IT WAS an experience that opened my eyes – with the help of the fear of God being put into me.
Like it or not, Catalans Dragons get it right away from the field.
As commercial director Christophe Levy approached me with a microphone after telling dignitaries about the delegation of English journalists who had arrived, one four-letter word ran through my mind.
I regressed 29 years to my French GCSE days and I think I got away with my little speech.
Locals praised my attempt – the English greeted it with ‘mange tout’ and mention of Del Boy!
Enough about my linguistic expertise, on to the main lesson – Catalans are huge off the field.
Glossy videos mentioning how much they bring in – to the club and Perpignan’s economy – how many people they employ, their vision for the future, needed no translation.
Dozens of tables packed with local leaders, mayors, successful business owners and, put simply, money ahead of their match with Wigan, illustrated that.
The staging of the game made it feel like an occasion, rather than a regular season match.
A yard in front of me, the pride in the area was illustrated by a boy who was not letting go of the Catalans Dragons flag he was waving furiously.
And still, some would rather have them out of the top flight – what do you want, something more akin to Fred Trueman’s Indoor League?
I get the impression the naysayers are jealous. Envious these ‘upstarts’ have managed more than them in 18 years – not bad for a side batting against a sport in rugby union whose TV deal is worth £108 million a year.
Packed lounges, big sponsorship, civic involvement and pride, and attracting big name players – even they are not quite sure how they landed Tevita Pangai Jr for 2025.
And there is plenty to be proud about. Seeing the face of Edmond Jorda, mayor of Sainte Marie la Mer, when his father Jacques – coach of the last France side to defeat Great Britain in 1990 – arrived was just one illustration.
Ask many British fans about Perpignan and they will mention Le Grand Café de la Poste and Stade Gilbert Brutus.
However, there is much more around the area that is better than going on the p*** in Lloret de Mar.
1,900 Wigan fans, following 1,500 Leigh supporters, proved it is accessible – and there are talks to get flights there on a Friday rather than a Saturday.
Now it is time to fully embrace what Catalans bring to Super League – a decent ground, which is being renovated soon, events rather than games, vision, forward thinking and a lot of financial clout.
And nicer weather – although it did rain on two of the days I was there!
