Billyboy

72, Man Of Kent in exile! Retired railwayman. Came to the area in 1966. 3 sons and 6 grandchildren who are all avid Saints!!!!! (1 son is a steward at St Marys) so i feel that I have done my duty. Never been able to be an ST holder due to always working shifts. Retired in 2002 to become full time carer for my wife. I have always attended as many home fixtures as I can but it is difficult. Can't remember the first match but it was the days of Tony Knapp and Jimmy Melia et al. Best away day JPT final.

Although I am not Southampton born and bred, I have supported "The Mighty Saints" since moveing to the area in September 1966,attending as many matches home and away as shift work permitted until I retired in 2002. I have been my wifes 24hr a day carer since then. I manage to arrange to attend 4 or 5 home games a year. Does this make ME a plastic???????????

Sensible article here. http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/18/southampton-norwich-championship-rickie-lambert/

Interesting comparison between Brum and our fishy friends. http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/02/portsmouths-birmingham-carson-yeung/

1720: FOOTBALL - QPR make a bid for Southampton winger Jason Puncheon and offer defender Kaspars Gorkss in exchange, Press Association Sport understands. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/9548437.stm

Just in case it has been missed! http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mattslater/2011/03/safe_hands_hudson_the_crazy_ga.html

Has the world gone mad?

Scored today! Has the world gone mad?

This from AOL Sport. http://sport.aol.co.uk/football/saints-wait-for-adkins-is-over/article/2010091216400169048243 Interesting last two paragraphs!

In response to all those sniping at Cortese may I offer an alternative view? Firstly everyone seems to be rather hyped up at the loss of Markus Liebherr citing him as Saints saviour. In fact it was Cortese who persuaded Markus that Saints were a good bet to back and he did most of the donkey work to sort out the deal. It could therefore be said that it was Cortese who was our saviour in our hour of need. At the very least he shared an equal part in that role. Secondly there is emerging a view that Markus and Nicola were the 'Good Cop/Bad Cop' partnership. That's an easy mistake to make. Markus looked and acted like everyone's favourite older uncle while Nicola looks sharper of face and has the air of the hard-nosed banking businessman. In fact Liebherr molded a multi-billion euro empire and specialised in areas such as aviation control systems, one of the most cut-throat businesses there are. Unedrneath that friendly exterior lay a will of steel and a shrewd (possibly ruthless) business mind; you don't succeed in those sort of businesses through being a softy. His appointment of Cortese would have been based on his ability to deliver his vision and to act within his style of operation. Thirdly people seem to think Cortese is a dangerous idiot for banning press photographers. No one seems to bat an eyelid at players charging huge sums for appearance and media rights and the media has been ripping football off for years. When Cortese proposes that the clubs who pay the players and who produce the football should also make some money from publicity everyoine gets upset. I suspect most clubs agree with Cortese's stance but they, unlike us, don't have the financial clout to take on the media. Fourthly everyone assumes Cortese is a megalomaniac who can't stand challenge and who sacked Pardew maliciously. Actually the swiftness of the decision suggests that something very very serious occured last week leaving Cortese no choice other than to sack the manager. The fact there was no immediate replacement suggests this to be the case. Thus far Cortese has planned everything with great care and consideration; it is therefore infeasible that this was anything other than a sacking forced by circumstance. Rumours were rife at St Mary's at the weekend including many concerning an indescretion with a player's wife. If those rumnours are true then the silence surrounding the issue is understandable given the need to protect individuals. So, maybe we should be less swift in our judgement. Cortese is a tough businessman and football these days is a tough buisness. He has done so much to save this club we should be careful before criticising. And lastly we should consider that he has done little wrong so far and he should be trusted to find a replacement for Pardew who can do at least as well - if not better.

Something to browse! http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa-transfer-list

Mr Whot-No? That dates you WC !!!!!

This is interesting http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mattslater/2010/02/portsmouth_fc_in_crisis_qa.html

Many, many thanks to the Admin team, you do a terrific job. I am a 24hr carer so I am unable to get to matches very often. It is great to be able to read the reports that are posted on here and keep abreast of the news. Thanks Guys and Gals. A Merry Christmas and a good 2010 to you all. Onwards and Upwards!!!!!

I have been a supporter of our club since 1966 when I moved to the area. I have "lurked" on this site with bated breathe through the traumatic recent events. I rarely have posted but I must say that I totally agree with the sentiments expressed by Landford Saint. When you stop to consider the state our wonderful club was in at the point of our benefactors take over, not just on the pitch, just rejoice in the fact that we have a club to support and be cofident in the expertise of Messrs Leibheir and Cortesse. Be patient, the impossible takes a little time!!