Fitzhugh Fella

According to Fry in Saturday's Echo (very interesting Q and A) SFC was, 2 weeks ago, a whisker from liquidation. Had that happened - and Fry was resigned to it happening - then I doubt this thread would ever have been started. We came very very close to the brink and I am afraid there is one man far more responsible than anyone else for that scary scenario. I think Lowe always thought he was doing what was right, in his eyes, for the club but he was massively flawed and wrong in his vision. He's gone, we survived by the skin of our teeth (no thanks to Pinnacle and other tyre kicking idiots) and we are now in the hands of Andy Oldknow believe it or not. I await developments with interest. The appointment of our new manager will be the biggest decision in years - lets hope he get's it right.

I would rather have Lowe back as manager and I am being serious. Andy I know you read this site - please NO.

1000% agree

I can tell you they first contacted Mark Fry on 29th April and they pulled out on June 30th, 10 whole days after exclusivity had lapsed. Therefore they were "around" for more than 2 months.

Indeed McG would have gone whatever I suspect but not Drew. Whether or not you like him is irrelevant really - he went to pay the staff and adminstrators and had Pinnacle not delayed the Swiss taking over by 6 weeks then that would not have been neccessary. If Surman turns into a world super star (unlikely I know) we will all be hacked off he was forced to leave because a couple of North London property developers fancied making a few bob. Sorry haven't a link, Alpine but I quoted some relevant excerpts in my first post on page 1.

Don't think LC is too happy either and I think Drew Surman would have been quite happy to still be a Saint next season. Don't get me wrong I am delighted to have my club owned by what appears to be an absolute godsend and one who is exceedingly wealthy and doesn't smuggle guns but I still think initial aspects of the attempted Pinnacle purchase were not handled well. Tbh I am surprised that the carpet at SMS has any room for any more dirt. When Wilde came I was one of the first lemmings over the cliff celebrating the demise of Lowe. 2nd time around I prefer to spare a second looking over my shoulder.

Alpine I suggest you do read the interview before making your mind up and also can I say if Pinnacle had not been given undeserved exclusivity then Surman and McGoldrick might still be wearing the red and white of Saints tomorrow at Dean Court. That very fact alone means it is far from history.

I certainly agree Fry has some questions he needs answering. In last night's Echo Cortese said even as Pinnacle was given exclusivity " I told him (Liebherr) there was a bit of evidence that the group might not be in a position to complete and we became convinced it was the case......." He also says later in the article "we felt a bit misled" . These are points Fry should clear up - in those 4 weeks while we waited for Pinnacle to sign off the deal Begbies pocketed nearly a quarter of a million.

But it is not our money that is wasted don't forget.

tried to ring you Stan but you obviously had your head in a pint of Ringwood.

Very good although I bet not many spot the pun. Eddy Grant and all that.

In the charts 40 years ago this week - Edwin Hawkins singers - remember that summer well - Viva Bobby Stokes and all that!

Good idea Andy - but I won't be writing it - far too emotionally involved. D

No sorry, but my source has his finger, if not on the pulse, very near it and I trust him implicitly.

Agree - he has potential and could go all the way but...................

Although not Saints related I thought, today of all days, this news (which has just come to me from an excellent well-placed source in P*mpey) deserves a position on the main forum. I am told news of the collapse will officially emerge in the next few days. This is not a wind-up. I don't usually "do" gloating but with the mod's permission can I indulge myself just a little? Perhaps today (July 8th) should now be made a public holiday in Hants.

I had my share of "run-ins" with Andy Oldknow over the time he was here and I know the staff weren't keen but I think a lot of the problems originated with Jim Hone. I have to say he was very accommodating with the Ron Davies appeal and did I think he had a passion about the club - we certainly had a few late night discussions! Plus if he was instrumental in bringing in our Swiss saviour then perhaps we owe him big time!

Messengers always get shot Spencer. Occupational hazard. I sympathise and know you were only passing things on because you were an excited fan who wanted to share info. I think you and I got caught up in the Pinnacle debacle and it to be in our best inrerests that the whole story be told. There were quite a few like Dubai Phil who had early doubts and in hindsight they were right. A lot of people have been let down by Lynam inc you and Matt.

I've passed what I had on to the Echo. I asked them to hold on to it until the club's future was secure. As far as i am concerned they can release it all now. Last time I tried (on here) I was threatened with the police. Not afraid to do it again but think it the duty of the local paper now.

Don't imagine for one second TL paid any of that 500 thou!

Because we got out of our debts cheaply is the reason why the FL set a 10 point punishment.

Hate to say this but "we" will never owe anything nor will the club every "owe" us anything. Our club is now privately owned for the first time in our 124 year old history. There is no debt, no morgage and we have no rights. The new owner can do whatever he likes. Not saying this is a bad thing but we are going to have to get used to the fact that SFC is not answerable to the fans at all. However it would be a silly man for him to want to alienate the fans. It is going to take a long time to get used to being in private hands. Even going back before the first World War there were demonstrations by the fans against the directors at the way the club was run, and they had to listen, but not anymore.

It might be history to you, Nick but Pinnacle's actions brought SFC to the brink, meant that 2-3 players had to be sold to pay the wages and 5 weeks were wasted when the club could be rebuilding under genuine new owners. Plus of course there is that little matter of £500,00+. Who ever put that upfront may well have done it on false promises and I daresay they are feeling a little sore right now. While I agree about a clean break from the past there are some things that should not be swept under the carpet. Looking forward to the new Swiss dawn as much as anyone but will watch forthcoming appointments closely - already I have heard the name of someone, most on here, would find unpalatable - just let's hope it's not true.

There is a big difference between offering and delivering. The Pinnacle debacle needs to be investigated and I know it will be once the Swiss takeover is completed. It appears there were serious misrepresentations going on that could in some quarters be regarded close to being fraudulent. IMO Pinnacle were never serious, they had no funds once the early principles melted away early on and they then wasted 4 weeks of the club's time in a critical period. It will be in Fry's interest to spill the beans simply to protect his reputation. In the meantime let's hope this actual deal does come to a swift conclusion - you are never certain until the funds are in the bank.

Phil - I understand why you said what you said now but I was not then in contact with the person you referred to. However I am now and I think the penny has dropped. Like I say lets wait until we are safe, but I think there will be repercussions. No harm done as far as I am concerned.