class of 76

Thanks KC

Anyone know what Red Funnel services are running on 26th and 28th? I can't find any info online.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4674940/Brendan-Rodgers-is-all-Wight-now.html

To the tune of Camptown races: Graziano's f'ing big doo da doo da, His hair is real it's not a wig doo da doo da day. Sorry. Must stop this lunch time drinking and let the experts get on with it.

I remember queuing outside the Milton Road end as a youngster, I think it was 2/6 to get in. Used to get right down the front and hang my scarf over the wall. One of my most vivid memories was seeing Ron Davies jump to head a ball from a standing start in the six yard box. I swear that his shoulders were level with the crossbar, I can picture it now, that memory has never left me. I seem to remember reading somewhere that Ted Bates used to make him train by jumping over hurdles wearing big, heavy army boots. Other memories that stick in the mind is the smell of liniment as the players ran onto the pitch to the original Match of the Day theme tune (entitled drum majorette). After a few minutes warming up, Eric Martin would throw the practice balls from the goal-mouth into a net bag held by the kit man by the corner flag, he never missed. Eric was a real character, during one game when Saints were on the attack he sat down cross-legged by the penalty spot and started building sand castles! Big Ron was also a very keen sea angler and had his own fishing boat that he used to take out onto The Solent and round The Needles. Angling Times once did a big feature on him. He also used his boat for occasional trips over to The Island, he once turned up in Yarmouth with the “Alehouse Gang” on board, after a few hours in the King’s Head he presumably managed to navigate back to Southampton safely. Happy days.

Rarely

He would qualify to play for Spain.

The Isle of Wight has a PO postcode, with plenty of Saints supporters and quite a few portsmouth supporters. Both are probably outnumbered by people who claim to be Man U, Liverpool, Arse, Chelsea etc. etc. I have already been aproached by three people, who know I have two season tickets, asking if I can get extra tickets. One is a Chelsea fan, one is a Man U fan and one is an Arsenal fan. All three have previously been to fp. to watch their teams, even though they have to sit quietly in the home end. True story which I'm sure is not unique. Repeat that a few times and you have a significant increase in crowd numbers, if not support!

Presumably/hopefully we'll be able to collect them at one of the pre-season games

I don't think so

At last a mention of Terry Paine !!Isn't he the only Saint with a World Cup winner's medal?

Belmadi, despite being a perma-crock, is one of my favourite Saints players. Used to completely take the **** out of defenders. best taker of corners we had

Adam's first England goal? (U18s) and League debut.

That's the point. It's a shame they couldn't include a few first team squad. Portsmouth played Newport in pre-season last year, took the game seriously, had a good crowd and won the 'hearts and minds' of quite a few local kids. Btw, they won 7-0 and Cranie got on the scoresheet!

http://www.newport-fc.com/iow/ Seems a bit strange, day before we play Ajax. Probably a reserve team?

I fell in love 40 years ago, it was on Saturday April 13th 1968. It was for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death us do part. 40 years on and I’m still in love. I wouldn't abandon her now, not after all we've been through together. would you? I wouldn’t abondon her now, after she has been taken fom me, stripped and raped, WOULD YOU? I wouldn’t stand by and watch as her life ebbs away. WOULD YOU? I wouldn’t abondon her now, in her time of need, WOULD YOU? WELL WOULD YOU? I for one will not abanon her and will support her till the end. Till death us do part! If you love the Saints stand up, and be counted! There is nothing love cannot face When faith and hope are gone, all that remains is love. “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.” If the cap fits, wear it.