Fitzhugh Fella

Interesting to hear Terry Paine speak at Winchester University on Thursday about Poopey's plight. His view is that "the South Coast needs Premiership football whether it's Saints or Poopey"!!! Think he's been in S Africa too long!

Can't argue with any of that - however still an intriguing episode in our history and one that in later years people will study with interest. After all SFC nearly disappeared after 123 years and yet none of us with the exception of Fry know exactly why that was. As Alpine implies right now, we have bigger fish to fry (please excuse the intentional pun) but nevertheless the fact the guy actually got an award was enough to make me put my head above the Saints Web Forum parapet - never a comfortable place to be. Shame about Eastleigh!

I am merely reporting something that was in tonight's echo. And, as you will see from some of the posts, there are still questions remaining unanswered. Forgive me, as a historian I like questions answered even if it takes years, that is why I enjoy talking to old players. Terry Paine told me something this week about the 60s I found very interesting and I had never heard before - the fact that it happened 50 years to me was irrelevant. No disrespect Apline, but if you find these sort of posts passe - stay off them, mate. Regards and all that!

for the way he handled the "rescue" of Southampton FC. (from tonight's Echo) The honour came at the 2009 Insolvency and Recue awards and the judges said "Begbies dealt with the emotions of the fans as well as the needs of different classes of creditors in this complex and high risk profile rescue". Hmmmm! I like the "different classes of creditors" quote. For me I think Fry made a big mistake in giving Pinnacle exclusivity - without fully checking out their finances), and we were bloody lucky Liebherr was prepared to play second fiddle while a bunch of amateurs/quick buck merchants damn near killed our football club. Perhaps Fry should hand over his award to Mr Liebherr?

Spot on - many cities would die to have the water frontage Southampton has but you only have to look at the state of the Town Quay to see the malaise, ineptitude and poor management of the City's politicians and planners over the years. It is a disgrace.

Understand that Hypo but there were fans calling for him to start on Friday!

Yep that about sums it up for me!

You can't resist your little digs Hypo can you? Of course I will leave it to AP's judgement and I will back that judgement, after all he knows a lot more than any fan, but I was anxious that too many high fan expectations could cause unnecessary pressures. Surely that is not a crime to have or state those views. I have heard very good report backs about this lad from those well-placed to make a judgement. I have also seen him play recently in the Cup match v Basingstoke. Imo and in an ideal world he would benefit from a sensible period of adjustment . Hope you can live with that view.

Indeed - hard to imagine the likes of Big Jake and TP featuring in a book on the Isle of Wight pop festival but you have managed it!

That last sentence deserves another airing. Classic!

Wise words indeed!

Only inasmuch he was a whisker away from coming here as manager. It won't happen if AP doesn't want it to happen but he fits the role, is at SMS a lot and we seem to be recruiting staff with Reading connections, left right and centre.

Becoming more drawn out than the Skacel transfer. Bit strange really considering the magnitude of the deal and all 3 parties are keen for it to happen.

Don't think he would go in a month of Sundays. I wouldn't be surprised to see him here as DoF one day.

It seems they have not yet learned the lesson that to keep borrowing borrowing borrowing is just insane. Such is the desperation to stay in the premiership, but it will be the death of them sooner or later.

I gather Eastleigh FC are prepared to loan their stadium for a charity game in the spring. Things are being organised. Any more messages to Kevin and his family would be appreciated. Rgds Duncan

NC why don't you just keep away from these sorts of threads? Genuine question ..... your input just comes across as plain nasty. By all means stick the boot into L Mac etc but not on these sort of threads where fans are doing their best to raise funds for bloody good causes. You have valid points but your timing and choice of targets are woeful.

Good question. I don't think there has ever been any firm evidence (hence the PFA being a bit sniffy?) but many think there is a link. Jeff Astle was another who's family reckon excessive heading of a heavy ball was a major consideration.

Indeed - I forgot to add two things. One, the PFA have been approached and at first Gordon Taylor was very unhelpful. After some argy-bargy Kevin was sent a cheque which was to be the end of the matter. The sum involved was pretty modest ie the price of a family holiday. Secondly there are people at Fulham who are aware of Kevin's situation so perhaps they may be able to help. If anyone on here knows any ex-colleagues of Kevin's perhaps they could just pass on this news please.

I mentioned in another thread on Friday that Kevin Moore the Saints centre-half between 1987 and 1994 (180 games - 13 goals) is not very well. He has been diagnised with "Picks disease" which is a form of dementia. He was gone downhill very quickly since the illness was first diagnosed three years ago and he need constant supervision. He attends a day centre in Curdridge but the rest of the time his wife, Mandy looks after him. Kevin's rapid deteriation has put the family under a lot of stress both emotionally and financially and the idea has been muted to me that perhaps some sort of charity match or fund raising event could be organised to help out Kevin and his family. I know some of Kevin's colleagues from his Otterbourne FC days are thinking of ways to help out and I hope over the next few days to touch base with them so perhaps we can co-ordinate any activity. I have also spoken to Tim Manns who runs the ex-Saints and they too have offered assistance. This is all very early days and I have only spoken to Mandy for the first time on Friday but she was quite happy for me to release news of Kevin's illness on here and indeed was very touched to even think there were fans out there who might want to do something. Due to things "hotting up" at my current place of employment and my position in the crew union the next few months will mean I will not be able to get too personally involved in organising anything right away but the purpose of this post is to a) pass on Kevin's sad news and b) alerting anyone who might want to help out in the future in anyway. My e mail address is duncan@duncanholley.co.uk While I wont be able to answer individual questions just yet I could keep a data base of people's contact details which we could use in the New Year when I may have more time on my hands -maybe more than I want In the meantime if you wish to send Kevin your good wishes I will print off this thread and pass it on. Cheers Duncan

Well I have seen him twice home to MK Dons and yesterday. Both matches he turned the games around. Appreciate he is a fresh pair of legs which is an advantage but give me him over Waigo any time. He is raw but unlike Waigo he seems to know what he is doing with the ball. Well worth a gamble I would say.

David Bull wrote an obit in the MK Dons programme and indeed went to the funeral. No I certainly don't expect the club to send someone to every funeral - but maybe flowers or even a card. The families are usually very proud of their relatives connection with the club so while many fans would not have heard of the player you can bet your bottom dollar the family will cherish the fact their Dad, husband whatever was a Saint.

Again you have spoken wise words and I thank you. I really don't expect the new owners to do too much now, they have bigger battles to win. But when we have a quiet moment I think this is an issue we need to sort out. Hey ho - off to the Orient in the morn - must get my jabs!

Thanks for the common sense post.

I am not expecting the club to look after its ex-players financially but maybe help (like they did for Ron). IE provide facilities etc. The PFA were contacted re Kevin and after a struggle gave a one-off payment which was gratefully received but in the scheme of things was modest. There is a view that Kevin's illness could have a lot to do with the fact he headed a lot of footballs but there will never be any proof that that was the cause. I am getting ahead of myself here. Give me some time and I will make a proper post re Kevin and invite a debate and suggestions of the way forward.