I've been saying we need to constructively sell this club since the summer. Even got put on a global ignore list for saying it continually for some reason.
But is it the only way we can do something constructive to save this Club. Not sure the exact methodology would work above but to reiterate what MUST happen NOW if this club is to survive:
1. Form a Sales team. It needs to consist of Legends (MLT, CHannon, Lawrie Mac etc), Respected Fans Representatives, members of Southampton City Council, Possibly local MP, media rep.
2. Lowe and Wilde throw support behind it by saying the club IS for sale. Something Lowe has NEVER done... and never explained why. Anyway... WE MUST HAVE A DECLARATION OF 'FOR SALE'. Also that the plc will be delisted should a single buyer be found, allowing full control. Lowe pledges some £ for travel and setting up costs for the sales team. If not I'm sure Crouch would assist.
3. We promote the Club through EVERY INTERNATIONAL media outlet available - Sky, BBC, National Press etc etc. Ignore the Echo! They'll jump on the local bandwagon anyway! We are not targetting local owners...they already know the situation.
4. We promote the club as having:
- Tradition. 27 years of top flight football until recent financial mismanagement.
- A huge fan base - probably the largest on the South Coast.
- A family-oriented club with a reputation for good behaviour (yes I know about last Saturday...but thats unusual). But also an internationally recogniseable and saleable name 'Saints'
- A superb Premiership infrastructure including a youth set up that has produced some of the great young players of recent years.
- A club centred on the international port gateway to the UK. The gateway for most of the UK's trade. A City whose City Council and MP would look favourably on redevelopment and investment opportunities for a new buyer.
- You send a delegation from that sales team to present to those who show interest.
THAT is how you sell a Club. You target internationally not just nationally... as national interest will follow.
With the likes of MLT embedded in Sky we have a good start point for saving this club. We have internationally recognised legends who can add their assistance to help save this Club - from Shearer (BBC) to Kevin Keegan and others.
Mobilise Lawrie to mobilise some of those legends.
But GET OFF YOUR ARSES AND ORGANISE IT. It is now the only hope. It just needs Lowe to say 'This Club IS for sale' and the team to hit the media.
It can be done if there is the WILL to do it.
SET THE SALES TEAM UP NOW, MOBILISE AND LOOK FOR A BUYER... AND IF AT FIRST YOU DONT SUCCEED TRY AND TRY AGAIN... THE ALTERNATIVE IS A PLC UNDER LOWE LEADING US INTO ADMINISTRATION AND TOWARDS LEAGUE 2 AT BEST. AT WORST IT IS THE END OF THE CLUB.
We have until March. WHAT IS THERE TO LOSE?
(Those who say there are no buyers out there - global credit crunch etc ... you are not required. Defeatists not needed at this Club anymore, there are many many people who would look to buy this Club as a stepping stone for investment in the gateway of the UK that is Southampton)
