Daily Echo banned from St Marys

[capitalsaint]

And yet for the best part of 5 days, you've been clear in your mind that Cortese is clearly right to ban the Echo, despite not actually hearing from SFC as to why they've come to that decision - not hypocritical at all, oh no...

 

Then surely it comes down to the character and previous actions of the two parties in question? On the one hand, we have a man who encouraged his boss to buy the club, installed a fantastic manager and sanctioned wise investment in the playing staff, now coupled with a mutli-million pound investment in the training facilities and a seemingly solid plan for promotion to the Premier League. On the other, a newspaper editor who's responsibilities lie with getting issues sold (not the well-being of SFC) even if it means referring back to a previously hated chairman in a bid to undermine the club.

 

FWIW I agree with Alpine- too many people on here think that their opinion matters. We don't know what happened, we probably won't ever know the full story, and yet we're all ready to complain and moan and argue.

 

Even P*mpey's fan have more solidarity than us, as sad as it is to say.

[capitalsaint]

I can't say I remember saying it was clear in my mind Cortese is right. What I will say is if I was "forced" to take the side of either party like many on here have I certainly would back Mr Cortese. He has been a key figure in saving the club we all support from going out of business, is well respected in the financial world, compared to the Echo which has the sole aim of getting a story and selling papers.

 

However...

 

I'm going to remain on the fence until we here hear both sides like any reasonable person should. My pity goes to the defendant if any posters on here get called for jury story and don't listen to all the evidence.

 

you beat me to it! Great minds and all that...

[Verbal]

Again you don't know why the Echo was banned and why the BBC and Sky weren't. For all you know the Echo did something different or went against an agreement it agreed with the club. None of us know. None of us can pass valid comment or judgement until both sides "stories" are out in public.

 

Then why are you so insistent that the Echo 'grovel'? Only because, to suit your own argument, you assume that the Echo must have done something that the others didn't. But what on earth is that assumption based on?

 

It's something of a relief to be know that this tiff between the club and paper won't be sorted out with the interventions of a few on here, but (I'm sure) with sensible, adult mediation.

[Matthew Le God]

Then why are you so insistent that the Echo 'grovel'? Only because, to suit your own argument, you assume that the Echo must have done something that the others didn't. But what on earth is that assumption based on?

 

I say it is the Echo that will need to grovel in order to get this sorted quickly because it is the Echo and not the club that has had "sanctions" of sorts against it. The Echo hasn't made any sanctions against the club so why would the club need to bargain with the Echo?

 

The club could let any sanction it has against the Echo run on indefinitely if it wished and cause no harm to it. The Echo on the other hand may not have the time and may need access to the club to keep afloat in a very competitive media jungle in the modern world. Compare the dominance the Echo had on Saints stories in the 1970's and 1980's to today and you will see the Echo is just one of many sources fans can get their fix of Saints content.

Edited 14 December, 2009 by Matthew Le God

[stevegrant]

Then surely it comes down to the character and previous actions of the two parties in question? On the one hand, we have a man who encouraged his boss to buy the club, installed a fantastic manager and sanctioned wise investment in the playing staff, now coupled with a mutli-million pound investment in the training facilities and a seemingly solid plan for promotion to the Premier League. On the other, a newspaper editor who's responsibilities lie with getting issues sold (not the well-being of SFC) even if it means referring back to a previously hated chairman in a bid to undermine the club.

I couldn't disagree more, to be honest. Each talking point should be taken on its own merits. Just because Cortese's past actions have received widespread praise, that doesn't mean the bloke's infallible and won't make mistakes. In the same vein, just because the Echo isn't to everyone's tastes, that doesn't mean that they aren't to be taken seriously.

 

Banning the press sets a very dangerous precedence - even more so that it's all seemingly over a positive story, a story that seems to have been completely lost among this ********.

 

Murray was wrong to use Lowe as a stick, I don't think you'll find many arguments to the contrary, and I suspect he's probably not helped the Echo's cause there.

[Matthew Le God]

Banning the press sets a very dangerous precedence - even more so that it's all seemingly over a positive story, a story that seems to have been completely lost among this ********.

 

You can only call it a dangerous precedent if you know the reason for the ban.

 

You don't know the reason.

[Verbal]

I say it is the Echo that will need to grovel in order to get this sorted quickly because it is the Echo and not the club that has had "sanctions" of sorts against it. The Echo hasn't made any sanctions against the club so why would the club need to bargain with the Echo?

 

The club could let any sanction it has against the Echo run on indefinitely if it wished and cause no harm to it. The Echo on the other hand may not have the time and may need access to the club to keep afloat in a very competitive media jungle in the modern world. Compare the dominance the Echo had on Saints stories in the 1970's and 1980's to today and you will see the Echo is just one of many sources fans can get their fix of Saints content.

 

So it is about power - or at least in your mind.

 

You seem to have a deeply (and presumably unintentionally) low opinion of Cortese. As I've said before, the club and the paper will sort this out. And they will do it in an adult fashion, is my guess - rather than with a 'We're doing this because we can' childishness.

[Matthew Le God]

So it is about power - or at least in your mind.

 

You seem to have a deeply (and presumably unintentionally) low opinion of Cortese. As I've said before, the club and the paper will sort this out. And they will do it in an adult fashion, is my guess - rather than with a 'We're doing this because we can' childishness.

 

???

 

I don't know what gave you that idea.

 

I have a very high opinion of Cortese. From all the evidence so far, Cortese/Liebherr have been the best thing to ever happen to Saints.

 

I do however feel this "incident" which none of us know much about is possibly the straw that broke the camels back and follows a number of disagreements. I doubt the decision to impose any sanctions would have been taken lightly and I very much doubt they will be lifted soon after they started unless something changes. Otherwise there is no point putting them in place.

[stevegrant]

You can only call it a dangerous precedent if you know the reason for the ban.

 

You don't know the reason.

It's a dangerous precedent regardless of the reason. Read the multitude of reasons listed elsewhere on this thread, particularly concerning the worth placed on the freedom of the press in this country.

 

You don't know the reason either, and yet you've already acted as judge, jury and executioner on Cortese's behalf... you can't have it both ways.

[capitalsaint]

I couldn't disagree more, to be honest. Each talking point should be taken on its own merits. Just because Cortese's past actions have received widespread praise, that doesn't mean the bloke's infallible and won't make mistakes. In the same vein, just because the Echo isn't to everyone's tastes, that doesn't mean that they aren't to be taken seriously.

 

Banning the press sets a very dangerous precedence - even more so that it's all seemingly over a positive story, a story that seems to have been completely lost among this ********.

 

Murray was wrong to use Lowe as a stick, I don't think you'll find many arguments to the contrary, and I suspect he's probably not helped the Echo's cause there.

 

i'm not suggesting you are one of them, but there are plenty on here who judge mr lowe's decisions based on his character and previous actions. despite some of the good he may have done, he'll always be remembered for the bad. i know this isn't a debate about him, but it's a saints-related example of how we all do judge an action on more than its individual merit. likewise, surely it's a no-brainer that a football club chairman will have more of a vested interest in the success of the football club than the editor of a paper?

[Matthew Le God]

It's a dangerous precedent regardless of the reason. Read the multitude of reasons listed elsewhere on this thread, particularly concerning the worth placed on the freedom of the press in this country.

 

If hypothetically this is the reason...

 

The club and Echo came to a verbal/written agreement that it would wait until after the press conference to run the story in the region with pictures. The Echo then decide to break the agreement and run the story early because other media did nationally. No other media entered or broke the agreement about pictures in the local media. All other media just ran a small story with few details.

 

Breaking an agreement such as this is a betrayal of trust between parties in a working relationship. Without trust in each other I see no reason why it is wrong to stop behind scene press access to the Echo to goings on at St Mary's.

 

If for example it was a case of the Echo running a story the club didn't like and the club banned them then I agree you would have a point and is wrong to stop the press. However if this whole argument came about because or a broken verbal/written agreement that both parties at the time were happy with only for on side to break it then I see nothing wrong with the club acting as it "supposedly" has. The club in that case cannot have an ongoing relationship with a newspaper it cannot trust to keep its word. So in that case why should it let them onto its private property at St Mary's or Staplewood or feed them stories?

Edited 14 December, 2009 by Matthew Le God

[Matthew Le God]

All hypothetical of course

Edited 14 December, 2009 by Matthew Le God

[hypochondriac]

The only thing I object to is calling NC pompous or saying the club are in the wrong with no evidence to support it

[dune]

Three men and their egos:smt008

 

I always knew you had a very big ego....but you have overtaken yourself recently.

 

IMO

 

FF..You really seem to have the bit between your teeth. In recent times/since ML and NC took over...you have turned into a very sad person.

Someone or something has upset you. Is it personal? On second thoughts don't bother...I will just stop reading this particular thread. You seem to be pulling the old Lowey set and the Lowe Ra Ra girls.. along with you on your personal attack against NC.

 

The Echo, Mr Murray and some of his journos....very much like some peeps who write books..... Pompous, arrogant.. sad old peeps.. who you really can't trust...very sad.

 

I have seen you slowly but surely turn against our club. Some of the sad Lowey boyzz, WUM and Pompey idiots on this forum but you...must be personal.

 

At the moment like it or not you have turned into a very sad old man.:smt074

 

Having said all that..Let us hope that Murray apologises to the club and we get back on track...You can then apologise to this forum for being a prattt and we can forgive you and get back to supporting the club.

 

Merry xmas Duncan. Nothing like an old fool with a big ego....The three amigos.

 

There are some real idiots alive-and-well within our fan base, I have concluded.

 

Idiots so lacking something to moan about, they turn on a decision by our CEO - who is doing a BRILLIANT job rebuilding our clubs pride - for which no-one has a f**king clue what the background is.

 

Duncan has been whining ever since this lot took over; in the past it was about the delay Pinnacle caused, now its that we are winning 3-0 but playing "crap" and that NC is p*ssed off with sh*te journalistic ethics from the Echo. I reckon he is tired of his history writing, and thought he could stop if the club went out of business over the summer...

 

I can feel another one of these coming on.:smt045

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=16163

[CB Fry]

The OS, the BBC, ITV, local radio online, Sky Sports News on freeview and hundreds of websites all provide what the Echo does to most of the population in Southampton or anywhere else in the UK or World for free.

 

This isn't the 1970's or 1980's anymore. Anyone that says only the Echo can provide these services is stuck in a time warp.

 

The majority of the population has access to these media outlets either at home/work/school/uni/internet cafe.

 

As for you trying to insult me researching for a computer game don't be so petty and learn to debate like an adult.

 

Debating like an adult seems to mean you screaming about everyone else "only knowing half the story" and you "sitting on the fence" while churning out the most one-sided view of the whole affair on the whole thread. Judge, jury, executioner.

 

And I live outside the area and I've got the internet and everything but there nothing available the compares to the coverage provided by the Echo. Not even on Freeview

 

If hypothetically this is the reason...

 

Breaking an agreement such as this is a betrayal of trust between parties in a working relationship. Without trust in each other I see no reason why it is wrong to stop behind scene press access to the Echo to goings on at St Mary's.

 

 

If you seriously think this is the biggest "betrayal of trust" SFC are going to come up against in the next, say, three seasons then one can see why the closest you get to real football is through the artificial world of computer games.

 

Ever heard of Kenwynne Jones? Or Mr Redknapp? Or Glenn Hoddle? Or Rune Hague (sp)? Or Willie McKay? Or Ben Thatcher? Or Pascal Chimbonda? Or Kia Joorabchian?

 

A falling out about a press release really is a tiny fart in a mouse's thimble.

 

Well done you for sitting on the fence, though

[hypochondriac]

I can feel another one of these coming on.:smt045

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=16163

 

No don't encourage him! A few encouraging pms should put a stop to any threads of that nature at any rate

[aintforever]

I'm guessing this is a case of The Echo getting too big for it's boots and Cortese is simply letting them know where they stand.

 

In the past, with all the Lowe/PLC/takeover nonsense there was a bit of value in having them onside, now we have a billionare in charge and what the Echo writes makes no difference to anyone.

[TNT]

I'm guessing this is a case of The Echo getting too big for it's boots and Cortese is simply letting them know where they stand.

 

In the past, with all the Lowe/PLC/takeover nonsense there was a bit of value in having them onside, now we have a billionare in charge and what the Echo writes makes no difference to anyone.

 

 

Sounds very plausible.

[docker-p]

There are plenty of people in the area where the Echo is one of (if not the) the primary sources of information on Saints.

 

You may be some geek computer researcher with an iphone but there are plenty of people who quite like to pick up the Echo for an interview with the team manager, the captain, the star striker or the latest signing.

 

And guess what, a f*c k load of them have season tickets.

 

It's not about the club "getting along fine" without the Echo. It's about having respect for the fans and giving them a line of communication to their football club. For thousands and thousands and thousands that is primarily the Echo. If the club want to say to those fans "we're owned by a billionaire now, screw you" then that's their lookout.

 

Being that something like this has not happened in around 120 odd years and in that time we have been through relegations; and Branfoot; and Askham and Lowe; and administration; and Ali Dia; and Speedie and Hurlock having a fight; and BWP being arrested; and failure to move from the Dell about six times; and Wigley; and Lawrie walking out; and the Ted Bates Statue; and a hundred other major issues it kind of suggests that whatever has happened does not justify the banning of the local newspaper.

 

If this is what happens over a good news but largely humdrum story over development of the training ground, lets hope we never sign someone like Pascal Chimbonda, or Lee Bowyer or have our manager headbutt a player, or see one of our best players go on strike to get a move, or encounter a dodgy agent etc.

 

This is professional football and things are going to get more pressured and more difficult and in the spotlight much more from here on in, so this does not bode well.

 

Spot on and worth repeating.

[Matthew Le God]

Spot on and worth repeating.

 

Are you not going to wait to hear both sides of the story before passing comment then?

[stevegrant]

Are you not going to wait to hear both sides of the story before passing comment then?

Well you're clearly not bothering, so what's the point, really?

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

It is unhealthy for the club to attempt to manipulate the local media.

 

I am eternally grateful for Cortese's intervention in saving our club but this does not put him above critcism when he behaves inappropriately.

[Matthew Le God]

Well you're clearly not bothering, so what's the point, really?

 

Post 362

[Matthew Le God]

It is unhealthy for the club to attempt to manipulate the local media.

 

I am eternally grateful for Cortese's intervention in saving our club but this does not put him above critcism when he behaves inappropriately.

 

What evidence do you have Cortese "behaved inappropriately"?

 

So far only a brief statement by the Echo = one side of the story and far from a full version at that

 

You don't know what the sanctions are that the Echo has, nor do you know what the club are unhappy about.

[JackFrost]

Jeez some people on here would hang Cortese or Murray before they'd sworn the oath.

 

At the end of the day it is impossible to pass fair judgement until we've heard both sides of the story. I get the fallacy that banning any independent press is dangerous buta nyone would think Cortese has banned not only the Echo, but South Today, Radio Solent etc juding by some of the reactions on here

[docker-p]

Are you not going to wait to hear both sides of the story before passing comment then?

I've read all your drivel

[ottery st mary]

I can feel another one of these coming on.:smt045

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=16163

 

Never quote osm and Alpine.:smt008.......Apparently they have not got a clue about football, Saints or The Echo newspaper.

 

PS But it is alleged they are the best two looking posters on this forum.

Edited 14 December, 2009 by ottery st mary

[Matthew Le God]

I've read all your drivel

 

So you are saying it is drivel to wait to hear all the evidence before passing comment? I hope you never get asked to do jury duty!

 

Ask yourself these questions...

 

1) What is the problem the club has with the Echo?

 

2) What punishment has the Echo got?

 

3) Is the punishment proportionate to the discretion?

 

4) Is it a discretion?

 

5) Is the Echo guilty or innocent?

 

There is no way you can answer any of those questions fully with the amount of information available to you.

Edited 14 December, 2009 by Matthew Le God

[saint_mears]

Still amazed why anyone wants to stick up for that rag. The whole thing is a total non brainer. You are given countless news titbits from the club to run in your newspaper. Some might say without that then the actual paper is looking dead in the water. A simple courtesy request is made to delay any announcement solely for the official word on it all. Its got nothing whatsoever to do with freedom of speech ! I suggest like others have mentioned, some people need to straighten up on how they think newspapers actually get the majority of their articles to print. The bottom line is the Echo are just gutted not to have the exclusive on it.

[Saint_clark]

I'm amazed this thread is still going to be honest.

[ottery st mary]

I'm amazed this thread is still going to be honest......Now that is a proper Echo.

 

COYRs.

[Saint_clark]

Coyrs.

[ottery st mary]

I heard a very strong rumour today from a man in the pub......Murray is to be our new Press liason officer at St Marys. His first task is to deal with some nutters on a Saints forum....Bring all the fans together..so to speak.

 

COYRS...Another proper Echo.

[Wilko]

More on this here: http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/news/091214clubban.shtml

[Saint_clark]

.shtml

.shtml

.shtml....

[The9]

More on this here: http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/news/091214clubban.shtml

 

Does pretty well covering the "one side of the story" we've already heard, I can't believe some numpty actually said the paper should wash its hands of the club. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face...

[Red and White Army]

You can only call it a dangerous precedent if you know the reason for the ban.

 

You don't know the reason.

 

Can you shut the f*** up already?

 

It is perfectly clear what was happened - the Echo published the story before the embargo period ended, after it had broken on other media (the internet, radio and TV). Cortese got ****y and banned the Echo.

 

If you can't see that, then you're as blind as a bat.

[Matthew Le God]

Can you shut the f*** up already?

 

It is perfectly clear what was happened - the Echo published the story before the embargo period ended, after it had broken on other media (the internet, radio and TV). Cortese got ****y and banned the Echo.

 

If you can't see that, then you're as blind as a bat.

 

Nice insults Adds alot to the debate and very mature.

 

It is not clear what happened and we only have a brief version from one side so far. You are yet another to jump in with both feet with a lack of evidence and only listening to one sides version of events. Again I hope you never get called for jury duty as the legal system needs people to look at both sides and all the evidence and not just one sides version of events.

[NickG]

for those who have not seen the full article here are comments that I refered to earlier.

 

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to St Marys

 

talks about the takeover "surely observers said to me this brings an end to boardroom shennigans that have plagued the club"

"I advised them not to be so hasty. Events this week have proved me right to be cautiuos"

 

Talks about background to story.

"we were told Mr Cortese wished to keep the matter under wraps until a Wednesday press conference"

 

We ran the story.

 

"so put out was the executive chairman that he had decided to ban the club from covering the Saints unless a meeting could be arranged to thrash out the issue

 

talks about trying to arrange a meeting and saying they have done nothing wrong etc

 

"But of one thing I am certain. That if a certain Mr Lowe finds time while writing his lists to Santa to read this article he will manage a deep chuckle. I said when he left we would miss him perhaps this is one of them. Merry Christmas Rupert.

[NickG]

for those who have not seen the full article here are comments that I refered to earlier.

 

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to St Marys

 

talks about the takeover "surely observers said to me this brings an end to boardroom shennigans that have plagued the club"

"I advised them not to be so hasty. Events this week have proved me right to be cautiuos"

 

Talks about background to story.

"we were told Mr Cortese wished to keep the matter under wraps until a Wednesday press conference"

 

We ran the story.

 

"so put out was the executive chairman that he had decided to ban the club from covering the Saints unless a meeting could be arranged to thrash out the issue

 

talks about trying to arrange a meeting and saying they have done nothing wrong etc

 

"But of one thing I am certain. That if a certain Mr Lowe finds time while writing his lists to Santa to read this article he will manage a deep chuckle. I said when he left we would miss him perhaps this is one of them. Merry Christmas Rupert.

 

hopefully this explains why I felt the editor, even if the ban is wrong, came across as bitter and pompous.

 

It does not explain why FF feels the need to insult posters on here, call Cortese a spoilt prima donna and pompous ass.

 

Nor does it explain why FF feels the need to "keep wiping" Murray's "ass".

[John B]

hopefully this explains why I felt the editor, even if the ban is wrong, came across as bitter and pompous.

 

It does not explain why FF feels the need to insult posters on here, call Cortese a spoilt prima donna and pompous ass.

 

Nor does it explain why FF feels the need to "keep wiping" Murray's "ass".

 

Must admit I did not think the editor came over as bitter and pompous.

 

Seemed a reasonable explanation to me.

 

But of course it may not be the full story although a lot of Italians are sometimes thought to be pompous and act like Prima Donnas but I dont know if NC fits this description

[Give it to Ron]

Why do some fans need to champion trouble and make it when its not there?

This is a two bit rag against a guy that has come in and hardly put a thing wrong and practically stopped us going out of existence.

Yet some of you want to forget all that and side with a prize numpty of a journalist so that you can come on here pretending to be in the know and rant out some more against the club when all is going well.

Some of you just love the club being in the sh1te so you can post your bile and never be satisfied I swear some would rather we be in the position we were in May/June so they can get there " I told you so" digs.

 

Why do we need the Echo? If you want a ticket you phone the club, talk to a mate, find someone who has an internet connection, go to a library...how many bought ST's were sold because the Echo told them how to buy one?

What sells more ST and match day tickets then, Nicola running the club correctly and us winning 3-0 or being in love with the local chip paper who love nothing better than having a spat with the club as it gives them something to print when otherwise they have very little!!

No-one is pretending that the club gets things wrong occasionally and will p1ss some off now and then or we should just hoover up everything we are spun.

There are some though that will side with the Echo over the club because they have a bit to gain and it isn't hard to fathom out who and why!

[John B]

Why do some fans need to champion trouble and make it when its not there?

This is a two bit rag against a guy that has come in and hardly put a thing wrong and practically stopped us going out of existence.

Yet some of you want to forget all that and side with a prize numpty of a journalist so that you can come on here pretending to be in the know and rant out some more against the club when all is going well.

Some of you just love the club being in the sh1te so you can post your bile and never be satisfied I swear some would rather we be in the position we were in May/June so they can get there " I told you so" digs.

 

Why do we need the Echo? If you want a ticket you phone the club, talk to a mate, find someone who has an internet connection, go to a library...how many bought ST's were sold because the Echo told them how to buy one?

What sells more ST and match day tickets then, Nicola running the club correctly and us winning 3-0 or being in love with the local chip paper who love nothing better than having a spat with the club as it gives them something to print when otherwise they have very little!!

No-one is pretending that the club gets things wrong occasionally and will p1ss some off now and then or we should just hoover up everything we are spun.

There are some though that will side with the Echo over the club because they have a bit to gain and it isn't hard to fathom out who and why!

 

As the forum is here posters respond thats all

 

If the Forum was not here people would not comment and respond to others.

 

Some are probably fed up with God like attitude towards ML and NC who like Lowe are only trying to make a bit of money and enjoy themselves.

 

I am pleased that they are here but anybody owning the club with no debt should be able to run it well especially with the large and supportive Fanbase in League 1

Edited 15 December, 2009 by John B

[Greenridge]

As the forum is here posters respond thats all

 

If the Forum was not here people would not comment and respond to others.

 

Some are probably fed up with God like attitude towards ML and NC who like Lowe are only trying to make a bit of money and enjoy themselves.

 

I am pleased that they are here but anybody owning the club with no debt should be able to run it well especially with the large and supportive Fanbase in League 1

 

Well unfortunately your idol RL proved that that is not the case John. I'm not sure anyone holds ML and NC in 'God-like' status but 99.9999% of the fan base are very happy indeed that they came along and saved our skin. Not only that they are proving to be good governors of The Club as well. It really is hard to find fault with where we are right now but it seems some will try. Painful to say the least. Give It To Ron you are spot on.

[Frank's cousin]

I couldn't disagree more, to be honest. Each talking point should be taken on its own merits. Just because Cortese's past actions have received widespread praise, that doesn't mean the bloke's infallible and won't make mistakes. In the same vein, just because the Echo isn't to everyone's tastes, that doesn't mean that they aren't to be taken seriously.

 

Banning the press sets a very dangerous precedence - even more so that it's all seemingly over a positive story, a story that seems to have been completely lost among this ********.

 

Murray was wrong to use Lowe as a stick, I don't think you'll find many arguments to the contrary, and I suspect he's probably not helped the Echo's cause there.

 

 

Steve the thing is do we knwo if teh Echo were asked NOT to leak this in advance given that the planning process had yet to be approved? There is a danger that leaks such as this can be detrimental to applications and on a matter of principle surely it woudl have been better for the Echo to gain trust by acknowledging the clubs request? (If there was one)

 

I appreciate your concerns about 'banning' media, but the fact remains that if the Echo could not be trusted on an issue such as this, then what would it say about a really big story, signings etc...

 

This is different to independent investigations where they can do as they please, even if its not in teh clubs best interests just to sell papers, but in situatiosn where the club calls a PC for teh announcement and teh local paper decides to preempt it, it woudl show a bit of mutual respect to go along with the clubs request rather than be self serving

[John B]

Well unfortunately your idol RL proved that that is not the case John. I'm not sure anyone holds ML and NC in 'God-like' status but 99.9999% of the fan base are very happy indeed that they came along and saved our skin. Not only that they are proving to be good governors of The Club as well. It really is hard to find fault with where we are right now but it seems some will try. Painful to say the least. Give It To Ron you are spot on.

 

I dont disagree with what you are saying but I just think that there is a bit too much hero worshiping with regard to the new regime thats all.

 

Yes Rickie Lambert is doing well but as yet he not my Idol , Terry Paine is the best footballer I have seen playing for the Saints

Edited 15 December, 2009 by John B

[Minty]

I promised myself I wouldn't come back to this thread, but here I am.

 

Bottom line seems to be that until we know exactly what the club asked of the Echo, and what the Echo ended up doing (and why), it's nigh on impossible to take this discussion much further.

[Wes Tender]

"But of one thing I am certain. That if a certain Mr Lowe finds time while writing his lists to Santa to read this article he will manage a deep chuckle. I said when he left we would miss him perhaps this is one of them. Merry Christmas Rupert.

 

This comment from Murray at the Echo sums up just how out of touch they are with football in this City, unless of course the "we" referred to the Echo. I can see why they would miss him, as there were campaigns to oust him by the fans, there were boardroom upheavals, EGMs, mad quotes about Neanderthal fans and Klingons, all useful in boosting circulation.

 

What are they left with now? A fanbase united more than any other time in the club's history, an owner, Chief Executive and manager doing a decent job of running the show, players who are largely acknowledged to be playing to the best of their ability and generally thought of as being as good as we could expect in this division.

 

Understandable that the Echo is unhappy because they do not have the turmoil and upsets that sell copy, so they are having to stir the pot themselves instead. It is a risky strategy they employ and it will backfire to their detriment. They are largely and increasingly an irrelevance.

[John B]

I promised myself I wouldn't come back to this thread, but here I am.

 

Bottom line seems to be that until we know exactly what the club asked of the Echo, and what the Echo ended up doing (and why), it's nigh on impossible to take this discussion much further.

 

I agree but I am only commenting on what I have read in the press and on the Internet .

 

 

If SFC contradict what has been said or written then that is another question

 

but at the moment they have not

[hypochondriac]

for those who have not seen the full article here are comments that I refered to earlier.

 

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to St Marys

 

talks about the takeover "surely observers said to me this brings an end to boardroom shennigans that have plagued the club"

"I advised them not to be so hasty. Events this week have proved me right to be cautiuos"

 

Talks about background to story.

"we were told Mr Cortese wished to keep the matter under wraps until a Wednesday press conference"

 

We ran the story.

 

"so put out was the executive chairman that he had decided to ban the club from covering the Saints unless a meeting could be arranged to thrash out the issue

 

talks about trying to arrange a meeting and saying they have done nothing wrong etc

 

"But of one thing I am certain. That if a certain Mr Lowe finds time while writing his lists to Santa to read this article he will manage a deep chuckle. I said when he left we would miss him perhaps this is one of them. Merry Christmas Rupert.

 

Right so presumably the Echo declined a meeting? I can't think of another reason for the ban coming into affect. So again, how does that make it the clubs fault?