Saints announce fans' forum with Krueger, Reed and Koeman - October 19th

[Saint-Armstrong]

The thing that irks me most - and wastes time - in this thing, is everyone feeling the need to 'big up' what a great Saints fan they are.

 

Just me?

[shurlock]

Bullet points from the Fans Forum……

 

Blackmore introduces Kruger, Reed and Koeman with 500 fans

Big cheer from the crowd as expected

 

koeman being asked why he does not have a FIFA legend card on FIFA.

he smiles

 

Hands up for questions…….

 

Q. When big clubs come in for our players, tell them its £50m or get stuffed

Les - Sadio was on our radar, we try to identify players who will be available and fit our profile. We put into motion to recruit him, it went on a while. RedBull pushed a hard bargain. We stuck with it. We have been victim of underhand tactics from others.

Ralf - Welcome everyone. We are very clear about who we are. We have evolved into a transparent club. In the summer we have to stick with what is best for the club and les and ronald head that.

 

Q. What is the strategy of the club if come Jan we are in a shout of the top 4 or are we not in a position to do that.

Les - We will not punt or gamble on the future. Our strategy is set out at the start of the season. We would always do what is right but NOT take a punt.

 

Q. Are there plans to increase the stadium

Ralf - The stadium would need to be full for multiple years. Until then it is not high up on the agenda. We have to build the club up in other ways. All the money the club make goes into the team. To expand the stadium would have an impact on player trading. it is not at the top of the list.

Ron - (on strategy) it is difficult sometimes as good players want to play at the highest level and play champions league. We talk to players all the time about this. The year extra Morgan stayed, he realised that the club gave him good advise to stay. it is hard, as the agent and his people are a big influence on a player

 

Q. Why do we not sign top players for 5 years, including the manager

Les - It is a good question. We try to have a long term strategy. spending under our budget and financial fair play rules restrict you sometimes. We cannot gamble finances like that. Some players will not accept a 5 year deal. If they did, many will want salary escalation within that. I can’t gamble the clubs finances 5 years in advance. Where we can, we do. We will sign younger players on the longest possible contract we can. We will not gamble with money we haven to received. We try in invest money we make back into the squad. Financial fair play is financial unfair-play as we can’t offer bigger contract as we have a ceiling. Our ceiling is a great deal lower than those teams we now compete against.

 

Q. Who is Ronalds favourite player for saints (from a very young lad)

Ron - err, very tricky (laughing). You look to players in many ways. Not always their goal scoring record but other qualities. We have a great captain in Jose Fonte and he finally scored a goal. Shows everyone what a great club this is. How to behave and everything.

Les - (on Fonte) His development in 5 years has been remarkable. We have a good track record of improving more senior players. We try to invest in players who show the same sort of profile as academy players, who can and will improve. Jose and Graziano have now got international recognition. Join this club, play at the top end of the Premier league and you will play for your country.

Ron - Jose was important last summer. I felt difficulties when we had to sell those players. Jose, Kelvin and Steven Davis kept the continuity. They assured the others that we will bring in new, quality players. They showed the ambition to the other players and the new signings came in.

 

Q. Depay not getting on to well at united, Do you think LvG is too demanding.

Would we still be interested in him in the future.

Ron - We were interested in him last year. He wanted to stay one more year in Holland before moving. He is having a difficult time but you have to accept that as he is only 21. Maybe he needs more time. If he comes on the market we are interested but he won’t and he will improve at united.

 

Q. Is there a new 5 year plan

Les - Yes, it belongs to the whole club. It started last summer, we got all the staff involved. We have to increase our revenues etc. New marketing plan, financial and football plan.

Ralf - March last year, we had a staff meeting. The staff gave us their ideas to produce that new plan. We are growing in Southampton and we are growing outside of that area. We are unique as a club. The younger ages groups at the training grounds is phenomenal. We also teach referees. We shall see new things happening in January and February in the USA that will help us financially. Our main priority is Ronald and the team. That can never be forgotten. We still want Champions League.

 

Q. We believe Ronald to be a man of values and of his word. We believe you will do at least 3 years. What would have to happen for you to stay longer at Saints

Ron - I have to be happy as I am now. This is a great club with good people. To still develop the team. For everyone to have the belief to continue. This is my second season. I will think about it later. It is too early to think about it but we have ambition to continue. Ambition to win trophies. If Aston Villa can play FA Cup final. Why can’t Southampton.

 

Q. Ralf, do you feel that fan loyalty is given back. Season ticket prices. Is there way of introducing a loyalty scheme.

Ralf - Staff members have taken that question on board. We will get back to you.

We tried to price the cup games, european and against Villa to get a full house and we have done that. We will look into what you say. I can’t give you and answer on such a point now and it would be wrong if I did. We love our fans and we will listen when points like this are raised. We need to get creative with this. The cup pricing is done deliberately to get new fans in. We can’t get it right all the time but we are trying.

 

Q. We have scored a few goals from set pieces in the last few games. Not the case last year. Have we done anything differently.

Ron - Nothing new has been going on. We have a very good record against us with set pieces in the premier league last season. We have sessions on set pieces. I hope we continue with what we have done in the last few games. It is a important part of the game

Blackmore - We have scored more headers this season already compared to last season.

Ron - We try to play from the back but that is not always possible. With Pelle we have a good header of the ball. We put attention into crosses in sessions.

 

Q. When Cortese came in, a lot of doors slammed shut to fans with small businesses who want to work with Southampton, will that change

Ralf - We must never forget where home is. Our commercial department is still its baby steps. We will endeavour to keep an eye on local business. Will look to local business owners to get ideas on how we can improve this. You are all very important

 

Q. Will Southampton introduce women super league team and increase female sportswear

Les - Part of the 5 year plan we was to develop a woman teams. Southampton Ladies is not far away. We will try to do it from the grass roots of ladies football and Hampshire county level. We want to build on that. It is our ambition to have a woman super league side.

Ralf - Been married 30 years, I know you have to keep women happy. There is moves already in place to improve our ladies sportswear range. You will see that in the near future. New year at first.

 

Q. Could Les explain the psyche of the modern day footballer. Surely it is not all about the money.

Les - I wish there was an answer we could give you that does not involve money. You will notice, we do not sell players downwards. The difference in salary from those clubs is just so huge. We may be able to persuade players to stay a little longer but when a player says he wants to play in the champions league, he really means he wants champions league and the trappings that goes with it. The salary jumps are huge. Sometimes 4x the basic. We are growing bit it is hard. The financial fair play just stops us even if we wanted to offer someone more money. Players who leave and their careers plummet, they will plummet on a huge pay packet.

Ron - In my opinion, it should always be a football reason and not a money reason when moving. Players who have left holland too early have not made it.

 

Q. Who is your favourite manager in the premier league you would play against

Ron - Mourinho. He still can’t win against us so I get points (Smiles).

 

Q. Are there any plans to limit/reduce costs of away tickets

Ralf - We are trying to push through with the other prem clubs to look at ticket prices. The ticket prices are being looked at all the time. We try to give back like we do in the cups. The hard thing is that we are trying to run a business that relies on no external money and you will all want top players and for the clubs to do its best. We will carry on looking at it and what we can do.

 

Q. Hardest player you have played against then Ronald

Ron - George Weah

 

Cheers, very helpful. No editorial flourishes either i.e. putting refs to wanting Champions League in bold

[InvictaSaint]

Anyone any the wiser about "things happening in the USA in Jan and Feb" that will benefit us? Sounded intriguing.....

[Saint-Armstrong]

Anyone any the wiser about "things happening in the USA in Jan and Feb" that will benefit us? Sounded intriguing.....

 

Taking the Saints academy philosophy over to the USA and 'teaching' over there, with our philosophy.

 

Setting up partnerships, raising awareness of Saints and maybe unearthing some American talent to sign up to the club.

[simo]

Bullet points from the Fans Forum……

 

Blackmore introduces Kruger, Reed and Koeman with 500 fans

Big cheer from the crowd as expected

 

koeman being asked why he does not have a FIFA legend card on FIFA.

he smiles

 

Hands up for questions…….

 

Q. When big clubs come in for our players, tell them its £50m or get stuffed

Les - Sadio was on our radar, we try to identify players who will be available and fit our profile. We put into motion to recruit him, it went on a while. RedBull pushed a hard bargain. We stuck with it. We have been victim of underhand tactics from others.

Ralf - Welcome everyone. We are very clear about who we are. We have evolved into a transparent club. In the summer we have to stick with what is best for the club and les and ronald head that.

 

Q. What is the strategy of the club if come Jan we are in a shout of the top 4 or are we not in a position to do that.

Les - We will not punt or gamble on the future. Our strategy is set out at the start of the season. We would always do what is right but NOT take a punt.

 

Q. Are there plans to increase the stadium

Ralf - The stadium would need to be full for multiple years. Until then it is not high up on the agenda. We have to build the club up in other ways. All the money the club make goes into the team. To expand the stadium would have an impact on player trading. it is not at the top of the list.

Ron - (on strategy) it is difficult sometimes as good players want to play at the highest level and play champions league. We talk to players all the time about this. The year extra Morgan stayed, he realised that the club gave him good advise to stay. it is hard, as the agent and his people are a big influence on a player

 

Q. Why do we not sign top players for 5 years, including the manager

Les - It is a good question. We try to have a long term strategy. spending under our budget and financial fair play rules restrict you sometimes. We cannot gamble finances like that. Some players will not accept a 5 year deal. If they did, many will want salary escalation within that. I can’t gamble the clubs finances 5 years in advance. Where we can, we do. We will sign younger players on the longest possible contract we can. We will not gamble with money we haven to received. We try in invest money we make back into the squad. Financial fair play is financial unfair-play as we can’t offer bigger contract as we have a ceiling. Our ceiling is a great deal lower than those teams we now compete against.

 

Q. Who is Ronalds favourite player for saints (from a very young lad)

Ron - err, very tricky (laughing). You look to players in many ways. Not always their goal scoring record but other qualities. We have a great captain in Jose Fonte and he finally scored a goal. Shows everyone what a great club this is. How to behave and everything.

Les - (on Fonte) His development in 5 years has been remarkable. We have a good track record of improving more senior players. We try to invest in players who show the same sort of profile as academy players, who can and will improve. Jose and Graziano have now got international recognition. Join this club, play at the top end of the Premier league and you will play for your country.

Ron - Jose was important last summer. I felt difficulties when we had to sell those players. Jose, Kelvin and Steven Davis kept the continuity. They assured the others that we will bring in new, quality players. They showed the ambition to the other players and the new signings came in.

 

Q. Depay not getting on to well at united, Do you think LvG is too demanding.

Would we still be interested in him in the future.

Ron - We were interested in him last year. He wanted to stay one more year in Holland before moving. He is having a difficult time but you have to accept that as he is only 21. Maybe he needs more time. If he comes on the market we are interested but he won’t and he will improve at united.

 

Q. Is there a new 5 year plan

Les - Yes, it belongs to the whole club. It started last summer, we got all the staff involved. We have to increase our revenues etc. New marketing plan, financial and football plan.

Ralf - March last year, we had a staff meeting. The staff gave us their ideas to produce that new plan. We are growing in Southampton and we are growing outside of that area. We are unique as a club. The younger ages groups at the training grounds is phenomenal. We also teach referees. We shall see new things happening in January and February in the USA that will help us financially. Our main priority is Ronald and the team. That can never be forgotten. We still want Champions League.

 

Q. We believe Ronald to be a man of values and of his word. We believe you will do at least 3 years. What would have to happen for you to stay longer at Saints

Ron - I have to be happy as I am now. This is a great club with good people. To still develop the team. For everyone to have the belief to continue. This is my second season. I will think about it later. It is too early to think about it but we have ambition to continue. Ambition to win trophies. If Aston Villa can play FA Cup final. Why can’t Southampton.

 

Q. Ralf, do you feel that fan loyalty is given back. Season ticket prices. Is there way of introducing a loyalty scheme.

Ralf - Staff members have taken that question on board. We will get back to you.

We tried to price the cup games, european and against Villa to get a full house and we have done that. We will look into what you say. I can’t give you and answer on such a point now and it would be wrong if I did. We love our fans and we will listen when points like this are raised. We need to get creative with this. The cup pricing is done deliberately to get new fans in. We can’t get it right all the time but we are trying.

 

Q. We have scored a few goals from set pieces in the last few games. Not the case last year. Have we done anything differently.

Ron - Nothing new has been going on. We have a very good record against us with set pieces in the premier league last season. We have sessions on set pieces. I hope we continue with what we have done in the last few games. It is a important part of the game

Blackmore - We have scored more headers this season already compared to last season.

Ron - We try to play from the back but that is not always possible. With Pelle we have a good header of the ball. We put attention into crosses in sessions.

 

Q. When Cortese came in, a lot of doors slammed shut to fans with small businesses who want to work with Southampton, will that change

Ralf - We must never forget where home is. Our commercial department is still its baby steps. We will endeavour to keep an eye on local business. Will look to local business owners to get ideas on how we can improve this. You are all very important

 

Q. Will Southampton introduce women super league team and increase female sportswear

Les - Part of the 5 year plan we was to develop a woman teams. Southampton Ladies is not far away. We will try to do it from the grass roots of ladies football and Hampshire county level. We want to build on that. It is our ambition to have a woman super league side.

Ralf - Been married 30 years, I know you have to keep women happy. There is moves already in place to improve our ladies sportswear range. You will see that in the near future. New year at first.

 

Q. Could Les explain the psyche of the modern day footballer. Surely it is not all about the money.

Les - I wish there was an answer we could give you that does not involve money. You will notice, we do not sell players downwards. The difference in salary from those clubs is just so huge. We may be able to persuade players to stay a little longer but when a player says he wants to play in the champions league, he really means he wants champions league and the trappings that goes with it. The salary jumps are huge. Sometimes 4x the basic. We are growing bit it is hard. The financial fair play just stops us even if we wanted to offer someone more money. Players who leave and their careers plummet, they will plummet on a huge pay packet.

Ron - In my opinion, it should always be a football reason and not a money reason when moving. Players who have left holland too early have not made it.

 

Q. Who is your favourite manager in the premier league you would play against

Ron - Mourinho. He still can’t win against us so I get points (Smiles).

 

Q. Are there any plans to limit/reduce costs of away tickets

Ralf - We are trying to push through with the other prem clubs to look at ticket prices. The ticket prices are being looked at all the time. We try to give back like we do in the cups. The hard thing is that we are trying to run a business that relies on no external money and you will all want top players and for the clubs to do its best. We will carry on looking at it and what we can do.

 

Q. Hardest player you have played against then Ronald

Ron - George Weah

 

Cheers Bruce I only caught it from Ted onwards

[CB Fry]

Anyone any the wiser about "things happening in the USA in Jan and Feb" that will benefit us? Sounded intriguing.....

We're taking over the San Jose Earthquakes and renaming them the San Jose Kreugers.

[Sour Mash]

I assume you will be going to watch them every week, home and away?

 

No-one goes to watch it, they just feel it's really, really important.

[simo]

No-one goes to watch it, they just feel it's really, really important.

 

If you build it they will come!

[Colinjb]

No-one goes to watch it, they just feel it's really, really important.

 

You don't want to answer me directly then? Just want to snipe?

[Saint Charlie]

Reed mentioned that we use data a lot in our player recruitment (which we knew) but did think its ironic that we are lauded for our setup whereas an over reliance on data for signings and transfer committees is currently the reason Rodgers was fired and Villa struggling under Sherwood.

 

Don't blame the approach, blame those controlling it.

[CB Fry]

If you build it they will come!

Man City v Liverpool. Big game, huh?

 

1,000 people.

 

Saints vs Doncaster Belles, can't begin to imagine the crowd.

[Sour Mash]

You don't want to answer me directly then? Just want to snipe?

 

Answer what?

[Colinjb]

Answer what?

 

I'm advocating a women's team and you are just being sarcastic to those with that position. But fine, if you want to lower yourself to the lowest common denominator that's fine.

[Sour Mash]

Surely a better system for future events would be to email questions to someone impartial (Adam Blackmore?) who selects 20 questions across a wide spectrum of topics. I know it was a kid but who cares who Rons favourite player is?

 

Definitely a better way to do it. Maybe its seen as a bit censored and controlled, questions from the floor fair and open?

 

Should also maybe have a separate forum for every day moans/suggestions that people want to air to the club, but aren't really relevant to Reed and Kruger.

[Batman]

I'm advocating a women's team and you are just being sarcastic to those with that position. But fine, if you want to lower yourself to the lowest common denominator that's fine.

 

then dont expect ticket prices to drop really. just so you can have that warm fuzzy feeling we are a 'family' club.

 

should we have a Blind team...what about a homeless saints side?

[Colinjb]

then dont expect ticket prices to drop really. just so you can have that warm fuzzy feeling we are a 'family' club.

 

should we have a Blind team...what about a homeless saints side?

 

I don't. So, you have no qualms about depriving people a chance to represent their club because of gender? You make some further sarcastic examples, but should there be the interest in running them and the club gives it's blessing, why should that be something for you to criticise?

 

You have a daughter who catches the football bug and you have to explain that's wrong? You tell her to get back into the kitchen? Or do you take pride in the fact that should she have the ability she can play for her club, her team.

Edited 19 October, 2015 by Colinjb

[pluto]

I suspect there will be a link up with an establised US team that will use our name and player teaching course structure.

 

Many moons ago we had an australian academy in Perth.

[VectisSaint]

Man City v Liverpool. Big game, huh?

 

1,000 people.

 

Saints vs Doncaster Belles, can't begin to imagine the crowd.

It really isn't about who goes to see it. Football or any sport for that matter should never be about spectators, it should be about the participants. If a lot of people go and support a team, great, but you seem to have lost the point of why people participate in sport. Southampton should be about being a successful, inclusive sports club, maybe not even just football. Sadly at the moment Saints are the only PL club other than ManU who do not have an associated women's team. If you don't want to actively support a women's team that is fine (I won't either) but you should support the club in its ambitions to grow and to provide a top class pathway for development of sports people within the City and region.

[Colinjb]

It really isn't about who goes to see it. Football or any sport for that matter should never be about spectators, it should be about the participants. If a lot of people go and support a team, great, but you seem to have lost the point of why people participate in sport. Southampton should be about being a successful, inclusive sports club, maybe not even just football. Sadly at the moment Saints are the only PL club other than ManU who do not have an associated women's team. If you don't want to actively support a women's team that is fine (I won't either) but you should support the club in its ambitions to grow and to provide a top class pathway for development of sports people within the City and region.

 

Very well said.

[Batman]

It really isn't about who goes to see it. Football or any sport for that matter should never be about spectators, it should be about the participants. .

 

well, it really isnt.

football is all about who goes to see it these days

[Batman]

I don't. So, you have no qualms about depriving people a chance to represent their club because of gender? You make some further sarcastic examples, but should there be the interest in running them and the club gives it's blessing, why should that be something for you to criticise?

 

You have a daughter who catches the football bug and you have to explain that's wrong? You tell her to get back into the kitchen? Or do you take pride in the fact that should she have the ability she can play for her club, her team.

 

what if I have a blind son. Or a homeless brother....what about a homeless, blind sister?

what about them?

[Colinjb]

well, it really isnt.

football is all about who goes to see it these days

 

So the entire grass roots of the game should give up?

[CB Fry]

I don't. So, you have no qualms about depriving people a chance to represent their club because of gender? You make some further sarcastic examples, but should there be the interest in running them and the club gives it's blessing, why should that be something for you to criticise?

 

You have a daughter who catches the football bug and you have to explain that's wrong? You tell her to get back into the kitchen? Or do you take pride in the fact that should she have the ability she can play for her club, her team.

This is astonishingly melodramatic.

 

But appropriate from the man who started a campaign against our new kit before rushing out and buying one from the club shop at the earliest possible opportunity.

[Colinjb]

what if I have a blind son. Or a homeless brother....what about a homeless, blind sister?

what about them?

 

No a team for those who need help would be a good idea. Shall I sign you up?

 

You are just being a poor man's Turkish now.

[krissyboy31]

Didn't really help she was chunky, would be funnier if he said "your not a 10 your a 18"

 

I liked Blackmore's comment about it not being only women that couldn't get the shirts to fit!

[Colinjb]

This is astonishingly melodramatic.

 

But appropriate from the man who started a campaign against our new kit before rushing out and buying one from the club shop at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

A successful campaign I may add, we got what we wanted.

 

And it's the words of a man who has just become a father to a young daughter. That such retrograde perspectives as yours still exist is really quite scary.

[Batman]

No a team for those who need help would be a good idea. Shall I sign you up?

 

You are just being a poor man's Turkish now.

 

but there are blind football leagues. Homeless world cups.

how come you are not that keen/vocal about their fees being paid for by the average saints fan?

 

shall we sell Mane to fund all this?

[Saint Charlie]

but there are blind football leagues. Homeless world cups.

how come you are not that keen/vocal about their fees being paid for by the average saints fan?

 

shall we sell Mane to fund all this?

 

Not to one of em so called big claaaabs. The Mirrah says 30m, I say tell em at least 50 for Sadio Man.

 

Source: Terry from Hedge End. Speaker one of the Forum.

[Colinjb]

but there are blind football leagues. Homeless world cups.

how come you are not that keen/vocal about their fees being paid for by the average saints fan?

 

shall we sell Mane to fund all this?

 

Ahem:

 

You make some further sarcastic examples, but should there be the interest in running them and the club gives it's blessing, why should that be something for you to criticise?

 

You must get off on this. I hate to think that you are actually that misogynistic.

 

Going back to something you missed, Do you think the whole of the Grass-roots of the game should give up. After all it's only about the teams that are being watched, right?

Edited 19 October, 2015 by Colinjb

[Give it to Ron]

It was ok but a but frustrating I couldn't care less if your a ST holder go to away games or whatever but it wastes so much time. There were about 20 questions waiting to be asked when plug was pulled.

Koeman impressive Kruger just waffles and panders.

I was a bit disappointed not one mention about Katarina and her continued involvement especially in light of Leeds events today.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Batman]

 

Going back to something you missed, Do you think the whole of the Grass-roots of the game should give up. After all it's only about the teams that are being watched, right?

 

being honest, I am not bothered about grass roots football. I must have bee 15 the last time I was involved in it... which was when I played in it.

'hackney Marshes' and all that crap does not interest me or really impact on premier league...even professional football as far as I am concerned.

 

the level of academy numbers out there these days makes "grass roots" pretty redundant to me

 

if southampton ceased to exist tomorrow, I doubt I will find myself wandering down Mansel Park to watch a saturday league match

[Saint in Paradise]

The thing that irks me most - and wastes time - in this thing, is everyone feeling the need to 'big up' what a great Saints fan they are.

 

Just me?

 

No it's not just you, I got fed up with that bloke who has supported Saints for 74 years and all his family go yada yada yada but he never actually asked a question.

 

Also I agree with Batman in his post just before yours.

[Colinjb]

being honest, I am not bothered about grass roots football. I must have bee 15 the last time I was involved in it... which was when I played in it.

'hackney Marshes' and all that crap does not interest me or really impact on premier league...even professional football as far as I am concerned.

 

the level of academy numbers out there these days makes "grass roots" pretty redundant to me

 

if southampton ceased to exist tomorrow, I doubt I will find myself wandering down Mansel Park to watch a saturday league match

 

So it's purely about what you want?

[krissyboy31]

I enjoyed it generally but without pre-submitting the questions, the randomness of picking raised hands is always going to lead to a share of dud, uninteresting questions, with possibly several belters waiting when the plug was pulled.

[CB Fry]

A successful campaign I may add, we got what we wanted.

 

And it's the words of a man who has just become a father to a young daughter. That such retrograde perspectives as yours still exist is really quite scary.

No you didn't. The change had nothing to do with some Facebook group.

 

Great job on keeping the level of self righteous melodrama going, though. You're like a Saints Web Rosa Parks, you are. Get over yourself.

[sotonjoe]

I assume you will be going to watch them every week, home and away?

 

He'll undoubtedly go and see them more regularly than you see Saints.

[Colinjb]

No you didn't. The change had nothing to do with some Facebook group.

 

Great job on keeping the level of self righteous melodrama going, though. You're like a Saints Web Rosa Parks, you are. Get over yourself.

 

I said we got what we wanted. I've never had any thought that it played an active part. Bless you CB Fry for caring and remembering though, to know you were so moved keeps the spirit of those halcyon days alive!

 

So, you are a sexist then CB Fry?

 

Edited 19 October, 2015 by Colinjb

[RoswellSaint]

being honest, I am not bothered about grass roots football. I must have bee 15 the last time I was involved in it... which was when I played in it.

'hackney Marshes' and all that crap does not interest me or really impact on premier league...even professional football as far as I am concerned.

 

the level of academy numbers out there these days makes "grass roots" pretty redundant to me

 

if southampton ceased to exist tomorrow, I doubt I will find myself wandering down Mansel Park to watch a saturday league match

 

Where will academies find players if there is no grass roots football? Do you have children or hope to have them in the future? While you may just want them to be spectators, you may find they want to play. And if you have a daughter, why shouldn't she dream of playing for Saints?

[hypochondriac]

Where will academies find players if there is no grass roots football? Do you have children or hope to have them in the future? While you may just want them to be spectators, you may find they want to play. And if you have a daughter, why shouldn't she dream of playing for Saints?

 

Being honest though it isn't really saints, just like Chelsea ladies aren't Chelsea.

[Colinjb]

Being honest though it isn't really saints, just like Chelsea ladies aren't Chelsea.

 

So Saints is only ever the men's team? Even if the Ladies team is operated by and run by the club's staff/coaches, in the club's facilities? Fair enough if you don't want to actively support or follow it, but if it's run by the club, it is the club.

Edited 19 October, 2015 by Colinjb

[RoswellSaint]

Being honest though it isn't really saints, just like Chelsea ladies aren't Chelsea.

 

Why not? If its run by Saints, why isn't it Saints?

[Batman]

if saints ladies win the league, do we give it large to pompey fans?

[david in sweden]

Bullet points from the Fans Forum……

 

Q. Who is your favourite manager in the premier league you would play against

Ron - Mourinho. He still can’t win against us so I get points (Smiles).

 

 

best response of the evening !

[Daft Kerplunk]

You bring the prawn sandwiches, i'll bring the thermos.

 

I'm delighted that gender will not be a barrier to my daughter playing for Southampton should she catch her father's interest in football. I had the pleasure of coaching a girl at u11 level who had to stop playing due to gender at the end of the season. She was heartbroken as there was no team for her to play for in the club, thankfully she found somewhere to continue and she now captains her city's semi-pro side. The pride and reward she gets from that is amazing, why would anyone want to deprive someone of that chance just because it doesn't fall inside their own personal spectrum or paradigms?

 

It's about time the club had a ladies team, this is truly fantastic news.

 

Anyone down on women's football probably just has a problem understanding the bigger picture. Well played Saints, an important project even if some people can't fathom why it is happening.

[Colinjb]

if saints ladies win the league, do we give it large to pompey fans?

 

How odd.

 

Thought you didn't care about a ladies team so why consider such a thing?

[Batman]

How odd.

 

Thought you didn't care about a ladies team so why consider such a thing?

 

I asked the question, never suggested I would be doing anything, either way

 

 

also, what is the 'bigger picture'

lets not pretend that the club is only doing this so to raise their own profile and gain more money. Nothing to do with being part of the community and all that.

Ladies football is getting quite large coverage by the BBC compared to real life interest. More clubs are jumping on the bandwagon

[Greenridge]

..what about a homeless saints side?

 

They'd only play away games I guess.

[Give it to Ron]

if saints ladies win the league, do we give it large to pompey fans?

 

Why does it matter to you? As you couldn't even be arsed to spend a quid and go tonight to ask your important questions why does it matter if it's spent on academy, ladies. Disabled section or on Pelles hair gel?

Because you missed the most valid point tonight stated by Kruegar. The number one thing that matters is Ron and the first team nothing will detract from that

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Colinjb]

I asked the question, never suggested I would be doing anything, either way

 

But to think of the question in the first place.... How odd. You are thinking about it, even if it's in a flippant way.

 

But no, you don't care. It doesn't offend you does it? It doesn't upset your masculine equilibrium?

 

No, you don't care. You will answer this post to prove that you don't care.

[ant]

Tonight was a worthy exercise in principle, but the implementation was slightly lacking. The free-for-all nature meant unfulfilled potential and I don't understand how two members of staff with mics was ever supposed to achieve fair coverage of 500 people. They barely moved.

 

It's pretty selfish to stand up and take up a portion of the (relatively curtailed) running time in order to big yourself up as a super-fan. No doubt that prevented some genuinely corking questions from getting airtime.

 

Personally I'd have liked to ask Les Reed why - after saying 18 months ago that we don't see the value in loaning out multiple youth players - have we since sent 7 individuals to other clubs (and 2 of them more than once). At a push it could've been followed up by asking why players such as Harrison Reed (supposedly one of the best players our academy has ever produced) are struggling to make it into the first team.