Fitzhugh Fella

well for one reason, I am at present compiling the complete who's who 1885-2010 and whether a player is on extended loan (and therefore could potentially be called back) or has signed a 6 month contract is relevant and will be needed to be accurate in his career details. If you check out ITN you will see how fastidious we are. So Nick nothing sinister just like to be accurate when it comes to the small print, but please don't let that get in the way of your theory that I am out to bring down SFC because I haven't swallowed my NC tabs

well that is an impressive list, but most of those outlets get their info from one source. I will e mail the club to find out. Even if I am mistaken in his status, there is a difference to him being "on loan" or on a perm 6 month contract. For instance do Reading have call back rights? If he has a broken leg does he go back to the parent club and, say today another club wanted to buy him (a la Puncheon) - who would they negotiate and settle a fee with? Us or Reading? Whatever his status it is relevant would you not agree?

Thank you St Clark - but I don't regard Wikipedia as being reliable and the Saints web article is inconclusive. The BBC have been known to get it wrong too. There is a subtle difference between "extending the loan" and "offering him a 6 month contract", mainly because of the rule on the max on loan players allowed at any one time. I am pretty sure the Echo reported at the time that we had given him a 6 month contract. I will have a look at their website when i have more time. Either way contrary to what NickG says there is a difference.

they you go again, you can't resist being a keyboard warrior can you? Difference is they could have called him back but we hold his registration now. Plus of course it affects how many loan players you can have at any one stage. So NickG - quite a difference.

Either the website or the Echo.

Only 9998 to go now. I must go and buy my "source" a beer. Many of you know him actually.

Can I be the first to offer my sincere congratulations on being the person who has smashed the 10,000 barrier - now for 20,000!

wrong - he actually was given a 6 month contract in December. Reading let him go.

Antonio is our player - he signed a 6 month contract in December.

Yeah I'll put him on a train. Seriously I think getting there and a good day out is almost as important as winning it. The silverware aspect means nothing to me because it is not that important but if it means we have 20,000 younguns going up and seeing their team at Wembly then it is very much worth it. People still go on about the ZDS even though we lost it. And no I wasn't there!!

Speaking as someone who was very "sniffy" about the JPT at the onset, I do agree it will be a fantastic experience for the younger fans if we get to Wembley and it will be a good chance to show the footballing world what large support we have. I haven't been to a JPT match yet, but will go to the MK Dons home match, mainly to accompany my nipper, but don't think I wil bother with the Final should we get through. Probably in the bigger scheme of things the MK Dons match is therefore bigger than the Pompey game.

Nick you do need to get out more, at least be man enough to come for a pint. I have offered enough times but you seem frit to meet me in the real world. Get out from behind your computer, and realise there is more to life than throwing anonymous insults. Perhaps you are hoping Marcus will adopt you or at least his family can give you a lift to Wembley. Put up or shut up.

I think I am going to be sick. I don't think Markus will be that bothered Nick, but you keep dreaming, fella.

The Moonie is taking over the asylum again.

That Guardian article is priceless

I'm not too worried about Barnard - yes he has missed two sitters now, but he works hard and he has got into the positions to miss the 2 goals in the first place. He will come into his own next year.

Nick you know I disagree with you on this but I accept your point about no movement around him. I am still watching him closely and despite his elegance I remain convinced he catches the eye but actually produces little. It would help if he could shoot as well. He is starting to fascinate me because in the pub after there were some praising him and as many saying he was crap. Enigma.

Well he kept them out but actually he also let them back in and they could be in for a long time. Blair shifted this whole country to the right

Dearest Ottery I never went away. I think you misinterpret me and my motives. I was and remain delighted we were taken over by ML and NC. I believe ML to be honourable and benevolent in his intentions and NC to be a very shrewd and able Chairman. We could have done a lot worse for sure. I hope NC stays forever if it means Marcus is here for the same time for we will get nowhere without a wealthy backer. But, by the same token I don't believe everything that we are told. The Wilde affair proved to me how gullible we all are (myself very much included) when we are given what appears to be good news regarding our football team, and since the Wilde debacle, the Paul Allen fiasco and the Pinnacle near disaster I tend to keep a wary eye out. I think you have to these days in fotball as nothing seems to be what it says on the tin. The only people in this for 100% love are the fans - everyone else is in it for different reasons. That is why the fans always get hurt. Right now things are going well but I remain cautious, especially with what's floating around in the breeze. Already Cortese has enemies inc the local newspaper so that has to be taken into account. I believe this Italian malarky to be a bit of spin that went a tad awry. Sorry, I would love to the revert to the days when all we worried about was how many Ron or Matt were going to score and what song shall we sing. Maybe it's because I am getting old and cynical. Mind you I am still going to home matches and have never been to so many away matches in one season before. Rgds Duncan

Not me jam but a very good friend of mine who is a respected member of this forum and a known family friend of Giorgetti.

Nick it seems you want to bring your hero worship to your levels. However, I will name where my information on this originated - "I have spoken to Giancarlo Giorgetti this morning and he denies having ever discussed Cortese with Berlusconi. Indeed, he has never met Cortese".

Very senior sources at Milan are -privately - saying he was never approached.

Jesus - Harry the vulture stitches them up and then comes back to pick at the carcass. Agent Redknapp you have surpassed yourself but don't overdo things or someone will get suspicious.

I think we should just print this straight from the forum, turn it into a book, sell it for charity and donate some of the proceeds to a headstone for the PFC burial spot.

Thank you. Wise move.