Fitzhugh Fella

Is your last sentence a criticism of the way the club is/was run?

In the early days Micky Channon spent most of his time falling over and I remember "Docker's Corner" giving him fearful stick and calling him "Doreen" throughout several games. He seemed to come through it OK. These youngsters are happy to take some of the better trappings of the game (take a look at the Staplewood car park on training days) and yet can't handle a bit of stick from the punter. As long as the abuse is not offensive a little bit of terrace banter is just part of the game - christ we all dish it out to the linesmen and refs. If you are old enough to drive a 50 grand car you're old enough to get some stick in my book.

I just love that last paragraph - sums Jonah up to a tee. Sure we all have agendas - I can admit to mine but he as sure as hell can't admit to his.

You are quite right - should have checked - at least Jonah didn't spot though. Don't tell him now. Cheers

Ron - there was a stage last season (approx 12 months ago) when it was thought Salz was 99% certain to accept an invitation to become Chairman of the PLC. Why he didn't? He saw the writing on the wall ie the probability Lowe was coming back. It is said by those close to him that he cannot abide the man and would never work with him.

Mark you too are very selective with the facts to suit your agenda. You are full of criticism towards Mary for jumping on Wilde's steed and ask how someone that imcompetent and negligent could be a director whilst not a mention of the man whose steed she jumped on, who is now of course the Chairman of the Football Club. And you fail to mention the squeaky clean Rupert climbing on the same horse last summer despite Wilde's by then well-documented shortcomings and broken promises. Pot, kettle and all that.

Tim - I have a few of the old videos with some footage - him scoring v Leeds away in 66-7 for instance.

Mark, despite your uneccessary insult (it would be great if you could compose one post without resorting to insults or name calling) I will give you the courtesy of a reply. You obviously went to a lot of trouble - I thank you, I don't recall you posting anything similar, certaily not recently. Last week I read the transcript from the Lowe v The Times libel trial which was very interesting indeed. As you say all parties, including Lowe made a lot of money overnight when their shares (quite a lot of which were gained in extremely dubious circumstances) shot up in value. I agree with what you say re Hunt, Wiseman, LM and Co. I also agree Lowe has not capitalised on his yet (I bet he wish he had) however that does not exonerate him from the initial shady money making exercise which was the reverse takeover. Yes I suppose it is slightly hypocritical of me therefore to single out Lowe for criticism but I suppose the reason for that is Hunt, Gordon, Wiseman and Co did at least wake up and smell the coffee - however I never want to see them in any position of influence again. LM is another one I would not shed tears over if he sailed off into the sunset, believe it or not although I still think he would have something to offer in a footballing capacity. He might have only played for Gateshead but he knows his way around Britsh football and the media which is my point re my preference for him rather than Lowe. That leaves Crouch and Corbett who too my knowledge have not taken any money from SFC - certainly share wise. I have met both several times. Mary is a very nice, enthusiastic, dedicated fan who loves the club. Of that there is no doubt. Is she suitable to be a director? Yes I think so, as much as any fan - after all was it not Jackie Milburn who in his autobiography called one chapter "What the average director knows about football" and then left all the pages blank. I am sure MC would be the first to admit on a day to day basis however she would leave the "running" of the club to someone with more expertise. Finally Leon Crouch. Well I prefer him to Lowe and Wilde, but that does not say a lot. He is a fan and a successful local businessman who it seems is prepared to put in some money and time to help us move forward. However his tenure last season - albeit it short and coming on the back of an almost disastrous 18 months under the executives - filled no one with confidence. Do you know Mark, I could still live with Lowe if it wasn't for his "involvement" in the footballing side of things. My original falling out with him if you recall followed a letter I wrote to him about his becoming too involved in football decisions. I had heard through someone present in the boardroom who I do trust that at the time of the proposed Hoddle second coming Lowe put himself forward as DoF and I am pretty sure ever since he has dabbled in duties usually undertaken by managers with pretty awful results. So in summary - yes I agree all the people involved wih the club at the time of the reverse takeover should hang their heads and none should be allowed back in any positions of influence. I could live with that - I wish the whole wretched thing had never happened and we had stayed at the Dell to be frank and with hindsight but we are where we and the arch architect is still in charge and we spiral ever downwards. So I am prepared to take on some facts and criticise all parties (hardly the action of someone with a chip) but I have yet to ever hear you admit Lowe has made any mistakes.

understatement of the year, Jan. Another little slug who has overseen the worst of our excesses without once accepting any blame. In fact he is probably as much to blame as Wilde and Lowe.

Mark - you said you did not say anything spiteful in your post but I found this remark to be a little below the belt - you said in reply to my post - "I agree that this post is about ego, politics and self-justification, but I'm not sure it's about Lowe"! OK nothing serious but in my opinion it marks you out as a tad pompous and arrogant. Traits that you have never tried to suppress in the way you answer anyone who dares to criticise your ruddy cheeked hero. IMO I would rather have LM "advising" a manager of Southampton FC on football matters than a farmer from the Cotswolds who has admitted to knowing nothing about football until he swindled a lot of people (allegedly) and managed to use an old people's retirement home to takeover a football club while simultaneously lining his pockets (allegedly). But there again Mark you never have been able to explain that little story have you.

You seem to take everything I say about Lowe so personally, Mark? Just because my view does not tally with yours there is no need to be spiteful with your replies. You really are no better than some of the people on this forum you deem not worthy.

I am basing my evidence on things Ron was told ie McGoldrick was informed by Lowe last summer he would be our nos 1 choice for centre-forward, the quote Skacel came out with that Lowe had told him he wouldn't be picked and an interview Mark Dennis conducted with Wotte and JP in which the pair admitted Lowe had an influence in team selection. Not cast iron but nonetheless a worry. I am also told by many he rarely goes to SMS but does spend 2 days a week at Staplewood. Like I said Frank - if we are to put up with him as PLC (and accept he has talents in that direction) I wish he would leave the selection of players down to the man who eventually carries the can ie the head coach.

I think the last vulture got shot a long time ago, mind you Fulthorpe's dog is still on the hunt.

Sorry Andy?

A worrying note from a respected poster.

5 men who should hang their heads tonight and hopefully not sleep well

FFS he must have been there tonight? No?

I am getting the impression that Lowe is still picking the team ie not letting the likes of Euell start because it does not fit in with the pre-season boast of going with the youngsters. Has Wotte got a free hand? Is Lowe's pledge to McGoldrick that "he is our centre-forward this season" coming back to haunt him? So many questions but here is a fact - one win in 16 home games - and even against 10 men we still can't muster a point. I could live (just about) with Lowe running this club as long as he kept his nose out of football matters but I cannot stand him dictating who should be eligible for selection and who shouldn't be. As usual with Lowe it is all down to ego, politics and self-justification.

Although I would not question either Lallana or Surman's loyalty I think one reason neither man went in January was because their recent form has been subdued, to say the least and any potential buyers opted against making bids. Not to say it won't happen in the summer, especially if they rekindle some of the early season panache.

Just driven down M3, down the Avenue and into London Rd - no probs, little traffic on the roads and what snow there was on the pavements etc is melting fast. There is the occasional flurry of snow and sleet but then the sun comes out - don't think there will be too many problems unless you are using small country roads after 11pm.

Christ 5 miles north and it is an absolute blizzard - can't see 5 yards in front of my face here in Otterbourne.

blizzard conditions in Otterbourne right now, be surprised if the game gets the go ahead

The march reminded me of when we all went to York in 1971 for a Cup-tie - there were about 3 train loads and everyone (thousands) walked together through the town to the stadium. I felt a bit sorry for the inhabitants of York that day because their town sort of got closed down for an hour. Um Pahars is right about numbers. I was right at the back and when I left the Bargate the whole of Hanover buildings was chocka (road and pavement) and some were already in Hoglands Park. The video taken outside the King Alfred didn't capture all those who nipped in for a pint too. StanFairOak was one!

Thats the trouble with living in what is now virtually a 3rd World country

Voice of reason