um pahars

So why did you say: I can only presume you don't know many ex-players;)

In the Keith Allen's autobiography he tells the story how he and Steve Mills were both picked from their local representative team (Gosport??) to go and have trials with Saints. However, just before the trial, Allen got caught robbing the opposition's dressing room and his dad therefore grounded him and he missed the trial. Steve Mills went on to make it as a pro and play for Saints in the top flight, whilst Allen's footballing contributions were limited to Three Lions!!

And I think that apart from a small minority who for their own disparate reasoins hate Lawrie, the vast majority of the Saints family hold him in very high regard. I don't really remember anything sensationally bad about that period. His return heralded Branfoot's departure, so it certainly started brightly!!! I don't remember Bally and Lawrie having major problems, nor do I think Lawrie was overly involved in Bally leaving. He recently recounted how he was on holiday when it all blew up and if Askham & co. had spoken to him earlier then he would have said we should have put the metaphorical arm around Bally and make him feel wanted. I don't think Merrington was treated fairly at all. The Souness scenario is up for debate, but with Souness walking out, Lawrie would argue he did the honourable thing and followed him. But as I said at the start, have I missed something over this period? These are the same rumours that originated on the Saints List, where let's say the sentiment on there by a few is not that warm to Lawrie. I spoke to three of the top four men at the time when these rumours surfaced and even though they weren't Lawrie's biggest fans (as subsequent fall outs showed), they dismissed this alleged interference out of hand. And at the same time they also dismissed these rumours that started on the Saints List. And as I said above, the dismissals came from those who I would say were not on Lawrie's Xmas card list. What might be interesting is to ask who first started those rumours where they got their information from and what their motivations were, as IMHO at this time there were some outside forces out and about looking to smear people. Two sides to this one. The first was that he was performing his duties and actually increased sales way above the cost, and that anyone doing something should not be scared of being rewarded for their efforts. The second was that this is the type of thing he should have been doing for nothing to show his love and support for the Club. Personally, I would plump for somewhere in the middle. Indeed he should be a guest at every match and he should also have no direct running in the day to day affairs of the Club. However, I would also have no objection with the people running the Club or even running the team asking for advice, support or help on any matter. After all, Ted Bates contributed in the background for many years. Of course Lawrie has made mistakes and anyone as successful as he was is always going to have an ego and not be a shrinking violet (particularly with the players he had), it's just I find the villification of him by a minority on here to be rather misplaced. I can almost ignore the youngsters on here who can't comprehend what he did for the Club, as I think that's just a part of the modern day society where IMHO people aren't as backward looking as some of us oldies appear to be.

In real life he's actually a very pleasant man (Richard, that is). I just don't get his rabid anti Lawrie stance. I fully accept that Lawrie has the ego the size of a house and that since his halcyon days as manager maybe he has sometimes put himself before the Club, but I just think Richard's (and a few others) vociferous attacks aren't balanced. I may be wrong (and am happy to stand corrected), but given their ferocity, I wouldn't be surprised that the venom is for some other reason.

Did you miss the irony in may post?? Or have I missed the irony in yours??

Well, at least you've nailed that Sundance Beast and Nineteen Canteen are the same person:D Sundance Beast recalling how he got "Fashanu" all wrong a while back. And then Nineteen Canteen carries on the story:rolleyes::rolleyes: And then from the rude and aggressive PM's you sent a load of us, you were also the legendary Flashman At The Charge and Third Bear (have I missed out any others???). And what about the new one, The Speculator??? You're quite right in that your memory isn't very good, but then again when you're talking so much bullshtt, I suppose it must be hard to keep up with it all;)

Totally agree and if Lowe or members of his cabal have put a shot across the Guardian's bows then fair play to them. It was a ridiculous and unsubstantiated claim which almost implied that something fraudulent had gone on, so he had every right to ask for an apology and a retraction. There was never anything underhand with regards the missing millions and the PLC's accounts will show you where it all went (with the vast majority going to players). As for the McMenemy angle from some, well same old, same old.

Why doesn't that surprise me;) I could send you a link.

Well considering he's sat something like 4 seats away from Crouch in that picture, then I would expect you to know.

Is this another one of your "non existent wild goose chases, only to back down and say it doesn't matter afterwards" links????

Have you got a link to it (one that exists mind;)).

Which players revolts are you referring to???? Good to see him lay down the law from the off and be clear about who is in charge and what is expected.

I just hope he's lost the receipt!!!

Actually, you came back from your afternoon away and your first act was to reply to a post of mine. I duly replied;) HTH

So now we've gone from every player who has worked with him not having anything good to say about him, to Bally commenting on him about his stint as a DOF, and Paine, whose strained relationship with Lawrie has been public knowledge for almost 40 years, being held up as a justification of your carte blanche claim. Well done. Only slightly moving the goalposts there then LOL.

Something that needs to be installed ASAP. One of my worries following relegation is how long that losing feeling will stay around the place.

Quarantined with swine flu and I've managed 30ish posts today You on the other hand have managed 120ish. Now who puts a lot of time in to it??? I can post you a link with the stats if you want;)

WTF is Pardew doing speaking on the radio??? Why is he being rolled out as the Official Commentator??? FFS

On paper, and relatively speaking, that doesn't look that bad a side.

I like this link (PS it works) http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=259124&highlight=missus#post259124 PS You're down to 15 now, so better get spamming (do you reckon you could get the whole of the main board???)

You're easily pleased if you think scanning the front page of a message board is "such lengths". Maybe it's the lack of "such length" in your pants that makes you crave the attention on here;) It's down to 8 now with this post. :smt054After that last post, you can have all 9 threads:smt054

But he has had the last word on 9 threads on the front page alone LMFAO:rolleyes:

I still remember it quite clearly, and how you did your best to squirm out of it. You seemed a tad embarassed about it to me (and others on here) Your backtracking was memorable. Your memory must be really poor. LMFAO. Don't you remember your rather crass banana jibe before you were put in your place.

Well at least you know this time around. 'Twas a tad embarrassing last time around;) That's about as close as you accusing Richard Chorley of being racist:rolleyes:

Totally agree. The knowlegde these guys have is phenomenal and it's a good thing their books have been written (although I think there's still more to tell) and along with people like Herbie, then I think there's every need for them to be heavily involved.