Letter to Wilde....

**beatlesaint** · 18-01-2009, 10:50 AM

"We remind you that the contents of the forum do not necessarily represent the views of SaintsWeb or their directors. This thread is made a sticky by popular choice and not as the views of the owners of SaintsWeb Ltd"

Wont do any good but its got it off my chest.

This is it if anyone is interested....and if anyone wants to pull it to shreds, feel free, i dont care !!

Dear Mr Wilde,

I have been a supporter of the once great Southampton Football Club for 31 years. I have seen the good times, the bad times, the indifferent and the just outright bizarre. I have missed maybe 6 home matches in the league since 1978, so I like to think that I have some knowledge of football and the “Spirit of Southampton”.

I left the Doncaster match on 17/1/09 at the end, unlike yourself I believe, and as I walked back to my car I can honestly say that I have NEVER had the same sense of foreboding as I have now about the future of our club. It is the first time in those 31 years that I have lacked the one feeling that all football supporters, whether they follow Real Madrid or Eastleigh should have, and that is the feeling of hope.

As I say, I understand you left when the first songs of protest against the Chairman of the PLC began. That’s a shame as you would have witnessed one of the saddest sites I have ever seen whilst supporting the Saints, and that was of supporters actually fighting each other. How can a football club survive and move forward when their own fan base is so split that there are fights between the very people who should be the lifeblood of a football club?

May I take this opportunity to respectfully remind you that supporters are the paying customers. We do not get in for free, we do not enjoy corporate hospitality (neither it appears does David Armstrong who was removed from one of the suites whilst visiting friends. Tell me Mr Wilde, how many games over how many seasons did he play with distinction for this club ? If Matthew Le Tissier had been told to leave there would have been a riot. This is how the once family club Southampton treat their former players is it ? ), We simply turn up week in week out and pay our money in the hope of being entertained and see our team win. The fact that we are treated so poorly by those that run the club, especially in a time of deep financial turmoil when I would have thought the club needed the supporters more than ever, is beyond my comprehension.

Again, Mr Wilde, unlike yourself I attended the AGM just before Christmas. Such a shame that you could not be there because I feel the behaviour and attitude of the PLC Chairman towards the shareholders who are not in his clique was appalling. The arrogance and pomposity and his preference for talking down to people was really at the height of its powers. It was shameful. Even his old public school fag, Mr Cowen, looked embarrassed and awkward.

As you may have noted, I have not mentioned him by name, I cannot bring myself to do so, the very thought of what one individual has done to the football club I support and love makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. You were heralded as a hero when you ousted him from Southampton back in 2006. Please explain to me how on earth you can seriously do a complete turnabout and support him, hence allowing him back into this football club to continue in the same way as was so abhorrent to you in the first place that you spent millions on shares to oust him ?

How many good people have left this club since the PLC Chairman came back ? Liz Cowley, Woggy Taylor and Graham Hiley to name just three. Two of them went because of what ? Cost cutting ? No, every company the size of this needs a Secretary, you know that as well as I do. And do we now assume the players wash and put out their own kit ? People were dismissed because they had at one point or another, probably under your initial stewardship ironically, spoken out against him. That is petty, vindictive and just plain nasty. This is the sort of person you now feel comfortable supporting is it Mr Wilde ?

As I have said your decision not to attend the AGM, and to leave the Doncaster game as soon as a protest song about the PLC Chairman is entirely up to you, of course it is. But there comes a point when closing your eyes and putting your fingers in your ears so that you see and hear nothing does nothing. There are none so blind as those who will NOT see. You are unfortunately supremely guilty of this Mr Wilde.

I implore you to consider what you have done to the club and its supporters by allowing this man back into the club to rule it like a dictatorship, to carry out and worse still persevere with this ludicrous Dutch experiment that everybody can see is just not working. For the love of God Mr Wilde act now and rid this club once and for all of the PLC Chairman before there is no club left. He will kill Southampton FC and the “Spirit of Southampton”. Do you really want to be known as the man who gave him the weapon to do so ?

Yours truly,

**ottery st mary** · 18-01-2009, 11:01 AM

Proper job and you have hit the nail on the head...Well done...Hope you get a decent reply.

**Bexy** · 18-01-2009, 11:05 AM

Excellent BeatleSaint. Very thoughtful and reasoned letter. Perhaps you should send it to the Echo so more than just a handful of internet warriors can read it.

Have you actually sent it to Mr Wilde or is it just an open letter? If so, I wonder if he will even give you the decency of a reply. In light of his recent demonstrations of cowardice, I rather suspect not.

**beatlesaint** · 18-01-2009, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Bexy

Excellent BeatleSaint. Very thoughtful and reasoned letter. Perhaps you should send it to the Echo so more than just a handful of internet warriors can read it.

Have you actually sent it to Mr Wilde or is it just an open letter? If so, I wonder if he will even give you the decency of a reply. In light of his recent demonstrations of cowardice, I rather suspect not.

I have sent it to Wilde....and good idea, will send it to The Echo too.
Thanks.

**Stu Man Do** · 18-01-2009, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by ottery st mary

Proper job and you have hit the nail on the head...Well done...Hope you get a decent reply.

Unfortunately I can't see Mr Wilde being big enough to post a response to that. When the "chariman" of our club doesnt even bother to attend a highly important AGM and leaves with the team only 1-0 down does this show a level of care that you'd expect from an executive let alone a "fan" and I use that term loosely at the moment.

Heres some more questions for him if he cares to prove me wrong ...

1) What input did you have to appointing the new manager?
2) How do you justify spending x thousand a week on no less than Robertson, Smith, Gasmi, Pullis, Forecast and Pekhart yet loaning out our top scoring strikers Surely you cant be suggesting that a Rasiak or John could have achieved LESS in the same space of time as the above SIX!!!! players?
3) What efforts have been made to help JP out or in fact considered replacements now that its clear he isnt up to the job?

**Sold To The Man @ The Bar** · 18-01-2009, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by beatlesaint

Wont do any good but its got it off my chest.

This is it if anyone is interested....and if anyone wants to pull it to shreds, feel free, i dont care !!

Dear Mr Wilde,

I have been a supporter of the once great Southampton Football Club for 31 years. I have seen the good times, the bad times, the indifferent and the just outright bizarre. I have missed maybe 6 home matches in the league since 1978, so I like to think that I have some knowledge of football and the “Spirit of Southampton”.

I left the Doncaster match on 17/1/09 at the end, unlike yourself I believe, and as I walked back to my car I can honestly say that I have NEVER had the same sense of foreboding as I have now about the future of our club. It is the first time in those 31 years that I have lacked the one feeling that all football supporters, whether they follow Real Madrid or Eastleigh should have, and that is the feeling of hope.

As I say, I understand you left when the first songs of protest against the Chairman of the PLC began. That’s a shame as you would have witnessed one of the saddest sites I have ever seen whilst supporting the Saints, and that was of supporters actually fighting each other. How can a football club survive and move forward when their own fan base is so split that there are fights between the very people who should be the lifeblood of a football club?

May I take this opportunity to respectfully remind you that supporters are the paying customers. We do not get in for free, we do not enjoy corporate hospitality (neither it appears does David Armstrong who was removed from one of the suites whilst visiting friends. Tell me Mr Wilde, how many games over how many seasons did he play with distinction for this club ? If Matthew Le Tissier had been told to leave there would have been a riot. This is how the once family club Southampton treat their former players is it ? ), We simply turn up week in week out and pay our money in the hope of being entertained and see our team win. The fact that we are treated so poorly by those that run the club, especially in a time of deep financial turmoil when I would have thought the club needed the supporters more than ever, is beyond my comprehension.

Again, Mr Wilde, unlike yourself I attended the AGM just before Christmas. Such a shame that you could not be there because I feel the behaviour and attitude of the PLC Chairman towards the shareholders who are not in his clique was appalling. The arrogance and pomposity and his preference for talking down to people was really at the height of its powers. It was shameful. Even his old public school fag, Mr Cowen, looked embarrassed and awkward.

As you may have noted, I have not mentioned him by name, I cannot bring myself to do so, the very thought of what one individual has done to the football club I support and love makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. You were heralded as a hero when you ousted him from Southampton back in 2006. Please explain to me how on earth you can seriously do a complete turnabout and support him, hence allowing him back into this football club to continue in the same way as was so abhorrent to you in the first place that you spent millions on shares to oust him ?

How many good people have left this club since the PLC Chairman came back ? Liz Cowley, Woggy Taylor and Graham Hiley to name just three. Two of them went because of what ? Cost cutting ? No, every company the size of this needs a Secretary, you know that as well as I do. And do we now assume the players wash and put out their own kit ? People were dismissed because they had at one point or another, probably under your initial stewardship ironically, spoken out against him. That is petty, vindictive and just plain nasty. This is the sort of person you now feel comfortable supporting is it Mr Wilde ?

As I have said your decision not to attend the AGM, and to leave the Doncaster game as soon as a protest song about the PLC Chairman is entirely up to you, of course it is. But there comes a point when closing your eyes and putting your fingers in your ears so that you see and hear nothing does nothing. There are none so blind as those who will NOT see. You are unfortunately supremely guilty of this Mr Wilde.

I implore you to consider what you have done to the club and its supporters by allowing this man back into the club to rule it like a dictatorship, to carry out and worse still persevere with this ludicrous Dutch experiment that everybody can see is just not working. For the love of God Mr Wilde act now and rid this club once and for all of the PLC Chairman before there is no club left. He will kill Southampton FC and the “Spirit of Southampton”. Do you really want to be known as the man who gave him the weapon to do so ?

Yours truly,

Bravo ... We know Mr Wilde was both a poster and reader of this site in the past, it's time he gave us all a few answers, so Mr Wilde will you reply to the questions above?

**davec** · 18-01-2009, 11:16 AM

A fantastic post!
I was thinking of trying to post something similar myself - but this post says it all!
I have been a season ticket holder since 1977 and I still go with my Dad who has had his season ticket since 1953!
We were having a serious discussion last night about whether we would renew our tickets next season if Lowe or Wilde still had any influence in the club!
It's sad, but my beloved club is slowly dying before my eyes!

**Sold To The Man @ The Bar** · 18-01-2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by beatlesaint

I have sent it to Wilde....and good idea, will send it to The Echo too.
Thanks.

You should send it to the nationals at the same time, with a covering letter that outlines the state of the club and the reason why he should answer to the fans

**stanthemanfairoak** · 18-01-2009, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by beatlesaint

I have sent it to Wilde....and good idea, will send it to The Echo too.
Thanks.

someone must have his address.

**Mole** · 18-01-2009, 11:23 AM

That's a brilliant letter. well done.

**miserableoldgit** · 18-01-2009, 11:27 AM

[quote=ottery st mary;169036]Proper job and you have hit the nail on the head...Well done...Hope you get a decent reply.[/quote]

I agree. Excellent letter. Don`t hold your breath for a decent reply from a man with less spine than Spongebob Squarepants.

**SaintRobbie** · 18-01-2009, 11:30 AM

Wonderful letter. Sums so much up that is wrong with this club.

**Andoverian** · 18-01-2009, 11:35 AM

Well done Beetlesaint. We must ensure that it is printed by the Echo ! !

**beatlesaint** · 18-01-2009, 11:38 AM

if anyone has an address or e mail contact for Mary Corbett could they PM it to me please ?

thanks.

**Fitzhugh Fella** · 18-01-2009, 11:38 AM

Excellent letter but is Wilde man enough to a) answer it and b) actually do something. I fear not.

**saintstr1** · 18-01-2009, 11:39 AM

Excellent letter very well put and every word the truth , Like you I was sick to the pit of my stomach yesterday. Supported the Saints since my first game at the Dell in 1949, In 60years I have never felt this low and ashamed about My Club , My Team.

**beatlesaint** · 18-01-2009, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Andoverian

Well done Beetlesaint. We must ensure that it is printed by the Echo ! !

Thanks, I have sent it electronically to The Echo....so its up to them if they want to print it now !

**LostBoys** · 18-01-2009, 11:45 AM

I think you should send it the echo - I used to send stuff to Adam Leitch adam.leitch@soton-echo.co.uk and perhaps you should do that now. Good stuff

**red robbo** · 18-01-2009, 11:57 AM

brilliant post,just about sums it up.RIP southampton fc

**SaintRobbie** · 18-01-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by red robbo

brilliant post,just about sums it up.RIP southampton fc

Optimistically, it could of course mean RIP Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC FC, and the eventually ressurection of Southampton Football Club - which really died when Askam created this 'Club' over a decade ago.

**WealdSaint** · 18-01-2009, 01:05 PM

Good letter send it to as many people as you can

**St Landrew** · 18-01-2009, 01:19 PM

Yes, a very good letter indeed. As there is no appealing to Rupert Lowe or Guy Askham, then this is possibly the last reasonable option for Saints fans to ask their Boardroom to listen. I believe Michael Wilde would read it, but as FF says, it's really whether he's got the stomach to a] answer it, and b] do something about it.

Something has to be done.

**Legod Third Coming** · 18-01-2009, 01:35 PM

Well done Beattle. Well done. He must reply if he has any semblence of humanity about him at all.

Otherwise, he is simply unworthy of entry to the club and gorund and should be hounded out.

**Snowballs2** · 18-01-2009, 01:48 PM

At least you were able to get that "off your chest" however our directors are all cowards and will sit on their hands rather than do anything except let the club get further into the mess.
When grown adults act like shoolyard children nothing willget done.
It really is time for Wilde to swallow his pride and and contact Crouch before it is too late

**Saint Fan CaM** · 18-01-2009, 01:51 PM

Good letter - will do nothing of substance though. Wilde clearly is as dynamic as a brick and will take no action as he's probably been told by Rupert that there will be no dissenters and 'terrorists' will be shot! This is the hand he has dealt us - league one football unless by some miracle Lowe is strong enough to get shot of JP and obtain a decent manager....perhaps Dowie. Dunno about you, but I am not holding my breath.

**ulstersaint** · 18-01-2009, 01:57 PM

Thanks for an excellent letter. I have followed The Saints since the early 1950s - though usually from a distance. This letter sums up how we are all feeling today and it must be circulated to all the board members and feature in the Echo.

Unless Lowe abandons this daft dutch strategy he will achieve two relegations but of course, Lowe finds it difficult (perhaps impossible) to admit that he has made a gross error. So our only hope is that Wilde has more humility and good sense.

**SimonRichards** · 18-01-2009, 02:07 PM

What a fantastic post.

**explorer saint** · 18-01-2009, 02:22 PM

Well done my friend you've put it very well and better than I could of done. It was from the heart and my feelings are exactly the same.
Let us know if you get a reply, good luck

**saint lard** · 18-01-2009, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by beatlesaint

wont do any good but its got it off my chest.

This is it if anyone is interested....and if anyone wants to pull it to shreds, feel free, i dont care !!

Dear mr wilde,

i have been a supporter of the once great southampton football club for 31 years. I have seen the good times, the bad times, the indifferent and the just outright bizarre. I have missed maybe 6 home matches in the league since 1978, so i like to think that i have some knowledge of football and the “spirit of southampton”.

I left the doncaster match on 17/1/09 at the end, unlike yourself i believe, and as i walked back to my car i can honestly say that i have never had the same sense of foreboding as i have now about the future of our club. It is the first time in those 31 years that i have lacked the one feeling that all football supporters, whether they follow real madrid or eastleigh should have, and that is the feeling of hope.

As i say, i understand you left when the first songs of protest against the chairman of the plc began. That’s a shame as you would have witnessed one of the saddest sites i have ever seen whilst supporting the saints, and that was of supporters actually fighting each other. How can a football club survive and move forward when their own fan base is so split that there are fights between the very people who should be the lifeblood of a football club?

May i take this opportunity to respectfully remind you that supporters are the paying customers. We do not get in for free, we do not enjoy corporate hospitality (neither it appears does david armstrong who was removed from one of the suites whilst visiting friends. Tell me mr wilde, how many games over how many seasons did he play with distinction for this club ? If matthew le tissier had been told to leave there would have been a riot. This is how the once family club southampton treat their former players is it ? ), we simply turn up week in week out and pay our money in the hope of being entertained and see our team win. The fact that we are treated so poorly by those that run the club, especially in a time of deep financial turmoil when i would have thought the club needed the supporters more than ever, is beyond my comprehension.

Again, mr wilde, unlike yourself i attended the agm just before christmas. Such a shame that you could not be there because i feel the behaviour and attitude of the plc chairman towards the shareholders who are not in his clique was appalling. The arrogance and pomposity and his preference for talking down to people was really at the height of its powers. It was shameful. Even his old public school fag, mr cowen, looked embarrassed and awkward.

As you may have noted, i have not mentioned him by name, i cannot bring myself to do so, the very thought of what one individual has done to the football club i support and love makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. You were heralded as a hero when you ousted him from southampton back in 2006. Please explain to me how on earth you can seriously do a complete turnabout and support him, hence allowing him back into this football club to continue in the same way as was so abhorrent to you in the first place that you spent millions on shares to oust him ?

How many good people have left this club since the plc chairman came back ? Liz cowley, woggy taylor and graham hiley to name just three. Two of them went because of what ? Cost cutting ? No, every company the size of this needs a secretary, you know that as well as i do. And do we now assume the players wash and put out their own kit ? People were dismissed because they had at one point or another, probably under your initial stewardship ironically, spoken out against him. That is petty, vindictive and just plain nasty. This is the sort of person you now feel comfortable supporting is it mr wilde ?

As i have said your decision not to attend the agm, and to leave the doncaster game as soon as a protest song about the plc chairman is entirely up to you, of course it is. But there comes a point when closing your eyes and putting your fingers in your ears so that you see and hear nothing does nothing. There are none so blind as those who will not see. You are unfortunately supremely guilty of this mr wilde.

I implore you to consider what you have done to the club and its supporters by allowing this man back into the club to rule it like a dictatorship, to carry out and worse still persevere with this ludicrous dutch experiment that everybody can see is just not working. For the love of god mr wilde act now and rid this club once and for all of the plc chairman before there is no club left. He will kill southampton fc and the “spirit of southampton”. Do you really want to be known as the man who gave him the weapon to do so ?

Yours truly,

:smt038

**beatlesaint** · 18-01-2009, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by explorer saint

Well done my friend you've put it very well and better than I could of done. It was from the heart and my feelings are exactly the same.
Let us know if you get a reply, good luck

Will certainly let you know if he has the decency to reply.
I am not holding my breath however.

As i asked earlier if anyone has an address or e mail for Mary Corbett please could they PM me ?
Thanks

**midland saint** · 18-01-2009, 02:56 PM

A great letter..well done. Earlier this season I sent a letter to Wilde and marked it "private and personal". 2 weeks later I got a standard reply from Lowe. Typical.

**georgeg** · 18-01-2009, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by beatlesaint

I have sent it to Wilde....and good idea, will send it to The Echo too.
Thanks.

well done Beatle and sums up the current situation perfectly for me - the natoinals should see this as well as its time the football world was reminded about the type of board we currently have supposedly "representing us"

wilde and lowe - TIME TO GO!!!!!
(and take dave jones - our wizard finance director with you)

**Mole** · 18-01-2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by midland saint

A great letter..well done. Earlier this season I sent a letter to Wilde and marked it "private and personal". 2 weeks later I got a standard reply from Lowe. Typical.

Try sending your emails to Simon Voisin - chief executive of the Wilde Family Office based in Jersey.

svoisin@familyoffice.org.uk

**alpine_saint** · 18-01-2009, 03:11 PM

A very good letter......

...and a complete waste of time.

But I hope the release was therapeutic for your good self..

**miserableoldgit** · 18-01-2009, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by alpine_saint

A very good letter......

...and a complete waste of time.

But I hope the release was therapeutic for your good self..

Mister Glass Half Full!

**corsacar saint** · 18-01-2009, 04:13 PM

A very well written letter, let us hope it gets published in the echo[ 50/50?], and Wilde
acts on it, and the other events but then I doubt it.

**Gorgiesaint** · 18-01-2009, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by corsacar saint

A very well written letter, let us hope it gets published in the echo[ 50/50?], and Wilde
acts on it, and the other events but then I doubt it.

A valid point Corsacar Saint.

One possible way round this - if Beatlesaint was to agree as it's his letter - if we all copy it & send it to the Echo. They may find it harder to ignore.

Beatlesaint - if you are in agreement, would you mind posting the email address to send it to.

**georgeg** · 18-01-2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by alpine_saint

A very good letter......

...and a complete waste of time.

But I hope the release was therapeutic for your good self..

sorry Alpine but I do not agree that its a waste of time - it was a letter that perfectly sums up how most of us are feeling and should be widely distributed and read - its time to put real pressure on the board from many different angles

to sit on your arse complaining and then do nothing - now THATS a waste of time

**Under Weststand** · 18-01-2009, 04:57 PM

That was a good well written letter Beatlesaint. I too hope its printed in the echo as the outfall from Saturday cannot be swept under the carpet. Any pressure that can be put on Wilde & co to change this ludicrous experiment is all right by me. I hope you get a sensible & reasonable reply but as a few have said don't hold your breath.

**IN MY DAY** · 18-01-2009, 05:10 PM

I haven't been able to bring myself to look at this forum till now after yesterdays result, but a very interesting thread, i spoke to an ex-saint at a match today who is enjoying some success coaching at another club but whose heart is obviously with Saints, while discussing his success elsewhere he dropped into the conversation that word is Wilde is seriously talking to someone at present to dump his entire stake, he crossed his fingers and said ''let hope eh''.

Lets all hope !!

**alpine_saint** · 18-01-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by georgeg

sorry Alpine but I do not agree that its a waste of time - it was a letter that perfectly sums up how most of us are feeling and should be widely distributed and read - its time to put real pressure on the board from many different angles

to sit on your arse complaining and then do nothing - now THATS a waste of time

Look, I agree with the letter completely, and I hope something comes of it, but I have more than a shred of doubt...

**supaimpy_returns** · 18-01-2009, 05:42 PM

hmm well one way would be to use the echo's forum to let them knowthat this letter exists,

hard for them to ignore mass forum postings

**beatlesaint** · 18-01-2009, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gorgiesaint

A valid point Corsacar Saint.

One possible way round this - if Beatlesaint was to agree as it's his letter - if we all copy it & send it to the Echo. They may find it harder to ignore.

Beatlesaint - if you are in agreement, would you mind posting the email address to send it to.

No problem at all, if anyone wants to copy it and send it to the Echo then go ahead.
I sent it to their electronic letters page on their website and to Adam Leitch's e mail as another poster suggested. It is adam.leitch@soton-echo.co.uk

If anyone wants to forawrd it to any other media outlet then be my guest. Its obviously written from my point of view but hopefully it sums up the feelings and mood of many Saints fans.

By the many generous and positive comments on this thread that would appear to be the case.....so thanks !

**Toomer** · 18-01-2009, 06:35 PM

Seven letters for both Lowe & Wilde. FECK OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**corky morris** · 18-01-2009, 06:59 PM

Excellent Beatle. Summarises very well what I was thinking, unfortunately apathy has ruled my heart & i cant quite get the motivation to do similar (again) & write to those in power at our football club.
Bravo!

**SaintRobbie** · 18-01-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by beatlesaint

"We remind you that the contents of the forum do not necessarily represent the views of SaintsWeb or their directors. "

,

Oh really?

**Fowllyd** · 18-01-2009, 07:41 PM

Excellent letter. I reckon the Echo will probably publish it; they may even decide to make more of it than they normally would of a letter, who knows. After all, their business is selling papers, and something like this could up circulation somewhat.

If they don't then I think it's safe to say that Wilde, a man with all the courage of a louse, won't reply. If they do, and particularly if they give it major coverage as well, Wilde's position will be considerably more difficult. But I still wouldn't expect a response from him that actually means anything.

**Fitzhugh Fella** · 18-01-2009, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by SaintRobbie

Oh really?

A bit of a strange disclaimer I have to admit

**Clapham Saint** · 18-01-2009, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by beatlesaint

"We remind you that the contents of the forum do not necessarily represent the views of SaintsWeb or their directors. This thread is made a sticky by popular choice and not at the views of the owners of saintsweb ltd"

Wont do any good but its got it off my chest.

This is it if anyone is interested....and if anyone wants to pull it to shreds, feel free, i dont care !!

Dear Mr Wilde,

I have been a supporter of the once great Southampton Football Club for 31 years. I have seen the good times, the bad times, the indifferent and the just outright bizarre. I have missed maybe 6 home matches in the league since 1978, so I like to think that I have some knowledge of football and the “Spirit of Southampton”.

I left the Doncaster match on 17/1/09 at the end, unlike yourself I believe, and as I walked back to my car I can honestly say that I have NEVER had the same sense of foreboding as I have now about the future of our club. It is the first time in those 31 years that I have lacked the one feeling that all football supporters, whether they follow Real Madrid or Eastleigh should have, and that is the feeling of hope.

As I say, I understand you left when the first songs of protest against the Chairman of the PLC began. That’s a shame as you would have witnessed one of the saddest sites I have ever seen whilst supporting the Saints, and that was of supporters actually fighting each other. How can a football club survive and move forward when their own fan base is so split that there are fights between the very people who should be the lifeblood of a football club?

May I take this opportunity to respectfully remind you that supporters are the paying customers. We do not get in for free, we do not enjoy corporate hospitality (neither it appears does David Armstrong who was removed from one of the suites whilst visiting friends. Tell me Mr Wilde, how many games over how many seasons did he play with distinction for this club ? If Matthew Le Tissier had been told to leave there would have been a riot. This is how the once family club Southampton treat their former players is it ? ), We simply turn up week in week out and pay our money in the hope of being entertained and see our team win. The fact that we are treated so poorly by those that run the club, especially in a time of deep financial turmoil when I would have thought the club needed the supporters more than ever, is beyond my comprehension.

Again, Mr Wilde, unlike yourself I attended the AGM just before Christmas. Such a shame that you could not be there because I feel the behaviour and attitude of the PLC Chairman towards the shareholders who are not in his clique was appalling. The arrogance and pomposity and his preference for talking down to people was really at the height of its powers. It was shameful. Even his old public school fag, Mr Cowen, looked embarrassed and awkward.

As you may have noted, I have not mentioned him by name, I cannot bring myself to do so, the very thought of what one individual has done to the football club I support and love makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. You were heralded as a hero when you ousted him from Southampton back in 2006. Please explain to me how on earth you can seriously do a complete turnabout and support him, hence allowing him back into this football club to continue in the same way as was so abhorrent to you in the first place that you spent millions on shares to oust him ?

How many good people have left this club since the PLC Chairman came back ? Liz Cowley, Woggy Taylor and Graham Hiley to name just three. Two of them went because of what ? Cost cutting ? No, every company the size of this needs a Secretary, you know that as well as I do. And do we now assume the players wash and put out their own kit ? People were dismissed because they had at one point or another, probably under your initial stewardship ironically, spoken out against him. That is petty, vindictive and just plain nasty. This is the sort of person you now feel comfortable supporting is it Mr Wilde ?

As I have said your decision not to attend the AGM, and to leave the Doncaster game as soon as a protest song about the PLC Chairman is entirely up to you, of course it is. But there comes a point when closing your eyes and putting your fingers in your ears so that you see and hear nothing does nothing. There are none so blind as those who will NOT see. You are unfortunately supremely guilty of this Mr Wilde.

I implore you to consider what you have done to the club and its supporters by allowing this man back into the club to rule it like a dictatorship, to carry out and worse still persevere with this ludicrous Dutch experiment that everybody can see is just not working. For the love of God Mr Wilde act now and rid this club once and for all of the PLC Chairman before there is no club left. He will kill Southampton FC and the “Spirit of Southampton”. Do you really want to be known as the man who gave him the weapon to do so ?

Yours truly,

+1

Very sad to say it but I'm now no longer trying to work out how we are going to turn the season around. I don't think it will be possible under the current leadership as L**e will not admit that he has made a mistake. I actually think that he revels in the fans (who i beleive he considers to irrelevant working class commoners) hatred and the campain to get rid of him only serves to fuel his ego.

The only way that I can see him going is if we go into administration and somebody else comes in to buy the club.

I have accepted that we will go down. The only question is whether L**e has (or has access to) the cash to buy the clubs after it goes into admistration.

I hope to god he doesn't.

CS