Fitzhugh Fella Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 I think Southampton FC has done the rounds in terms of owners and ownership. In the old days we had the gentlemen farmers, racehorse trainers and headmasters, a la John Corbett, John Barber, George Reader, Ernest Chaplin, Alan Woodford etc etc who run the club in a fraternal, benevolent way. We then had the slightly more thrusting Guy Askham era which morphed into us becoming a PLC with a lot of unsavoury allegations made re certain directors "trousering" a lot of money at the same time. Whatever, Rupert Lowe was now in charge, he knew next to nothing about football but he had the backing of the city, until it all went wrong with relegation and the board falling out. That opened the way for some rich fans to have a go, in the shape of Mike Wilde and Leon Crouch with the help of Lawrie Mac/Mary Corbett and Pat Trant. Many (inc myself) were pleased that local fans were now running the ship but it soon went pear shaped through naivety and control was taken over by the hard nosed executives who damn near sold us to a hedge fund (now owners of bedevilled Coventry). Lowe came back on his stallion but Barclays were not impressed, pulled the rug from under his feet and we went into administration, at first MLT was going to save us through Pinnacle but there were no funds and we were instead bought by the Liebherr family for a bargain £14m. We could have done a lot worse (and so could he) but following Marcus's death (a blow bigger than we all thought at the time) now it seems they want to sell and the man who has overseen an incredible five years on the pitch Nicola Cortese is also poised to leave having fallen out with the family. So who do we want to buy us? Surely not someone like the clown at Cardiff but, worryingly, that is probably the most likely scenario. Do we want "fans" involved again? I think we only have to look at what happened with Wilde and then look at the growing bickering down the road to see that it is fraught with danger and potential unrest. Plus no real fan has the sort of money needed to fully compete in the Premiership? Do we want to be run by the City and at the beck and call of the bean counters? Done that didn't like it! So who then - the next person is out there, perhaps already sailing up the Solent, but will Southampton FC be the better off? Whatever one thought of Cortese, he had a vision and drove it hard. Is there someone out there who take us further? Or is it an impossible challenge in this day and age. Being a rich person's plaything is my greatest fear.
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 My preference would be a successful businessman with links to the area and very deep pockets. Someone with a respect for our history but who doesn't let people take the mickey. Someone who wants to give fans a say in decisions but who knows his own mind and doesn't make populist moves just for the sake of it. I'm not sure this person exists!
Barry Sanchez Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 A loyal person who knows the limitations of our club, someone who will tell the truth and be there right the way through to the bitter end.
aintforever Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Being a rich person's plaything is the best option IMO, look at City and Chelsea.
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 15 January, 2014 Author Posted 15 January, 2014 My preference would be a successful businessman with links to the area and very deep pockets. Someone with a respect for our history but who doesn't let people take the mickey. Someone who wants to give fans a say in decisions but who knows his own mind and doesn't make populist moves just for the sake of it. I'm not sure this person exists! Trouble is you need more money than a successful business man would have - you have to compete against Arab countries and Chinese billionaires these days. That is of course if you think the premiership is the b all and end all.
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Being a rich person's plaything is the best option IMO, look at City and Chelsea. It's the worst option.
aintforever Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 It's the worst option. yeah obviously. I would hate to be a Man City fan at the moment.
ladysaint Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Above all it has to be a fan and a business man/woman, someone who will restore our stripes and history.
Glasgow_Saint Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 yeah obviously. I would hate to be a Man City fan at the moment. yep must be horrible
Saint_clark Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 The pope. Likes that we're called the Saints, and head of the richest institution in history.
alpine_saint Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Reckon we will never do better than ML and NC, sadly. High German-Swiss long-term committment and morality backed by a wonderfully capable and driven CEO. Hard to imagine a better combination. We've been spolit.
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 yeah obviously. I would hate to be a Man City fan at the moment. You are one of those success at any cost fans I see. Many older City fans I have spoken to are pretty disillusioned by it all. Personally if I were a Chelsea fan, my success before 2003 would have tasted much sweeter than simply buying everything in sight without developing any of my own players like they do now.
Saint Garrett Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Reckon we will never do better than ML and NC, sadly. High German-Swiss long-term committment and morality backed by a wonderfully capable and driven CEO. Hard to imagine a better combination. We've been spolit. This.
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Reckon we will never do better than ML and NC, sadly. High German-Swiss long-term committment and morality backed by a wonderfully capable and driven CEO. Hard to imagine a better combination. We've been spolit. Fair play I criticise when you post nonsense. I fully agree with this. For me the best (not sure if possible) scenario is the Liebherrs sell and Cortese stays on.
Pastor Patrón Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Reckon we will never do better than ML and NC, sadly. High German-Swiss long-term committment and morality backed by a wonderfully capable and driven CEO. Hard to imagine a better combination. We've been spolit. Cortese? Morality? He's done a quality job but really?
Griffo Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Anyone that will change our badge back to its full colour and give us our stripes back.
John B Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Fair play I criticise when you post nonsense. I fully agree with this. For me the best (not sure if possible) scenario is the Liebherrs sell and Cortese stays on. Well that will not happen because NC is not the owner just an employee The owner will want to make all the major the decisions I would have thought not the hired help Most agreed with NC's Vision but it was going to cost millions of someone else's money
John D Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 You are one of those success at any cost fans I see. Many older City fans I have spoken to are pretty disillusioned by it all. Personally if I were a Chelsea fan, my success before 2003 would have tasted much sweeter than simply buying everything in sight without developing any of my own players like they do now. Most of the City fans I know from all areas and age ranges are too busy lording it over United fans to really care about how the success has been achieved - a few make reference to the source but aren't too concerned. To be fair the City owners are investing a shed load of money into what is a poor part of the City which has improved their image up here.
SNSUN Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 I'd like someone to come in that can see what we're trying to achieve - be as successful as can be whilst being stable financially, bringing through youth to become first team players, evolution not revolution - and keep the status quo. So someone wealthy, but that's not prepared to come in and change everything radically like Allam and Tan. As for rich Sheikhs or Americans buying the club? I'm really not sure. Sure, success for a club we've all supported and had in our hearts for years would be great, but how sustainable is it? If the owner pulls out, how financially screwed would we be? I want to be supporting Southampton on my deathbed in 50 years, not watching the club die in 5 years.
S-Clarke Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Someone who can build on the foundations laid, which are as strong as this club has ever had. Nothing really needs to change, they just need to have the same level of ambition, drive and most importantly beyond any doubt - lots and lots of $$$$$$
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Most of the City fans I know from all areas and age ranges are too busy lording it over United fans to really care about how the success has been achieved - a few make reference to the source but aren't too concerned. To be fair the City owners are investing a shed load of money into what is a poor part of the City which has improved their image up here. We must move in different circles.
hypochondriac Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Someone who can build on the foundations laid, which are as strong as this club has ever had. Nothing really needs to change, they just need to have the same level of ambition, drive and most importantly beyond any doubt - lots and lots of $$$$$$ Some kindness and empathy wouldn't go amiss.
trousers Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 I'm happy with the way things are (or should that now be "were"...?)
S-Clarke Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 I'm happy with the way things are (or should that now be "were"...?) Probably were, unfortunately.
Jack Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Cortese and some of his banking pals he's got lined up to buy the club and push the Liebherrs out of the way. People who are prepared to match his ambition (and levels of investment required) to finish the job he started. Or is that too far fetched?
Georgie Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Cortese and some of his banking pals he's got lined up to buy the club and push the Liebherrs out of the way. People who are prepared to match his ambition (and levels of investment required) to finish the job he started. Or is that too far fetched? He did say he had people lined up to pump investment in if the Liebherrs ever sold up. However from the Telegraph article on the other thread it appears the Liebherrs may now want to start getting more involved, rather than sell. But wasn't this what the row was about last summer? That they wanted to bring someone in to work alongside Cortese?
UpweySaint Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 How about a collective of soton/football fan businessmen, sponsors and fans trust. An elected chairman every so many years from the bunch and an element of collective decision making with a real push for sustainability. But then of course it comes down to finances, can we maintain some level of success and stability without a large benefactor?
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 15 January, 2014 Author Posted 15 January, 2014 How about a collective of soton/football fan businessmen, sponsors and fans trust. An elected chairman every so many years from the bunch and an element of collective decision making with a real push for sustainability. But then of course it comes down to finances, can we maintain some level of success and stability without a large benefactor? I think Manji would have a heart failure if this was to happen
Hatch Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 As long as they put a 30 foot Justin Bieber or Harry from 1D statue up outside, they would get my vote.
The Kraken Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Being a rich person's plaything is the best option IMO, look at City and Chelsea. Definitely. I hope we get an owner like Vincent Tan or Assem Allam.
Saint Garrett Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Katherina Liebherr and Nicola Cortese for me....
once_bitterne Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 History shows us that whomever the new person is Fitzhugh will soon fall out with him.
Rut Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Liebherrs money. You (Fitzhugh Fella) in charge of it. I reckon you'd give it a good go. I don't get this whole love-in with Cortese. Isn't he just some penny-pinching business man spending someone else's money? He certainly doesn't seem to care 2 sh#ts about the fans of the club. Especially the ones that travel away. Or am I missing something here?
Saint_clark Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Definitely. I hope we get an owner like Vincent Tan or Assem Allam. I was about to say the only difference is success, but the City and Chelsea owners have kept themselves to themselves to be fair whereas those two are just complete nutjobs.
UpweySaint Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 I was about to say the only difference is success, but the City and Chelsea owners have kept themselves to themselves to be fair whereas those two are just complete nutjobs. Yes but the city owners do have a whiff of bond villain about them ... we will slowly and secretly take over the world starting with our MLS franchise and there is nothing you can do about it Mr Bond! No? Just me ...
Greenridge Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 For those that spend their forum life criticising Cortese it will be interesting for them to see if the grass is truly greener on the other side should he leave. I'm inclined to agree with alpine's take on the situation personally.
saintbob40 Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Cortese's goals per game record was shocking. Bring back Mayuka from his loan spell immediately. Really though-NC was just a bloke in a suit who spent someone else's money and often not very wisely. Don't underestimate the efforts of the squad of players we have had in the last 4 years and the work of Pardew and Adkins before MoPo came along. But at the end of the day its the financial backing of the Liebherrs that has been instrumental in all this despite NCs best media efforts to claim most of the credit for himself.
Dig Dig Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 At the end of the day, if it's as simple as him just wanting to resign, he could just do that without all this media will he/won't he stuff.
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Well that will not happen because NC is not the owner just an employee The owner will want to make all the major the decisions I would have thought not the hired help Most agreed with NC's Vision but it was going to cost millions of someone else's money Paid any attention over the past 4 1/2 years? Surely the fact he is 'hired helped' and not the owner means it is more likely the club can be sold and he stay on? If you were to buy a company you wouldn't dismiss the best people working for you.
Barry Sanchez Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 For those that spend their forum life criticising Cortese it will be interesting for them to see if the grass is truly greener on the other side should he leave. I'm inclined to agree with alpine's take on the situation personally. I dont particularly like the person but he made a promise and he has not even seen that through ie the time he would be here to even see his five year dream realise, that is a shame as he has not even been here that long, other than that he is a front man for the Liebherrs so his impact on the club should be minimal, but the question is is it or has it been?
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 My christ, "a man in a suit", "spending someone elses money". How clueless are some people. Throwing cash about on it's own does not simply = success. How many examples of this do you need before you understand that. Yes we have been backed, but that on it's does not = success. If you don't think Cortese has doe anything other than spend other peoples money you are just plain ignorant.
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 What about Patrick Trant? Or did he make himself personna non grata during his previous attempt at involvement? Just an idea.
Dig Dig Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 My christ, "a man in a suit", "spending someone elses money". How clueless are some people. Throwing cash about on it's own does not simply = success. How many examples of this do you need before you understand that. Yes we have been backed, but that on it's does not = success. If you don't think Cortese has doe anything other than spend other peoples money you are just plain ignorant. They won't realise until he has gone and even then, they are most likely to be too thick to even associate the differences when the club starts to go backwards.
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 How about a collective of soton/football fan businessmen, sponsors and fans trust. An elected chairman every so many years from the bunch and an element of collective decision making with a real push for sustainability. But then of course it comes down to finances, can we maintain some level of success and stability without a large benefactor? It's a quaint idea. But it will never happen, and if it didn't it simply wouldn't work.
Doctoroncall Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Reckon we will never do better than ML and NC, sadly. High German-Swiss long-term committment and morality backed by a wonderfully capable and driven CEO. Hard to imagine a better combination. We've been spolit. Agree with this. It's hard to see a better option.
Barry Sanchez Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 My christ, "a man in a suit", "spending someone elses money". How clueless are some people. Throwing cash about on it's own does not simply = success. How many examples of this do you need before you understand that. Yes we have been backed, but that on it's does not = success. If you don't think Cortese has doe anything other than spend other peoples money you are just plain ignorant. That is speculation, you dont know what he does day to day, the speculation the other day was that Pochetinno was leaving, this was in a newspaper and dismissed as speculation and rubbish, for the sake of balance how can your analysis be any different from that?
The Cat Posted 15 January, 2014 Posted 15 January, 2014 Steve Grant. All those £5's he's saved up from here should see us competing with Europe's elite.
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