign to make a sudden escape, as sadly reported by Evening Press rugby league writer Peter Martini. It was an exodus of extreme bad manners.

These gallant Knights deserved far better. Until the Knights were founded, professional rugby league in the city of York possessed all the lifespan of a dodo.

Indeed, the Knights' previous incarnation, the Wasps, were nothing more than a bug squashed against the windscreen of a vehicle screeching at 100 miles an hour towards a six-foot thick brick wall.

Dedication, devotion and diligence from a hard-core of faithful dragged the club from careering into oblivion.

Under the new York City Knights banner the club has since flourished with pride and no little panache on the playing field. That has been reflected in an upsurge in attendances, the Knights' home and away following proving to be a considerable ally to the cause.

So the Knights suffered a hard day at the office when it mattered most. But that deep disappointment did not entitle fickle fans to exit before paying due tribute to a band of players, whose character and commitment was never in question.

Maybe the collision with Barrow was a game too far. It was not, however, a game too hard for all home fans to stay to the bitter end.

IN 25 days England's footballing elite head for Istanbul and the final Euro 2004 group seven qualifier against Turkey.

A draw or victory for Sven's men would guarantee an automatic place in next summer's finals in Portugal. Defeat would mean those nerve-shredding play-offs.

Between now and then even the unflappable Sven will be perspiring on the well-being of his leading charges. No doubt any time Real Madrid's David Beckham falls to the turf for pain in Spain, there will be a sharp intake of breath.

But the national coach may do equally well monitoring an ex-Madistra now in Manchester. In a tie where keeping hold of the ball might be England's best ploy, Steve McManaman of Manchester City may be worth at last recalling from the international wilderness.

Updated: 11:12 Tuesday, September 16, 2003