Badger

I would have thought that as a Welshman you might have found the behaviour of some of your fellow countrymen draped with Red Dragon flags more of an embarassment and something to miss. Lets be honest,both Cardiff and Swansea fans resort to a lot of anti English abuse week in-week out.A mate at Swansea Uni c20 years ago told me how every home game at The Vetch would include "we'll never be mastered by you English bastards " sung to the red flag. Do you think an approach to your compatriots not to offend "your English friends and neighbours" would be well received ? Its a great shame you feel uncomfortable at the match,but I think its naive to expect it to cease. Celts,as opposed to Anglo-Saxons.Not that many engaging in the 'banter' will understand. Agreed.How often when England play football,and moreso rugby where the Welsh are concerned,do we hear them openly supporting or wearing the opponents shirts ? Noticed your avatar; can I have one saying "I beat or poke miserable old gits with spoons "? :)Or would that be deemed ageist,or moodist ?

I am one of the many IDK's (to make a new label).

As others have said the internet opens up the availability to gather info from the world of Saints and about it from anywhere a connection is available.The downside is the obsession with the minutae and often irrelevant or totally unfounded rumour/speculation.This can often gather a momentum and head of steam out of all proportion, ie pictures/chair colours in the boardroom generate 200+ posts. I remember the childhood days how the early morning would be spent scouring the newspaper(s) for any snippet about Saints.When spending time with relatives in Southampton,I would eagerly await the Echo to drop through the door.The only other news in the intervening period might be sportsnews on Radio 2,no 5live in those days with regular updates. I've often wondered about the following: As you say,nowadays someone would receive a text from Hamburg saying KK's wife had told her hairdresser that they were looking at properties near Southampton blah,blah. Also I've wondered how the internet might have affected other events at Saints : Branfoot's spell at Saints;would the campaign have been even more intense ? Would Chris Nicholl have survived the Mark Dennis episode ? How long would Larie have remained after relegation,and our poor start to life in Division Two 1974-5 ?

The origins of the term then remain open to discussion,for the timebeing I'll bow to your knowledge as its probably a topic closer to you than me ( no offence to you intended btw).The "logic" of sailors using the term was to suggest the locals - presumably the females that is - were merely used for sexual gratification as were 'skates' whilst at sea.

Anyone else remember reading a similar storyline about Lawrie's wife feeling "intimidated" by Lowe at some stage at SMS ?

Anyone else remember reading a similar storyline about Lawrie's wife feeling "intimidated" by Lowe at some stage at SMS ?

Wonder if any of them will be up for the inevitable encounter with Cardiff's soul crew in town next Saturday.

The article contains the following: Clearly very little research has gone into that as,to my knowledge it is incorrect on both counts.The 'union' is an urban myth,and the term 'skates' was a derogatory term used by the navy for the local populace.

Only on Planet Rupert is such a move logical.

I doubt he would be marrying her if there was a real prospect of having to spend the next 40 years married to her thats for sure.Although like most underclass he'd probably just father another two kids before buggering off to do the same again elsewhere.

Do you not mean Southampton University ( a longstanding University of great renown) against Pondsmouth Polytechnic.

No its just a facebook site for some retards in the (PO postcde) community.

Can't help thinking this circus is a publicity move on his part.Certainly won't do him any harm and yes,could be a payday in it as well.

Is he ? I had never heard of the b^stard until this current mania broke out.

Us,I think.Although only played twice and conceded 11 goals in the process if its the bloke I'm thinking of.

Is this Keith Granger who conceded 11 goals in 2 games for us ?Obviously a good track record to coah from.

The trouble is though,not going to matches becomes a routine and habit forming.It could take many years to recover that support.

That I'm afraid is due to the fact those voting are of the younger age group with no real knowledge of things before perhaps 1995 or in some cases pre St Marys. I agree with you that the selection of Bridge - who has spent the 'best years' of his career as a Chelsea reserve - ahead of Dennis or David Peach is ridiculous. Marsden,popular yes,but as you say not better than Sydenham as long as he had a hole in his arse. Kelvin ? Ridiculous. Managers.Only Ted should lead our greats.

Paul Allen ? Fulthorpe ? Barry the Briefcase ?

Definitely. If I had to vote for one,then I think it would be George Reader who I think oversaw our rise from Div 3 South to the top division (stark contrast with the cretin who has taken us back the other way in 5 years). Didn't Reader also referee in the World Cup finals ? At which point His Rupertship started believing his own publicity,and that he was blessed with Godlike infallibility.The rest is history.

Same bloke,as many posts on this thread prove.

Think they would be delighted to have been considered "birds" although expect many have now slipped past the tartan blanket and flasks stage of life.

Must be Rupert's new 'revolutionary magic roundabout coaching' system. "Time for administration" said Zebedeh...

I just hated Everton.1984 and all that. AND JOHN BAILEY WAS OF COURSE A PART OF THAT TEAM.

I expect Plymouth will act to stem their downward spiral by sacking Luggy,after - what is it now - a nine game run without a win.Don't think we can rely on Argyle taking our deserved relegation place (although I realise you don't either judging from last comment)