Fitzhugh Fella

Just back from Bill's funeral, it was good to see the following ex-players and staff there. These were who I recognised Bryn Elliott, Cliff Huxford, Denis Pring, Mick Channon, Ian White, Tommy Hare, Gerry Gurr, Denis Hollywood, Brian O’Neil, Hugh Fisher, Nick Holmes, Jim Steele, Mick Earls, Bill Beaney, Mick Ellard, Bob McCarthy, Roger Fry, Norman Dean, Mick Judd, Forbes Phillipson-Masters, Tony Funnell, Brian Truscott, John Mortimore. Bryn Elliott, 90 next week played with Bill in the early 50s while the youngest ex-player was Tony Funnell who was at the Dell in the late 70s just before Bill departed in 1980.

To be fair Sam has told me that MP was very influential in his development and was also very kind and good to him when his father passed away. I think MP will be monitoring Sam very closely. As far as I am concerned that goal was not a fluke, to be able to hit a shot like that with your weaker foot while running with the ball is a talent many managers would die for and at present we have no one in the first team who can score goals from outside the box. He's far from the finished article but I am pleased he is on a long term deal and predict even Smirking Saint may yet turn that smirk into a smile before too long

This

Those of a certain vintage will be saddened to hear of the passing of David Walker, Saints defender between 1965 and 1974, after a short illness. Dave made 231 appearances in the red and white and really was the epitome of the no holds barred, no nonsense, take no prisoners style of defending and was a fully paid up member of the Dell "alehouse footballers" club that so endeared themselves to Bill Shankly in the early 70s. A Lancashire lad he joined us from Burnley in time to play his part in our promotion to the top flight in 1966 and his family still have the engraved Omega watch he was given by the club in recognition. Dark and swarthy, with Harry H Corbett sideboards he was an imposing wing half who was nicknamed "Docker" by the fans for reasons lost in the mist of time. Like many tough guys on the pitch, a more pleasant, intelligent man off it, would be hard to find and after hanging up his boots he dabbled in the antique trade and ran a B and B in the New Forest. A true 60s giant.

Mason has left Saints and has signed for Villa.

You are right, I thought playing wide he was starved of the ball and yet when moving inside he looked very dangerous

Since his return to injury and the form of Seagar it has meant Sam has had to play out wide, but out there he is sometimes starved of the ball. As soon as Seagar went off last night Sam came into his own and his goal hit with his wrong foot was the strike of a player who has what it takes. Those who doubt his overall talent check out his inch perfect cross for Seagar's goal in the semi final v Derby. Sam has had a tough 18 months what with a serious injury and the loss of a parent but he is now showing signs of being ready to step up to the Premiership plate, imo. Players like Sam do not grow on trees.

Tadic a big miss for me - a couple of good games at the beginning and not much else.

You have no soul

Had we had a natural goalscorer within our ranks then I feel we could still be in with a shout of the Champions League but as it is we have a midfield that, by and large, couldn't hit the proverbial cows arse and a forward line (Pelle, Long, Mane) that blow hot and cold when it comes to sticking the ball in the net.

I went on a coach organised by Steve Jewett then of Wimpson and remember being stuck in heavy traffic just by Kew Bridge. There were a lot of girls sunbathing in the park and Pete Wilson got off the coach to chat them up. We never saw him again that day but funnily enough I now see Steve and Pete in the Guide Dog after most games. A couple of rascals from the old school.

One of a very select club that does not include Lets B Avenue who went to every game of that 76 cup run:smug:

There is no good time to sack a manager but whether or not his wife was seriously ill should not effect the decision. Fact was he had lost the dressing room a few weeks before and his departure albeit harsh was called for.

if it was the world's only religion we would all be living in a safer place

maybe next time think a bit before you type?

Another one of our London club crock cast offs, Frank Saul, Jamie Redknapp, Kerry Dixon and David Howells to name but four

I was quite clear on these things until I read this thread!

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20150406-an-appreciation-bill-ellerington-2378797.aspx

I have not said he should come in and take the place of Pelle, I was merely challenging your sweeping statement that he has been "largely poor and out of form" which is simply not true. Yes he has only scored one goal in the four games he has played in (I have seen everyone and seen some live) but I know for a fact that Koeman has been impressed, which rather undermines your unfair criticism of the lad.

Bill Ellerington ex-Saint from 1945-56 died early today aged 91. Bill became Ted Bates's right hand man after hanging up his boots and stayed on the Saints backroom staff until 1980. I never saw Bill play but he was as elegant a full-back as you would ever wish to see my Dad tells me and he was good enough to win 2 England caps when with Saints even though we were a second tier team at the time. He was also good enough to keep Alf Ramsey out of the Saints and then the England team. The son of another ex-Saint from WW1 days, Bill was Southampton born and played for Saints 237 times scoring 11 goals. I met Bill many times in his Highfield Lane home and more latterly in his flat in Winn Road and a nicer more helpful man you could not wish to meet. He and his wife Ros - who survives him - loved talking about football and the players who wore the red and white in days gone by. He had a photographic memory and we could always rely on him to identify obscure reserve team players in old photos and if he couldn't then Ros would usually be able to sweep up. He was on the Saints bench at Wembley in 1976 and can be seen in most of the photos of the players celebrating on the pitch. A real gentleman and keen student of the game, Bill lived and breathed Southampton and was undoubtedly one of the club's greatest ever servants.

Sorry you are talking crap now - I have watched all the U21 games recently and Sam Gallagher has played well especially as he is still regaining full match fitness. He has also started training with the first team squad and Koeman is happy with his progress.

The day they stop referring to themselves immodestly as "the best fans in the world" will be the day I might start showing them some empathy/pity. Plus I note, Fratton Park is now being described as an "old lady" which must be an euphemism if I ever heard one. Their whole demeanour is full of nauseous hype but the natives swallow it and the myths just go on and on which is why there will always be a need for this thread.

Looks like Wallace is getting ready to jump ship http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/lawrence-offers-brutal-honesty-for-pompey-1-6661593

You're two days early