yorkie

Sorry about the spelling mistakes in my previous posts but I think this could gain some momentum given the right promotion. I don't thnik the Trust is the right body - something about the name and throwing in with Wilde last time around, and having no ideas for themselves. I am also suspicious of any "business" or "individual" as £3m is a lot of temptation. There are too many scallywags about - so who can you trust to genuinely look after the money in the interim? Perhaps a group of trustees and from all walks of life, all classes and all over the world. Everyone has to sign to agree any transfer or withdrawl from such an account. Surely there must be 5/6 people who care enough! I had a bit of a try at raising the topic in The Echo forum the other night - I'm still not for contributing to the current regime in charge but I don't want to be labelled as a fan who killed the club because he didn't go to SMS. We have a very limited audience on here, infact on line is only a small % of fans represented. Apathy is what will kill our club - sitting back and doing nothing will give us exactly what we deserve. I've made a suggestion, seems it has some legs, if anyone wants to discuss further over the internet via e-mail just indicate through a PM. Do they still exist to non-members? No e-mail address will be posted or mobile phone number - but some of you probably have details from previous encounters. It may seem a lot of work to get this sort of thing up and running - but surely if you have a passion for the club, but not the way it is being run - it makes a statement that no board can ignore. A vote of "NO CONFIDENCE" would surely follow, and then we would be in a position to attract further investment once Lord Lowe and his cronies have gone.

Sheffield game on Tuesday is only a £10 for adults! I still won't be going as I have lost the will to spend time and money at the moment. For all those "fans staying away because of the current regime" who are concerned about starving the club of income. Show your loyalty and contribute to a "neutral account" and show the board the size of your committment. If the so called 10,000 fans who are staying away because of Lowe and Co. and didn't but season tickets - put the money into one account. 10,000 x 300 for the season ticket = £3,000,000. No that says something to any potential investor - or creditor like Barclays! Who's in? The warchest could be for the new regime - from the fans!

Sorry I always get my Askham and Cowens mixed up!

I liked the Branfoot tenure. It's better than now! It just makes you realise how far we have come since Lowe and Cowen made the club a plc. How many managers have we had? Too many. The 3rd most important man we had guiding the team was Nigel Pearson! The 3rd best manager in my opinion will be the one to get us promoted the rest (even Lawrie in the early days) were much of a muchness. I quite liked Souness at the time and was sorry to see him go because we lacked ambition in those days too. I can hear you say change the record Yorkie - but there is one thing common about all the managers coming and going lack of investment to move to the next level. Who is responsible for that?

Couldn't have put it better myself. I've just watched a crock of shi te at Wembley on the TV. I now know why I don't get excited any more. In case you missed it England won 5-1, but could have been totally different if Kazakhstan had a bit more confidence if front of goal. The less I watch the better it will be I thought. Not watched any football since Rotherham game (not much football there either) but it just didn't happen for me. It's not just Saints, it's not the inept performance by the millionaire super stars against a load of part timers, it's football generally. Perhaps I should form a gang and go out and rampage around Meadowhall or something - it would probably more exciting baiting security guards! Bring back birching!

Was there a game last night - what was the score?

The win was good - but it passed me by on Saturday. Usually every moment from kick off would be a major focal point - however for the first time in years I took no interest in the game until about 7pm. "Oh look" I said to the wife "Saints won 2-0, good job I didn't go after all" I really can't be bothered any more - too little too late as far as I'm concerned. WE all know what will happen on Tuesday - don't we!

Not being ITK but surely we should be "in a bid" situation and the stock market should be advised - I thought all that had been refuted and we were no longer in a bid situation? This got me thinking - if there were an offer on the table (and I have it reliably confirmed there is) who has the final say if the offer is acceptable? Surely if the parent company is in so much trouble financially - the bank will demand the offer is accepted and the incumbant "investors/owners" take full control. Do SLH have any assets? Can RL block any such deal if this situation is so dire? Is he holding out for the goalden good-bye for the failure he has brought to the club? Someone must know the answers?

Last post - yeah of the team that played like a bunch of losers - 2-players bothered to come across from the circle in the middle. A measley 2-players! The rest skulked off to the dressing room. I'm not one for the BIG "let's acknowledge the fans" - but everyone knows they would have got some abuse from some. I think I heard a few boo's but I was more interested in arguing with a steward about my route back to my car. In this day and age, I was directed in completely the opposite direction to avoid mixing with Rotherham fans - only to have to walk right through every one leaving the home "side". If I had gone the same route as the way in I could have missed all the abuse I got. Good job my fuse is a lot longer these days! Stewards and police - no idea of crowd control - I bet I have to thank the "Youth" for that as we have a recognised firm these days! What a bunch of losers they are too. I got home at 11.10 after filling up with diesel (better tahn Stones - a bit of Northern humour there)...and got grief from her indoors for being cold!

Norm I made it one last game for the road - and honestly no matter how much of a fan you are it can't be dressed up, or the cracks papered over. The players may be individually good enough, but the blend is not working. Up front we look short of ideas, and won't shoot until we are 5-yards from the line. Every goal must be passed into the net, or take on 11 players and pass to someone for a tap in. It got so bad last night I started baiting the home fans (not in a threatening way) . The steward at the back found it quite amusing. It was not a good night at the office as the saying goes - what has happened to our club? I remember some of the discussions we had about things 4/5-years ago - it was all going wrong then. We knew there was something rotten about the club - and it seems we are reaping what was sewn back then. It helps to have a sense of humour, but even that isn't helping these days. I fear the trap door to Division 1 is already teeting on the verge with only 7 games gone. I can't see us mustering enough points to stay up.

Well I wrote this little piece for the "club's programme" from the fan in the stand...see how much get's printed. This truly is my last game for a long time. I've given my all for the last time, but in the end chanting and exchanging views with home fans I did in the 70's/80's and it usually ended up in a fracas - not any more. It was pitiful - we were absolute bobbins. We just aren't good enough. Since Derby we have just moved backwards - just how poor were that Derby side? Saints v. Rotherham United…a fans view Sheffield is an old stomping ground for me and I found myself outside the offices of a company I used to work for on Darnall Road, Attercliffe right next to The Don Valley Stadium. Their fortunes taken a bit of a down turn – a bit like ours. The drive from York took about 80-mins, and after parking the first task was to find a watering hole. The pubs around Attercliffe are few and far between and not very inviting, although The ****ed Hat didn’t seem to mind serving away fans – or should I say fan! The Stadium offered a warm covered area for fans wanting a drink, and here I met with several supporters from Liverpool, Manchester & Harrogate. The stadium itself was a little unreal, obviously not designed to host football matches with 3-sides completely empty, which kept the ball boys very busy. Not a bad turn out for a Tuesday in Sheffield, I remember going to Sheffield Wednesday in the 1980s and there were only 25/30 of us there in the Leppins Lane end! The game itself seemed to pass me by. Saints gave away a sloppy goal from a corner in the first half, and then it was half time. The second half was no better, giving someone a shooting chance from 20-yards to make it 2-0. We huffed and puffed and tried to raise spirits with a “Oh When The Saints” but after Stern John had got us back into the game, the mix up in communications saw an easy tap in for 3-1. Thankfully the group around me resorted to singing at the Rotherham fans, which were remarkably quiet seeing they were winning 3-1. It comes to something to say the highlight of the evening where the chants aimed at the home fans. The best chant of the evening for me was the “We’ve got more points than you” or the “We can see you sneaking out” aimed at Saints fans who’d had enough after 75-mins. The Woolston Ferry song rang around The Don Valley Stadium – surreal! I used to think Saints sides were lazy, money grabbing journeymen – now with all the huff and puff of the youth we clearly aren’t good enough. Personally I’ve given my all as a fan for 40+ years, but I can’t do it any more. When at my age the game passes you by and you find singing at the home fans more entertaining than the game itself - it’s time to quit. No anti-Lowe songs, although someone did try to start “Rupert Lowe’s Red & White Army” – it never caught on! I don't like picking out players for stick but what the hell is David McG doing in the side? BWP was dire too. Which reminds me of a the chant when Dyer came on...I said I didn't recognise him without the handbag and mobile phone! I fear we are heading for Division 1 unless we get the balance right - we look utterly sh*te.

I beg to differ...I fear for the future. Rotherham will be my last game...I'm not wasting any more time or money making myself miserable. Time for a change...after 40+years I'm beginning to see football for what it is... Lowe has his own agenda - and it has nothing to do with the football club just personal gain (or loss). Even this place wants money for old rope...if I had enough I'd hang myself. Last post today - last post on here. Good bye fellow Saints fans...you are so much better than I for sticking by your team in their time of need.

I predict it 'll be 4-0 to Saints

I've e-mailed Andrew Forrest (a Billionaire Australian with a passion for soccer and £20-billion in the bank). Perhaps he will now invest and be our saviour!

I thought that's what we said about tonights game? Don't get me wrong - but we are in for a long haul this season. The sooner some of us wake up and smell the coffee the better

Norm Nice to see you are still browsing the forum and adding your wisdom. I honestly believe the club has lost all it's soul - and the enjoyment we got from going to matches has gone for ever at SMS. The away days are still fun - but I used to really love the day out at SMS. I guess the whole thing died last season with all the back-stabbing and finger pointing. Many good people did not renew their STs - not because of Lowe but they have genuinely fallen out of love with football. We all seem to have better things to do with our time and money. Even once blinkered me finds a weekend in The Dales supping proper beer with the missus seems infinitely better than a drive to SMS - it's just too much effort. Everyones a better fan than me...and do I care?

It is a sad fact of life that although football used the b-all and end-all of my existence, it's no longer that important. Sure I still look for the results & go to games when they are close by, and up until last season tried to get down to SMS regularly - but there are a number of factors stopping me from going: 1) Cost - value for money? 2) My preferred standing position at SMS is now closed 3) The beer is sh*te at SMS 4) Did I mention cost? 5) I am a fan not a customer 6) I don't like being referred to as "one of the lunatic fringe" 7) The whole Saints experience at SMS is so sterile I am nearly 50 and have an internet connection 9) SKYSports News tells me every blow 10) I get texts from mates telling me the score Once upon a time the only way you could find out how the team was getting was by actually going. Now with current media options you can find out anywhere in the world at anytime. It's not as critical to actually be there - is it? Sure I'll go down the pub and watch SKY games, I'll have teletext in vision score flashes on, the computer is set to BBC vidoeprinter, as well as being on the forum - I used to love the matchday chat room experience with all the guys from overseas (and UK). Football is dying - it's outpriced itself. I can still remember paying 2/- (10P) to get in at The Dell. I used to promise myself I would never pay more than a £10 to watch a game, then £15 and now Derby was £28! Enough is enough...I thought the team was meant to get better as the ticket prices went up - well it got a hell of a lot worse. I'm almost happy to live on my memories...sure I'll spend £10 next week at Rotherham (glory hunter - I was there syndrome) but I'm making a stand - I am now going to refuse to pay more than £20 for a game - and that's still too much for the dross we've put up with over the last 3-years

This could turn into a Soul Cellar type thread! I remember the first game against the Portugese lot - anyone who says he can't remember it raining must be mad. It threw it down form start to finish - everything was wet! From memory I was surprised it got played at all...I remember getting there early and standing on the Archers. Did it stop at all during the game? Even I can't remember that - the score though 5-1, but I can't remeber who scored! Come on anoraks! Then that infamous Newcastle game - 0-0 at SJP and then 1-0 care of a Channon header in the opening minutes. Newcastle equalised to go through on away goals rule. I seem to remember Eric Martin having some exploding firework thrown at him that night too. What a bang I swear he went as white as a sheet. Don't remember the crowd trouble that night - perhaps I was too young! Famous European nights at The Dell - who can forget Anderlecht? The atmosphere was immense we clawed our way back in to the game - and then Jim Steele got robbed playing silly bugg*rs on the halfway line. A great night - but the greatest night for me was Channon's Testemonial. The whole place absolutely buzzed with excitement, the FA Cup win and all that. There is somthing about being a Saints fan that makes you so happy - memories of a bygone era. Glory boy here only grew up with Division 1 football, suffered relegation and then all the great years with Lawrie, Keegan, Le Tiss... Just remember all things are cyclic - we'll have our day again!

I endorse your thoughts. I like watching teams that try - but do more than that this lot entertain. Sometimes the defending makes me laugh, and the over played passing - but it is better tahn the sh*te I have watched over the last few seasons with players looking at each looking for answers. We all know who they were - many of them went almost as soon as the relegation door slammed shut but we still had our share of strollers in the side. Just need someone to score the chances we create...after all if we start to convert these chances, we need to score one more than we concede. The Chris Nichol School of Management.

He looked very late to me - totally mis-timed. In slow motion it looked like a potential leg breaker. Sure it was hard - but that's enthusiastic youth for you. There was no need to dive in should have stayed on his feet.

I thought it was a good effort today - playing the last 60mins with 10-men. Lallana's goal was fantastic - everything we expect from a Saints team - passing and movement. It was a joy to watch. Infact at times I thought we would actually sneak it as at no time did QPR dominate us. If only we could defend! Their second goal was definitely offside - but that lino was wrong on more than one occassion. No complaints really. Even though we lost - and looked well beaten - we were pushing the game right to the end. We may become the whipping boys of the league - but they do play the game in the spirit I want to see in a side. There are certain players that do stand out - but why Dyer is used I question that. It was frustrating at times because we tend to make 1-pass too many. We look lightwieght and short up front - perhaps Pekhard will sort that out. Finally well done Dexter Blackstock - you c*nt!

Somewhere back in the earlier pages someone asked me if I thought Lowe was doing a good job? I'll answer with the following... Mr Lowe is behind the scenes - he has nothing to do with what I watch, hence I do not have any opinion on how he doing. You could ask why I was so anti Mr Lowe coming back - well my memory recalls the smug face telling the lunatic fringe he did what was best for the club. He may still be doing that now - but at least he is not telling me at every opportunity. I'm holding my breath until January 2009. Let's see what happens then. If it all goes quiet - then I speculate that players will be on the move. Watch out for the FA Cup ties - and who suddenly gets injured in training and misses the 3rd & 4th rounds in January. I'm under no illusion his silence is welcome - but I'm waiting for the sting in the tail. Personally I think Pearson could have also done well with the youngsters. I also firmly believe once Lowe came back and made his plans clear - Pearson was not interested in the job. I go back to my first statement - and perhaps he is doing more behind the scenes. Maybe he is picking the team and telling the Manager who not to play. I'm not convinced he is that involved - but perhaps he is saying who can and can't come in. As for who goes in January - the money required to keep Southampton Leisure Holdings afloat will dictate who comes and goes. I'm really hopeful that by then we will have attracted some investment of some kind that will keep this exciting squad together. However I have my doubts that anyone will want to invest with Lowe wanting to keep pulling the strings.

Not impressed just glad he isn't pushing his smug face across the media. I wonder if the media will focus on him tomorrow? After all everyone knows The Academy was Rupert's idea, and it produced Theo. I think the biggest problem with Mr Lowe was the fact he wanted to be the figurehead for SFC, and wanted the celebrity status that went with. Well it back fired last time, and he's obviously been TOLD not to try to be Mr Southampton this time around. I have been acused of being a member of the lunatic fringe by many. I still believe he is not good for the football club. It's only my opinion - but as long as I don't have to see or hear about him in the media, I'm happy. The only people who I want to hear giving interviews are the people who do their jobs on the pitch. I'd like to hear more from the Manager, and some of the players. I would really like for one of them to be the type of interviewee like Mr Channon. He said what he wanted to say on the pitch, and then spoke HIS mind when he was interviewed. Football needs personalities - but football doesn't need Lowe. I do not know Mr Lowe so I cannot comment on whether he has a personality or not. However to call the fans of a football club customers (or the lunatic fringe) shows me he obviously has opinons and issues on class - but as for a personality? I try never to judge people I do not know, but equally I do make judgements based on what I see and hear. First impressions are usually right - and it hasn't let me down thus far. I'm not working class - nor a member of high society. However I have one thing in common with everyone on here - I love Southampton Football Club. It is a family - but Mr Lowe is not part of the family.

Theo is a legend in the making...if he stays clear of injuries he could be as good a Henry. He ouses class - and his finishing and final ball have come on leaps and bounds. He could be as important to the future of the club indirectly - as a product of our academy it will demonstrate to any investor we can produce quality players.

Hijack ALERT... Do you realise if it wasn't for Rupert Lowe, England would never had got a Theo Walcott! God Bless Rupert...the saviour of English football! When is he going to do something to save Southampton Leisure Holdings....oopps sorry Southampton FC?