The Saints go Marching Out

[StuRomseySaint]

Excellent idea, march away from St Marys and have make very visible protest at a large pub like The Square. Lots of banners/colours etc.

 

very simple message to the club's bank - We have money, we want to spend it on football - we don't want to spend it on Saints while Lowe and Wilde are in charge.

 

EXACTLY - That is spot-on and the point that I believe would be the most likely to have any effect on removing them. Let's remember, if we stop spending money, even for one day, then Barclays will start putting the pressure on Lowe and Wilde.

 

The website is being built as we speak. Should be something up by lunch, if not then definately tommorow.

[Wes Tender]

Sorry you don't love the club if you deliberately set out to damage it which this action will achieve if you get significant support. Then what administration -10 points, a car boot sale, a roundabout of managers and players and directors that will make the last 3 years look like stability. Look no further than Luton if you want to see what fan action can do or follow the the example of fans at club's like Charlton, Derby, Leicester or Norwich, to name just a few.

 

You don't even know what you are protesting against. If it's Lowe why have you waited so long? So it must be the team or the lack of investment so perhaps the last thing you want to be doing is taking away more money that our fickle fans have taken with them because they can't get a diet of premiership Football week in week out. Unite and support through the hard times or divide and fall, have it your way, i really don't give a sh1t.

 

The usual arrogance that we've come to expect. So we don't love the club, we don't know what we're protesting about, we're fickle Premiership fans, etc.

 

I would suggest that by wanting to take this action to rid the club of the most divisive elements in its history, the case could be made that we love it more than you who is prepared to just sit on your hands and do nothing.

 

Yes, I'm protesting about Lowe and have done so for nearly all of the time he has been here, since the reverse takeover. Thankfully others have finally woken up to the fact that he has shown his incompetance by his one or more a year managerial merry go round, his bizarre experiment that has failed dismally and made us a laughing stock and his personal greed that means that he has taken far more out of the club than he has ever put in.

 

Even your argument that the mass boycott would take valuable funds away from the board isn't without flaw. In the short term I agree. But I am pretty sure that provided Lowe doesn't stupidly dig his heels in and the bank doesn't take its time in intervening, there is plenty of scope for returning fans and renewed ST sales to make up the deficit and get behind the team once again.

 

And as you don't give a sh*t as to what we do, why bother responding to the thread? You don't give a sh*t, but most of us care very deeply. Rather shows who does love the club more, eh?

[Wes Tender]

And by the way, Stu, as I said on the other thread, a superb idea. I have been calling for a boycott for several weeks, but your twist on it is both immaginative and clever.

 

I also think that the various forums and the FaceBook campaign need to be united. Therefore the combined march to the stadium and the march away could sensibly be combined. It could be that those marching to the stadium who might otherwise then take their seats, might be caught up in the mood of the marching away group and join us.

[Essruu]

Take this one step further for more effect:-

 

If it is going to go ahead, then season ticket holders are going to be included in the official attendance figures anyway, so their stayaway can be ignored by the club as they'll have their attendance included anyway. I don't suggest that anyone buys a ticket just to march out, but ALL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS who want to join Stuey's march should go in to the stadium. People without tickets can remain outside, singing OWTSGM Out. Then, say, when the scoreboard shows 5mins play, all of the season ticket holders get up, start singing Oh When The Saints Go Marching Out, and leave the ground to join those outside, THEN march away from the stadium - maybe after a circuit of the stadium with a loud rendition of OWTSGM Out that all parts of the ground can hear from inside.

 

This will have the added visual impact inside the stadium that everyone can see the season ticket holders who have had enough. The thought of these making their views heard and the knowledge that at least all of these may/will not renew next season shows a guaranteed slump in ST sales. This will surely make RL & MW wince more than being able to ignore empty seats at kick off but still being able to include the ST holders in the official attendance and thus gloss over the march.

 

So, why not:-

 

1. Let the Bargate March to the stadium go ahead at whatever time it is planned.

2. Get the Stayaway March organisers to be at the stadium when the other lot arrive and have the chance to speak to them to get more on side.

3. Let all season ticket holders go into the stadium before kick off and the remaining Stayway marchers (those without STs and who haven't already bought tickets) stay outside with their peaceful protest / singing OWTSGM Out.

4. At 5mins into the game, all those who have gone in on STs or already bought tickets get up, sing OWTSGM Out and leave the stadium to join those outside.

5. The March does a circuit of the perimeter of the stadium singing OWTSGM Out (unless RL gets his heavies to stop it, which I wouldn't put past him) and continue on to wherever the planned end point is - I'd suggest a large pub who agree in advance to have the game on the radio.

 

All of that is going to have a better impact than just not going in the stadium and letting them count your attendance anyway!

 

You're welcome Stu

[bigtonesfc]

And by the way, Stu, as I said on the other thread, a superb idea. I have been calling for a boycott for several weeks, but your twist on it is both immaginative and clever.

 

I also think that the various forums and the FaceBook campaign need to be united. Therefore the combined march to the stadium and the march away could sensibly be combined. It could be that those marching to the stadium who might otherwise then take their seats, might be caught up in the mood of the marching away group and join us.

 

I`m up for doing both marches!

[N/West Saint]

I can see the landlord rubbing his hands together already lol.

[trousers]

Season ticket holders are going to be included in the official attendance figures anyway

 

Only in the world of football can organisations quote bare faced lies with impunity.

 

How on Earth has the game got away with quoting an attendance figure for years on end when it means nothing of the sort?

 

I know people will say that the industry has never claimed otherwise but show me anyone who has ever looked at the attendance figures in the Sunday papers thought anything other than: "oh, that's how many people were at game 'x' then".

 

No wonder this industry is in such a mess.

Edited 4 February, 2009 by trousers

[trousers]

"I really don't give a sh1t" is an unfortunate term to use after last night's match.

 

Presumably Jon, they didn't show last night's match in Jamaics. If you had managed to catch it, you would have seen 13,000 Saints fans braving bitter cold & treacherous conditions to be let down by the Saints team.

 

These fans DO give a sh1t. Please do not patronise them.

 

....

Edited 4 February, 2009 by trousers
sorry, got it now....slow start for me!

[saints_is_the_south]

Take this one step further for more effect:-

 

If it is going to go ahead, then season ticket holders are going to be included in the official attendance figures anyway, so their stayaway can be ignored by the club as they'll have their attendance included anyway. I don't suggest that anyone buys a ticket just to march out, but ALL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS who want to join Stuey's march should go in to the stadium. People without tickets can remain outside, singing OWTSGM Out. Then, say, when the scoreboard shows 5mins play, all of the season ticket holders get up, start singing Oh When The Saints Go Marching Out, and leave the ground to join those outside, THEN march away from the stadium - maybe after a circuit of the stadium with a loud rendition of OWTSGM Out that all parts of the ground can hear from inside.

 

This will have the added visual impact inside the stadium that everyone can see the season ticket holders who have had enough. The thought of these making their views heard and the knowledge that at least all of these may/will not renew next season shows a guaranteed slump in ST sales. This will surely make RL & MW wince more than being able to ignore empty seats at kick off but still being able to include the ST holders in the official attendance and thus gloss over the march.

 

So, why not:-

 

1. Let the Bargate March to the stadium go ahead at whatever time it is planned.

2. Get the Stayaway March organisers to be at the stadium when the other lot arrive and have the chance to speak to them to get more on side.

3. Let all season ticket holders go into the stadium before kick off and the remaining Stayway marchers (those without STs and who haven't already bought tickets) stay outside with their peaceful protest / singing OWTSGM Out.

4. At 5mins into the game, all those who have gone in on STs or already bought tickets get up, sing OWTSGM Out and leave the stadium to join those outside.

5. The March does a circuit of the perimeter of the stadium singing OWTSGM Out (unless RL gets his heavies to stop it, which I wouldn't put past him) and continue on to wherever the planned end point is - I'd suggest a large pub who agree in advance to have the game on the radio.

 

All of that is going to have a better impact than just not going in the stadium and letting them count your attendance anyway!

 

You're welcome Stu

 

If properly organised & enough people were willing to do this it would be brilliant, even if it was just the whole of the Northam leaving it would be good.

 

I'd be happy to help organise it & get attention. If we can liase with those arranging the march from the Bargate then it will work even better.

 

We need a Facebook group set up to raise awareness. Another way is simply printing off exactly what you've posted above on simple A4 paper, and having people distribute them to people at the Bargate, to people protesting before the game & also to those entering the stadium.

 

I think media coverage is needed again, not just for a chance to be on TV...etc as this isn't what this about but i think this is the biggest way it is going to catch Lowe & his cronies attention.

[StuRomseySaint]

Everyone leaving after 5 minutes is great.... however if we score in the first 5 minutes, if we start the game really well, how many people will actually walk?

 

If something is planned then is has to almost guarantee a big turnout. At least a couple of hundred. If the numbers don't turn up then it can turn from a postive into a negative.

[BadgerBadger]

Sorry you don't love the club if you deliberately set out to damage it which this action will achieve if you get significant support. Then what administration -10 points, a car boot sale, a roundabout of managers and players and directors that will make the last 3 years look like stability. Look no further than Luton if you want to see what fan action can do or follow the the example of fans at club's like Charlton, Derby, Leicester or Norwich, to name just a few.

 

You don't even know what you are protesting against. If it's Lowe why have you waited so long? So it must be the team or the lack of investment so perhaps the last thing you want to be doing is taking away more money that our fickle fans have taken with them because they can't get a diet of premiership Football week in week out. Unite and support through the hard times or divide and fall, have it your way, i really don't give a sh1t.

 

Look at Swansea - worked for them

 

Why support the divide - oxymoron

[saints_is_the_south]

Everyone leaving after 5 minutes is great.... however if we score in the first 5 minutes, if we start the game really well, how many people will actually walk?

 

Like the guy said outside the stadium during the protest beforethe Swansea game, win, lose or draw outside here after the game.

 

Same should apply here

[StuRomseySaint]

Like the guy said outside the stadium during the protest beforethe Swansea game, win, lose or draw outside here after the game.

 

Same should apply here

 

Same should apply, but it won't.

 

We have a large element of fickle fans, and we have a large element of superfans, of whom their love for the club blinds the reality.

 

Win, lose or draw will not cut it. When the equaliser went in last night you would have thought we won the world cup, I was saying to my mate that I thought everyone would forget about Lowe and see a 1-1 draw as a massive result, when infact we played poorly once again.

 

We have too many fans blinded by their love of the club, people do need to wake up to reality now, hopefully boycotting will wake everyone up.

[Mole]

Voted No because it's a daft idea that won't get support. We need to be building on the support shown for the last march, not seeing the number of participants dwindle.

 

Instead of having a march just have a demo outside reception. Or just don't bother going to games.

[saints_is_the_south]

An event page on Facebook has now been set up.

[StuRomseySaint]

Voted No because it's a daft idea that won't get support. We need to be building on the support shown for the last march, not seeing the number of participants dwindle.

 

Instead of having a march just have a demo outside reception. Or just don't bother going to games.

 

What makes you think/know that it won't work?

 

200 people is more than enough to make an impact... any more than great.

 

What does Demo outside reception acheive? Seriously, do you think it will make an impact?

 

This is not a march..... this is more of a 'walkaway' , it is a group of likeminded Saints fans saying " f*ck it, I've had enough of this " and going to the pub together.

 

A very powerful statement, like I said, I won't run with it myself if I think the numbers won't show, that's not to say I won't still make the gesture myself.

[Mole]

What makes you think/know that it won't work?

 

200 people is more than enough to make an impact... any more than great.

 

What does Demo outside reception acheive? Seriously, do you think it will make an impact?

 

This is not a march..... this is more of a 'walkaway' , it is a group of likeminded Saints fans saying " f*ck it, I've had enough of this " and going to the pub together.

 

A very powerful statement, like I said, I won't run with it myself if I think the numbers won't show, that's not to say I won't still make the gesture myself.

 

Go for it, i wish you al the best of luck. If it works it'll be great.

[JohnnyFartPants]

Voted No because it's a daft idea that won't get support. We need to be building on the support shown for the last march, not seeing the number of participants dwindle.

 

Instead of having a march just have a demo outside reception. Or just don't bother going to games.

 

Are you the marching front of Judia?

[EastleighSoulBoy]

I reckon Stu was just desperate to pay his fiver and used this as an excuse

 

Don't we all think that?

 

Welcome back Stuey! :smt054

[EastleighSoulBoy]

What makes you think/know that it won't work?

 

200 people is more than enough to make an impact... any more than great.

 

What does Demo outside reception acheive? Seriously, do you think it will make an impact?

 

This is not a march..... this is more of a 'walkaway' , it is a group of likeminded Saints fans saying " f*ck it, I've had enough of this " and going to the pub together.

 

A very powerful statement, like I said, I won't run with it myself if I think the numbers won't show, that's not to say I won't still make the gesture myself.

 

You're right, a demo outside reception does little. They pull the curtains and hey presto! We're not there!

[Mole]

Are you the marching front of Judia?

 

Judia or Judea?

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Just checked and I am at work that day so I can't contribute in any of the proposed ways. I'd probably go for the march away though as it's getting close now to the point of no return with these numpties in charge.

[JohnnyFartPants]

Judia or Judea?

 

God knows.

 

Geddit?

[StuRomseySaint]

http://www.saintsgomarchingout.co.uk should be live at some point tonight, a very basic text website is done with a forum, poll, post box etc... just waiting fot the registration to be completed.

[Um Bongo]

Count me in. What's the point in going and putting effort in to watch the players if they wont give any effort on the pitch?

[saints_is_the_south]

http://www.saintsgomarchingout.co.uk should be live at some point tonight, a very basic text website is done with a forum, poll, post box etc... just waiting fot the registration to be completed.

 

Good stuff Stu. 39 confirmed guests so far on the Facebook page, lets hope those numbers continue to swell even more!

[StuRomseySaint]

Good stuff Stu. 39 confirmed guests so far on the Facebook page, lets hope those numbers continue to swell even more!

 

With no disrespect to that Connor matey, I think I will set my own event up, he doesn't seem keen on the idea and labled the march to the ground as 'the main march'

 

There is no 'main march' , people like to protest in different ways.

 

You wouldn't let someone from Cadburys sell your Nestle for you, would you?

[Huffton]

Great idea, I'm an ST holder but I will be well up for it. Done properly it will have a far bigger impact than a march to the ground.

[St. Jason]

So, just for a thread of it's own, who would support a march AWAY from St Marys, if it was organised properly?

 

If a place where we could gather, listen to the game, and have a few beers was laid on?

 

Who is prepared to boycott SFC for the Preston game? Whether it be the Megastore, programmes, Bars, Burgers etc or the main event of marching AWAY from the stadium directly before kick-off.

 

Tonight proved to me that there is no way out, we need a miracle to survive, there is still time for change and there is still time to get a decent manager in to fire up the lads and bring the fans back.

 

If you wanna win, then you haven't gotta sing, you have got to start making Lowe and Wildes position untenable..... the only way to do this is to hit them where it hurts, which is in the pocket.

 

So can we have a poll please? Would be interested to how many people would 100% back this initiative..... if the numbers are there then it would have a MASSIVE impact, if the numbers are not there then we run the risk of being a laughing stock again, if it goes ahead.

 

So...... would you be prepared to boycott the Preston game? Yes or No?

 

I've been speaking to a few lads today who think this is a good idea mate, espcially the bit about marching to a pub as opossed to marching away from it towards the ground.

 

Just a couple of ideas for you:-

 

1. Call your site http://www.Saveoursaints.co.uk that way any protest we as a group decide to do can be advertised there, boycott, sit in, no burgers or beer etc.

 

2. venue and route-The Northam Club does cheap good beer and could hold a thousand, has a stage for any names to address the protesters and Sky so we could keep up with the game. Downside, have to charge £1 (i think) as its a private members club, I could talk to the steward and see if he could make a donation to a given charity from all the £1's, not a very long march but i suppose we could march down marine parade turn right just before the chaple arms right up to to the A33 dual carriage way, all the way up to the lights, turn right back towards northam club?

 

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=442561&y=111621&z=0&sv=442561,111621&st=OSGrid&lu=N&tl=Southampton,+St%20Mary's%20and%20Holy%20Trinity&ar=y&bi=~&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf

 

3. couple any protest with http://www.sthu.co.uk to show the board/Barclays that fans are leaving because of Lowe and Wilde and not the team performance. I'm going to speak to the other lads on STHU and see if we can turn the guest book into an online protest form where people can leave thier customer numbers and reason for not going or renewing.

Edited 4 February, 2009 by St. Jason

[Kaiser Soze]

Few points:

 

Stu - what ever possessed you to pay a fiver??

 

Good idea in principle but IMO won't work in pratice. If it's going to be effective then you need thousands doing it, but you're never going to get thousands of people rammed into a nominated pub. Alot of people travel some distance getting to games, having made the effort they're not gonna simply walk out after five minutes just to prove a point.

 

We need every point we can get, boycotting a massive game against Preston is relegation suicide. To make a point we need to be aggressive in our tactics, such as a full-on pitch invasion during a game etc. As for getting arressted, banned etc, if thousands do it there is sweet FA they can do.

[St. Jason]

Voted No because it's a daft idea that won't get support. We need to be building on the support shown for the last march, not seeing the number of participants dwindle.

 

Instead of having a march just have a demo outside reception. Or just don't bother going to games.

 

its gone beyond that stanley, the fans have been behind the team all season, 1 win in 16 at home. I don't believe anything could make them perform worse, not after lasts night showing anyway!

 

This is a great idea as it will show that fans aren't put of by the weather or what other pr spin the club try and put on the attendance, as it would be clear from the numbers marching away from the stadium that's the fans are there but do not and will not support this board!

[La BoIS Saint]

With no disrespect to that Connor matey, I think I will set my own event up, he doesn't seem keen on the idea and labled the march to the ground as 'the main march'

 

There is no 'main march' , people like to protest in different ways.

 

You wouldn't let someone from Cadburys sell your Nestle for you, would you?

 

No harm in having a separate site but we don't want to split up into factions.

[hypochondriac]

Stu are you planning to distribute any leaflets at all?

[saints_is_the_south]

Stu are you planning to distribute any leaflets at all?

 

I had the idea of handing them out to fans as they enter the stadium before the game. If we had 2 fans per stand this could work, just handing out a4 leaflets, even if they are just plain a4 pieces of paper explaining how the protest is going to work. People can then make the decision whether or not they want to take part.

[Pilchards]

It makes me laugh how Stu was saying it was a waste of time the first demo and yet he is up for this one because its his.

 

Whatever happens Im up for any demo as im sick of the constant ****e from my football club.

Please try and work together with the other demo otherwise we could have two lame protests overall.

 

I have this crazy idea that i think could work.

At 2-45 everybody marchs away from the stadium to the park next to debenhams where they will bring a deck chair and watch a 11 aside game between our own Saints eleven versus 11 people in Preston shirts.

We treat it like a normal match and we can even scream abuse at the lookalike board members that will be sat on the half way line.

 

National Press thats for sure as its just unreal.

[hypochondriac]

I had the idea of handing them out to fans as they enter the stadium before the game. If we had 2 fans per stand this could work, just handing out a4 leaflets, even if they are just plain a4 pieces of paper explaining how the protest is going to work. People can then make the decision whether or not they want to take part.

 

If someone wants to write exactly what these leaflets should say I am prepared to print off a couple of hundred.

[saints_is_the_south]

96 said yes on here, 80 confirmed attendee's on FB (i apprieciate that some of the FB members will be some of the yes's on here). I reckon we've got about 150 ready to do it so far within the first day of the idea taking place.

 

Given we still have 2.5 weeks left to organise it, i think we could have as many as we did on the march. 1,000 walking out would be great!

[Mole]

its gone beyond that stanley, the fans have been behind the team all season, 1 win in 16 at home. I don't believe anything could make them perform worse, not after lasts night showing anyway!

 

This is a great idea as it will show that fans aren't put of by the weather or what other pr spin the club try and put on the attendance, as it would be clear from the numbers marching away from the stadium that's the fans are there but do not and will not support this board!

 

I think you misunderstood me. All i'm saying is that a walkaway protest won't have as large a particpation as the initial protest march, but if some will participate then go for it.

[Evil Monkey]

I think it will be funny if it doesnt go ahead. Stew will have lost his fiver, and his morals by giving in to the TSF subscription, and there will be no protest to show it.

[St. Jason]

I think you misunderstood me. All i'm saying is that a walkaway protest won't have as large a particpation as the initial protest march, but if some will participate then go for it.

 

It probably wont be as successful as the first march but the difference, which to my thinking is huge, fans will not marching to the ground and paying to enter, they will be keeping thier money (except us season ticket holders, I'm happy to loose £25 for the course) and spending it elsewhere. For me this is the whole point of this protest, a clear statement to the board & Barclays "we are not prepared to financially back this board anymore" all in my opinion of course!

[saints_is_the_south]

Another possible venue - Bar Risa, £1.90 a pint!

[St. Jason]

Stu & Co. With a little bit of simple planning this thing could really take of.

 

Me and my mates find it very difficult to leave the pub and would have to be almost physically forced out to join a March @ 13.15 at the Bargate. Your idea on the other hand would have a mass appeal to supporters/drinkers like me. I could still have a couple of pints then walk down to the Stadium @ 14.30, join you all then March back to an agreed venue.

 

I do feel there is enough room for both marches on the same day though. It just needs a little communication between both organisers, i personally think doing both would appeal to a much broader fan base!

[saint_bert]

Another possible venue - Bar Risa, £1.90 a pint!

 

Im there!

[Big Dick Last]

I am a season ticket holder and would be up for this.

 

Enough is enough. We have been watching this sh*te all season and it is time the club knew how we really felt.

 

Another option would be for everyone to stay outside the ground or in the concours until the game was about 10 mins in and then go to our seats singing OWTSGMI.

I know this means that Lowe would have our money but it would certainly grab the attention of the media.

[Rory]

The fans are to blame for our downfall ousting Lowe in the first place.

 

These sort of ideas can only do one thing: run this club out of business a lot quicker.

 

Could you deal with your conscious knowing that you are to blame for the the club you've loved and thousands before you out of business?

 

:smt088

[Andy_Porter]

I may well be up for this depending on what happens between now and the Preston game. Definatly a better idea than just another march.

[Gemmel]

The fans are to blame for our downfall ousting Lowe in the first place.

 

 

Really ? And there was me thinking it was other shareholders backing of wilde that ousted him...or forced him to resign with a big fat payoff.

 

Silly me

[Evil Monkey]

The fans are to blame for our downfall ousting Lowe in the first place.

 

These sort of ideas can only do one thing: run this club out of business a lot quicker.

 

Could you deal with your conscious knowing that you are to blame for the the club you've loved and thousands before you out of business?

 

:smt088

 

What a disgraceful post. We fans are the lifeblood of this once great club. We have had to endure alot in recent years, and we still fork out big money to watch our side get beaten by teams with players nobody has ever heard of.

 

How many games have you been to this season Rory? Less than one I would imagine. C*nt.

[Snowballs2]

It's time the cloves come off.

 

Unite, Boycott, rid ourselves of Askham Lowe, Wilde Richards, et al, re-group and march forward into a new dawn whatever league we're in.

 

Or ...

stand by do nothing watch Askham, Wilde and Lowe take us straight through the next division and into oblivion.

 

 

Cloves ??? thats a spicy posting

[cellone]

Count me in. I'm a season ticket holder and I like the idea of upping and leaving my seat at a predetermined time but I think getting there for 14.30hrs and leaving at 14.45hrs would be more amusing. People coming in would see those leaving as they que, stewards would be a bit pushed though with the 2 way traffic.

Edited 4 February, 2009 by cellone
timing error