Neil

Yeah, have been to all 5. The first was the best for me simply because we were no longer the only county never to have made a Lord's final although the end was a bit of an anti-climax, can't remember if it was a wide or a no-ball. '91 was the best game for pure excitement although I really enjoyed '05 as well. The one thing that puts a bit of a downer on it for me nowadays is not being able to pile on the pitch at the end. It used to be great standing on the pitch singing the names of each and every player who took it in turns to come out onto the balcony and wave. Yep really enjoyed the pitch invasion from Compton Lower in '91, quite a few Saints fans on the pitch then. Really hoping for the right result on Saturday, and a bit of sunshine would be nice...

Great stuff, hopefully we can get into 5 figures over the next few weeks, would imagine quite a few fans will be getting STs before the Ajax or Hearts games.

Good appointment. He may not have the "X Factor" that some were looking for (whatever that is), but to be quite frank I don't really care about that. He will have a lot of work to do sorting out the rabble that he has inherited, but good luck to him, I'll support him all the way and I'm sure all fans will get behind him.

Pardew would get my vote, and I think he could even turn out to be better than WGS.

Tickets have arrived from Lord's! Gonna be a superb day hopefully, what time train are people getting? Can't beat a Hampshire final at Lord's, well hopefully we can beat the '07 debacle... Anyone there in '88, '91 or '92? Was there in '91 for Ayling's winning blow, great game.

Ah, there's your first problem! But like others I''m just looking forward to getting on the beers and being at SMS again, after worrying about our existence. This game is just a celebration and thank you, I'm going to pay my respects and say thank you to Ted Bates and Markus Liebherr.

Perhaps not as far away as we think, we're yet to hear Mr Liebherr's views as far as I know but I'd imagine he's heard about Englands World Cup Bid. There are other considerations such as the Southampton transport plan (what plan?) and in particular expanding that bridge to Old Northam Road.

Best result of pre-season so far!

Sounds promising, was just wondering about ticket postings. Ordered mine on Tuesday 7th from Lord's, got a confirmation email but no money has left my account yet for the tickets.

Got mine during the Ashes lunch break on Friday, great to hear people whining about the queues during their lunch hour, never thought I'd hear that again! I decided that if I didn't get one there might be the odd game I would end up not going to, despite my enthusiasm for the Brave New World, so decided to bite the bullet and get an ST. Looking forward to Ajax now!

It's up to us as supporters to ensure that they're open this season. Judging from the early interest in STs and the good vibe around SMS at the moment, I would say that they may have to open soon! Returned to the ST ranks (Northam) yesterday.

Nice picture on Sporting Life's main story on the takeover: http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/07/08/SOCCER_Southampton.html&TEAMHD=soccer

Doesn't really matter what his title is, just basically a bit ambassadorial / PR type role, and he can fit it in around the Sky Sports stuff if he wants. Legend, and will definitely pep up the goodwill which will be skyhigh soon...

Surely the thread can get to Page 300? Someone may have mentioned Saints being sold to a mega-rich Markus Loverboy, surely this could only be a Swiss fairytale? And a (tenuous) link to Southampton's docks heritage via some nice new cranes, no, now you've got to be making it up...

Where's the £15 return to Carlisle from? If it's anywhere near the South Coast it sounds like a pretty good deal!

Just read Steve's post - doh! But cheers for the update.

Fast train to Waterloo, then Jubilee to St John's Wood. Piece of cake, tried-and-tested for Hampshire trips to Lord's! Always a good blast on the train going up, first beer at around 8 / 8.30 is standard procedure. Should be an awesome day!

Anyone know of any pubs in Southampton area definitely showing the game today? Shouldn't be much competition (Federer-Roddick) but some pubs don't seem to like cricket very much and only pander to the football crowds.

In a word lightweight, always disappears when the going gets tough. Nice left foot and looks decent with good players around him with a lead and when the confidence is up. His misses in those three consecutive games, Derby, QPR and one other (Blackpool? bit harsh though that one although it was virtually a penalty) got us relegated. But a Bitterne lad so all the best son...

Correct. Winner of Essex-Hants goes through. 3rd placed team in North Group couldn't get as many points as Essex/Hants.

What a crock of absolute ****e. That has ruined possibly the best weekender of the season. Nice drive along the A27 on the evening before Easter, that won't be congested then will it?! "The game has been switched to encourage a bumper crowd, who will then be able to enjoy a long Easter weekend." Absolute bull****, as surely it would sell out the Withdean whatever day. We won't enjoy Easter Saturday without football FFS! "And with the game now not being played over a Bank Holiday, the club will make substantial savings on matchday costs." Ah, that's nearer to the truth I think! Was this on police advice, can the Sussex boys in blue not handle 800 Saints fans on a bank holiday ****-up?! Anyway, back to the takeover...

The most important thing is obviously that the takeover happens (obviously) and that the goodwill of the fans is ensured, so shedloads of Season Tickets are shifted and the club is metaphorically given back to the city (sorry for cliche). I'm prepared to have 5 years or more of shoestring existence if that's what it takes to keep SFC alive, the money can wait.

Help Me Dead End Road We've Had Enough Prevent This Tragedy One Hundred Stories Back To Hell (all Alkaline Trio)

Don't let him do any keepy-uppys on the pitch at St Mary's, then we'll really be finished!

I've got a nagging fear that this deal will have collapsed by the end of this week, if it hasn't already. No way did I believe at the start of the 3-week exclusivity that this would take so long, particularly when it was only over something as predictable as the FL playing hardball. Pinnacle have to deliver by Friday, or this is game over, but please prove me wrong!