derry Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 I am now back in the UK having followed some discussions on what can be done whenever I could get to a computer. There were some good suggestions on the boycott thread which I started and a poll showed that virtually 80% of the fans would be prepared to take part in some form of boycott or other, with a very clear majority in favour of a mass boycott until Lowe was forced out. I had suggested in that thread that the contribution of CB Fry was spot on in how this campaign should be organised and that this should be our approach, because as amusing and effective that the parading of a coffin might be, the only realistic way to rid the club of people who have ruined it is via a mass boycott. I'm sure that he won't mind me reproducing his ideas here again. If his plan gets widespread approval, then I think that this is the route we should employ. His reasoning and approach is spot on for me. Originally Posted by CB Fry An organised boycott is the only way, and really is doable if everyone gets behind it. How do you do it - not that hard. Pick a TV game. Give the day a name "the big boycott", "stay away for change" something (without Lowe's name in it). Branding it makes it easier to get it noticed in the local media. In fact, make it positive not negative - "Save our Saints" is a million times better than "Lowe out". Enrol Lawrie, Mark Dennis, Benali, Merrington, Channon and assorted other local Saints legends and post them to pubs, clubs, church hall all over the city and the region to make communal events of watching the game on TV. Hire Central Hall as a key venue and get Lawrie to host it. The point is you make the boycott an event you have to make watching the game on TV a big communal event all fans can feel part of. You have to make the boycott something to actively do rather than just telling people to not do something. Instead of just saying "don't go, don't go" you have to tell people "go to this instead". Save our Saints. Twenty Locations in the city/region. Saints celeb at every location. Small charge to go to either local charity/or to the running costs of the event. Posters and banners for every other pub in city to run their own event. The local media would be all over it. Trust me the Echo might be up the clubs arse now but they love an event and they'd print a colour poster on the day before in their centre pages. 100 letters from readers would guarantee it. Papers love a campaign. Empty stadium for one game. Lowe would have to resign the next day. He would, not least because Wilde and co would bottle it. It can be done. It's a shame we haven't got a televised game coming up. Fans could boycott and still see the game.
derry Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 This is Weston Saints plan to remove Lowe (thanks for the heads up saint1977): Ron's proposal should be tried irrespective, it would mean the non axis shareholders unseating Lowe if he wouldn't go. All the protests in the world from people he considers idiots won't persuade him to fall on his sword. Others will have to get rid of him. Ron's plan, the boycott and the coffin march should all go ahead and be publicised.
PaulSaint Posted 19 January, 2009 Author Posted 19 January, 2009 Ron's proposal should be tried irrespective, it would mean the non axis shareholders unseating Lowe if he wouldn't go. All the protests in the world from people he considers idiots won't persuade him to fall on his sword. Others will have to get rid of him. Ron's plan, the boycott and the coffin march should all go ahead and be publicised. OK then we have idea #5, tackle the plc with Ron's plan, hold the funeral to gain valuable publicity and boycott the game when we are next on TV and meet up at Central Hall.
SFC Forever Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 It's a shame we haven't got a televised game coming up. Fans could boycott and still see the game. Correct me if I'm wrong but there are cameras at all games. If the word was spread the broadcasting co's would be certain to cover it. Especially if they could see how well organised the boycott was planned. And if we had a legend or two involved it would be even more positive for us the fans.
Kadeem Hardison Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 Correct me if I'm wrong but there are cameras at all games. If the word was spread the broadcasting co's would be certain to cover it. Especially if they could see how well organised the boycott was planned. And if we had a legend or two involved it would be even more positive for us the fans. Don't be daft.
supaimpy_returns Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 think the funeral march is a great idea, combine that with a boycott, but if the boycott actually led to the marchers being outside the ground the team could be cheered on from outside, plenty of radios and the commentary would cover what was happening inside, so we could support the team. (can't be hard to get to the players to let them know its not against them) we'd get coverage on Skysports all afternoon , Radio Solent etc, the Echo and the Sundays couldn't fail to notice. What time do the board members generally like to get to the ground? a large group outside the ground as they arrive would surely impact on them? no one buy programmes, don't use the club shops
PaulSaint Posted 19 January, 2009 Author Posted 19 January, 2009 Fans fighting all around us, two thirds calling for lowe to go, no fight after the first 20 minutes, awful tactics, Armstrong thrown out, the Echo staff told to move, pitch invasions, fans arguing with Poortvliet, losing 2 soft goals against the team below us, 400 outside reception All that happened on Saturday but according to "BBC South Today" neither Lowe, Wilde or any members of the board were available for comment! Wonder if they are too busy discussing ways to save the club?
PaulSaint Posted 19 January, 2009 Author Posted 19 January, 2009 This one was posted by Staplewooder on the 606 site: Here is the plan thats going around. Get tickets for Sheffield United in the itchen stand blocks 10,11,4,3 as they have plenty of empty seats. The plan is to create a defiant message to the directors box that we want them OUT. Following the match we also want everyone to protest outside the itchen stand. We want smuggled banners inside St Marys for this as well. Four more & we'll ask the mods for a poll!
Mole Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 If i wanted to take an A3 or A4 piece of paper with LOWE OUT on it into the stadium would the stewards not allow this? I ask this because people talk about smuggling banners in! WTF is that all about. Please tell me that Lowe isn't this paranoid?
St. Jason Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 If i wanted to take an A3 or A4 piece of paper with LOWE OUT on it into the stadium would the stewards not allow this? I ask this because people talk about smuggling banners in! WTF is that all about. Please tell me that Lowe isn't this paranoid? Yes he is mate, do you not remember last time?? Bags and body's patted down and searched, as soon as a banner made it in and was held up the stewards removed it!
PaulSaint Posted 19 January, 2009 Author Posted 19 January, 2009 Easy to get in, up the back of the jumper or under that bit of cardboard that sits at the bottom of a sports bag?
SaintRobbie Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 SaintRobbie - I think the club will be dead before a buyer is found. And anyway its less likely anyone will buy the club if we do not show how passionate the supporter base is...just standing by watching the death throes of the club while Lowe and/or Wilde fail to act is not the answer. You need to hit them where it hurts most and unfortunately that means taking away the PLC's biggest asset - it's customer support. Until that happens, Lowe will maintain a vice-like grip on the club and continue with his wacky ideas. . You might be right. But trying to SELL this Club cannot do any harm only the slightest chance of success... but by god it's worth it. It takes nothing to tell the media we want a buyer. If we did it with a bunch of legends, Crouch and local dignatories it would have even more impact. It just has to be better than doing nothing. By the way, Paul... where's the wake going to be? Sounds like a right good party!
modern matron Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 I am a Season Ticket Holder and Saints fan of 35 years. I joined in with the mid nineties Branfoot Protests and I stood tall at the Ipswich Game in 2006 when we ousted Lowe the first time, I will also do whatever it takes this time. I generally believe that it's stability and consistency that breed success, the only consistency these two have brought us however is a losing mentality when we play at St Marys! We are not asking for a Man City like Sheikh, all we want is a unifying Chairman and a competent Manager who knows the Championship? As I see it though we have a problem, as concerned supporters we are simply too disjointed. I have visited four different Saints Forums plus BBC 606 & the Echo sports pages, I must have counted 25 different "Dads Army Schemes" aimed at protesting against the board. Some want to use Facebook, some invading the pitch, emails to Wilde, letters to Askham, writing to the Echo, emailing the national newspapers, surrounding Lowes farm, etc, etc. These scattergun ideas are fine but we need a single, well supported, focused idea? I dont see a load of fragmented and miniscule campaigns achieving anything! What we need is less of a Dads Army approach and one thats more like the "Allied Expeditionary Force" (removed Hitler from Europe), we must rally around a single idea (like they did with D-Day) and put all of our energies into it without arguments! I would like to propose the following plan for selecting this suitable strategy: Selection This is clearly the biggest saints forum there is, its for that reason alone that I reckon we use it solely to "decide on" and then "carry out" a single, organised and effective protest to rid the club of these two ASAP! The other forums will of course discuss the plans but it should be here that the idea be decided on (democratically of course). How Via a single poll that details say ten to 12 ideas (list them in the same format used below) and a single sticky discussion thread to dissect them, we can then discuss and choose a single goal, organise it well & then carry it off. If technically possible could these be made subscription free? Its been made clear to me this weekend that Southampton supporters are united in what they don't like (Lowe & the Dutch Experiment) but there is nothing we can all focus and contribute to, well here's one to get us started with: Idea Number One - The SFC Funeral, the club died on saturday, let us have some closure. We meet around 2.15 at the Southampton side of the Itchen Bridge (as in the song) or say at the Railway Station. Everyone is dressed in black or dark colours. Very slowly singing OWTS and steadily marching we follow a 6 foot long, symbolic black coffin to be left for M Wilde at Reception. Lowe wont resign, he's far too pig headed for that, we need to target Mr Wilde to remove him again. The people following the coffin carry white A4/A3 paper banners with black writing (easy to do at home, work, school, etc), mine simply reads "Lowe & Jan staying = unrest & relegation, Lowe & Jan going = we have a chance!). Actually placed inside the coffin are pictures and articles representing the life of Southampton FC that we will have put in en route. I am putting in a picture of the Saints Fans at Cardiff, somebody else could bring a picture of Le Tissier scoring against Arsenal, Bobby in 76, etc. On the top of the coffin it simply reads SFC R.I.P 1885 - January 2009. All local & national newspapers will be informed together with the two local TV Stations. Hopefully concerned ex players can be invited to join us on the march, I'm thinking Benali, Channon, Peach, Armstrong, etc). The police may even decide to hold up the traffic to escort us? All the time the organising is going on we can email our concerns to Mr Wilde, I'm simply telling him that Lowe & Jan have to go in the next month or I am not renewing my ST next year. Here is his email address by the way if you ever want to contact him about Merlin Equities?: wilde@merlionequities.co.uk I reckon we should do this at the next home game. Idea Pluses A huge embarrassment for Lowe and Wilde. Lots of colourful and striking images of the coffin shown in newspapers and on websites. Striking footage of the long and sombre cortege snaking its way to the stadium. This idea would actually generate a lot of sympathetic publicity for our cause - compare this to pitch invasions, blockading Lowes farm, etc? The protest is outside and out of sight of the players. When the game kicks off we will be in our seats again & ready to support the team as we always do. Doesnt hurt our already fragile finances. Slow, dignified and non violent. Even the stayaways can come & join in. Idea Minuses Fans would need to get to Southampton a bit earlier & wear black. We need a coffin - anybody good at woodwork? I think Jan, unlike Lowe, is an honourable man. When he hears about the funeral and see's the pictures he may just resign? Lowe has become plc chairman two times, lets hope Wilde decides to get rid of him twice as well! What a great post! Also a great idea. For me this sums up the way I feel, I do not want to murder Rupert or stop going to games but I do want to show how bad I feel! My only input would be to invite members of the forum to donate towards a fund that you and others would manage (possibly from the forum). I would suggest getting advice from an ad agency - maybe one sympathetic to the clubs terrible position - who could advise on the best ways to maximise impact and publicity to effect change. Good luck and you have my support. SOS!
saintwarwick Posted 19 January, 2009 Posted 19 January, 2009 Yes he is mate, do you not remember last time?? Bags and body's patted down and searched, as soon as a banner made it in and was held up the stewards removed it! I've never been body searched and I sit in Itchen block10, perhaps you can wrap the banner around your body under your top/coat. Perhaps if everybody made a banner it would be hard for the stewards to remove them all.
PaulSaint Posted 20 January, 2009 Author Posted 20 January, 2009 Well after almost a day of being distracted by "The Meeting that never was we need to get back to picking & rallying behind a protest plan. We have six listed above, has anybody got anymore or seen any details we can add? Jan & Rupert out!
PaulSaint Posted 20 January, 2009 Author Posted 20 January, 2009 Mods, now that the Dads Army thread has dried up, please can you create us a poll with the following eight options. All are protest ideas to remove both Lowe & Poortvliet ASAP! 1 - Saints Funeral for Swansea Game - The club died last Saturday, lets pay our respects. Coffin to be left at reception. 2 - TV Game Boycott - HQ at central hall and meets at twenty other locations around Southampton 3 - Fans United Day - Invite the world to a "Help us save our club party" 4 - Find a consortium of business men, a new CEO and write a business plan to take to Aviva/Barclays 5 - Lets do options 1, 2 & 4. 6 - Fill the Itchen stand and wreak hell on the directors box 7 - Other - We need to protest but not with these ideas 8 - Do nothing, we will be OK Please can you make it a sticky!
chuz Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Can I add another could of idea? I do not post much on here, mostly because I should be working but I read what I can when I can. Now the official site is currently offering pitchside advertising for £400 for the rest of the season. If we club together I reckon we could buy a piece of this and request it says "Rupert Lowe, Time to Go". Ideally I would like it opposite the Director's box. If more money was raised, perhaps there would be space for a message to Michael Wilde also. Now I know that the club would refuse to allow this, but the resultant publicity gained in the national press could be significant. We could spin the story as "the club refusing money that they need because an advertising board says something the Chairman does not like/the fans voices refusing to be heard by the club". Of course all we really need to do to get the ball rolling is to request the terms and conditions of SFC perimeter advertising and then choose a slogan that does not contravene the rules. That way if it is refused, we can easily say "well we created an advert that was within the rules of the advertising but it was still refused due to its content." My proper job is as one of those PR people that everyone loves to hate and I am certain that, handled correctly, this would get significant local and national coverage in the press. We could even have the board made up and paraded outside St Mary's before a game to garner additional publicity. Perhaps we could ask people who agree to sign it to show the depth of feeling... OK it is a publicity stunt, but it is one that is non violent, will gain significant exposure and raise the issue. With the right spokespeople it could work. The other alternative I see is a postcard campaign. This would involve getting together people who will not renew their season ticket next year if Lowe is still Chairman of SLH. The postcards could be sent to either Michael Wilde or the relevant person at Barclays. If 1000 people really feel that they will not renew if Lowe is there, but will commit to renewing if he is not, the other directors, bank and Wilde could see that the club stands to lose half a million pounds by Lowe's presence. If 2000 signed up, that equates to £1 million. All that is required is the printing of a load of postcards with a space for people to sign and the address on the front. Since the season ticket renewal period is so critical to the club's finances, this might just force a rethink...
PaulSaint Posted 21 January, 2009 Author Posted 21 January, 2009 Great ideas Chuz. Mods - please can you slip this in as idea number 7 & slide the others down: #7 - Fan sponsored pitchside advertising hoarding and/or a postcard campaign.
saints_is_the_south Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Just been told by a mate who's been in Lordshill this afternoon that there are posters up saying lowe & wile out & to boycott the swansea game
bridge too far Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Where can I find the list of ideas? Is there any merit in consolidating it into one new thread or even a sticky / poll? Top marks to the OP but I wonder if now is the time to decide which (combination) of actions should be taken - the sooner the better now, don't you agree?
Pancake Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Anyone got the cash to stump up for a full page national newspaper advert detailing the problems at the club and the mismanagement?
paris Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 On Saturday, 31 January 2009, there will be a protest from the park opposite K.F.C in the town centre, down to the ground. The walk down to the ground will start at 13.30pm. We do ask if possible for you to be there at 13.15pm just so we know how many people will be attending. We will then protest outside the ground for about 15-20 minutes before going into the ground. We also ask that if you have yet to get a ticket that you purchase one for the Northam or the Itchen and not the Chapel or the Kingsland. Banners/ sings are welcome if you can get them into the ground. I know you will have other questions and I will try to answer them. Please leave a comment below or add me at simon_hampshire@hotmail.com and I will talk to you there. 1. I will try and get some of this read out on BBC and Meridian so more people will know about it. 2. Who are we? We are several angry and fed up Southampton fans. I just happen to be the one writing this. WE ALSO ASK YOU FOR 3 THINGS!!! 1. NO VIOLENCE!! 2. A LETTER ADDRESSED TO MR LOWE THAT YOU WILL THROW ON THE PITCH AT THE END. INSIDE THE LETTER WRITE WHY YOU ARE PROTESTING. ( YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS) 3. IF YOU DON’T WANT LOWE OUT DON’T COME ON THIS PROTEST!! PLEASE TELL FELLOW SAINTS FANS!! **THIS IS COPIED FROM 606 SITE **
Scummer Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Anyone got the cash to stump up for a full page national newspaper advert detailing the problems at the club and the mismanagement? How much does a full page national newspaper advert cost?
Pancake Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Dont know... EDIT: Found this online "Advertising in national newspapers is extremely expensive. As an example, it costs over £30,000 for a full page colour ad in The Daily Mail. This tends to make it out of reach to smaller businesses."
saints_is_the_south Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 On Saturday, 31 January 2009, there will be a protest from the park opposite K.F.C in the town centre, down to the ground. The walk down to the ground will start at 13.30pm. We do ask if possible for you to be there at 13.15pm just so we know how many people will be attending. We will then protest outside the ground for about 15-20 minutes before going into the ground. We also ask that if you have yet to get a ticket that you purchase one for the Northam or the Itchen and not the Chapel or the Kingsland. Banners/ sings are welcome if you can get them into the ground. I know you will have other questions and I will try to answer them. Please leave a comment below or add me at simon_hampshire@hotmail.com and I will talk to you there. 1. I will try and get some of this read out on BBC and Meridian so more people will know about it. 2. Who are we? We are several angry and fed up Southampton fans. I just happen to be the one writing this. WE ALSO ASK YOU FOR 3 THINGS!!! 1. NO VIOLENCE!! 2. A LETTER ADDRESSED TO MR LOWE THAT YOU WILL THROW ON THE PITCH AT THE END. INSIDE THE LETTER WRITE WHY YOU ARE PROTESTING. ( YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS) 3. IF YOU DON’T WANT LOWE OUT DON’T COME ON THIS PROTEST!! PLEASE TELL FELLOW SAINTS FANS!! **THIS IS COPIED FROM 606 SITE ** This is a good start, spread the news!
bridge too far Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 I found this - rates for the Daily Express: http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/pdfs/Express%20factbook.pdf I couldn't find anything for my first search, the Guardian or for the Times
DT Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Surely Dad's Army is Arthur Lowe, not Rupert? PS the club will not allow advertising around the pitch that says anything bad about the great emperor ruddy cheeks, obviously, now will it? Otherwise anything will help the cause... Best one is everyone wears black for next game, funeral etc.
PaulSaint Posted 21 January, 2009 Author Posted 21 January, 2009 Surely Dad's Army is Arthur Lowe, not Rupert? PS the club will not allow advertising around the pitch that says anything bad about the great emperor ruddy cheeks, obviously, now will it? Otherwise anything will help the cause... Best one is everyone wears black for next game, funeral etc. The whole point of my thread was that a lot of little protests (Dads Army like) can end up failing. I suggested it would be better to pick one or two and put our hearts into them, we stand a much better chance of getting the media interested if we show them that we had a list of ideas and voted one in. Ther trick is to accept that the idea that wins the poll is the one to back whether you voted for it or not. This thread has attracted a lot of ideas but as yet no focus. What do I need to do to turn this into a poll - somebody? BTW - Mods - Theres another idea to add to the list (see post from "saints_is_the_south")
PaulSaint Posted 21 January, 2009 Author Posted 21 January, 2009 Poll Update - Found this in the FAQ: "To create a poll when you post a new thread, simply click the 'Yes, post a poll with this thread' checkbox at the bottom of the page, and set the number of possible responses you want to include. When you click the submit button, you will be taken to the poll creation page, where you can specify the question and the list of responses you want to include." I dont get this poll option - anybody know why?
beatlesaint Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Can I add another could of idea? I do not post much on here, mostly because I should be working but I read what I can when I can. Now the official site is currently offering pitchside advertising for £400 for the rest of the season. If we club together I reckon we could buy a piece of this and request it says "Rupert Lowe, Time to Go". Ideally I would like it opposite the Director's box. If more money was raised, perhaps there would be space for a message to Michael Wilde also. Now I know that the club would refuse to allow this, but the resultant publicity gained in the national press could be significant. We could spin the story as "the club refusing money that they need because an advertising board says something the Chairman does not like/the fans voices refusing to be heard by the club". Of course all we really need to do to get the ball rolling is to request the terms and conditions of SFC perimeter advertising and then choose a slogan that does not contravene the rules. That way if it is refused, we can easily say "well we created an advert that was within the rules of the advertising but it was still refused due to its content." My proper job is as one of those PR people that everyone loves to hate and I am certain that, handled correctly, this would get significant local and national coverage in the press. We could even have the board made up and paraded outside St Mary's before a game to garner additional publicity. Perhaps we could ask people who agree to sign it to show the depth of feeling... OK it is a publicity stunt, but it is one that is non violent, will gain significant exposure and raise the issue. With the right spokespeople it could work. The other alternative I see is a postcard campaign. This would involve getting together people who will not renew their season ticket next year if Lowe is still Chairman of SLH. The postcards could be sent to either Michael Wilde or the relevant person at Barclays. If 1000 people really feel that they will not renew if Lowe is there, but will commit to renewing if he is not, the other directors, bank and Wilde could see that the club stands to lose half a million pounds by Lowe's presence. If 2000 signed up, that equates to £1 million. All that is required is the printing of a load of postcards with a space for people to sign and the address on the front. Since the season ticket renewal period is so critical to the club's finances, this might just force a rethink... I think this is a brilliant idea !! No way will the club allow it which as is pointed out will create its own publicity and if they did call our bluff and allow it then to have it on display in the ground for the media to pick up on would be fantastic. Its a win/win situation whatever SFC decide with regard to letting it be displayed or not !
saint1977 Posted 21 January, 2009 Posted 21 January, 2009 Can I add another could of idea? I do not post much on here, mostly because I should be working but I read what I can when I can. Now the official site is currently offering pitchside advertising for £400 for the rest of the season. If we club together I reckon we could buy a piece of this and request it says "Rupert Lowe, Time to Go". Ideally I would like it opposite the Director's box. If more money was raised, perhaps there would be space for a message to Michael Wilde also. Now I know that the club would refuse to allow this, but the resultant publicity gained in the national press could be significant. We could spin the story as "the club refusing money that they need because an advertising board says something the Chairman does not like/the fans voices refusing to be heard by the club". Of course all we really need to do to get the ball rolling is to request the terms and conditions of SFC perimeter advertising and then choose a slogan that does not contravene the rules. That way if it is refused, we can easily say "well we created an advert that was within the rules of the advertising but it was still refused due to its content." My proper job is as one of those PR people that everyone loves to hate and I am certain that, handled correctly, this would get significant local and national coverage in the press. We could even have the board made up and paraded outside St Mary's before a game to garner additional publicity. Perhaps we could ask people who agree to sign it to show the depth of feeling... OK it is a publicity stunt, but it is one that is non violent, will gain significant exposure and raise the issue. With the right spokespeople it could work. The other alternative I see is a postcard campaign. This would involve getting together people who will not renew their season ticket next year if Lowe is still Chairman of SLH. The postcards could be sent to either Michael Wilde or the relevant person at Barclays. If 1000 people really feel that they will not renew if Lowe is there, but will commit to renewing if he is not, the other directors, bank and Wilde could see that the club stands to lose half a million pounds by Lowe's presence. If 2000 signed up, that equates to £1 million. All that is required is the printing of a load of postcards with a space for people to sign and the address on the front. Since the season ticket renewal period is so critical to the club's finances, this might just force a rethink... Great ideas. Trouble is, judging by today's article in Rupert's favourite paper (the Mail), it seems he already is planning for administration. Either that, or he wants a quick and dirty sell before they go into it - won't be much good without Askham & cronies, particularly Wilde.
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