saint63

Just finished reading the 1945 -2013 section. This is an outstanding piece of work for which the authors must take great credit. So many memories from my era, from 1963 onwards. The names of the 63 semi final team still trip easily off the tongue. Many years later when moving into my first home in Poulner I was fascinated to find many copies of John Sydenhams testimonial match v Pompey. On further checking it seemed he was the first owner. Congratulations to the authors.

I got soaked that day - on first aid duty at Archers Road end in the corner - but had a good view of Shilton's goal!

Are you linked to the active Cardiff Saints group? I can think of at least two very enthusiatic members within a mile or two of your base.

Great atmosphere today and even greater to be promoted at my nearest L1 ground! Shortest journey home. Well done to everyone at SFC. It is briilliant to be on the way back.

Welcome to that growing band of Saints fans travelling from Devon. Don't forget we have to play Exeter and Plymouth away.

103.8 is strong in South Devon and sometimes can get 96.1. Once listened to Saints Forum om 96.1 while driving in mid Brittany.

Thank goodness for that!! The stress and uncertainty of the last fortnight has been unbearable for three Saints fans from this part of the world!!

Outstanding excitement at the end. One of those results you will remember. I felt it was going to be a smash and grab result as the second half went on, despite Yeovil coming at us and causing us many problems. We played some good stuff in the first half and really we deserved to be well ahead by then. Well done Alan Pardew for the very positive and brave subs. His decisions won us the game - and for generating a first class team spirit.

We really do need to work much harder when we haven't got the ball, particularly in getting tackles very early and with more determination. We were outfought too often in 50/50's. Wotton would certainly had a positive influence especialliy motivating and organising others around him. Schneiderlin needs to impose himself on the defensive side of his game. It was not a game to pass and pose. However, when I think back to the mess we were a year ago, I know where I would much rather be. We may not get promoted this year, but we will be back up where we need to be sooner rather than later. For this I'm verygrateful to the present regime.

My collection - from my first Dell visit as a youngster in 1963 - is safely in my roof, together with the Football Echo from 1st. May 1976. I was rather hoping for a windfall for my declining years!! Nostalgia isn't as profitable as it used to be!!

For those of us liviing in Torbay it will save a lot of money and time watching the Saints!

Patience please! The team worked well yesterday and there was much to applaud outside the opponents penalty box! It will come - and this is from someone who hasn't seen Saints win since away at Exeter last season!

I listened too to the whole interview and I came away thinking what a thoroughly decent, articulate, self deprecating man MLT is. It is refreshing to find out that someone you admired on the pitch is as impressive off it. So often the opposite is true in my opinion. Heaven knows what sort of chip you have on your shoulder, 19C, because you clearly have a warped view on this issue. Given a choice on the sort of human being I'd rather be around, MLT would beat you by a mile. Sorry, but you are hoist by your own petard.

I'm as bitterly disappointed as the rest of us about last night's performance. We were simply brushed aside by a more physical and stronger team. However, it's too early yet to right us off. It's not long since July when we didn't think we'd even have a team to watch at all. Short memories!! Let's start believing that this year will be the start of the turnaround, not the turnaround itself. We'll see where we are at Christmas. A mid table position is the best we can expect, but the signs are good with the signings already made. The signing of a combative and mobile midfield focus will certainly help on last night's showing. Now we need a commanding centre half to play alongside Thomas, who's a good player - and one we were told under the previous regime was too costly for League 1 and would move to a Championship club.

Having watched last night's game I am beginning to think that it's my fault that we're in this position. Having watched Saints as many times (around 20) as I've been able I can now state that the last time I saw us win was at the Carling Cup game at Exeter last August. Is this a record? When will it end?

They've been using the Barnstaple Call Centre for years - I used it many times in Premier League days.

Jimmy Gabriel was a great player - my hero as a schoolboy

John Crawley retiring

These regional reporters have no imagination. A more creative headline would be: Gareth to bale out? Unless you can do better....?

So much for negotiation then!!

I have just opened this email from the FL about the 10 points deduction. I post it here as a stimulus for informed debate. It sounds as if I was one of many who vented my feelings! Any Sports lawyers about? Here it is: Thank you for your email. Due to the volume of communications a standard response is necessary. To clarify, the sporting sanction, i.e. points deduction has been made in accordance with League regulations, which are put in place by the clubs themselves – The League merely administers them. An appeal is allowed with a specified period. When a club suffers an insolvency event, e.g. administration, their share in The League is liable to be withdrawn under the terms of our Articles of Association. In other words their membership comes to an end. However, because we are in the business of trying to keep clubs alive, the Board operates a policy within the provisions of the Articles which suspends the withdrawal of a club’s share in order to give them a second chance – this is entirely in keeping with the law of the land. Recent arbitration proceedings confirm The Football League has the right to impose conditions on a company that sees to join The League in this way. These conditions reflect the need to protect the integrity of the competition by ensuring that no club should be able to gain an advantage over its rivals by not paying its debts. Owners of football clubs will change over time, but the ‘club’ remains the same. It is the club which secures a competitive advantage from wiping out debt through insolvency proceedings, and therefore, it is only right that it is the club, regardless as to the identity of the new owners, that is made subject to any conditions. The League has a responsibility to ensure all League clubs start the season - we would also clarify that throughout our discussions no conditions other than a waiver in regard to sporting sanctions have ever been raised with us as a major issue. Patricia Brown Customer Service The Football League http://www.football-league.co.uk

I agree - the decision to dock us 10 points is probably correct. However, what is at issue is the right to appeal against a punishment. An appeal process should always be attached to a decision like this. Failure to do this shows weakness and a lack of confidence in the organisation itself. If the FL wishes to be seen as a mature institution it needs to behave in the appropriately fair way.

Good luck Mr Lynam. We'd rather have your group with the -10 than not at all!! Can't you sign up with the FL and then test the worth of the paper you've signed? Please put us out of this torture!!

Torquay now have a board of directors working together as a team and a Chief Executive, Colin Lee, who knows what he's doing, with a mixture of youth and experience in the team who work hard for each other. They have sorted themselves out in two seasons. We should look no further for a model for us to go by. Should the journey to Southampton not be needed next season, I am spoiled for choice for two local Devon teams on the up!!

This is a real shame. We must keep the bigger picture in mind - unless we help in the short term, there won't be a club to support or transfer to new owners. It's up to all of us who've enjoyed the highs and endured the lows to try to secure a club for the future. I've invested too much emotion to let the club go when a little more effort would help. It doesn't matter about the quality of next week's game - its the sum total effect of all our efforts to secure the future that matters. What I can do is to spend my £20 to help - this is in my ability to do. Surely we can get 20 000 plus thinking the same.