The refusal to sell a season ticket at Southampton FC

[JRM]

Bottom line for fans judging ceo is how we are doing on the pitch.

 

These issues are very minor in the bigger picture. Although big issue for NI.

 

 

Team is doing well, crowds are good, CEO and fans are happy.

 

Not true. Just ask the fans of man united and spurs, there's more to a club than results on the pitch

[St. Jason]

So you couldn't care less????

 

What a great fellow fan, supporter you are!

 

I'm not a fan of Nick, I think he got way to involved in the politics of our club BUT, and it's a massive B U T why on earth should a loyal fan and I mean loyal fan be barred from renewing his season ticket?

 

I find your attitude towards a fellow fan more offensive than anything Illingsworth has ever done!

 

I've read this sort of post quite a bit here recently and i find it quite worrying! Yes Mr. liehberr purchased our club, yes Mr. Cortesse is "the Family's" employee intrusted to run our club but, do we have to blindly nod and agree with everything they do??

 

Were the

 

1. season 2010/11 ticket renewasl handled well.

2. The echo ban handled well.

3. The press picture ban handled well.

4. The independent 125 year birthday bash handled well (i found the clubs stance really embarrassing)

 

The Liehberr take over of course was welcome, massively welcome, but that does not mean every decision should be agreed with. and more importantly if you are not in agreement you be able to A. Allowed to voice your opinion and B. not be banned for voicing (unless offensive) said opinion

 

Obviously, all in my own opinion!

 

Up the Saints

[NickG]

I don't know enough about the circumstances to care particularly. Don't know him once, paths crossed once and not left me feeling he is someone I should be more concerned for than anyone else.

 

1) Bit late in announcement and don't agree with the one chance only to buy but fair pricing etc,

2) The editor was more at fault.

3) no but don't care a single bit

4) "independant" - what club stance, Adkins said no ban and was spending Valentines with Mrs

 

I have an allegiance to Saints, have done for best part of 40 years.

 

I have no allegiance to Cortese, don't warm to him, but think he is doing pretty well even if not appearing particularly likeable.

 

I have no allegiance to NI.

 

Supporting saints is a hobby I am passionate about - so far Cortese has only added to that so am pretty happy to have him here.

 

I am sorry you find this football first approach to supporting offensive. We were desperate for a chairman to quietly support the manager - we have that now.

 

When I first went, and for years I didn't know or care who was in the boardroom and I wish football could go back to that - we are a step nearer here now.

 

I enjoy voicing my opinions, and have no problem with others doing the same but I do realise that we do not really have a clue how to run a club or manage a team at this scale - something the political "fan on the board" types maybe should remember.

[St. Jason]

I don't know enough about the circumstances to care particularly. Don't know him once, paths crossed once and not left me feeling he is someone I should be more concerned for than anyone else.

 

1) Bit late in announcement and don't agree with the one chance only to buy but fair pricing etc,

2) The editor was more at fault.

3) no but don't care a single bit

4) "independant" - what club stance, Adkins said no ban and was spending Valentines with Mrs

 

I have an allegiance to Saints, have done for best part of 40 years.

 

I have no allegiance to Cortese, don't warm to him, but think he is doing pretty well even if not appearing particularly likeable.

 

I have no allegiance to NI.

 

Supporting saints is a hobby I am passionate about - so far Cortese has only added to that so am pretty happy to have him here.

 

I am sorry you find this football first approach to supporting offensive. We were desperate for a chairman to quietly support the manager - we have that now.

 

When I first went, and for years I didn't know or care who was in the boardroom and I wish football could go back to that - we are a step nearer here now.

 

I enjoy voicing my opinions, and have no problem with others doing the same but I do realise that we do not really have a clue how to run a club or manage a team at this scale - something the political "fan on the board" types maybe should remember.

 

How on earth are we closer to having a football club where we don't hear about our chairman? This season we've heard nothing but negative press from our chairman!

 

Our Chairman quietly supports our manager, are you sure???? I seem to remember that he sacked a manager who was doing pretty well only 4 games into this season!

 

I do however agree with you that we are all entitled to our own opinion, just don't like it when fans, fellow supporters say they "couldn't care less" that one of our own was barred from renewing their ticket!

[Thedelldays]

How on earth are we closer to having a football club where we don't hear about our chairman?

 

!

havent we craved for years for just that..?

we have it now as he very rarely responds to paper headlines...where many times the news reported is guff

[aintforever]

None of these issues with Cortese is important in the whole scheme of things. The only important things a football club chairman has to do is a) find a good manager (tick) and b) Find funds for the manager (tick).

 

He has made some mistakes, the 4 things St Jason mentioned could all have been handled batter, that is without doubt. he obviously has little understanding of the culture of English football and the nature of the fans - hopefully that will change through time because these PR gaffs will do nothing to help SFC.

[NickG]

havent we craved for years for just that..?

we have it now as he very rarely responds to paper headlines...where many times the news reported is guff

 

None of these issues with Cortese is important in the whole scheme of things. The only important things a football club chairman has to do is a) find a good manager (tick) and b) Find funds for the manager (tick).

 

He has made some mistakes, the 4 things St Jason mentioned could all have been handled batter, that is without doubt. he obviously has little understanding of the culture of English football and the nature of the fans - hopefully that will change through time because these PR gaffs will do nothing to help SFC.

 

agree with both of these.

 

this "one of our own" has to be taken with a pinch of salt. There are many "of our own" who have quite rightly been banned - I don't stick up for them.

 

I don't know enough to judge this one, nor did the quango who looked at it either by judging by their report. NI may have been totally correctly prevented from getting a season ticket (although can't see why) or he may have been very unfairly treated.

 

Cortese appears to be getting a lot more right than wrong - more so than others who have been at the helm recently.

 

As said before, his performance indicators will be 1) successful side 2) crowds 3) other commercial activity.

 

While all are going well, as they are, he will be judged a success by himself, the owners and fans alike.

[St Marco]

Just out of interest and i mean no disrespect by it, but did Nick give all those who were ****ed off at Silverspoons (pretty much everyone) a reason why or a refund?

 

Because if he didn't wouldn't there be a bit of hypocrisy going on here?

[um pahars]

There are many "of our own" who have quite rightly been banned - I don't stick up for them.

 

If people are rightly banned and the due process has been followed, then I very much doubt that there would be much support and debate about it (and quite rightly so), but that is not what has happened here.

 

I don't know enough to judge this one, nor did the quango who looked at it either by judging by their report.

 

I'm not sure how you came to that judgement if you have read the report. On the first issue the Ombudsman is unequivocal in his findings and clearly states the Club have not handled the complaint correctly (and been in breach of their own Charter etc etc etc) and should apologise to NI.

 

On the second count, it is only due to the Club refusing to outline their reasons for the banning of NI from holding a season ticket, that they have found it more difficult to get to the bottom of the issue. The onus is on the Club to provide the Ombudsman with information and IMHO the Ombudsman has interpreted their refusal in exactly the right way (otherwise we're entering the realms of negative proof fallacy).

 

The Club had every opportunity to provide the Ombudsman with satisfactory answers/explanantions (even in confidence) and I'm afraid their failure to do so is inexcusable and as damning as their initial handling of the affair.

[NickG]

didn't they say that the club have never shared the background?

 

If there are no sanctions, and it is non-binding the ombudsman is a waste of time unless both parties buy into it. They haven't.

 

Inexcusable is only relevant if they feel they need to offer excuse - get the impression the club don't.

 

The club may have been petty, NI may have been total arse and got what he deserved - who knows. We don't!

 

I am boring myself on this now so will leave this thread!

[Gemmel]

didn't they say that the club have never shared the background?

 

If there are no sanctions, and it is non-binding the ombudsman is a waste of time unless both parties buy into it. They haven't.

 

Inexcusable is only relevant if they feel they need to offer excuse - get the impression the club don't.

The club may have been petty, NI may have been total arse and got what he deserved - who knows. We don't!

 

I am boring myself on this now so will leave this thread!

 

Nick take this one slowly..... the club wrote a charter , two in two years (Some going that is as most charters are in place for 50 + years) that detailed the service level and response time between fans, the club and any issues. The next week they breach their own charter and continue to do so for many more weeks until the IPO get involved. Take the emotion of whether Nick should or shouldnt be banned (We don't know why anyway). What we do know as fact is that the club breached its own charter and as a result subsequently alerted the authorities to other charter related issues, that have been sent to the FA and are now pending penalties.

 

So regardless of the NI situation, the club has fooked up and tarnished "The Brand".

 

There is no grey area here, the club are in breach of their own Charter and by default have cocked up.

[Guan 2.0]

Just out of interest and i mean no disrespect by it, but did Nick give all those who were ****ed off at Silverspoons (pretty much everyone) a reason why or a refund?

 

Because if he didn't wouldn't there be a bit of hypocrisy going on here?

 

In fairness, they are separate issues, and as we all know, two wrongs don't make a right, etc, etc.

 

However, it seems maddening that Monsieur Illingsworth won't appear on this site and explain things on this (the IFO) issue, or any other issue, in more detail, yet has in the past been happy to appear on television and speak to the media on a range of topics as a fans representative?

 

Maybe he just thinks he has a licence to Illingsworth*

 

*With apologies to the Beastie Boys. And the Human race.

[Window Cleaner]

In fairness, they are separate issues, and as we all know, two wrongs don't make a right, etc, etc.

 

However, it seems maddening that Monsieur Illingsworth won't appear on this site and explain things on this (the IFO) issue, or any other issue, in more detail, yet has in the past been happy to appear on television and speak to the media on a range of topics as a fans representative?

 

Maybe he just thinks he has a licence to Illingsworth*

 

*With apologies to the Beastie Boys. And the Human race.

 

Why would Nick want to come to this forum and explain himself? If you want an explanation you only have to go over to TUI and look it up.TSW is not the centre of the universe you know, I think Gallileo proved that but he forgot to mention it .

[Guan 2.0]

Why would Nick want to come to this forum and explain himself? If you want an explanation you only have to go over to TUI and look it up.TSW is not the centre of the universe you know, I think Gallileo proved that but he forgot to mention it .

 

Maybe because there are a greater number of saints fans on this site for one? Or how about as previously mentioned he has been quoted as the fans representative and appeared on televsion and radio as such, so should at least respond to the saints fans represented on here? Or the fact that he has spoken through others on here, but seems reluctant to have direct contact, when there have been questions raised on this 15 page thread, on an issue that is notorious for lack of details.

 

See, no need for the childish dig, was there?

[Viking Warrior]

One things for sure is that NI has more support than puncheon. forte, Guly et al

 

Maybe some fans always support the poor victim than their own players

[Saint_clark]

Why would Nick want to come to this forum and explain himself? If you want an explanation you only have to go over to TUI and look it up.TSW is not the centre of the universe you know, I think Gallileo proved that but he forgot to mention it .

 

Is there an explanation on TUI though?

[Gemmel]

One things for sure is that NI has more support than puncheon. forte, Guly et al

 

Maybe some fans always support the poor victim than their own players

 

You dont half spout some rubbish

[St Marco]

In fairness, they are separate issues, and as we all know, two wrongs don't make a right, etc, etc.

 

However, it seems maddening that Monsieur Illingsworth won't appear on this site and explain things on this (the IFO) issue, or any other issue, in more detail, yet has in the past been happy to appear on television and speak to the media on a range of topics as a fans representative?

 

Maybe he just thinks he has a licence to Illingsworth*

 

*With apologies to the Beastie Boys. And the Human race.

 

Oh of course they are different things but the point behind the two is the samething pretty much. Nick wants an explanation as to why he was declined a discounted ticket. So people think that is Nick being treated unfairly etc. And based on my friends who went to Silverspoons words to me they feel they were ripped off at the event as didn't get any of the advertised things. They wanted a refund but were told there was no money left. I am pretty sure most people who went to the event thought along the same lines. So the point is other Saints fans also feel unfairly treated but this time by Nick.

 

So thats why i asked had he come out and gave an explanation as to why the event was like that or offered those who were unhappy a refund? I don't read the other forums as this is the main Saints forum. So maybe it was said on one of these other forums?

 

As i don't know if it is just me but i think a fan ripping off other fans is far worse then a club not giving him an explanation. At least he got his money back right?

[Saint-scooby]

S.U.M.O Google the book, think it says it all xx

[hypochondriac]

Oh of course they are different things but the point behind the two is the samething pretty much. Nick wants an explanation as to why he was declined a discounted ticket. So people think that is Nick being treated unfairly etc. And based on my friends who went to Silverspoons words to me they feel they were ripped off at the event as didn't get any of the advertised things. They wanted a refund but were told there was no money left. I am pretty sure most people who went to the event thought along the same lines. So the point is other Saints fans also feel unfairly treated but this time by Nick.

 

So thats why i asked had he come out and gave an explanation as to why the event was like that or offered those who were unhappy a refund? I don't read the other forums as this is the main Saints forum. So maybe it was said on one of these other forums?

 

As i don't know if it is just me but i think a fan ripping off other fans is far worse then a club not giving him an explanation. At least he got his money back right?

 

The club not giving an explanation is an entirely separate issue to whether Nick did or did not give an explanation.

[um pahars]

Is there an explanation on TUI though?

 

NI was "open" with the IFO and also posted a couple of things on the UI after the IFO report. He has explained things as far as I believe he can.

 

However, the biggest problem is surely without being made aware of the Club's reasons for banning him from holding a season ticket, then it is impossible to put up a defence and respond.

[dickyhale]

To be fair to Nick Illingsworth he must have access or own a season ticket as l have seen him at away games ie Rochdale and Brighton (only 894 tickets for Southampton fans this game)

[shurlock]

To be fair to Nick Illingsworth he must have access or own a season ticket as l have seen him at away games ie Rochdale and Brighton (only 894 tickets for Southampton fans this game)

 

Yep - he must have an access or own a ST, suggesting that something has given. Saw him in the carpark at Brighton - he left early and missed the goals because he couldn't take the pressure anymore. bless 'im.

[yateleysaint]

It's a petty and vindictive act and the decision needs to be rescinded next season. Everyone makes mistakes but the club needs to take responsibility for this one and right a clear wrong.

[dubai_phil]

Oh Gawd, not this thread again.

[Thedelldays]

but every day... he slags off NC...you have to take responsibilty for your actions...it is a free country but you cant just say what you like and not expect someone to react..

 

even yesterday he was at it again...bashing NC...that is right, the night before we could well be all but promoted, he was slating NC for his PR skills and the failure to land the likes of Ward and Phillips (from wycombe)

[St Marco]

And his latest one is an article with a dig at our flag tribute to Markus.

 

And people wonder why he is seen as a prat by a lot of people....

[hypochondriac]

Why do people keep bringing up these old threads now we have been promoted? What possible good is it going to do other than to allow people to be smug and to start old arguments all over again?

[St Marco]

Why do people keep bringing up these old threads now we have been promoted? What possible good is it going to do other than to allow people to be smug and to start old arguments all over again?

 

I don't think there are any arguments are there? If there is then would be a very one sided argument.

 

Reason i posted what i said in here was because it was already bumped and didn't see the need for a new thread on the guy. Best to keep it all in one place no?

 

So sorry you don't like it but you do have the option to not read it.

[Spudders]

And his latest one is an article with a dig at our flag tribute to Markus.

what's his issue with the flag?

[up and away]

And his latest one is an article with a dig at our flag tribute to Markus.

 

And people wonder why he is seen as a prat by a lot of people....

 

This is never going to detract from my belief that Cortese is the greatest force of good we have seen for the club for a long time. But I have a lot of respect for Nick Illingsworth and his views, nigh on identical to what happens on the pitch. Some of the things Cortese and Illingsworth do and say don't get my full backing, but that never happens in real life anyway. I would like to see Cortese put out the olive branch on this one, even without knowing the reasons behind what kicked this off.

[hypochondriac]

Yes lets go round in circles slagging off Nick whilst a few will come on and defend him. What an original and refreshing topic.

Edited 5 May, 2011 by hypochondriac

[stevegrant]

I didn't read that article as a dig at the idea of a flag, it was just him suggesting that in his opinion something more lasting might be more appropriate. That's his opinion, which he's perfectly entitled to.

 

I'm quite happy with the flag idea, personally, as it's giving the fans an opportunity to contribute towards something we can all share.

[patred44]

I didn't read that article as a dig at the idea of a flag, it was just him suggesting that in his opinion something more lasting might be more appropriate. That's his opinion, which he's perfectly entitled to.

 

I'm quite happy with the flag idea, personally, as it's giving the fans an opportunity to contribute towards something we can all share.

 

That's how I read it, more of a plea for a permanent memorial. He actually says the flag is a good idea!

read it here

http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/fb_news.php?storyid=12428&title=time_for_a_permanent_tribute_to_markus

[St Marco]

I didn't read that article as a dig at the idea of a flag, it was just him suggesting that in his opinion something more lasting might be more appropriate. That's his opinion, which he's perfectly entitled to.

 

I'm quite happy with the flag idea, personally, as it's giving the fans an opportunity to contribute towards something we can all share.

 

Maybe it was just me then but where he says

 

"I have always been a big advocate of this football club honouring its true legends, I am not against a tribute to Markus Liebherr, I am all for it, but I am for something permanent, not a flag that will have a short shelf life and in a season or so will be tatty and perhaps stuck in a shed somewhere, is that a fitting tribute for Markus ?"

 

Seems like a dig to me.

 

Nick should know that the cost of getting a statue made is very expensive. The Ted Bates one cost in in excess of £100,000. Of which the majority was paid for by the club. How would we get that type of money to do something like that in such a short space of time? Seems un-realistic to me and thus pointless to even talk about right now.

Naming the stands after legends of the club while a good idea is not something we can choose to do. To steal our managers saying "we can only control the controlables". It is up to the owners if they want to change them or not.

 

The flag is something we can do and is something we can do in a short space of time. Sure it isn't the most amazing tribute to Markus and i'm sure we would all like some permanent tribute that can stand on it's own through the years to remind generations of the guy.

 

Rather then use his site to put it down i'd much rather he used it to try and generate awarness to the cause because ultimatly it is is a tribute from the fans. Seeing as he is a spokesman for the fans you would think he would do the same.

[stevegrant]

Maybe it was just me then but where he says

 

"I have always been a big advocate of this football club honouring its true legends, I am not against a tribute to Markus Liebherr, I am all for it, but I am for something permanent, not a flag that will have a short shelf life and in a season or so will be tatty and perhaps stuck in a shed somewhere, is that a fitting tribute for Markus ?"

 

Seems like a dig to me.

Perhaps, but he's also speaking from a bit of experience there - he was involved in getting that world record-sized shirt made, which I think was done for the first game at St Mary's. It had been stored in a warehouse ever since until it was brought out and hung from the city walls a few years ago. I was one of a dozen or so people who helped hang it there, and it was a complete mess. Dirty, dusty, smelly - I assume it's probably even worse now.

 

It's one thing those involved in the flag will have to bear in mind - it's going to need cleaning regularly, and I don't know many dry cleaners that have capacity for a 300 square foot piece of material

[Sour Mash]

Maybe it was just me then but where he says

 

"I have always been a big advocate of this football club honouring its true legends, I am not against a tribute to Markus Liebherr, I am all for it, but I am for something permanent, not a flag that will have a short shelf life and in a season or so will be tatty and perhaps stuck in a shed somewhere, is that a fitting tribute for Markus ?"

 

Seems like a dig to me.

 

Nick should know that the cost of getting a statue made is very expensive. The Ted Bates one cost in in excess of £100,000. Of which the majority was paid for by the club. How would we get that type of money to do something like that in such a short space of time? Seems un-realistic to me and thus pointless to even talk about right now.

Naming the stands after legends of the club while a good idea is not something we can choose to do. To steal our managers saying "we can only control the controlables". It is up to the owners if they want to change them or not.

 

The flag is something we can do and is something we can do in a short space of time. Sure it isn't the most amazing tribute to Markus and i'm sure we would all like some permanent tribute that can stand on it's own through the years to remind generations of the guy.

 

Rather then use his site to put it down i'd much rather he used it to try and generate awarness to the cause because ultimatly it is is a tribute from the fans. Seeing as he is a spokesman for the fans you would think he would do the same.

 

But he's got a point. I think the flag is a good idea, but it's important that those organising it put plenty of thought into how it's going to be used so it has the maximum lasting effect.

[The Cat]

It's one thing those involved in the flag will have to bear in mind - it's going to need cleaning regularly, and I don't know many dry cleaners that have capacity for a 300 square foot piece of material

 

Quick, get the number of whoever cleans Jon Parkin's kit.

[LGTL]

If he doesn't like the flag, he should get off his fat ar*e and organise something himself, like he did with the Trust....Oh.

[St Marco]

But he's got a point. I think the flag is a good idea, but it's important that those organising it put plenty of thought into how it's going to be used so it has the maximum lasting effect.

 

Oh i agree with that bit, like Steve mentions above looking after it is a mission in itself. It would be good if maybe the club could hang it somewhere. Maybe even on the outside of the stadium near Ted's statue. Does not need to be there fulltime but maybe after the first game it could be put somewhere for a few months. I don't think many people see this as a fulltime thing or the only tribute to Markus.

 

That is why i think what Nick said is offensive, Because realisticly right now this is the only true visible thing we as the fans can do in such a short space of time. Talking about a statue or a stand in place of the flag in my view goes down a more political road. As we would have to get a **** load of money together and have to ask the family of Markus to change the stands. If they say no or we can't get the money together it has the potential to create a ****storm that could subtract from the point of the whole thing. The point of which is the fans coming together to remember Markus and show our appreciation for what he did here.

The flag represents a way in which all fans can help out and show their appreciation by donating a small amount of change. It isn't a political thing. It isn't a longterm rememberence thing nor trying to be.

 

Markus died on the 10th of august and it is likely we will have our first home game around that date next season. Even if the flag is used just once on that day and never seen again it will have served it's point.

As i mentioned before as a fan i would much rather that game be a day where the fans show their support and appreciation for Markus and to do so in whichever way suits them. The flag is our way and if Nick thinks there is a better way then he should go do it.

 

It would of been nice to see him put up the links and help promote it on his site as we have here or on previous sites for his various events.

[up and away]

Perhaps, but he's also speaking from a bit of experience there - he was involved in getting that world record-sized shirt made, which I think was done for the first game at St Mary's. It had been stored in a warehouse ever since until it was brought out and hung from the city walls a few years ago. I was one of a dozen or so people who helped hang it there, and it was a complete mess. Dirty, dusty, smelly - I assume it's probably even worse now.

 

It's one thing those involved in the flag will have to bear in mind - it's going to need cleaning regularly, and I don't know many dry cleaners that have capacity for a 300 square foot piece of material

 

I think there are a few other aspects to the flag and why I believe it could be one of the more important gestures fans have made over the years and why it could be so right for this occasion.

 

Saturday is going to be a tribute day for Markus and I doubt there will be a dry eye in the house at the end of the day and that's just amongst the fans. The emotions within the directors box for the family and friends will be ratched up even higher. If any have lingering doubts about the budget for that extra special player or two, events on the day could have a major influence, with that flag holding centre stage.

[Wes Tender]

It's one thing those involved in the flag will have to bear in mind - it's going to need cleaning regularly, and I don't know many dry cleaners that have capacity for a 300 square foot piece of material

 

I thought that it was to be 300 square metres. That's nine times bigger, isn't it?

 

The Skate's flag was 40 x 20 feet = 800 square feet, so ours at 2700 square feet, will be nearly three and a half times bigger.

[hamster]

What about all those red and White cards that they're putting on outlr seats for tomorrow's game?

 

I think it's disgusting when we're all trying to reduce, reuse and recycle. How many poor trees have been killed for this silly caper....and what about the poor cleaners and the binmen who've got to clear the mess up? Disgraceful n

 

They had better be made of recycled card or im gonna be writing a very stern email to my MP.

 

And theyre a bloody fire hazard ( as is that flag), I reckon Nicola's been leaning on the H&S guy, that's what he's like you know, the monster.

[SaintRichmond]

How on earth are we closer to having a football club where we don't hear about our chairman? This season we've heard nothing but negative press from our chairman!

 

Our Chairman quietly supports our manager, are you sure???? I seem to remember that he sacked a manager who was doing pretty well only 4 games into this season!

I do however agree with you that we are all entitled to our own opinion, just don't like it when fans, fellow supporters say they "couldn't care less" that one of our own was barred from renewing their ticket!

 

 

 

IMHO that was because Pardew's move to Newcastle finally came out in the open

 

Ask yourself why Newcastle NEVER offerred Chris Houghton a contract, although he had got them promoted from the CCC, and got them to mid table in the Prem

 

The Fat **** at Newcastle had tapped Pardew up for months, and was just waiting for the right oportunity to sack Houghton

 

Speculation ??? A lot of people think it Fact

[Wurzel]

Perhaps, but he's also speaking from a bit of experience there - he was involved in getting that world record-sized shirt made, which I think was done for the first game at St Mary's. It had been stored in a warehouse ever since until it was brought out and hung from the city walls a few years ago. I was one of a dozen or so people who helped hang it there, and it was a complete mess. Dirty, dusty, smelly - I assume it's probably even worse now.

 

It's one thing those involved in the flag will have to bear in mind - it's going to need cleaning regularly, and I don't know many dry cleaners that have capacity for a 300 square foot piece of material

 

I helped that day too, the dozen or so helpers was only just enough, it was darned heavy. Guessing a flag will be much lighter weight and will look great.

 

BTW think your confusing Nick with John W******d with your

Dirty, dusty, smelly - I assume it's probably even worse now.

comment .

[Secret Site Agent]

I didn't read that article as a dig at the idea of a flag, it was just him suggesting that in his opinion something more lasting might be more appropriate. That's his opinion, which he's perfectly entitled to.

 

I'm quite happy with the flag idea, personally, as it's giving the fans an opportunity to contribute towards something we can all share.

 

Now I believe that he is just speaking his mind and from a position of 'been there, done that, there is an awful lot more that you don't realise about storage, transportation, deployment etc that you don't realise boys.' so is offering a helpful opinion, and is also after a lot of our hearts about also somrthing more permenant and tangible as a celebration of Markus and his saving of the club.

Unfortunatly he hasn't put it as succinct as that, and in this respect it would be easy for anyone, (includidng the lolcal press) to pick up the statement 'Saints Trust and SISA condemns ill thought out flag option'.

 

God knows I agree with him.