100%Red&White

Well their fans are saying the acoustics are fantastic and really amplifies the crowd noise. I believe they had only 5 or 6000 in for the first ever game last weekend but they were saying the noise sounded like many more. Whether it was just down to an echo-ie 3/4s empty stadium time will tell but most recent new stadiums have been designed with good acoustics a priority. Cov apparently spent a lot of time and money getting this issue in place for the Ricoh after previous new grounds (like SMS, Riverside, etc.) had missed a trick. St Mary's is great when it's rocking but the atmosphere doesn't carry that well around the stadium generally. I reckon they'll be a very good atmosphere at Brighton due to the design and the high concrete walls at the back of 3 stands are, I believe, just in preparation for ease of expansion. Somebody here from work went down there recently to check it out for Trade Shows/Conferences and he said it’s great, something again St Mary’s missed out on. A lot more thought (and money) have gone into Falmer than ever did at SMS.

Mine's a renewal. I've now heard of others this has happened to. You can only imagine they've got piles of full STs and other part ones for the installment plan and someone's picked up the wrong box, they'll be stood out side the Head's office as we speak. Mr Cortese will see you now. How many will have just "chucked it in the drawer" and only find out against Leeds? The club are going to have to contact everyone to check or it's going to be chaotic at the box office first game.

Fook. Lucky I read this thread, mine turned up in the post yesterday and immediately got thrown in the drawer. Just had a look and guess what, 9-23 only. Bugger.

Well I've just had a call from my Geordie mate who delivered it this morning, he said "wy-ay mon, it's fookin mint like". I said there's no way Saints would turn out in a crappy green away shirt........................

The big new signing refuses to get up before 10am and will parade the new kit on the pitch around lunchtime. SH*T! now I've gone and let the cat out the bag Nicola wont let me in on any more secrets.

The only bugger is...he wont be part of Arsenal's immediate first team plans so they can afford to push out a deal until the last minute, whereas if we have accepted he's off we need to get on and find a replacement. Maybe the gooners will feel our knees will buckle first and accept a lesser offer.

I want to know where they're chucking the away mob(s), are they lumping the Germans and Spanish all in together? I can see it now - Herman: "Vy yoos sat in my zeet?", Jose: "Que?" It'll be carnage I tell ya!

I booked mine on Tuesday and was told they would be posted out in about 2 weeks. She also said they were very busy, a good sign I guess.

This is exactly what they'll be wearing for the games in Switzerland. So I'm reliably informed.

And 'arry. Shame.

Well, tbf, he wasn't exactly asking for free parking just when it changed from 30 to 15 minutes. It's always been free until recently and maybe if your buying one of their products for around £500 maybe a free car park pass whilst doing so wouldn't be too much to ask. You get 30 minutes free in West Quay btw.

If the hapless-Ho had said "popped round the boyfriend's and used his computer to post from" his little game may have lasted a bit longer.

Someone really should check and make sure the skate has paid his whole £5 to be a Full Member. It's not like they've got a great track record or anything. £5 to be on your rivals board. Well done.

Does look like the Echo couldn't quite fit it in. 3 weeks to the ML Tournament, any updates on progress or is it back to start of season?

Yep, I reckon you can add at least another 1,980 years to that. John Arne Riise though, surprised he's only 30, I thought he was 35ish.

Russian Doctor diagnoses heart problem, insurance payout satisfies old man Kanu (and gets to keep his kneecaps), skates save 35k a week, everybody's happy - well, everybody down Frogmore Road way that is. Cheats.

You mean to say when I paid seven quid for my RL Polo in Turkey last year that is wasn't genuine?!!! very good quality actually

http://shop.wimbledon.com/stores/wimbledon/products/product_details.aspx?pid=86305 The cheeky gits have nicked our sash for their 125 anniversary shirt!

Good news. I used to buy the Beautiful South and look forward to doing so again this season. But to me it was part of the new generation of fanzines and just a little too clean. I loved the Ugly Inside, a proper fanzine, bit rough-and-ready but a real fans mag. Loads of original stuff, cartoons, tales and jokes from a lot of different contributors - I’m pretty sure Daren wrote the ‘Hugh Jardon’ column. Shame it just got too bogged down in politics towards the end.

Mike, once a design has been decided it may be a good time to tap up the Echo again. If we could show what will be a finished product it may inspire a few more to donate. You could mention the amount raised to date that will get a flag of (whatever) size but if 'x' amount more could be raised we could get the real big one. I'm sure we'd then get there. And the more I think about it the more I hope NC doesn't have to contribute. This should solely be a fans gesture in appreciation to Markus, it wouldn't look great for his family to see the thousands of Saints fans out there couldn't raise enough. More just need to be made aware of the effort.

Wahey! Good old Sky, must have known I'd be miles away on holiday. Again.

I bet Mike must be beginning to wonder what he's let himself in for. A great effort to get this far - now he's seeing how tough it is trying to please everyone. It's a flag, it's an iconic image of how we remember Markus, I'd say there's a few designs already that will do the job imo.

Unfortunately (or fortunately in 2005) no-one would get in before halftime. The OB have had a bad habit of delaying trains on recent visits, particularly the ones including "over 18/under60/male/etc/etc". We had some right 'sorts' on ours last time and that did ensure we arrived very late and were escorted through near deserted streets (apart from the odd [very odd] couple of local weirdos hanging out of windows).

They'll get a fair bit of practice and preparation from 5 out of our first 6 home games. Gutted to be missing the Leeds game but looking good for a date with Sky again like the last 2 openers. That would be 3 on the bounce watching from some hot foreign bar - drew the first against Millwall, lost last year, so due a nice winning start!

Should have included the Wes' quote.