Fitzhugh Fella

Just found a K Marsh who played one game in goal for Saints Res twice in 63-64. He let in 5 against Chelsea on his debut!! Any relation?

Derry - in the middle of a 2 week cooling off period! Don't book any flights with BA this autumn! A couple of reserve players from the 80s could have been included Gary Bull - animal Steve Guppy - fish

Viewing the haircut might be better than viewing the game

None in any first teams as far as I can remember

A couple of Potters

While waiting for our next signing I started to contemplate some players from yesteryear! Surnames of footballers are a lot different to the days when Barnsley always seemed to have an Awkwright and Newcastle a Milburn in their sides. Today’s flood of foreigners have certainly spiced up the team sheets on the back pages of programmes with Southampton being no exception. Flipping through the pages of the “Alphabet of the Saints” I noticed that Saints did not have a Smith – evidently the most common surname in England - on their books between George Smith leaving the club in 1949 and Paul Smith arriving in 2004. However since 1938 Saints have had no less than 7 players called Williams to make a first team experience and yet only 4 Jones (Ken, Ernie, Paul and Kenwynne). Who would ever had thought during the 2006-07 season a Radio Solent commentator would ever be able to describe the beginning of a Saints attack thus – “and Pele slides a through ball for Best to run onto”. Was Pele ever his real name? It was while flicking through the Alphabet that I suddenly noticed how well Xmas is represented in the ranks of Southampton FC surnames, for not only do we have an Angell (James William 1906-07), but also a Saul (Frank Lander 1967-70), a Gabriel (James 1967-72) and - wait for it - even a Christmas (Edwin Cecil Russell 1911-12). All we need to do now is to sign a Jesus from a Spanish club and we would be well set up for our own club nativity play! No prizes which role Dennis Wise would get The shortest surname is three letters – we had two Frys (CB 1900-03 and Roger 1970-72) while who could forget Ali Dia (1996-97). We have also had three Lees (Bert 1900-06, 1911-15, Sammy 1989-90 and David 1991-93) and a couple of Days (Alfred 1937-38 and Eric (1946-57). I also should not forget Walter Cox (1894-96) or Harry Eke (1913-14). Longest has to be Phillipson-Masters (Forbes 1976-78 ) with Wrigglesworth (William 1947-48 ) the longest individual surname but Andruszewski (Manny 1974-80) and Danny Higginbotham should get honorary mentions. Two countries have been named after Saints’ players, Ireland (Sidney 1911-15) and Jordan (Joe 1984-87, Frank 1908-10) and, so far one planet, Moon (Charles 1909-10). Could another country be arriving soon? – a Holland perhaps! One county is represented – Ollie Lancashire (Ollie 2008- ) and also one famous film studio Hollywood (Denis 1962-72), a film star Van Damme (Jelle 2004-05) and a famous London Street Carnaby (Tom 1938-39). Saints’ players have always been well connected. We have had an Earl(s) (Mick 1973-75) a couple of Kings (Bill 1934-39 and Ernest 1925-27), a Bishop (Alfred 1926-27), a Knight (Bill 1911-13), two Monks (Gary 1998 - 2003 and Frank 1910-12), a Dean (Norman 1963-66) and even a Prince (Percy 1908-20). From the animal kingdom we employed a Hare (Tommy 1965-66) a Bullock (James 1924-28 ) and a Venison (Barry 1995-97), while feathered players include Fred Bird (1907-08 ), Phil Kite (1984-86) and of course, Ted Drake (1931-34). Finally we must not forget Ernest Pike (1902-03) or Glenn ****erill (1985-94), nor Crabbe (Buster 1974-76 and perhaps now before I get completely carried away I will knock this post on the head with a Mallett (Joe 1946-53). Anyone remember any other interesting surnames?

I agree and the more thay bang in goals for us the quicker they will come to bigger club's attention but both men don't seem to have the right attitude (despite being hansomely rewarded) which is disappointing.

shame he's gone - more time wasted and less time to get someone else bedded in. One worry I have (and this is not criticising AP) is that the friendlies should be used to blend, settle and introduce players into each other's style but come Millwall we will have a team of virtual strangers lining up for us. Hearing some more disturbing stories about Pinnacle too which makes me even more annoyed about the time they wasted.

Shame as I reckon he would do a better job for us in Div 1 than Rasiak. Not AP's fault but we don't exactly have a lot of time to blend a team now - there will be a few strangers on show v Millwall I reckon.

Hypo - you really should not put words in people's mouths. For the record I am not "upset" or even "so upset" at recent events - I am, compared to last year, very satisfied about the turn of events. Thank God we have a club still and the Saturday ritual has survived. However I am merely trying to point out that being taken over by a wealthy benefactor may not be the panacea to all our woes - like I said 100 times already on here it all depends on his committment and motivation. I believe ML to be upstanding and far more genuine than most of the other gun runners/porn magnates/oligarchs/bogus doctors and quick buck merchants who are increasingly becoming involved in the game. Right have you got that Hypo? Not looking to be negative, just cautious and unwilling to raise my expectations too high too soon. And for positive Pete (sorry Alpine) no I have not got "too close to Crouch" - apart from a couple of recent interesting phone calls re Pinnacle I have not spoken to him since the AGM. When news first broke about Paul Allen there I was telling my son we would be bigger than Man Utd one day and we would be signing all the big stars blah blah blah - how stupid was that. I have come to realise English football is diseased by money, lust and greed and although I'm glad Southampton will be able to compete in the whore house I cannot be completely again seduced with the knowledge that although I can buy the prettiest girl in the brothel it will be with someone else's money. Like someone said perhaps I am getting old. 30 years ago no doubt I would have been kicking down the door to get in. Anyway chaps this is a debating forum after all - forgive me for offering a slightly different perspective. I have already purchased my ST and I will be there a week on Saturday as nervous as a kitten as usual.

Sorry, you said "the club owns the stadium" and I was pointing out that the club doesn't but ML does. Semantics maybe but there is a difference albeit subtle.

don't agree Nick - ML owns the stadium - there is a difference. But SFC's only current significant overheads will be wages and upkeep of their property which compared to last season when we had an overdraft and a mortgage to service makes our position with or without ML far superior. I do think some on here are struggling to get their heads around the private ownership malarkey. If and when ML opens his purse it will be interesting if it is in the form of a loan or an investment with no repayment.

Nick you say "clearing the stadium loan" but really that was all wrapped up in the purchase price when ML acquired the club (12m?) so he got a bargain imo. However I am today hearing positive news that substantual (for a club outside the Prem) funds will be made available should they be required. I guess it is going to take time but after the last few years we are all anxious to get the cart back on the right track.

Hmm does this mean that Palace are out muscling us financially? Interesting.

His dad died about 4 years ago and the Independent amazingly carried quite a lengthy obituary.

Thanks for all the report backs - loved the Bear Grylls reference. Can anyone work out why we signed Pulis and how he is in his mid 20's and yet played less than 50 professional games?

Club 100%. Couldn't care less about England these days in fact I usually support the other team unless it is Germany or Scotland.

You're probably not wrong Hughie.

Love that last line

Not wishing to stir up an old debate but I think Lowe claimed the "kudos" for the Crouch signing - or at least his supporters did.

I will be delighted if we are near a play off spot come April. Hope that doesn't mean I am aiming low - its just I think there is a lot of work to do with that squad and it is going to take a while. The sooner Pardew gets in some good asistants the better - he has already confessed to spending too much time on the phone last week.

Agreed. Let's hope ML is in it for the long term.

That goal he got at the Riverside in our relegation season was one of the classiest finishes I have seen from a Saints striker.

Les Miserables?

I honestly don't know how much Lynam knew. As far as I know neither MLT or LC "blame" him so the culprit may indeed be one higher rung up the chain. Pretty sure it wasn't Fialka however as his name came from nowhere. I think the one who was leading everyone up the garden path was one of the 6 names on the original e mail but I think that name is up to others (The Echo?) to reveal or investigate.