the saint in winchester

I don't know the name, but I know the face. He was warming up in front of me at the Basingstoke game. Bakov, you must be about my age with the song reference. Hersham Boys - was it Sham 69? I could google, but ... nah.

Couple of stories ... Took my 14 yo son to Staplewood for a reserve match last season. As soon as he got this camera out, a steward jumped in front of him and growled 'no photos, not allowed to take photos'. He's 14. He likes to print out his pics for his bedroom wall. Is that so bad? Were our reserves worried about image rights? My daughter was in a ballet show at the local theatre. I wasn't allowed to take photos of my own daughter on stage, as a photographer had the rights to the show. I was told I would have to buy pics from him. Do you think I did? I just took some pics of her when we got home. On the title of this thread, I don't know what to make of it.

He was starting running 2 weeks ago, so maybe not ready for Staplewood practice yet. He said he would give it his all to get back playing, hopefully for us.

Absolutely! Vokesey for Saints, please!

Pichards, keep posting. Everyone else -shut up and let me the man speak/post. I love this stuff. Real secret squirrel stuff.

I DON'T want us to be favourites. Everyone will come and park the bus in front of the goal and thinking going home with a point is a moral victory!!! Quick everyone, vote for Sheff Wed and make them favourites!!!

Agree with that. Too many people sure we'll go up. 'Pride goes before a fall' (Bible proverb). Heard that clown Adrian Durham last night describe us as a 'shoe-in' for promotion!!! We are not. I wish people would stop describing us as such!

Just tell us the squad numbers you see and if any have numbers we have a blank cell for, we'll ask you to describe him. (Assume you can't photograph them and upload for us to photofit?)

Blow that. They gave us credit-card sized fixtures sheet to put in our wallets at Saturday's game. If you didn't go, you missed out. (smug look)

That would be my view too. This is the internet age. Everyone has access to the OS. Why would they need news to be broken in a local paper? I have never bought it in 30 years.

MulletBoy then. If you find our accent hard to understand, you won't understand the Plymouth fans at all! Greeeeen Army! Don't forget its an early kick off as it's on the telly at lunchtime. Get an early flight/ferry.

Don't you read AP's quotes? He's onto it. We are in safe hands.

Almost midnight, and no official announcement. It's fine with me - when/if I see it on the OS, I will believe it. Until then, speculation.

When the time is right, at the appropriate juncture, in the fullness of time.

00:21am - all quiet on the western front. No breaking news. Bah humbug. I'm off to bed then. Hoping for something in the morning ...

.... and ironically it was Connolly that nailed him in practice - 50/50 ball, Connolly went in hard. (from GM himself)

The first team (out in Switz) needed a right back, there were already two GK out there, so no need for Bart to fly out.

Are you saying ... even if they don't have an under 8 in the family? Surely a name has to be given and identity confirmed (passport?) Are you suggesting there will be ghosts or waifs n strays in seats?

Can't agree with that. After seeing make-do's covering RB, I was pleased to see Murty playing well, good in defence, getting up in support of the attacks, and vocal, organising the defence. He definitely added value, and although the balance of probablility is that we won't see him again in a Saints shirt (playing) I am still hoping that we will. He told me he would take ANYthing we offer. While he was signing a few autographs, his brother-in-law with him said he was just desperate to play again, hopefully for us, for even for Basingstoke. He feels he has a little more playing time, and I wouldn't argue with that.

Aha, DoF !!!!

Keep up man. He was released, yes, but with the prospect of rejoining us if he could get fit and if we needed him. Yeah, likely we don't see him back with us, but let's not close the door yet.

Oh actually you're getting farther ahead than the man himself. He said his recovery is going well. He starts running this week and will train with the Club if all goes well. I mentioned the rumour that Richardson had picked up an injury in Switzerland and he said he hadn't heard that, but would get up to speed on Monday. I said we (or more exactly) I still saw a place for him in the Saints setup even with Danny Butterfield coming in too. And guys, he didn't know about the Butterfield signing ... and yes, he commented that would push him down the priority list, and he did feel that maybe with 2 RBs in front of him, that could be the end of his hope that AP could make him an offer. We talked about it (Butterfield) being only a year's contract but GM said that's normal for a 30 yo. Year by year. GM said he would take anything, pay as you play, just to get back. In answer to "what will you do if you don't make it back?" he sighed and said "I haven't thought that far ahead; I'm just focusing on recovering". As for the guy himself, he looked lean and younger than when I'm sat in the Chapel! Also not that tall a guy, only my height. Impressed me much - very open, friendly, approachable, had photos with the fans, signed their programs. Yeah, hope we can use him in the coaching setup, if he doesn't get a playing contract.

I had a chat with Bart when he came to the bench for the second half. I asked him if he has signed his contract, to which he replied, "not yet." I encouraged him to get on and sign and he said "I will, this week I sign contract, ok." Good enough for me. Bart told me himself he is signing the new contract. I said I hoped he was given more games and he smiled.

He was indeed. I was with him for a while and had a good chat with him about his medical situation/fitness. Great bloke. Signed numerous autographs and had pics taken with everyone's wife/daughter/dog. Do you wanna know what he told me? I want to build up the suspense first.