derry

I was a pilot flying Heralds from the Airport and had just landed and got out of the the aeroplane going into the office and saw him come in on a private plane from Hamburg. It was all over the airport in minutes that he was signing for us and off for a news conference. I just didn't believe it but it was true. In those days customs, immigration and S/B saw everybody coming in especially in private planes. Everybody was on first name terms so we got the message very quickly. When I got home it was all over the tv news.

I deleted the post because I regretted making a remark like that. Trying to do something when it might have had time to work was once an option. Unless this or another deal with £500k up front to buy time, buys the club, that's it. I have no plans there is no time left.

Interesting! I had a feeling about you but I wanted confirmation. To tell the truth I don't know who you are but thanks for confirming my suspicions. I was hoping you would respond. You really need to rein in your attitude because if life is as fragile as you describe, it can't be doing you any good at all. Picking arguments really isn't the best way. It isn't differing views that cause arguments it is the inability to respect those views with a polite response.

I think you should take a look at yourself. You obviously have a problem. Your belligerent attitude with people you don't even know is ludicrous. You don't even seem able to discuss anything wthout having an attitude problem.

His sanctimonious pedantic reply got up my nose for once.

No, because I know who you are.

You really have made being a sanctimonious prat into an art form. A visit to your psychiatrist must be due. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The fact there is still 48 hours to the deadline means nothing if everything is complete and there is nothing left to do but sign the contracts and pay up to close the deal. Somebody said the other day that we could expect the bidder to walk at some time close to the deadline if an attempt is made to reduce the price and move the goalposts as time is running out.

It may or may not be true, but it certainly is the most critical time for this particular deal, as it is put up or shut up time when the talking has to stop and the money transferred.

1960: George O'Brien about 5'-8" fouled by Harry Harris (Newport County) later played many games at Centre Half for Pompey. Without a word George hit him with a right cross that pole axed him and left him unconscious for some time. In 55 years it is the only time I've ever seen a footballer actually land a proper punch. The neatest thing I've ever seen.

I think the PLC will be liquidated. There is no point in buying the shareholding. The Administrator will just sell the assets take his cut and pay off the debts. I doubt there will be anything left.

I think the assets are sold then the company is wound up and if anything left after debts paid will go to shareholders. This may well be the first announcement together with the date of a press conference..

Wotte was a smart ass coach who thought that he and his system was the most important ingredient. He failed completely as a manager as he got nowhere near the best out of the players. He didn't do simple, which was to assess the players and play the formation that brought the best out of their combined abilities. The players didn't like or understand how to play the diamond and the lack of width blunted our sttack and left our defensive flanks wide open. The final verdict was relegation brought about by the combined arrogance of three people, Lowe, Portvliet and Wotte who knew better than the rest of football in this country. Good riddance to all of them.

I've stayed at the Royal Cambodian in Phnom Penh, English pub just down the road, Must see: the killing fields and tour of the interrogation centre, it will stay with you for the rest of your life. The market is extensive but loads of beggers. I didn't get to Ankor.

Mike Osman asked me who the financier was last Friday and we talked about it together with Paul one of his brothers on Saturday, Mike doesn't know who it is. I had been given a name but it hasn't been mentioned on this site, Weston has been told by someone who knows TL that that name is not the financier.

If Wotte is manager, season ticket sales will not take off, the results will be mixed because the football will be poor as the players don't like the system and gates will fall. The season will be wasted and Wotte will get fired by Christmas. I think the new owners would be mad to keep him on.

The football we have played in the last three years has been awful. It culminated in Wotte's awful diamond formation. The systems we employed last year played a major part in our relegation. This was down to the two coaches. Wotte is a smart ass coach that doesn't do "simple". What we need is a "manager" first and foremost that believes in keeping it simple. Play a wide 4-4-2 with a high tempo and we will do well. Wotte is not the man to do this.

What has led me to the conclusion of privacy is that Tony Lynham has said that the title is to be vested in him which is pretty unequivocal. I have no problem with somebody not wishing to be exposed to the circus that is the football media. It is possible that the owners name may be given to the authorities, but the money behind equity/hedge funds would not be available so it is possible to avoid publication. If the nominees, MLT, Lynham etc deliver the goods and take the club forward I really couldn't care less if I never knew who owned us provided they continue to support the club. It would be nice but hardly a necessity.

If you are worth £700m, you can use who you like to use your money and nobody would be any the wiser. I know all about the league's so called rules but if somebody of that wealth doesn't want to be known they will find a way. If an equity/hedge fund are suitable owners then hiding one's identity would be no problem.

I talk to Mike Osman on a regular basis. The last time I spoke to him, although he is aware of names being put up, says he hasn't a clue who it is, but just wants to see the club up and running like the rest of us. Whatever you think of him, I have found him and his brothers real people and proper Saints supporters. As for why the financier is staying in the background, I would think he is very aware of the all intrusive nature of the media and intends to stay out of it. I would be surprised if in fact he ever comes forward. It is my view at the moment that the club and assets will be owned by companies, the directors of which will be nominees. The holding company will be owned by another company and that will be registered offshore, such as the Cayman Ialands and the owner will quietly run it through Pinnacle as long as it works.

Did I miss anything?

The bloke made a valid remark. I expect most people feel the same way. This is by no means a done deal yet. The biggest test is going to be paying over an enormous amount of money and that has still to happen. There has to be doubts over any deal connected with the club until they are closed out.

Just like buying a property etc. In the end 21 days might not be enough for the lawyers especially with at least three properties and a number of trading companies. I'll just be happy to see it happen in the end. It certainly makes it easier by not coming on here so much.

Leon Crouch loaned the club a lot of money to keep it going. He is also because of it a major creditor. I wouldn't be at all surprised that the group would want him on the board and that maybe that would lead to him writing off his loans as a quid pro quo. There is no doubt that he is a real supporter of the Saints and I for one would welcome his involvement.

As I said, if an administrator tries to raise funds by selling players the league rules apply but if the administrator insisted all the money was transferred to them then the transfer wouldn't take place. The club is not in administration and is the only member of the league. SLH is being dissolved and will not exist by the time an appeal goes in. The club will be debt free after an injection of £14m and will have a good case. Time will tell, league committees are one thing, legality, the law and QCs are quite another.

Owing money, not being able to settle debts, being allowed to continue to trade by the creditors buying time to sell the club and then being paid is not administration. If the club had been in administration I suspect in law the administrator would have to receive any payments. The administration law would not allow third parties to deduct debts from money paid for the sale of a company asset. In effect the transfer could not have happened if we had been in administration.