SanFranciscoSaint

Living in Calfornia, I have only just woken to hear of this plainly outrageous decision by Cortese. Just when we seemed to be adapting to this League, he goes and puts the boot into our progress. 95% of people on the Echo site disagree with this, and while I suspect it won't be quite that high on here, I feel sure that the vast majority of fans are just plain shocked and stunned at this. I have always liked and respected Cortese, but I am struggling right now to do either. I also cannot believe we did not get someone with PL experience as a replacement. I am fearful for how our players will also handle this. I wish the the Don would at least give his reasons for sacking NA. Shocked and truly upset over this. For all NA has done for us; we owe him a huge debt of gratitude, and I suppose that now we must get behind the team and the new Manager (regardless how we feel about him). COYR!!

Agreed. Much better than the old version.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RON! My Mum broke her leg in a crush at the Milton, and the very next day you came round to see her and wish her well. You were her hero and my idol. I couldn't believe this giant who walked into our house was actually "Big Ron" himself! I was only about 11 but remember it vividly. We lived in Ropley Close (Weston), which was right next to the old Halo Club, so whether he was on his way for a beer (a few of the team used to go there), I am not sure, but at least he made the effort, and the fact he stayed for a while and had a chat with us all, made him even bigger in our eyes! A top man, and an amazing player.

I just remember the Dell going deathly quiet after their goal went in. I had never heard a crowd go from crazy loud to total silence so quickly. Fantastic game though, against one of the better teams in Europe at the time.

I just cannot believe we have returned to where we belong. I am just so overwhelmed with happiness and relief. We give huge thanks to Markus and Don Cortese, but most of all to Nigel Adkins. He has been an amazing manager over the last two seasons, and I just cannot believe that he didn’t win a single Manager of the Month award this season. I cannot take it all in! WE ARE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!!! A wonderfully happy day for Saints fans around the world!! A great day to be a Saint.

I will unfortunately be in front of the tv at my home in Santa Rosa (45 mins north of SanFrancisco). wearing my top, and crapping myself as much as anyone else. I went to the game in 1978 that promoted us from the old second division to the first, and it was just amazing. I am jealous yet excited for everyone that is going. You have the support of ALL saints fans from around the world sinding with you. COYR!!!

I am at work when the game is being played, so I remote in to my home PC, record the live stream on Saints Player as an MP3, then when both myself and my wife get home from work, we have dinner then play the game. Yes we both jump out of our seats, swear at the ref, curse at Merrington whenever he says a dumb ass comment, and generally have all the highs and lows that everyone else does during a game. The fact I am now an hour north of San Francisco makes no difference at all. My wife (who comes from here), cried after the Reading game (which we watched on tv), and it killed our weekend (as it awlways does if the result does not go our way). Several thousand miles makes no difference to how a lifelong Saints fan (I am now 51) reacts to a game. COYR!!!!

Sorry; but if a qualification to be a legend is just to be a very good player/goalkeeper and be very loyal, then Nick Holmes should be way in front of Kelvin (as much as I do like him).

I was delighted with Pardews, and Adkins' appoinments, however; I was so so wrong about Redcrap. I really thought he was going to keep us up. Dear God.

I grew up in Weston till 21. Am now 51, and have lived in Santa Rosa (just north of San Francisco), California since Nov 1999. First game was Bristol Rovers away, before I was even a teenager. Then started going to the Dell regularly about 1975 in the East Stand at the Archers end. Season ticket holder for nearly 30 years. I still see Saints a few times every couple of years, and ALWAYS listen to the games on Saints Player, and watch on tv when they are on SKY (I pay a lot more for that privilage, but it is all woth it!). Best moment, the FA Cup win. Best game - I believe an 8-2 with Coventy at home. Best team - was the one when Keegan joined and for the next three seasons after that (I honestly thought we were going to beat the mighty Liverpool for the league title). Best player - Mick Channon, and a VERY, VERY close second was MLT. Best goalkeeper - Shilton (by a mile). Saddest moment - Going down to League One, and almost going out of business. Proudest moment - Right now. Top of the league for almost the entire season, playing great football, great Chairman, Manager, players and fans. COYR!!!

In 1978 (when I was 18), I thought long and hard about getting the Saints crest, which I eventually did on my right forearm. I have never regreted getting it done, and am very proud of it. However, you just have to be careful when you show, (scumland, job interviews etc). All the colour is still there and looks amazingly bright and clear for a tattoo that is 33 years old. Just think about it carefully, and how you would feel about it in say 5 or 10 years time.

Get better soon Dan! I hope that the injuries are not long term and we will see you training with the team as soon as possible.

This is not true. I have a "green card" and I am not termed an "illegal immigrant". I am termed a Permanent Resident, and have all the rights of an American citizen, except serving in the armed forces, be on a jury, vote, or become President. So no real loss there then.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but the 12 million plus 3 million add ons is a stunning enough figure achieved by Don Cortese, but I have also read on quite a few sites that he also managed to get between 30-40 % sell on clause. This could bring in a signifcant amount of money in the future, when Mark Chamberlain realises he needs more money for his "retirement" and that Real Madrid would be a great place for him to "future his career and improve his playing skills".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RON! My Mum broke her leg in a crush at the Milton, and the very next day you came round to see her and wish her well. You were her hero and my idol. I couldn't believe this giant who walked into our house was actually "Big Ron" himself! I was only about 11 but remember it vividly. We lived in Ropley Close (Weston), which was right next to the old Halo Club, so whether he was on his way for a beer (a few of the team used to go there), I am not sure, but at least he made the effort, and the fact he stayed for a while and had a chat with us all, made him even bigger in our eyes!