Four Years Ago Today

[Gemmel]

The parent company of Saints was put in administration

 

(Saw that snippet on twitter, so am assuming it is correct - And definately around this time)

 

What a four year rollocoaster ride!!

 

Personally speaking the painful times have made the good times even better.

 

..............And to think the ride has only just started.

[SuperSAINT]

You're correct judging by this article

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/southampton/5090954/Southamptons-parent-company-goes-into-administration.html

 

What a journey!

[Turkish]

It crazy to think that our slide from the FA Cup final and 8th place finish into near oblivion was 5 years, what a great symmetry it would be if next year we did the reverse journey in 5 years to complete the resurection of SFC. I wouldn't bet against it.

[SuperMikey]

It crazy to think that our slide from the FA Cup final and 8th place finish into near oblivion was 5 years, what a great symmetry it would be if next year we did the reverse journey in 5 years to complete the resurection of SFC. I wouldn't bet against it.

 

Given that we actually posted a profit recently for the last 6 months, I think we're in a much better position financially now than we were in the days before our FA Cup Final. Adding to that the new TV deal that comes into effect next season I think we could be set for a while!

[Appy]

It crazy to think that our slide from the FA Cup final and 8th place finish into near oblivion was 5 years, what a great symmetry it would be if next year we did the reverse journey in 5 years to complete the resurection of SFC. I wouldn't bet against it.

 

That's the dream scenario, would love us to really go for it in a cup.

[doubleonothing]

Jesus! Is it really 4 years? I remember being in Tesco shopping when my mate rang me and informed of the sky sports breaking news. Remember being quite adamant that it was he parent company not the club in admin so shouldn't be -10. It's been an eventful 4 years!

 

(Also means its 4 years from when we last played in Swansea. Will be nice to go back there and not have Lloyd James hopelessly ou of position every 30 seconds. One of the worst away games I went to back in he dark days)

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Never thought then that we would be where we are now.

 

It's been a fun journey really.

 

Can't think of many teams that have had a better few years (during the same period) in terms of excitement for the fans, considering the position we were in previously.

 

Not that you would know it from reading this forum sometimes.

[modern matron]

Yeah I agree, we must have played over 60 different teams in the last 3-4 seasons. Not many fans can say that.

[Wiggles31]

Yeah I agree, we must have played over 60 different teams in the last 3-4 seasons. Not many fans can say that.

 

Agreed, so many awesome away days.

[Gemmel]

Actually Mark Dennis broke the news first on "The Saint", two days before it was publically announced. It was posted on here and dismissed out of hand :)

[Turkish]

Actually Mark Dennis broke the news first on "The Saint", two days before it was publically announced. It was posted on here and dismissed out of hand :)

 

Some things never change.

[Andre]

The parent company of Saints was put in administration

 

(Saw that snippet on twitter, so am assuming it is correct - And definately around this time)

 

What a four year rollocoaster ride!!

 

Personally speaking the painful times have made the good times even better.

 

..............And to think the ride has only just started.

 

Good summary. Pretty mad to look at where we are now, and we've done it without throwing tons and tons of money at people; admittedly we've signed players here and there, but that's normal in the modern game. I'm very proud to have been a part of it, and can't wait to see where we are in another 4 years.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Good summary. Pretty mad to look at where we are now, and we've done it without throwing tons and tons of money at people; admittedly we've signed players here and there, but that's normal in the modern game. I'm very proud to have been a part of it, and can't wait to see where we are in another 4 years.

 

I find it odd that people on here attribute our rise through the leagues solely on spending - a claim levelled at Adkins as the only reason he was able to secure back to back promotions.

 

In League 1 this may have been true. But in the Championship last season, there were teams such as Leicester & West Ham who were spending huge sums, and Saints out performed the pair of them.

[Mikey88]

100% this! What a ride it has been. 6-0 away at Oldham sums it up for me, an absolutely baltic tuesday night in a half built/half falling down stadium in a dead end town. In hindsight, don't think that I would change those kind of away days for years of playing in the sterile stadiums of the Premiership/Championship despite how bleak it seemed at the time. Makes the success all the much sweeter now!

[Weston Saint]

I was at a dinner up in Berkshire on the Monday and received a call about 8pm to say the shares would be suspended first thing in the morning but that did not mean Administration was definate as they were still looking for investors!

 

I do know that the Administrator was called in first thing and the delay in announcing (finally made about 11am) was because the Administrator was insistant Rupert Lowe resigned from the board and had no further involvement. He took a little persuading!!

 

Bearing in mind it has been suggested that following the takeover all creditors, other than Barclays & Aviva, were paid and a deal was made with Aviva, we started from a good place with a good owner and a determined Chairman

 

It has been suggested that the deal with Aviva included a Premier League, within a set period, bonus clause. I wonder if that was from the loan reported last year?

 

Progress to where we are today was beyond anyones wildest dream. Keeping our Premier status will be the icing on the cake!

[hutch]

Yeah I agree, we must have played over 60 different teams in the last 3-4 seasons. Not many fans can say that.

The Skates can, but you're right, that's not many fans

[saint1977]

I find it odd that people on here attribute our rise through the leagues solely on spending - a claim levelled at Adkins as the only reason he was able to secure back to back promotions.

 

In League 1 this may have been true. But in the Championship last season, there were teams such as Leicester & West Ham who were spending huge sums, and Saints out performed the pair of them.

 

Fair point that, we were as Keith Hill said 'the Kings' in L1 but we weren't favourites last season by a long chalk, Sven and Sam had spent a ton and Brum had retained most of their big earners. Top 6 would have been considered quite an achievement in August 2011 when that season began. Also, we were by far the best side to watch all campaign.

 

Back on topic, what a brilliant time we've had as fans since Markus bought us. JPT and Wembley season 1, Lambert signing and Pardew making some other seriously good purchases. Nigel built on that after a slow start and built a real togetherness and promotion after that emotional final day at home to Cov. Last season was brilliant with the odd blip after Xmas and touch wood, we should secure our PL status first season back with the games we have left if we are professional, great home wins over City, Liverpool and now Chelsea to enjoy. Might buy that DVD of the promotion seasons when the season finishes.

[Wes Tender]

I agree with those who say that the journey back from our lowest position has made our current situation all that much sweeter. That and the fact that the pendulum between us and the Skates has swung so emphatically to our favour and that it still potentially has some way to go. Additionally though, it is also worth mentioning that these changes were fundamentally because of ridding the club of Lowe and his fellow parasites and being taken over by Markus Liebherr and subsequently his family.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

It will probably pain people to say it on here.

 

But like him or loathe him, Cortese has certainly played his part in the journey.

[Turkish]

It will probably pain people to say it on here.

 

But like him or loathe him, Cortese has certainly played his part in the journey.

 

He's done many great things for the club, i dont see why it has to be a case of like or loathe, just speak as you find. Praise when deserved and critise in the same manor. The problem with a lot of people on here is if anyone says anything negative about him or the club you're automatically branded a troll with an agenda. i've said many times that Cortese has done good things for SFC, but that doesn't mean he should be exempt from criticism either.

[Gemmel]

It will probably pain people to say it on here.

 

But like him or loathe him, Cortese has certainly played his part in the journey.

 

I don't know why it would pain people and absolutely he has been pivitol to this journey.

 

I have heard the horror stories and despair at some of his actions, but ultimately he will be judged on the clubs success and todate, he has delivered on everything he claimed he would. Cortese at Southampton Football Club, is a stunning success story.

 

From a business perspective, the total outlay from buying the club, to where we are now is 37 million (Might be 34 or 38, but it is around that number) plus howver much this loan is. I wouldnt even try and hazard a guess as to what the asset is worth now, but I think it is fair to say, it is quite considerably more.

 

You don't have to like the bloke to recognise, how far he has bought this club.

[pingwing]

Fair point that, we were as Keith Hill said 'the Kings' in L1 but we weren't favourites last season by a long chalk, Sven and Sam had spent a ton and Brum had retained most of their big earners. Top 6 would have been considered quite an achievement in August 2011 when that season began. Also, we were by far the best side to watch all campaign.

 

We were 14/1 for just promotion last season the day before we kicked off against Leeds, 25/1 to win the champ.

 

I tried to wack on 100 quid on us for promotion when we beat Ipswich 5-2 but promotion were rubbish by then. One of the few times I really remember gambling and not doing it till I was confident and regretting it.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

He's done many great things for the club, i dont see why it has to be a case of like or loathe, just speak as you find. Praise when deserved and critise in the same manor. The problem with a lot of people on here is if anyone says anything negative about him or the club you're automatically branded a troll with an agenda. i've said many times that Cortese has done good things for SFC, but that doesn't mean he should be exempt from criticism either.

 

I agree.

 

I think he has been good for the club. But I do also think he has made some errors, and got some things wrong.

 

However, on the hole, I think over the 3 and a half years he has been here, it is hard to argue he has overseen a positive turnaround in the club.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I don't know why it would pain people and absolutely he has been pivitol to this journey.

 

I have heard the horror stories and despair at some of his actions, but ultimately he will be judged on the clubs success and todate, he has delivered on everything he claimed he would. Cortese at Southampton Football Club, is a stunning success story.

 

From a business perspective, the total outlay from buying the club, to where we are now is 37 million (Might be 34 or 38, but it is around that number) plus howver much this loan is. I wouldnt even try and hazard a guess as to what the asset is worth now, but I think it is fair to say, it is quite considerably more.

 

You don't have to like the bloke to recognise, how far he has bought this club.

 

Lets not forget the Liebbher family in all this, without the backing of Marcus and the continuing financial backing who knows how this might of ended, long may this continue.

[Lets B Avenue]

He's done many great things for the club, i dont see why it has to be a case of like or loathe, just speak as you find. Praise when deserved and critise in the same manor. The problem with a lot of people on here is if anyone says anything negative about him or the club you're automatically branded a troll with an agenda. i've said many times that Cortese has done good things for SFC, but that doesn't mean he should be exempt from criticism either.

 

As long as he keeps picking the right team and buying the right players.

[Saint_lambden]

Yeah I agree, we must have played over 60 different teams in the last 3-4 seasons. Not many fans can say that.

 

And we've made them all look shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii*e (apart from Rochdale).

[Colinjb]

What a journey it has been. The future is bright.....

[dronskisaint]

the skates can, but you're right, that's not many fans

 

:d:d

[lillyflo]

I was thinking after the Chelsea match about all the ups and downs we have had, and agree that it makes the ups so much more exciting. I bet the "big" teams don't savour each achievement as much as us. Mind you, we are the best fans ever!

[Miltonaggro]

I don't know why it would pain people and absolutely he has been pivitol to this journey.

 

I have heard the horror stories and despair at some of his actions, but ultimately he will be judged on the clubs success and todate, he has delivered on everything he claimed he would. Cortese at Southampton Football Club, is a stunning success story.

 

From a business perspective, the total outlay from buying the club, to where we are now is 37 million (Might be 34 or 38, but it is around that number) plus howver much this loan is. I wouldnt even try and hazard a guess as to what the asset is worth now, but I think it is fair to say, it is quite considerably more.

 

You don't have to like the bloke to recognise, how far he has bought this club.

 

In a nutshell Gem. The Don seems well suited to playing the hatchet man, but think about the Adkins scenario If Poch finishes in mid table this season and we see heavy quality investment in the squad and infrastructure in the summer. Fans wear their hearts on their sleeves naturally, but it probably takes a degree of ruthlessness to make the hard decisions alongside the pleasant ones. The thing I am enjoying most at the moment is the way Saints are coming up on the rail, under the radar of our rivals and the majority of the media. Best time to be a Saints fan since the early 80s...

[Frank's cousin]

He's done many great things for the club, i dont see why it has to be a case of like or loathe, just speak as you find. Praise when deserved and critise in the same manor. The problem with a lot of people on here is if anyone says anything negative about him or the club you're automatically branded a troll with an agenda. i've said many times that Cortese has done good things for SFC, but that doesn't mean he should be exempt from criticism either.

 

Think you are missing a vital point though. You are quite right that he should not be above criticism for things he gets wrong... No one should be, but too often the way some go on about the things he has done wrong, you would think they were enormous blunders - multiple relegations etc instead of parking and booking fees... It's about perspective.

 

The irony is comical- whenever us Lowe luvvies TM, would point out something Lowe had done that was positive, the usual comeback was that it was irrelevant as all that counted was what happened on the pitch.... Now we have 2 promotions and a side playing an enviable style and yet we get bed wetting about ticket tax.... It's not the criticism of Cortese that leads to accusations of Agenda driven ******, but the disproportionate level of critics over what most see as minor issues.... And it's usually the same few who are quick to criticise at every opportunity... Draw your own conclusions

[aintforever]

Think you are missing a vital point though. You are quite right that he should not be above criticism for things he gets wrong... No one should be' date=' but too often the way some go on about the things he has done wrong, you would think they were enormous blunders - multiple relegations etc instead of parking and booking fees... It's about perspective. [/quote']

 

The problem is if you dare to mention anything that may be negative you get accused of making a big deal out of something when all you are doing is pointing something out.