um pahars

As someone who has attended a number of fans forums I do think people have the wrong idea about what went on during them. There were one or two ding dongs with the usual suspects during our time at The Dell, but after Lowe had banned them (quite rightly IMHO if they couldn't be civilised) then the others over the years were very civilised affairs. The Radio Solent forums were even more civilised. No one dominated them, no one got overly argumentative or loud and most were relatively constructive and informative. I think these intimate random dinners have their place, but I also think a wider fans forum wouldn't be a bad idea either.

I think the fact they've got a new ground holding 2,500 would probably mean they would want to showcase it, plus Brizzle Rovers aren't the biggest of draws. Additionally, I imagine Totton would like to get through to the Third Round (and a huge draw) and would not want to lose their home advantage. That said, it's a close enough game that The Gas might want to bring a fair few down and with Saints away at Donny that day the attendance could be swelled. Swings and roundabouts, but on balance reckon they'll be happy to host ROvers over at Testwood.

A big enough game to be switched to SMS???

TBF you shouldn't need research to know that mani and Brown are huge United fans, along with a few of the others.

A little bit of embellishment maybe (you're right, in that I'm not overly sure we need to be coming up with direct comparisons).

Well he certainly wasn't signed by the then manager Redknapp. Not sure who bought him - Clifford, Woodward or Lowe.

To be fair I didn't read them as direct comparisons (although I know some on here think we can compete with Bayern Munich & Barcelona!!), more a philospophy we are trying to emulate (an emphasis on youth as opposed to perhaps a philosophy of immediate impact through buying players).

But Lowe used to say that LOL. I have no problem giving Lowe praise for his work with the Academy and attracting young talent and decent coaches, no problem whatsoever. My problem was his (and others) revisionist tales of how they "invented" it. I wouldn't have singled out anyone for praise going backwards (as you did), otherwise the list would be quite long (McMenemy, Higgins, Merrington, etc). I just enjoyed Crocker's acknowledgement of our great tradition in this area stretching back a fair few decades.

Interesting as I think you'll find that Mani is a massive Red, Ian Brown is as well hence he sung This Is The One at Gary Neville's testimonial and Squire is a season ticket holder at OT. Bez iss a Red, along with Ryder. Walsh from The Carpets used to run with United's firm in the 80's and I always link them to United through the song "This is what it's like to be City, this is what it's like to be small". Throw in "Giggs will tear you apart, again" by Joy Division (of whom 3/4 were United fans) and I think the Reds have more than their fair share (although City can lay claim to Oasis)

LOL. Go and do a cross reference to see if anyone who was advocating a "media silence/they're all lying scum/don't need them recently" is now posting on this thread.

I was going to mention that I enjoyed Crocker's references to an era that pre dates Lowe and where we were already recognised and established as a production line of talent. I thought it made a refreshing change to acknowledge what had happened in the past, unlike some revisionists of later years.

Indeed. Given they were raking in millions they would have been soooooooo much better off putting some of that in to a decent training/youth/academy set up, as opposed to in to some foreign mercenaries pocket. It's so short sighted that you just have to wonder what was going on down there. For the future of a football club I would have ringfenced a decent one off figure form the Sky money to upgrade behind the scenes facilities.

I would suggest that treason is somewhat more serious than supporter representation and loyalty to this country is impossible if you continue to support the actions of a traitor. (plus had Smith a farm worker in his Government, then things might have been different).

Was an enjoyable read. Investing in youth has served us well over the years and so it is pleasing to see that whatever happens over the next few years there will be a legacy that will help the Club long in to its future. We have always has a great reputation with regards bringing players through and this will only enhance that reputation ensuring that we will have at least have a chance of attracting the brightest talent.

Come on Dune, just because I pointed out it is somewhat ridiculous to claim to be a loyal subject whilst supporting and promoting a traitor who committed treason against our great country there is no need to become all upset and insulting again. I'm not sure music is your forte if you thought Beautiful South might have originated down here given the fact that it was common knowledge they evolved from the Housemartins.

Problem for me is that songs adapted from the Roses, Mondays or Carpets are all too intrinsically linked (and often used) by United (and they do it impressively as well). Therefore not convinced. However, that does mean we have a monopoly on The Delays, Craig David, Artful Dodger and Howard Jones.

Loyal up until you support an individual and regime that committed treason against this great country of ours. You cannot be loyal to the Crown whilst supporting an individual who committed treason against the same Crown.

I'm not suggesting that the City should decide, merely that I would like to know why they seem to be so in favour of staying in Europe?? Is it really that beneficial to UK PLC (or just more beneficial to them), if so then I would take that in to consideration when deciding whether I think it is in our interests to stay in and balancing that out against what I think is an obvious lack of accountancy/democracy.

Was just about to offer mine up as well (big Sony thing) as understand charity shops aren't keen on them!! Are you off to buy a new one then?? We're off up to John Lewis to pick one up after the Argos adverts made us think about trading in our less than slimline thing!!!!

I think it is only fair to highlight that the Conservatives were the ones conveniently ignoring the World financial meltdown and trying to blame the UK's plight solely on the Labour administration (not that they were innocent parties mind, as they certainly should have reined things in in the latter years) when they were campaigning in the run up to the General Election. That is why I think some find their current reaction to the Eurozone worries as somewhat galling. I think it is obvious that the Eurozone Meltdown will have a significant impact on the UK economy and it is right to highlight that, but it is a bit naughty for them to have ignored the larger and perhaps more significant Worldwide meltdown of a few years ago when berating the then Government. Whilst I don't advocate a live by the sword, die by the sword policy, I can understand why some might want to be less generous. As someone who is leftish of centre, then I have to say I'm no advocate of the European integration we have seen. My main objection is the lack of accountability and democracy (something so wonderfully highlighted by the bureaucratic overthrows of Greece and Italy - Europes Autumn uprising curtailing democracy). However, I'm open to debate and one question no-one seems to have been able to answer is just how important Europe is to UK PLC. Is it negligible or unimportant as you suggest, or is it considerable and a major issue as suggested by many of the UK's corporations? I'm not one that accepts money is everything, but I would like to know the full cost to UK PLC(positive, negative or neutral). Why is the City and UK PLC so pro Europe?

This reply resonates with me, in that I see a distinction between the two "organisations". I view the Act of Rememberance as a tribute to those who gave their lives so that we may well enjoy our future. A tribute made more poignant that it was undertaken en masse by the ordinary man in the street. Of course the money raised goes towards supporting ex service personnel, but for me the main symbol is one of remembering those who are no longer with us. Whereas I view HFH as a charity doing great things for those who servicemen who are still with us today.

I was thinking along the same lines when I first thought about this issue, in that I wonder just how far we are willing to go to chase the money. Personally, I think it's sad that the game is more than happy to sell its history under the mantra of " well you have to compete", when in reality most of that money is going in to the pockets of journeymen mercenaries who are already very well paid. But then again am I just being an a bit of an old fogey. Was there the same sort of furore when Saints became one of the first (if not the first?) sponsored teams with Rank Xerox? Propbably not, but then again I think the addition of a brand name to a teams kit wasn't deemed that intrusive. Prefixing or suffixing the stadium for us would be acceptable, whilst I wouldn't be happy with only a corporate corporate brand, but I can also see the arguments relating to new grounds without an identity. I felt St Mary's was different as although new, St Mary's was already sysnonymous with the Saints. But if we are happy with a solely corporate stadium where would we draw the line in bringing in money in order to compete?? Would we be happy to down the equestrian route of a few decades ago (i.e. horses named Sanyo Music Centre) and rename or suffix the team, The IBM Saints, Southampton Sony FC, Portsmuff Pounds Scrapyard FC?????

I know him and the Romsonian on his left in his Burberry polo. Would love to introduce you to them both.

Sunderland on New Year's Day 1991 or 1992 saw very few in the paddock opposite the main stand. Bit of snow and sleet and I think a 1-0 defeat (a penalty from Kevin Ball!!!!). Was staying in Newcastle at the time so felt a bit sorry for those who had a very long journey back. Also remember an Everton game in the 80's when there weren't enough on the little paddock behind the goal to even get some sort of group going for a sing-song. Around 85 I reckon with Jordan winning a penalty (think we drew 2-2).

Agree, quite enjoyed that. Upbeat, but honest.