Channon's Sideburns

But for Mick Dennis to imply that we shoulder more of the blame than the inadequate poor business minds that have frequented our boardroom, who supped Champagne and ate the Prawn Sarnies whilst right royally ****ing up our club is outrageous. He, for one, does not actually mention WHY people are staying away.

He has enough interest to blame us for Saints' demise. WHATEVER HE THINKS OF THE FANS, I'M NOT LETTING HIM GET AWAY WITH BLAMING US FOR THE MESS WE ARE IN.

We get a paragraph in there today, basically blaming the fans.... 'Southampton fans blame board blunders for their Championship plight. They should have a go at their fair-weather mates. In their last season in the Premier League, Southampton's average attendance was 30,000. Last season it was down to 21,000, this season 17,000. If they ever get back to the top division and rival fans chant 'Where were you when you were rubbish?' the answer will be. at home, moaning'. ---- Charming - BTW Mick, we've always been rubbish. ---- So, in return, I have emailed him this afternoon so he sees just WHY WE ARE SO ****ED OFF. ---- Hi Mick, I always take time to read your column in the Express as I enjoy reading your observations, and normally tend to agree with your opinions. However, having seen your article on the state of Southampton FC, my club, I feel compelled to write regarding the use of 'stay away fans' as an excuse for the poor state of our club. You really could have a whole page article on the debarcle that is currently SFC, and the twists and turns that have led so many lifelong fans to decide that they can no longer put up with it. No one single person is to blame, there are many but the return of Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde has been the straw that broke the camel's back for many fans. Back in 2006, Michael Wilde purchased almost 26% of Southampton Leisure Holdings shares in an attempt to oust Rupert Lowe (6% ownership) from the Southampton Boardroom following relegation from the Premier League for the first time in 27 years. He produced a manifesto which promised investment which 'would never arise unless Lowe was removed'. He persuaded other notable shareholders (Mary Corbett, Patrick Trant) to proxy their votes to him in order to bring about change. The kingmaker of Wilde was Leon Crouch, a successful multi-millionaire and lifelong Saints fan, who had also purchased 9.95% of SLH Plc shares. It was only when Wilde convinced Crouch of his plan for the club that he gave his support to Wilde. Lowe, seeing the writing on the wall, walked before the planned EGM. Wilde's promised investment never materialised. His appointed executives first of all removed him, then Leon Crouch. Then, Crouch oversaw the removal of the Executives - Jim Hone (ex Fulham and Celtic), Ken Dulieu, and Andy Oldknow (ex-FA and Everton). Only Lee Hoos remained from the old Executive board and to the end of the season, Crouch and Hoos steadied the ship, appointing the much-missed Nigel Pearson who is now leading Leicester to promotion (funnily enough using many youngsters). After surviving on the last day of the season, there was unity on the pitch at St Marys, with fans looking forward to a brighter future under Pearson. The spirit was back. Then, a decision was made which separated the fanbase - leading to the ridiculous scenes at St Marys this weekend, when Wilde sided with Lowe (remember he bought 26% of SLH shares to remove him) to oust Crouch and Pearson, also claiming that Pearson was 'too expensive', and to 'protect their investment'. This decision to join forces has been seen as a 'stab in the back' to fans and shareholders that backed Wilde to remove Lowe. Lowe claimed on his return that they would 'right the wrongs of the previous board' - instead they have managed to make things worse. Lower attendances, and 2nd Bottom of the CCC with ONE HOME WIN IN 14 MATCHES. The share price has also dropped dramatically,so they have not 'protected their investment'. Lowe installed Jan Poortvliet and Mark Wotte, claiming that they were cheaper than Pearson combined - but then increased the coaching staff further by adding Dean Gorre. Saints fans were told that it was no longer financially viable to keep Rasiak, Saganowski (now returned) and Stern John - all were sent out on loan to supposedly save money. Surprisingly we then brought in Morgan Schneiderlin (€1.2M), Lee Holmes, Ryan Smith, Tomas Pekhart, Jack Cork, Jordan Robertson, Lee Molyneux, Paul Wotton, Anthony Pulis, Romain Gasmi - quantity over quality, which is the same mistake made when we were relegated in the first place under Lowe. Saints fans are now watching the equivalent of last years Reserve and Youth Team - £24 per game, when you could see the same players last season for free. To rub salt in the wounds of all Saints fans, since his return Rupert Lowe has replaced the picture in the SFC Boardroom of Lawrie McMenemy with the FA Cup from 1976, with a picture of a Steam Train given by the board at Doncaster. This weekend, we have also seen club legend David Armstrong kicked out of the hospitality area for 'talking with friends'. The Saints fans have had enough, on the pages of the Saints Forum website the depth of feeling is immense, even fans who supported Lowe's financial plan are turning against him. Administration beckons - but it is too easy to blame the fans. Demonstrations against the Board are being arranged as we speak. SFC is a prime example of how not to run a Football Club after relegation. It really is a Soap Opera, unfortunately it is more depressing than EastEnders. Kind regards CS

Sorry Colin, it's my Pet Name for Mike Wilde... Get it...they can't find Lord Lucan either.....

Fair enough..methinks we won't be seeing him or Wilde there again anytime soon.

Would explain the rumour on another thread regarding a meeting at SMS between Lowe and Lord Lucan yesterday.

Christ, how the HELL is Lowe going to find justification for this then?? Next thing he'll be spouting that Pearson cost more than him, Cowen, Wilde, Portaloo, Wotte, Gorre together... What a w@nker.

How about we put forward Mr Tumble forward for the CEO job to replace Lowe?? He could definitely show Lowe some Sign Language to let him know in no uncertain terms what we think....!

I would consider it... If the Saints Trust formulated a plan of action to help remove Lowe, I wouldn't give a rat's ar$e whether it is Illingsworth in charge or Mr Tumble from CBeebies (one for all the Dad's out there!). Get it done and I'll pay them £10.

IN that case..we're being robbed. I'd do his job for FREE, and do a better job as well...he can't manage a coffee.

If Rupert stays, we'll be worse off anyway. It's painful....investment is a LONG way away, regardless of who is in charge.

I was thinking Xmas Tree but judging the squad at my disposal I think I'll plump for 10-1.

Cheers! Went well, should know by end of the week.

Spill the beans then Tone...

Didn't Nick Leeson say that he worked with Rupert somewhere at Barings?

Just did a search on Facebook to see if he had his own page... Some scamp has set one up (or is it his????!) - and guess what, Rupert has no friends. However he does have 16 groups dedicated to him, which is nice for him. Just don't tell him what they are called...My favourite was 'Rupert Lowe is a Proper ****' (over 900 members) Charming, but probably accurate. --- For reasons of fairness.... Quite a few Mike Wilde's, a couple of Leon Crouch's but no Guy Askham's. --- Sorry...got bored waiting for a telephone interview for a new job...

Do you think that he has a briefcase?

Unfortunately not yet, he was away from his postbox on a prior engagement.

The team have been sh1te for the majority of this season. We are 2nd from bottom with no signs of hitting ANY form. Lowe created the problem, came back 'supposedly' to stop the rot and has made it worse. Not shouting for Lowe's removal will not affect the team - in fact they scored once it kicked off. In my view they need to have a kick up the arse, I've had it with the excuses - I think most of them know someone will apologise for them. Explain that one then.

I would have probably included the sentences... 'With this show of supporter feeling it should indicate to Lowe that his presence in the Boardroom is at best, devisive. The fans have no faith in plans which have proved ill-thought out and unsuccessful - the table rarely lies. For Wilde, it should indicate how poor his business judgement is'. See...easy eh???

Cheers.

Appreciate that Nick, as you know we have had disagreements over issues on here before, but I really feel the scales have been weighted against the current board in a big way. The problem still is that we do not yet know exactly what REAL savings have been made until the interims get published. Just by comparing like for like, if you take into account the sheer amount of new players coming in 'officially as frees' - there are bound to be costs involved even in 'acquiring' those !! What other things have you heard?

Or possibly one of the ST holders pushed too far??? If so, welcome to the madhouse. Here's where you create change. Keeping your club alive costs. And here is where you start paying. (Gratuitous 'Fame' reference but loved that JLC prog at Xmas).

Highly likely Nick, that would really show the fringe who's boss. Not my personal thoughts on the matter...but that's how Rupert may see it though.... I do think that on both sides the battle lines have been drawn. Here we go again....2006 but worse.