Fitzhugh Fella

Thanks Ron - I thought the same, although I didn't notice it until this morning. I would like it's title reverted to the original because my name is on it and I don't believe the new title is correct. So Ponty this is an official request to please have the original title re-instated. Fans can then make up their own minds.

The deal did not through. Farim was never accepted by the FL as a fit and proper person, he had no funds. My informer who is extremely well-paced and well-connected heard that Farim was a sham. His information has more than been proved to be spot on. Yes in the intervening weeks since I started the thread the sands have shifted and the takeover has taken on a completely different hue. I strll maintain the day I started this thread the info was of startling interest - so much so quite a few Pompey fans got in touch with me. I await ainteresting thread from you in the meantime. As for me leaving Ponty, I considered it but 2 things made me stay. One was not to let idiots drive me away and the second reason was I recieved a lot of mail from people I do not know asking me to stay. I felt genuinely touched. I don't know you at all and you are probably a decent likeable chap but sometimes the way you administer does come across as being a little arrogant whether that is your intention or not. I know Um pahars left because he felt along similar lines. For example, with your comments on this thread this morning you seem to be more interested in having a jibe or personal point scoring at the thread rather than the situation down the road. One thing Saints fans can really unite over is having a chuckle at the farce at Fratton but you chose instead to criticise my starting the thread in the first place and doubt its authenticity.

The spot on info was that Farim's takeover was doomed. His info came when the press were full of the takeover had happened and it was going to be the next best thing blah blah blah when in fact it never really did. I would argue "collapses" is nearer to the truth than "completes". But if you really want to nit pick, Ponty go right ahead, the popularity of the thread sort of says it all and is why imo it should never have been moved in the first place. I think you lack a little bit of soul Ponty. True Saints fans always have half an eye on the goings on down the road - virtually every Saints fan walking home from the game yesterday were asking how Pompey got on - perhaps you ought to take of your admin mask now and again, stop playing the part of an over officious jobsworth and enjoy life and Pompey's demise a bit?

I also hear the players have been told there is a possibility October's wages won't be paid.

The Observer has the full story today. Should answer your question. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/24/portsmouth-ali-al-faraj-interview

Heard from my "informer" last night - the same one whose spot on info provoked this thread (which I think should still be on the main forum). Apparently the story which the Guardian pulled was 100% kosher (ahem) and the Saudi media are none to happy with the Poopey press office for casting aspertions. All sorts of legal threats being banded about and morale sinking fast among the staff. Like I said on the title of the thread and to quote the Edwin Hawkins singers "Oh Happy Day".

You took a lot of trouble to type this so thanks but to give Antonio just 1 more mark than Waigo sort of undermines your opinion. No offence but the difference between the two was massive and 1 point does not do the gulf justice.

Ron, I think you are being far too kind to Papa Waigo but, apart from that, a fair assessment. I honestly think there is no future for Waigo at our club - his performance today I would describe as gruesome. There is no excuse for not knowing the offside law and his throw in was embarrasing. Antonio made an immediate impact but please don't credit Waigo for softening up the full-back. Also imo the free kick from which they scored was a free kick, Jaidi unnecessarily impeded their forward, it was Jaidi's only blemish but it was as stupid one.

Him coming on and Waigo coming off was the moment the game changed,

Can't argue with anything you say Micky but I don't know what it is going to take for someone to say "enough"! Everything is spiralling out of control. Feguson does what he pleases, Sky dictate the media frenzy, the Prem players are above the law (Gerrard) and Redknapp is still operating in the market place. Its like Lord of the Flies. It gets to the stage where you almost want to encourage "armageddon" because you know it will hasten judgement day. A bit like wanting your team to lose so the manager gets the bullet. As for Poopey, I admit I am rather immature in my glee at their predicament but such is the animosity I can't help myself. Mind you I also take great malicious pleasure at the misfortune of other "big" clubs or "big" names which is part and parcel of football these days. The Germans invented a word for it - "schadenfreude" and now I have learnt to spell it I might use it again!!!!

Micky you mention the reputation of football in this country - football in this country is just like its politics - dirty, greedy, corrupt and morally bankrupt. Us not laughing at Poopey is not going to change anything so we might as well keep laughing while Rome burns.

We had Bill Rawlings in the 20s, Ted Drake in the 30s, Charlie Wayman in the 40s, Terry Paine in the 50s, Mick Channon in the 70s, a whole coachload in the 80s and Le Tiss in the 90s. Spare a thought tonight however for 60s legend, Ron Davies whose partner, Chrissie has just passed away. She was a lovely lady who I sat next to at the Dell Diamond launch. It shows how modest Ron must have been because he never told her how revered he had been at the Dell and over the night she grew increasingly incredulous at the boisterous devotion and adulation that was given to Ron. The roaring ovation he got as he walked (or was that lurched) to the stage to deliver a speach on Ted brought tears to the eyes. Chrissie was open mouthed. She could not believe it as I explained Ron was our Joe D'Magio. She was thrilled to be part of it - she was so chuffed to bask in a little of his glory and when she found out he had once been voted the best looking football in the Football League 1967 by the Football League Review magazine her face was a pretty picture. It was suddenly a long way from a trailer in New Mexico As part of the GITR committee I know how much she worked on Ron's behalf and her loss will be massive to the big Welshman - I just hope he has the strength to overcome what must be a devastating loss. TT has done a great job out there in the States and has become emotionally involved (how can you not) and anyone who regarded Ron as their hero owes Tim a big thank you. "Ron is King" was sprayed on many a Southampton wall...but this week he has lost his Queen. My thoughts are with him over his premature loss. Hang on in there, lad.

Sh*t Tim, this is bad news indeed! She was Ron's bedrock, he worshipped her. I sat next to her at the Ted Bates, Dell Diamond launch dinner and I have never seen anyone so gobsmacked at suddenly finding out her partner was so revered. As the evening wore on her jaw got lower and lower in sheer disbelief as our table was literally beseiged with fans. I told her Ron was the Joe D'Maggio of Southampton and then, suddenly it dawned. Her partner WAS a living legend - at least in these parts!! I also told her Ron had been voted the best looking footballer in Football league Review mag (used to be included in most programmes in those days), beating George Best into second place and she gave me one of "those" looks as if to say "Now I know you are kidding me". I am really worried Ron might not want to survive her departure - you have done a great job so far, but you might need to do a bit more. You know you have the support of the "Give It To Ron" committee. Please send Ron my personal regards and tell him to hang in there, something he once was very good at! Rgds D

can't blame anyone under the age of 25 wanting a Tory government especially after the last 12 years of hypocracy and betrayal but those over 25 should try and remember just how really bad it was under the dark days of Thatch. Who then? No longer have a clue. What a sad indictment of our morally bankrupt political system where all politicians are only interested in power and not running the country properly and fairly. Where's my pitchfork?

I wish a little more fuss was made of the bankrupt political system and the morally flawed politicians. If we addressed those problems perhaps the BNP would not exist. They are stepping into a vacuum created by the biggest political betrayal of modern times.

Thanks MoG - I found that site a few years ago but hadn't seen some of the latest stuff added over the last year or so. Just read "The Restless Generation" by Pete Frame - real good read about music in the 50s and early 60s in England. Mentions Lonnie Donegan teaming up with Ken Colyer in Southampton one night to play a little skiffle. Donegan was in Netley Hospital at the time.

he'll find managing Boro a lot more taxing than Celtic. I think Wee Gordon might get found out.

then I am starting to doubt it.

Hunting Pompey down in the wee small hours - there's dedication!

I would like to state my full 100% support for the CWU. This time in a month I expect to be going down the same road. I do not believe in political strikes or militancy whatsoever. But what I do believe in is people fighting to maintain what they have been promised when the people trying to take away those promises are nothing more than carpetbaggers - and, come on folks, you all know Adam Crozier's track record. I will leave you with some words Neal Lawson wrote in the Guardian this week - "The government see ony one Route to Royal Mail modernisation - take out the union. The hard core of New Labour believes that the private sector is best, despite all the evidence of collapsing banks and the services we get from the likes of Virgin media and BT. It believes unions get in the way and stop reforms that enable organisations to compete efficiently, despite the fact that the best companies see their workers as an asset to be utilised, not a nuisance to be crushed". Speaking from front line experience those lines ring so tune. I know who I would rather trust - my local postie who has been doing rounds round here for 40 years looking after old dears, shutting gates, checking on people on holiday etc etc or Crozier who paracuted away from a disaster in the FA into a million pound plus salary in the GPO who wouls not know one end of a letter to the other. This country is going to the dogs not because of the workers but because of the people at the top of the finance world whose greed very nearly did for us all. And meanwhile lets all give the decent postman a damn good kicking. Anyone see Dell Days knitting while they cut heads off during the French Revolution?

Coppell?

You learn something every day!

Yeah - they also played back up with Hendrix having shared a flat with him and Keith Richards and Jeff Beck were big fans. I wonder if any are still in the So'ton area.

from the 60s. Does anyone remember them? Their vinyl singles now sell for sums up to £900. There is an interesting article in this months Record Collector on them and a book has been written called "Circles". There is a reunion gig at the 100 club coming up too. They played their first gig in Romsey 18 September 1964 and their early line up included Keith Guster (drums) Danny Churchill (bass) Frank Smith (guitar, vocals, and Alex Chamberlain (organ). Guster is still around as he is quoted in the article but don't know if anyone knows the other 3? Southampton has produced so few big acts from the music world it is nice to read about the "Fleur De Lys".

Talking of Henrys in St Marys St - does anyone remember the men's cloths shop - Sidneys nearby?