SW11_Saint

Great news. Jack’s leadership, experience, passion & commitment will be crucial next season 👊😇Delighted he’s staying.

You understand that few players see out their contracts, right?

Decent read. Cheers.

Glen Hoddle in the Amex (or Barclays?) lounge at the O2 - for Jeff Lynne’s ELO. Funnily enough - not for him of course - about a week or so before he had his heart scare. I’m sure there’s an appropriate ELO song to round this story off, but I can’t be arsed…

🙄

White man makes fun of centuries of struggle by those from black and ethnic groups to counter systemic inequalities in obtaining opportunity. Well done you! 👊

Or just apply identifying as yourself? As a white male you’ll find little challenge I suspect - other than possibly having no coaching qualifications for this level of football.

That looks truly awful…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq53wq1nzn5o 🤔

Worth remembering that two of the biggest developments in the City - West Quay and SMS were green-lit and initially developed under a Labour controlled City Council. So although some developments have faltered - due to lack of private investment I believe - they have delivered when the partnership investment is there. That’s the key.

I’d agree but isn’t that what this Renaissance project is about? Regenerating the City?

My money is on Fulham…

Farewell… https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLVUS_TNr_T/?igsh=MTJrdXFsem5zdW4xeA==

He didn’t want a new contract… he let his existing one run down. He wants to move and that’s fair enough. Good luck to him.

I have no idea what the plan is - and suspect atm it’s just a ‘floated idea’ - but maybe it’s a shuttle service back and forth to Soton central? If it’s just for SMS it may not be viable, but if there are other reasons to visit the area (bars, restaurants, hotels - and especially if the indoor arena/conference centre happens - then maybe it looks more viable?

Well if you read the Renaissance prospectus, they were seeking investment from the private sector. That’s how all commercial developments happen. Not sure who has shown concrete interest, but I understand there is interest. So funding is not all down to SFC or SCC. The rail link, if it happens, is using existing infrastructure - the train line runs right behind the Kingsland stand, so by far the easiest way to implement it.

Mainly the former I’d say and some bad advice. A decade on, I’m not sure why people are still so exorcised about it. Time to move on. The club clearly think he has something to offer, and that’s fine with me. Good luck to him. And I hope his lad is as good as he was!

I swear I read a reference to it (the arena stuff), but can’t find. Wider plans are in the links above. I do know the original housing plan for the gasworks site isn’t going ahead.

It isn’t built yet. So doesn’t need to be ‘knocked down’…

Not sure, just something I heard or read somewhere (though can’t find now!). The gasworks would make sense in some ways as parking at SMS could be utilised, and a bit closer to any train links they might come up with. If true, I’d be happy wherever they develop it! The city badly needs it.

I looked again and ABP are listed as a Partner in the Renaissance prospectus. Good news that they are involved and onboard. As you point out less of an issue for the area adjacent to SMS, but critical for the Town Quay plans.

Actually enhanced transport links are part of the Renaissance plan, and as I understand it that includes investigating a potential rail link to SMS.

I’m pretty sure they know what Dragan/the club does and doesn’t own. They aren’t buying any housing around the ground. It’s all either ‘wasteland’ already or commercial land where negotiations have already taken place.

Unfortunately, unlike other coastal cities, Southampton is at the mercy of ABP who have absolute power and control over all waterfront areas, via an act of Parliament. Pretty much means they can do what they want and they naturally try to gain commercially from all waterfront spaces. Case in point, when they demolished the beautiful and historic Rank Hovis building - the City Council, all city MPs, Heritage Associations and most citizens were against it. They did it anyway. It’s sister building in Gateshead is a beautiful & thriving arts centre (The Baltic Centre), putting aside the fact they retained an important architectural landmark. Anyway, it appears ABP are onboard with the current plans for the City. Massive plan to redevelop the Town Quay area too. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2e972rrygo (Can’t see it referenced here, but look closely at the map - there appears to be another structure to the right of SMS) Town Quay development: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51nzm1zm40o

Not sure he (or the club) own any of it atm - other than the areas immediately adjacent to the stadium, currently being used. The MOU sets out though that land around can be jointly developed by SFC & SCC. https://www.coliseum-online.com/st-marys-waterfront-pioneering-plans/