um pahars

Personally, I would prefer /askinglobbying/engaging with the Club and attempting to get the original pre season Ted Bates game reinstated. That would make more sense to me and open the celebrations and recognition up to a much wider audience. Was there ever anything official about the dropping of the game???? Or has it just been an oversight in the melee of installing a new regime????

I think Monsieur Grant has been open and honest with his replies on the other thread detailing the "link" between the Club and this website. I struggle to make a jump from working constructively with the Club over photos, crest etc and being under the Club's control, or being deemed as their mouthpiece. Certainly, when you consider Steve's contributions on some issues (on here and elsewhere) and the existence of quite a few voices that have been criticial of certain decisions made by the Club, then I'm not sure how people have come tho that conclusion. (For the record I mentioned this place being allowed to use the crest when the Ex Saints weren't, but my argument was that there should be nothing stopping both places using it - "FWIW, I think this site should be allowed to use it, along with a number of other institutions (with the Club's agreed permission). It must be possible for the Club to extend its goodwill and the let the logo be used by a number of initiatives after having a chat with them and being sensible about it."

I know there was some toing and froing that summer and we never concluded the deal, but I'm sure he played in our tour of Austria???/Switzerland????/Alpine region??? that summer as an acquaintance had to courier his boots over!!!!!!! Or perhaps he never made it in the end (but his boots did)!!!!!!

And after being 2-0 up at half time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ditto. Has to be the best way of getting promoted (although at Wembley would be better) and conversely the worst if you fail in the final.

Didn't Marcus De Beasley (he of American extraction) have a couple of games for us pre season at some point???

How about "Southampton till I die" then ?????? Not sure if Portsmuff came up up with the original (or whether they just copied someone else), but they certainly sang it before us and therefore I can't bring myself to join in. As for the "shed" song, I've just thought it was cringeworthy.

NI was "open" with the IFO and also posted a couple of things on the UI after the IFO report. He has explained things as far as I believe he can. However, the biggest problem is surely without being made aware of the Club's reasons for banning him from holding a season ticket, then it is impossible to put up a defence and respond.

If people are rightly banned and the due process has been followed, then I very much doubt that there would be much support and debate about it (and quite rightly so), but that is not what has happened here. I'm not sure how you came to that judgement if you have read the report. On the first issue the Ombudsman is unequivocal in his findings and clearly states the Club have not handled the complaint correctly (and been in breach of their own Charter etc etc etc) and should apologise to NI. On the second count, it is only due to the Club refusing to outline their reasons for the banning of NI from holding a season ticket, that they have found it more difficult to get to the bottom of the issue. The onus is on the Club to provide the Ombudsman with information and IMHO the Ombudsman has interpreted their refusal in exactly the right way (otherwise we're entering the realms of negative proof fallacy). The Club had every opportunity to provide the Ombudsman with satisfactory answers/explanantions (even in confidence) and I'm afraid their failure to do so is inexcusable and as damning as their initial handling of the affair.

I may come to regret this thread when AOC becomes an absolute superstar, but as we stand here today I would much rather have Lallana in the side (of course I'd love them both). For me, when he is absent we struggle to get going.

Indeed. The Club would be well advised to follow the IFO's ruling and apologise to NI and reinstate him as a season ticket holder immediately or at least at the start of next season. I would be very disappointed if the Club decides to go against an independent ruling given out by an Ombudsman appointed by the Footballing authorities (& Government).

I'd imagine that as the Club took the action then they would know what this is about. However, I understand that NI still has not had any confirmation as to why his right to buy a season ticket was withdrawn. As far as I'm aware they haven't acted on this report. I would be very disappointed if they didn't care about the opinion of Football's independent ombudsman who was appointed with the backing of the three main footballing bodies and the Government. You have to assume the Club are aware of this (I certainly did) as it is an integral part of the game and membership of the League.

If Cortese thinks of this Club in pure "business" terms then it would be a big worry. However, in his defence, I don't think he does think that way. As others have pointed out he was instrumental in bringing out a 125th shirt and with the Saints Foundation and other issues he has shown that he understands that the Club is much more than a normal business. But I do think he has probably misjudged this event right from the start. He and others underestimated the sentiment and support out there for "bigger" celebrations of our history and I also believe he has allowed his personal spats with some from our past to colour his judgement with regards co-operating with those who then ran with the event. He may not have done anything to get in the way, but conversely it would appear that he has not done anything to augment or support this event which is a real shame.

You thought Sunday would be a re run of Silverspoons and were quick to knock it, so given your history on calling these events, maybe we should go ahead with a bigger one!!!!!

Got to be happy with those results!!!

Really nice to hear/see that. Will have to have a look the next time I pop down to SMS. Good work from those who kept the faith with getting something done (despite the knockbacks) and well done to the Club for a nice gesture. Cost minimal, effort minimal, reward intangible.

Only in a crazy world would you compare a Football Club to a normal company. You don't get 2,500 current and ex customers of normal companies paying £25 to cheer and applaud a load of ex employees at a theatre. It's the most ridiculous analogy going and seriously fails to understand just what a Football Club means to many of the supporters and communities involved with it. It's the very fact that Football Clubs are so different to normal companies that we are even discussing this issue.

You could do that, but then sceptics might suggest you're out to provoke a reaction. Additionally, many supporters will claim you're not speaking for them and it does not have their name on it so would "rebuke" any award and would go on to claim it is divisive.

Available on iplayer. 9mins 30 secs in (for about 10 mins) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ycv9x/Late_Kick_Off_South_South_West_and_West_2011_Episode_4/ PS Turn it off before it goes back to the studio, as I'm not sure where on the "Cortese to Lawrie/Matty blame-ometer" the blame should be apportioned on this one, but IMHO the comments at the end by James Richardson don't make pleasant viewing.

You could just tell from the response of those in attendance last night that was a real appetitie for such an event. The rate at which the tickets were sold clearly demonstrates that there is a passion to share and reflect over our past. Well done to all involved for tapping in to that sentiment and allowing us all to indulge ourselves for an evening. What was really moving for me last night was the sight of my old fella (70) and others either side of his age getting all emotional and animated over clips of Sydenham, Paine, O'Brien and others from the 50's and 60's. It's at times like those that you realise how special this Club is to a large number of people and how dear they hold it to their hearts. I'd even go as far as suggesting there might be some mileage left in such an event as I felt we only scratched the surface. Not criticising last night at all, there was never going to be enough time to involve all 40 guests on the stage and delve deeper in to our history, but I reckon there's potential to do much more and potentially a big audience for it as well!!!

I can see where you're coming from and there must be a temptation to tell certain people who have been overly critical (and needlessly *****y) of these functions to put it in their pipe and etc etc etc, but I would echo the words of Osman, McMenemy, Channon, Matty and others last night and suggest that what is needed is for everyone to unite around Saints and channel the positivity and goodwill in to pushing the Club forward. It would be shame if the feelgood factor generated from a great weekend of events couldn't be harnessed for the good of everyone connected with the Club. Additionally, I'm hoping that it might mark a thawing of relations with some on both sides showing some humility and compromise.

Cheap and nasty.

My dad (70) remembered him from his days when he was a youngster!!!!! Found this article about him: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/5045937.Saints_ace_celebrates_diamond_wedding_anniversary/ Didn't have time to have a look through In That Number when I got home, so will have a look tonight.

Wonderful evening, paying tribute to some great heroes of mine. Really great spirit from the audience and those on the stage didn't fail to entertain and amuse. Lasted three hours including a break and the chat was interspersed with a number of good montages (going back to the 60's). Great to see and hear from Danny Wallace who looks in decent enough shape. Bryn Elliott (who???) stole the show, but Matty, Shearer, Flowers, Keegan and Channon were in fine form. Some wonderful stories greatly appreciated by the audience. My dad appreciated some of the older names including O'Brien, Huxford & co. Going in to the break there was a tribute to those no longer with us with Mills, Hayes, Ossie, Ball, Bates and Liebherr all recognised and appreciated by all. Le Tiss one the Echo poll of Saints best player (final three inc Channon and Paine) Well held together by Osman throughout and the mood was uplifting, entertaining and fun. It's on nights like these that you really see the depth of feeling for the Club and its impact on those who have followed it over the years. Very proud to be a Saints fan after that.

I'm sure we would fail miserably, but football is all about opinions & passion and a forum like this allows us to talk bollocx etc. Additionally, many posters support the good and criticise the bad with regards players and/or managers, but I'm sure they would fail miserably if put in charge of the team or stuck out on the wing. That said, is there anything wrong with offering up your thoughts about how your Club is run and how any of the decisions impact on you as a supporter? You never know if a semblence of a consensus could be found, there might even be the possibility that someone might listen.