Fitzhugh Fella

Thanks for that - especially after a long day.

No it was a Lowe decision made at the start of the season that DMcG would be our main first choice striker throughout. Lowe can never admit to being wrong so we are where we are. One reason he should keep out of dressing room decisions.

Stu, I think you will find we've fallen away significantly in those areas too.

Yes it was a good read and your observation on Lowe spot on

Communications problems out there in the Gulf Phil?

Like Lowe gave Pearson a chance you mean?

Love that last sentence.

Don't worry I think this current crisis "is just a blip".

Absolutely Wes - however I don't think Mary would ever "envisage" herself in this position and would certainly never seek it. Some of the mocking reaction on here from respected posters such as FC are a little sad in my opinion.

From little acorns big oaks grow. Know what you are saying Stu (and there WAS over a 1000 there) but the message the march sent to me was, while there is a will there is a way.

Gary Chalk has just reminded me - I see you replied in the negative but there was one who died just days after receiving injuries at Watford in a reserve team match. George Frederick Mounsey died 3 November 1914. Although before the dates mentioned its the only recorded Saints death related to a match.

Have replied with a negative. One ex Saint a player, called Benson died at Highbury in 1916 but he was in Woolwich Arsenal's colours at the time.

Bern - I have been told by those who would know (accept it could be spin, but...) Burley was on 250k pa which is the amount the SFA gave us in the end (although they originally offered us zilch). Pearson was on 160k pa and the Dutch duo ie MW and JP were on a combined salary of 200k. Make of that what you will - could be bull but like I said it came from the mouth of a horse.

Frank you are wrong about Pearson. He was given an 18 month contract with both parties having a get out clause in the summer. Lowe exercised that option.

Afer he packed up playing professionally I often spotted John Sydenham in a kickaround at Shirley Rec.

Michael Wilde was a regular customer too!

Is your last sentence a criticism of the way the club is/was run?

In the early days Micky Channon spent most of his time falling over and I remember "Docker's Corner" giving him fearful stick and calling him "Doreen" throughout several games. He seemed to come through it OK. These youngsters are happy to take some of the better trappings of the game (take a look at the Staplewood car park on training days) and yet can't handle a bit of stick from the punter. As long as the abuse is not offensive a little bit of terrace banter is just part of the game - christ we all dish it out to the linesmen and refs. If you are old enough to drive a 50 grand car you're old enough to get some stick in my book.

I just love that last paragraph - sums Jonah up to a tee. Sure we all have agendas - I can admit to mine but he as sure as hell can't admit to his.

You are quite right - should have checked - at least Jonah didn't spot though. Don't tell him now. Cheers

Ron - there was a stage last season (approx 12 months ago) when it was thought Salz was 99% certain to accept an invitation to become Chairman of the PLC. Why he didn't? He saw the writing on the wall ie the probability Lowe was coming back. It is said by those close to him that he cannot abide the man and would never work with him.

Mark you too are very selective with the facts to suit your agenda. You are full of criticism towards Mary for jumping on Wilde's steed and ask how someone that imcompetent and negligent could be a director whilst not a mention of the man whose steed she jumped on, who is now of course the Chairman of the Football Club. And you fail to mention the squeaky clean Rupert climbing on the same horse last summer despite Wilde's by then well-documented shortcomings and broken promises. Pot, kettle and all that.

Tim - I have a few of the old videos with some footage - him scoring v Leeds away in 66-7 for instance.

Mark, despite your uneccessary insult (it would be great if you could compose one post without resorting to insults or name calling) I will give you the courtesy of a reply. You obviously went to a lot of trouble - I thank you, I don't recall you posting anything similar, certaily not recently. Last week I read the transcript from the Lowe v The Times libel trial which was very interesting indeed. As you say all parties, including Lowe made a lot of money overnight when their shares (quite a lot of which were gained in extremely dubious circumstances) shot up in value. I agree with what you say re Hunt, Wiseman, LM and Co. I also agree Lowe has not capitalised on his yet (I bet he wish he had) however that does not exonerate him from the initial shady money making exercise which was the reverse takeover. Yes I suppose it is slightly hypocritical of me therefore to single out Lowe for criticism but I suppose the reason for that is Hunt, Gordon, Wiseman and Co did at least wake up and smell the coffee - however I never want to see them in any position of influence again. LM is another one I would not shed tears over if he sailed off into the sunset, believe it or not although I still think he would have something to offer in a footballing capacity. He might have only played for Gateshead but he knows his way around Britsh football and the media which is my point re my preference for him rather than Lowe. That leaves Crouch and Corbett who too my knowledge have not taken any money from SFC - certainly share wise. I have met both several times. Mary is a very nice, enthusiastic, dedicated fan who loves the club. Of that there is no doubt. Is she suitable to be a director? Yes I think so, as much as any fan - after all was it not Jackie Milburn who in his autobiography called one chapter "What the average director knows about football" and then left all the pages blank. I am sure MC would be the first to admit on a day to day basis however she would leave the "running" of the club to someone with more expertise. Finally Leon Crouch. Well I prefer him to Lowe and Wilde, but that does not say a lot. He is a fan and a successful local businessman who it seems is prepared to put in some money and time to help us move forward. However his tenure last season - albeit it short and coming on the back of an almost disastrous 18 months under the executives - filled no one with confidence. Do you know Mark, I could still live with Lowe if it wasn't for his "involvement" in the footballing side of things. My original falling out with him if you recall followed a letter I wrote to him about his becoming too involved in football decisions. I had heard through someone present in the boardroom who I do trust that at the time of the proposed Hoddle second coming Lowe put himself forward as DoF and I am pretty sure ever since he has dabbled in duties usually undertaken by managers with pretty awful results. So in summary - yes I agree all the people involved wih the club at the time of the reverse takeover should hang their heads and none should be allowed back in any positions of influence. I could live with that - I wish the whole wretched thing had never happened and we had stayed at the Dell to be frank and with hindsight but we are where we and the arch architect is still in charge and we spiral ever downwards. So I am prepared to take on some facts and criticise all parties (hardly the action of someone with a chip) but I have yet to ever hear you admit Lowe has made any mistakes.