Closed Corners

[harvey]

A sad sight today was seeing the corners closed off, it reflects on the club in a very poor manner.
If I were Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde, I would be paying to keep these areas of the ground open, out of my own pocket. These people are millionaires btw, what's a couple of hundred grand to the the people who are ultimately responsible for the position that we now find SFC.

[Thedelldays]

what is the point in opening them up and losing money when large parts of the groung are not full anyway?

I really dont get some people

[Saint_clark]

Didn't look as bad as I thought it would tbh. No need to have those areas open when you can fit everyone into the central blocks.
Although, IMO it would make more sense to just close the chapel - they still had the same amount of bar/cafe places open.

[bolo]

Itchen north should definitely be kept open for banter with the away fans.... Couldn't care less about the others.

[OldNick]

My daughter cam up with a great idea about the corners.Why doesnt the club sell advertising on matchdays to be displayed in those corners even if it was £500-1000 it would be more money in.There was a rasism isnt Saintly flag on one section, why not get MCdonalds etc to do so.

[Saint_clark]

Itchen north should definitely be kept open for banter with the away fans.... Couldn't care less about the others.

Selfish attitude IMO.

[harvey]

what is the point in opening them up and losing money when large parts of the groung are not full anyway?

I really dont get some people

Well you wouldn't, you're not here most of the time. We should be trying to attract people to St Marys, not putting them off by looking like a tinpot club (which we do). You've missed my point anyway, what I was saying was that rather than ****ing people off and closing certain sections of the ground, if I were Rupert or Michael, I would personally pay out of my own pocket to keep them open.

[Saint_clark]

Well you wouldn't, you're not here most of the time. We should be trying to attract people to St Marys, not putting them off by looking like a tinpot club (which we do). You've missed my point anyway, what I was saying was that rather than ****ing people off and closing certain sections of the ground, if I were Rupert or Michael, I would personally pay out of my own pocket to keep them open.

Yes, but they're not fans of the club, so they're not going to.
We would look more of a tinpot club with completely empty corners and no sheets covering them up IMO.

[Saint Curtis]

I think it will cost more money than they save by closing the corners especially the itchen north, surely the money they make from the bar/food should be enough to break even anyway. I took my wife today, she loved the atmosphere in the itchen north corner which added to the whole day even if the game was poor, now we are faced with losing and very little banter with the away fans. The attendance would have been better if the itchen corner had been opened, although there were plenty of spare seats its not just the football people enjoy it's the atmosphere to and I think that is what sfc need to realise.

[Thedelldays]

so...closing the corners is why people dont go?

if rupert and michael were going to put there own money in, i would give it straight to the bank..

you will see many many teams with large stadiums closing parts of it when they are not used...it is quite normal

[Saint Curtis]

I believe closing the itchen corner will have a negative affect on the atmosphere, players respond to atmosphere so it is important, not just for the fans but for the team. Why couldn't they move the family enclosure to the chapel end and close that corner, it's half empty anyway.

[Whitey Grandad]

so...closing the corners is why people dont go?

It's why some people didn't go. I know of season ticketers from those areas that haven't renewed.

[bmthred]

very easy to spend other peoples money for them.
closing corners to me makes economic sense and is a minor isuue for all the moaners to bleat about.

[OldNick]

It's why some people didn't go. I know of season ticketers from those areas that haven't renewed.
yep and loads didnt go because there were no free buses I suppose.
Do you not see the silliness of not going just because the corners were closed.Is supporting Saints all about sitting in the corner?

[saintjinksie]

A sad sight today was seeing the corners closed off, it reflects on the club in a very poor manner.
If I were Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde, I would be paying to keep these areas of the ground open, out of my own pocket. These people are millionaires btw, what's a couple of hundred grand to the the people who are ultimately responsible for the position that we now find SFC.

it looked gash, we are gonna take some stick from away teams.

[Whitey Grandad]

yep and loads didnt go because there were no free buses I suppose.
Do you not see the silliness of not going just because the corners were closed.Is supporting Saints all about sitting in the corner?

For some people (not me) it was the final straw. They were separated from their friends of many seasons. You insult your customer base at your peril.

[AwaySaint1]

It's why some people didn't go. I know of season ticketers from those areas that haven't renewed.


Me and 3 others never renewed this year because our seats got moved.

[OldNick]

For some people (not me) it was the final straw. They were separated from their friends of many seasons. You insult your customer base at your peril.I understand that but we did the same when we moved stadia. I dont like it but it is not the clubs fault its the fault of the stay away fans.Where were the ones who were there for the Sheff u game ?

[toofarnorth]

Maybe we could fill the seats with blow up dolls?

[Whitey Grandad]

I understand that but we did the same when we moved stadia. I dont like it but it is not the clubs fault its the fault of the stay away fans.Where were the ones who were there for the Sheff u game ?

There are, of course, a lot of factors. We are still in the holiday season believe it or not. We can only guess at the reasons that they weren't here, but perhaps they didn't didn't fancy the new-look team? As a thought, how do you think that today's team would have fared against Sheffield Utd.?

[Saint_clark]

I believe closing the itchen corner will have a negative affect on the atmosphere, players respond to atmosphere so it is important, not just for the fans but for the team. Why couldn't they move the family enclosure to the chapel end and close that corner, it's half empty anyway.

Because there are some people who don't want their children around alcohol and bad language - which is fair enough.
Again, another selfish view.

[OldNick]

There are, of course, a lot of factors. We are still in the holiday season believe it or not. We can only guess at the reasons that they weren't here, but perhaps they didn't didn't fancy the new-look team? As a thought, how do you think that today's team would have fared against Sheffield Utd.?A good question. In my heart I would say a draw, in my head a loss but again it depends if we hjad got a 2 goal lead like we should have had today.

[stevegrant]

The atmosphere in blocks 4 and 5 was generally excellent today (up until about the 70th minute, just like Saints' performance on the pitch), I was expecting it to be a bit rubbish but was pleasantly surprised.

[Saint_clark]

The atmosphere in blocks 4 and 5 was generally excellent today (up until about the 70th minute, just like Saints' performance on the pitch), I was expecting it to be a bit rubbish but was pleasantly surprised.

Twas the same in the Northam/Kingsland. I didn't expect it to be loud at all, but it was very good.

[saintkiptanui]

The atmosphere in blocks 4 and 5 was generally excellent today (up until about the 70th minute, just like Saints' performance on the pitch), I was expecting it to be a bit rubbish but was pleasantly surprised.
Really?? Not being rude but I didn't hear a thing from the Itchen but TBF the Northam was terrible as well, thought the brum songs were the dullest ever.

[Saint_clark]

Really?? Not being rude but I didn't hear a thing from the Itchen but TBF the Northam was terrible as well, thought the brum songs were the dullest ever.

Where were you sat? :rolleyes:
Also, what the hell is going on with the smilies? That was supposed to be the rolleyes one.

[bolo]

The only reason i feel the itchen north corner should be open is for the match atmosphere. Today i was in the chapel but the atmosphere was to be honest rubbish. We need the atmosphere flanking the the away fans generates. I don't think the other corners adds to this. I don't sit in the corners, so i'm not really being shelfish. I am thinking purely in terms of the match atmosphere...

[saintkiptanui]

these are the songs sung today

"small town in villa" 0/10

"barmy army" -2/10

"who are ye who are ye" 1/10

Think I'm going to sit in the middle of the Kingsland from now on cos the Northam is full of monkeys.

[OldNick]

on the radio and Perry stated that the support was very good.Steve was correct after 70 minutes it did go flat but we feared the worst and so were edgy.Its the noisest reception I can recall against a returning player.

[saintkiptanui]

The only reason i feel the itchen north corner should be open is for the match atmosphere. Today i was in the chapel but the atmosphere was to be honest rubbish. We need the atmosphere flanking the the away fans generates. I don't think the other corners adds to this. I don't sit in the corners, so i'm not really being shelfish. I am thinking purely in terms of the match atmosphere...you have the eyes of a lobster.

[Saint_clark]

these are the songs sung today

"small town in villa" 0/10

"barmy army" -2/10

"who are ye who are ye" 1/10

Think I'm going to sit in the middle of the Kingsland from now on cos the Northam is full of monkeys.

Kingsland north is the place to be, and has been for a fair few seasons now. Join us!

[harvey]

I understand that but we did the same when we moved stadia. I dont like it but it is not the clubs fault its the fault of the stay away fans.Where were the ones who were there for the Sheff u game ?

nickh, I see that you also have failed to understand the point that I am trying to put across.
I'm not blaming SFC at all nor am I blaming the fans, all I'm saying is that If I were Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde, I would feel obliged to cover the costs of keeping the corners open, and other shortcomings, as they are the peole who are responsible for SFC being in the position that it now is.
Can you not see that, or do you see things differently ?

[saintkiptanui]

Kingsland north is the place to be, and has been for a fair few seasons now. Join us!Spent two games there last season and vowed never to go back, think I'm too old for the singing areas now as I just feel embarassed when some thicko start singing something utterly gay, gonna start bringing a packed lunch and stop going to the pub pre-match.

barmy army ----it's not f*ckin cricket.

[bungle]

Come and join us in Block 40 saintkip (exact seating details on PM request). It is still a bit gash, but not toally surrounded by the mongs.

[saintkiptanui]

Come and join us in Block 40 saintkip (exact seating details on PM request). It is still a bit gash, but not toally surrounded by the mongs.
Might just do that, glad you liked my jumper.

[OldNick]

nickh, I see that you also have failed to understand the point that I am trying to put across.
I'm not blaming SFC at all nor am I blaming the fans, all I'm saying is that If I were Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde, I would feel obliged to cover the costs of keeping the corners open, and other shortcomings, as they are the peole who are responsible for SFC being in the position that it now is.
Can you not see that, or do you see things differently ? But for what reason? To throw a lot of money away to pander to a few fans is a nonsense.If they were to throw any money away it would be better to the squad.
As I said when the idea to close was mooted, if you wish for it to stay open wpould you pasy 3-4 times for the ticket to pay for the costs of doing so.Understanderbly you wouldnt so why should a business/club that is in serious financial trouble

[harvey]

very easy to spend other peoples money for them.
closing corners to me makes economic sense and is a minor isuue for all the moaners to bleat about.

Hand on heart, if I were in their position, I would be paying to keep the corners open and the free bus sevices going, but hey........I've got morals, so what do I know.

[AwaySaint1]

Spent two games there last season and vowed never to go back, think I'm too old for the singing areas now as I just feel embarassed when some thicko start singing something utterly gay, gonna start bringing a packed lunch and stop going to the pub pre-match.

barmy army ----it's not f*ckin cricket.

You are only to old for the singing areas when you are to old to let it bother you;)

[Chris Larkin]

The ticket office managed to sell me a ticket this morning for a closed part of the ground, in Block 39. I'm pretty sure there was a couple next to me who had the same issue. Ended up sitting right up the back of the Kingsland, next to the closed corner. It wasn't ideal.

Sort it out, Saints.

[saintkiptanui]

You are only to old for the singing areas when you are to old to let it bother you;)
Chapel it is then.

[OldNick]

Hand on heart, if I were in their position, I would be paying to keep the corners open and the free bus sevices going, but hey........I've got morals, so what do I know.
your morals are strong but when the situation appeared you may change your mind.
It was like a classic bit on Fools and Horses when Del boy says 'if i had a million pounds Id give you half, if I had 2 rolls royces Id give you one.'
Rodney says ' if you had two gold watches would you give me 1' and Del replies 'Now you know I have 2 gold watches.'

[harvey]

But for what reason? To throw a lot of money away to pander to a few fans is a nonsense.If they were to throw any money away it would be better to the squad.
As I said when the idea to close was mooted, if you wish for it to stay open wpould you pasy 3-4 times for the ticket to pay for the costs of doing so.Understanderbly you wouldnt so why should a business/club that is in serious financial trouble

You don't get it do you ?.........I'm a fan, a supporter, happy to pay for my match day ticket and enjoy whatever fare is served up in front of me, I don't think that I should pay 3-4 times more than normal to keep the corners open or the free bus services going.
What I am saying is that if I were Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde, I would feel obligated to cover these costs out of my own pocket due to my own incompetence over the last few years.

[OldNick]

You don't get it do you ?.........I'm a fan, a supporter, happy to pay for my match day ticket and enjoy whatever fare is served up in front of me, I don't think that I should pay 3-4 times more than normal to keep the corners open or the free bus services going.
What I am saying is that if I were Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde, I would feel obligated to cover these costs out of my own pocket due to my own incompetence over the last few years.
there you go you wish for somebody else to pay.I dont blame just RL for the clubs demise but a lot of factors.To keep a few seats open is a futile jesture IMO.

[harvey]

your morals are strong but when the situation appeared you may change your mind.
It was like a classic bit on Fools and Horses when Del boy says 'if i had a million pounds Id give you half, if I had 2 rolls royces Id give you one.'
Rodney says ' if you had two gold watches would you give me 1' and Del replies 'Now you know I have 2 gold watches.'

Nope.......you don't know me, money or moral obligation, moral obligation every time.
Honestly, if I were in the same position as Lowe and Wilde with their combined wealth, I'd be ashamed of myself.

[OldNick]

Nope.......you don't know me, money or moral obligation, moral obligation every time.
Honestly, if I were in the same position as Lowe and Wilde with their combined wealth, I'd be ashamed of myself.I hope you win the Euro millions.

[harvey]

there you go you wish for somebody else to pay.I dont blame just RL for the clubs demise but a lot of factors.To keep a few seats open is a futile jesture IMO.

nickh, tell me where you were when you heard that Sturrock had been sacked and wigley was now our 'first team coach', did you think 'Wow a stroke of genius' ?
I know where I was, and I know that I thought that Wigley was surely a temporary measure at most. I bet you thought that was forward thinking and a bold appointment when eveyone else were holding their heads in their hands. Rupert Lowe is incompetent for that atleast........if that had been my decision I would have definatetly felt responsible for the clubs predicament atm.

[harvey]

I hope you win the Euro millions.

I wish, nothing at all last night......not 1 number :(

[Professor]

Well you wouldn't, you're not here most of the time. We should be trying to attract people to St Marys, not putting them off by looking like a tinpot club (which we do). You've missed my point anyway, what I was saying was that rather than ****ing people off and closing certain sections of the ground, if I were Rupert or Michael, I would personally pay out of my own pocket to keep them open.
And how much of your money are you going to donate? Should all 18,000 of us today have donated an extra tenner instead of going to the pub at lunchtime? Of course not, we've all got other things to spend on, and RL & MW are no different. If you expect the board members to pay for this out of their own pocket, what else do you expect the board to pay for. Sorry, but this is not the way that companies, or football clubs are run, with the possible exception of Chelsea. The board are there to maximise the income and to focus spending in the most effective way, with the prime objective of creating a winning team. They do this by managing the club's resources, not by spending their own money, because as even people like Madejski and Jordan have found, not even a millionaire has enough money to subsidise a football club.

[harvey]

And how much of your money are you going to donate? Should all 18,000 of us today have donated an extra tenner instead of going to the pub at lunchtime? Of course not, we've all got other things to spend on, and RL & MW are no different. If you expect the board members to pay for this out of their own pocket, what else do you expect the board to pay for. Sorry, but this is not the way that companies, or football clubs are run, with the possible exception of Chelsea. The board are there to maximise the income and to focus spending in the most effective way, with the prime objective of creating a winning team. They do this by managing the club's resources, not by spending their own money, because as even people like Madejski and Jordan have found, not even a millionaire has enough money to subsidise a football club.

Have you taken the time to read the whole thread to understand where I'm coming from.........or does being an arse come naturally to you ?

[dubai_phil]

Hand on heart, if I were in their position, I would be paying to keep the corners open and the free bus sevices going, but hey........I've got morals, so what do I know.

It's not often I see a thread on here that gets me angry, but this one has.

Selfish sod as I said on TSF.

"I want to sit in the corner so I demand the Directors pay 200k".

I'm sorry you are in no way fit to be called a fan.

Here we are on the day that we are losing one of our bright hopes and best players, Andrew Davies because we cannot "allegedly" afford his wages.

Sorry mate but stuff you and your seat, if the Directors had 4k a week spare then we should be BEGGING them to put it towards HIS WAGES.

We are screwed, and can't keep our best hopes to 1) keep us up this season and 2) earn us big bucks next close season and you want the Board to pay for your seat.

Jeez, I have heard it all on here now

[OldNick]

nickh, tell me where you were when you heard that Sturrock had been sacked and wigley was now our 'first team coach', did you think 'Wow a stroke of genius' ?
I know where I was, and I know that I thought that Wigley was surely a temporary measure at most. I bet you thought that was forward thinking and a bold appointment when eveyone else were holding their heads in their hands. Rupert Lowe is incompetent for that atleast........if that had been my decision I would have definatetly felt responsible for the clubs predicament atm.
No I questioned that decision. You have to recall the events of the time.RL had been branded a sacking chairman.He relieved Jones and got Hoddle who walked out.Gray was shown loyalty for the way he stayed at the club when GH wanted to take him to Spurs.
He took action and then appointed Strachan ,that was not universally approved, but did well we left.The press wwere now circling and saying RL was a sacking chairman, then we had Sturrock (the truth of his departure is still to come out) then Wigley again was rewarded for loyalty and was replaced with over 20 games left HR had plenty of time to get us safe.
The players had no backbone and gave away countless points from winning positions, thye are just as culpable as any body else.

[harvey]

It's not often I see a thread on here that gets me angry, but this one has.

Selfish sod as I said on TSF.

"I want to sit in the corner so I demand the Directors pay 200k".

I'm sorry you are in no way fit to be called a fan.

Here we are on the day that we are losing one of our bright hopes and best players, Andrew Davies because we cannot "allegedly" afford his wages.

Sorry mate but stuff you and your seat, if the Directors had 4k a week spare then we should be BEGGING them to put it towards HIS WAGES.

We are screwed, and can't keep our best hopes to 1) keep us up this season and 2) earn us big bucks next close season and you want the Board to pay for your seat.

Jeez, I have heard it all on here now

Have you really.......so where have you been the last few years DUBAI Phil ?

I see that you also have not read my reasons for thinking that certain people should feel obligated for putting their hands in their pockets.
I've got no problem whatsoever with paying for tickets etc, (****, I even dip my hand in my deep pockets for a round of drinks now and again).
If you don't understand what I'm trying to say then that's fair enough, I just think that some people should be held accountable for the position we are in (not the fans).

[harvey]

No I questioned that decision. You have to recall the events of the time.RL had been branded a sacking chairman.He relieved Jones and got Hoddle who walked out.Gray was shown loyalty for the way he stayed at the club when GH wanted to take him to Spurs.
He took action and then appointed Strachan ,that was not universally approved, but did well we left.The press wwere now circling and saying RL was a sacking chairman, then we had Sturrock (the truth of his departure is still to come out) then Wigley again was rewarded for loyalty and was replaced with over 20 games left HR had plenty of time to get us safe.
The players had no backbone and gave away countless points from winning positions, thye are just as culpable as any body else.

So Lowe never learnt from his first mistake with Gray......ergo incompetent, thankyou ;)

[bungle]

I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why the directors of the company should be subsidising opening the corners with their own money. It's complete fantasy, in fact it is complete lunacy, to even suggest such a thing.

[harvey]

I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why the directors of the company should be subsidising opening the corners with their own money. It's complete fantasy, in fact it is complete lunacy, to even suggest such a thing.

So it's their fault that they're closed in the first place, but they shouldn't be resposible for it.......yeah ?

[bungle]

So it's their fault that they're closed in the first place, but they shouldn't be resposible for it.......yeah ?

It doesn't even matter that the corners are closed any way. That's what I find most laughable about the whole thing.

[Totton Red]

I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why the directors of the company should be subsidising opening the corners with their own money. It's complete fantasy, in fact it is complete lunacy, to even suggest such a thing.

Oh so wrong! you would expect the directors to take the bonuses if the club is successful?

[bungle]

Oh so wrong! you would expect the directors to take the bonuses if the club is successful?

lol. You are all mad, the lot of you.

[Totton Red]

lol. You are all mad, the lot of you.

Take control Geoffrey!

[harvey]

It doesn't even matter that the corners are closed any way. That's what I find most laughable about the whole thing.

"It doesn't even matter that the corners are closed"........go away man, you're a buffoon :rolleyes:

[Bourno]

There was still a good atmoshpere from those next to the corners (okay not as good) but not the end of the world.

I was more gutted at having to fork out £4 to get me an my son over the itchen bridge and back (the bus I caught didn't advertise the return fare and the unhelpful driver did not mention this either)

[saint boggy]

I wish, nothing at all last night......not 1 number :(
:(............me neither...........life's a b1tch,init.....
i understand what youre saying about the corners Harvey, i really do,but in reality what would be the point of RL and MW paying for them to stay open if we can't even attract 19,000 supporters to the first home game of the season..
and as for the poster who said "well, dont forget it is still holiday season" or words to that effect........EVERY first home game since gawd knows when has taken place during "the holiday season", has it not???.......4 years ago we would've got a full house on the first day..............did no-one take holidays in August 4 years ago then ??.........flimsy excuse for non-attendence IMO .......
credit crunch, lost ya job,staying away coz of the board etc etc..now these are decent excuses.......(altho staying away coz of the board only serves to put the club in deeper do-do, so not the best reason for non-attendence IMHO)

[Rattlehead]

I didn't go mainly because I couldn't be bothered. I will be on holiday next week though, if that helps.

[saintwarwick]

So it's their fault that they're closed in the first place, but they shouldn't be resposible for it.......yeah ?

And do you seriously think that if they were open we would have had thousands more fans for the game yesterday? We had less than 19,000 against Birmingham which is 13,500 down on our capacity. If fans had wanted to go there was loads of seats available without the corners available. The only ones at fault are the fickle fans.

[thefuriousb]

It's why some people didn't go. I know of season ticketers from those areas that haven't renewed.

What happened when they were faced with moving a mile and a half 7 years ago then?!

[thefuriousb]

Me and 3 others never renewed this year because our seats got moved.

What happened in 2001 then when you were asked to move seats?

[lordswoodsaints]

i used to sit in the kingsland corner and also used to sit in the itchen corner but i must say i didnt miss it at all,i am now sat in block 34 and it seems a better view.
i dont really think it affected the atmosphere,it was just as crap as last season.

[Whitey Grandad]

What happened when they were faced with moving a mile and a half 7 years ago then?!

From what I've heard, it's more to do with the break-up of groups of friends.

[Rooster]

I walked out today , not because of the game as I thought they played ok but fed up with no atmosphere, Rupert Lowe has done loads of crap things in peoples opinions which didnt really bother me but closing our stand and moving us is I think the last straw for some of our group. As someone posted earlier even if the footy is crap there was a chance to create an atmosphere. Also a post said that blocks 4-5 where good yesterday (Your avin a laugh mate)
I may be proved wrong and were gonna give it a few games so see if it changes-(We where trying to start songs BTW) Talking to a brummie in pub after-he said how good our support was top notch last year (One of the best he'd been too) and today said it was one of the worst (Although it was a 4-3 game the ithcen always made a noise no matter what the score or team) This only made me more angry as he was right-you dont just loose an atmosphere over night!!!!!
Not much really bothers me and our mates as we like just going out for a laugh-watch the footy and have a sing song and you will notice by my post rate that I dont normally bother to write on forums but felt I should back up the guy who started the post as I totally agree with him. Seasn ticket holder of 20 years now seriously ****ed off!!!!!!!!!!!

[saint boggy]

From what I've heard, it's more to do with the break-up of groups of friends.
then you ALL move to a section together and make 'new friends' with the people around you.......it's not rocket science FFS!!
is it just me or is that 'break-up of friends ' excuse sound like something you'd hear 6 year olds in a playground say???........grow up people...support your team.......

[OldNick]

So Lowe never learnt from his first mistake with Gray......ergo incompetent, thankyou ;)
No doubt you were not keen with the appointments of WGS or Jones they both did ok. Gray and Wigley were both highly respected and wew were told that in football they were rated.
Both decisions were made and then they were replaced leaving plenty of time to right things.
Did RL give away 2 goal leads NO Did he miss an open goal from 6 yards away at WBA (That alone would have saved us if it had gone in) etc etc etc etc etc. RL was part of the disaster but the players and management were the biggest factor as their arrogance that they were too good to go down cost us.

[Thedelldays]

we have some proper moaners as fans..

did not see too many complaints when fans HAD to move seats when SMS opened..

ffs, how hard is it to move a couple of rows to help the club save a few quid

[trousers]

If I were Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde, I would be paying to keep these areas of the ground open, out of my own pocket. These people are millionaires btw

How do you imagine that people become millionaires in the first place? I doubt frittering away six figure sums every year enters the equation somehow....

[OldNick]

I walked out today , not because of the game as I thought they played ok but fed up with no atmosphere, Rupert Lowe has done loads of crap things in peoples opinions which didnt really bother me but closing our stand and moving us is I think the last straw for some of our group. As someone posted earlier even if the footy is crap there was a chance to create an atmosphere. Also a post said that blocks 4-5 where good yesterday (Your avin a laugh mate)
I may be proved wrong and were gonna give it a few games so see if it changes-(We where trying to start songs BTW) Talking to a brummie in pub after-he said how good our support was top notch last year (One of the best he'd been too) and today said it was one of the worst (Although it was a 4-3 game the ithcen always made a noise no matter what the score or team) This only made me more angry as he was right-you dont just loose an atmosphere over night!!!!!
Not much really bothers me and our mates as we like just going out for a laugh-watch the footy and have a sing song and you will notice by my post rate that I dont normally bother to write on forums but felt I should back up the guy who started the post as I totally agree with him. Seasn ticket holder of 20 years now seriously ****ed off!!!!!!!!!!!
The Itchen corner were a good group of fans but for many most of the match they were looking at the oppo fans not the game. You must see that to poilice and steward such an area is costly. You are a committed fan ,do you think in our times of financial restraints that it is right to sacrifice the corner seating for the benoifit of our club?
It is not the clubs fault it is the fickle/plastic fans who cant be bothered to go and support Saints.The corners will open when the fans return.

[Rattlehead]

No doubt you were not keen with the appointments of WGS or Jones they both did ok. Gray and Wigley were both highly respected and wew were told that in football they were rated.

No, no, no. You can't compare WGS/Jones (who had both managed before) to Gray/Wigley (who hadn't and were massive gambles always destined for failure).

[Hacienda]

ffs, how hard is it to move a couple of rows to help the club save a few quid

Whilst I agree some fans have had a real issue with it.

Some of my mates sat in the Itchen Corner and all of them got a refund when asked to move. Only two of them went yesterday, the rest found better things to do.

For them, being told they had to move was the final straw with SFC.

The problem is, as I see it, is that once people are used not to spending mucho £££ on going to the football they then struggle to justify it in the future.

[Thedelldays]

Whilst I agree some fans have had a real issue with it.

Some of my mates sat in the Itchen Corner and all of them got a refund when asked to move. Only two of them went yesterday, the rest found better things to do.

For them, being told they had to move was the final straw with SFC.

The problem is, as I see it, is that once people are used not to spending mucho £££ on going to the football they then struggle to justify it in the future.
thing is...it is over a couple of rows nothing more...im sure if we were top of the league fans would sit on the roof naked to watch the game

[OldNick]

No, no, no. You can't compare WGS/Jones (who had both managed before) to Gray/Wigley (who hadn't and were massive gambles always destined for failure).OK lets compare them with with the Liverpool bootroom. Untried managers Boothroyd and others.I didnt want either but I do understand why RL rewarded their loyalty.
Especially Gray as when we were in complete disaray he stayed when Hoddle tried to take him with him.Why not give a loyal servant a chance?

[Hacienda]

thing is...it is over a couple of rows nothing more...im sure if we were top of the league fans would sit on the roof naked to watch the game

But we're not top of the league.

We're joint bottom, selling our best player for peanuts with an unpopular figure in the boardroom.

For some, being told that they had to move, despite backing the club with their season ticket money, was the final straw.

For one I would have moved.

[Thedelldays]

OK lets compare them with with the Liverpool bootroom. Untried managers Boothroyd and others.I didnt want either but I do understand why RL rewarded their loyalty.
Especially Gray as when we were in complete disaray he stayed when Hoddle tried to take him with him.Why not give a loyal servant a chance?
you cant pick and choose who you compare them with...we were better than appointing crap like gray and wigley..AND sturrock...

I was embarrassed at all three appointments...especially when redknapp at west ham wanted to come here, david moyes wanted to come here...hoddle wanted to come back

what a joke

[Rattlehead]

OK lets compare them with with the Liverpool bootroom. Untried managers Boothroyd and others.I didnt want either but I do understand why RL rewarded their loyalty.
Especially Gray as when we were in complete disaray he stayed when Hoddle tried to take him with him.Why not give a loyal servant a chance?

Because everyone knew they'd be f*cking useless. And they were.

[stevegrant]

For them, being told they had to move was the final straw with SFC.
I really don't get that attitude, in all honesty. What about those who have season tickets in block 42 and half of block 41, who get forced to move when we get a cup draw against a team who want to take the full 15% allocation?

I don't remember many people saying that was the final straw when they had to move for the ManYoo cup game in 2005...

[Rattlehead]

Just an 'excuse' to not go, whereas I am quite happy to admit that I don't go much because I can't be bothered.

[Michelle]

The four point plan to keeping the corners open and making money:

Reduce ticket prices.
Get more people in on same ticket revenue.
More people there to spend money on refreshments, in club shop, etc.
Overall increase in revenue.

Rocket science, it is not. Financial sense, much more like it.

[OldNick]

you cant pick and choose who you compare them with...we were better than appointing crap like gray and wigley..AND sturrock...

I was embarrassed at all three appointments...especially when redknapp at west ham wanted to come here, david moyes wanted to come here...hoddle wanted to come back

what a jokeWell we had a dose of Redknapp and Moyes was tipped the wink that Everton wanted him and so he stayed up north.
The 3 appoinments were not good but as I say I see why he did the 2 coachs. Considering you told us about Sturrock being so good at Plymouth Im surprised in you mentioning him

[Thedelldays]

Well we had a dose of Redknapp and Moyes was tipped the wink that Everton wanted him and so he stayed up north.
The 3 appoinments were not good but as I say I see why he did the 2 coachs. Considering you told us about Sturrock being so good at Plymouth Im surprised in you mentioning him
sturrock was so good at plymouth in league 2 and league 1 playing crap football and getting them up...however, here in plymouth they love him as they had never been as high up in the football ladder as they were/are...

he is a crap manager even in the CCC and to take a league 1 manager to a team that had not long been in the UEFA cup was a joke, we should have rightly aimed a tad higher...ffs even the CCC would have been a tad higher....

you will see just how great sturrock is this season with his own plymouth team...he was also crud a sheff wed in this league too...

it makes me cringe when i look back at that appointment AND how it was done considering the noise we made about hoddle leaving for spurs

[OldNick]

The four point plan to keeping the corners open and making money:

Reduce ticket prices.
Get more people in on same ticket revenue.
More people there to spend money on refreshments, in club shop, etc.
Overall increase in revenue.

Rocket science, it is not. Financial sense, much more like it.It is so easy is it.Redcuce ticket prices, have you factored in the refunds to the 11000 s/t holders? I doubt you have.RL etc have been lumbered with the pricing they inherited.There is no room for manouver.I myself would accept paying more than a new pricing strategy to get more people into the ground but as we have a lot of fans who would complain that they were penalised it is not feasible

[OldNick]

sturrock was so good at plymouth in league 2 and league 1 playing crap football and getting them up...however, here in plymouth they love him as they had never been as high up in the football ladder as they were/are...

he is a crap manager even in the CCC and to take a league 1 manager to a team that had not long been in the UEFA cup was a joke, we should have rightly aimed a tad higher...ffs even the CCC would have been a tad higher....

you will see just how great sturrock is this season with his own plymouth team...he was also crud a sheff wed in this league too...

it makes me cringe when i look back at that appointment AND how it was done considering the noise we made about hoddle leaving for spurs
Valid points

[Whitey Grandad]

then you ALL move to a section together and make 'new friends' with the people around you.......it's not rocket science FFS!!
is it just me or is that 'break-up of friends ' excuse sound like something you'd hear 6 year olds in a playground say???........grow up people...support your team.......

We are talking about independent adults who have a choice what they do with their own money, not sheep to be herded into another enclosure. We need every paying customer that we can find.

[Michelle]

It is so easy is it.Redcuce ticket prices, have you factored in the refunds to the 11000 s/t holders? I doubt you have.RL etc have been lumbered with the pricing they inherited.There is no room for manouver.I myself would accept paying more than a new pricing strategy to get more people into the ground but as we have a lot of fans who would complain that they were penalised it is not feasible

I'm more than aware of the season ticket holder situation, and yes, it would still work if you take rebates into account.

The other option of course is to give them a nice little discount when renewing next year, to compensate for the match day ticket reductions this year.

Still keeps the current revenue from season ticket sales this year, and at a very nice price would encourage a high percentage to renew next year.

[OldNick]

I'm more than aware of the season ticket holder situation, and yes, it would still work if you take rebates into account.

The other option of course is to give them a nice little discount when renewing next year, to compensate for the match day ticket reductions this year.

Still keeps the current revenue from season ticket sales this year, and at a very nice price would encourage a high percentage to renew next year.The club could not afford to reduce early bird prices futher next year.
Im not the person who would complain anyway, remember the free bus thing then multiply that a few thousand times.
I would welcome the club to take therinitiative but many wouldnt

[Toadhall Saint]

moved to block 6 bad move.

[Hacienda]

I really don't get that attitude, in all honesty. What about those who have season tickets in block 42 and half of block 41, who get forced to move when we get a cup draw against a team who want to take the full 15% allocation?

I don't remember many people saying that was the final straw when they had to move for the ManYoo cup game in 2005...

Not saying that they are right, but there is no doubt that for them it was the straw that broke the camels back.

[samski saint]

Just don't have stewards

[saint boggy]

Just don't have stewards
or groundstaff, im sure a few volunteer fans who are at a loose end at half time could replace divots etc,....what about ticket office staff, surely that could be computerised n run by robots or something.........matchday catering staff,everyone could help themselves to food and be trusted to pay the correct amount into an 'honesty' box.............
Now, any more ****ing ridiculous ideas SS ???? :smt102

[OldNick]

or groundstaff, im sure a few volunteer fans who are at a loose end at half time could replace divots etc,....what about ticket office staff, surely that could be computerised n run by robots or something.........matchday catering staff,everyone could help themselves to food and be trusted to pay the correct amount into an 'honesty' box.............
Now, any more ****ing ridiculous ideas SS ???? :smt102Well having no stewards would save me a lot of stress and angst, the council would close the stadium down and we wouldnt have any games.

[saint boggy]

Well having no stewards would save me a lot of stress and angst, the council would close the stadium down and we wouldnt have any games.
i like your thinking!! :lol:

[Golden Balls]

I just wish they would keep the Itchen north open. It was always sold out and created a lot of the atmosphere.

[saint boggy]

I just wish they would keep the Itchen north open. It was always sold out and created a lot of the atmosphere.
i never went into the itchen north , but i too think it was a mistake to close this..........let's hope that the 'fans' start coming back and so the club are forced to re-open up the corners (or at least th I.N. corner)

[Scummer]

i never went into the itchen north , but i too think it was a mistake to close this..........let's hope that the 'fans' start coming back and so the club are forced to re-open up the corners (or at least th I.N. corner)

Unfortunately, from a cost perspective, that would be the last corner they would re-open.