Badger

Interesting that you refer to Barr bolt-ons, as you may not be far from the truth. I remember reading or hearing when we moved to St Mary's that every stand bar one was built in a way it could accommodate an expansion, or another tier going over it. I think the exception was the Itchen, the joke at the time being that they had to expand the ground without disturbing Rupert's wine cellar.

or second choice if we keep Bazunu

Or that hideous blue/green effort 22/23 in our previous relegation season. That was a different level of shit

I think he’s only left one club by choice, Derby. I think he’s been sacked in his other jobs ( perhaps unfairly at Chelsea).

Just found this, no idea if any implications for us but sounds like some shenanigans going on at United Group. Probably a load of bollocks, so have taken it down rather than waste anyone’s time. Not particularly interesting but helps cure insomnia

Answer is of course “no”. But this is Saints and in the past we’ve always been clever, and have known best.

Other grounds being Eastleigh, Totton and who else ?

Have Leicester given up on him though or have I missed something?

And who was a local bloke, and as far as I’m aware, popular with the support

Depends if we feel he can cut it here, and the terms of any deal. Buy back option at specified price, or large % of any sell to on.

I’ve no real axe to grind with Dragan given what he has put into the club. He’s a successful businessman, clearly has a good head on him. His only blemish to date is those he’s been (or chosen to be) surrounded by. He seems to have the right intentions for the club and the decks appear to be cleared, so fresh start. Just hope Spors lives up to reputation and is an upgrade on the last recruitment regime. Selections of Still, and one signing, a 19 year old with limited experience, there is some way to go though. Await the Solent interview. If nothing else it’s a refreshing change from Gao’s vow of silence.

Keeping it football related, didn't he occasionally turn out for Melchester Rovers as well ?

HMRC usually have the final say.

Presumably Trump will be in the presenting party at the WC Final ?

1994 was a shit World Cup. Wonder if lessons were learnt. probably not.

Genoa. Hope this isn’t on the legacy advice of the scouting team Spors put together there.

I think in a parallel universe where Bazunu hadn’t been injured we know how that low, to the left hand corner, shot from Dan James might have ended up … (Await MLG with a ‘butterfly effect’ post, or whatever it was called …)

Not football, but rugby, Jeremy Guscott ( Bath and England). Towards the end of his rugby career (late 90’s, probably early 2000’s ) he worked with a construction company in Bristol. They would use him for marketing and PR. They came into our office in for an appointment, we were expecting two of their team, but they brought Guscott as well for full PR overload. This move rebounded on them a bit as after leaving our Director commented “If I’d known that …was coming I’d have sent a memo last week for us all to wear our Gloucester ties). In the interest of balance though, I’ve since heard a couple of stories about Guscott’s involvement, and he comes out of it with credit and as a decent bloke. Reputation intact* *(apart from having played for Bath, which is seen on par with how Saints view PO postcodes, in these parts).

Some good names there. Donna Hartley was a bit of a local ‘pin up’ as I recall. Interesting snippet about Frank Worthington. He certainly fell out of favour rapidly in 1984 ( story due to his off field antics).

I’ve not met either of them but from what I’ve read and heard from people who have, both are really decent blokes and likeable (despite their connection down the road). Primus I think was head of Christians in Football (may have been wider .. in Sport ) and was always very dignified when discussing his faith etc or representing them. Claridge was a decent summariser on radio, and again given his roots I thought quite fair in commenting on Saints.

Except when they play England who’ll treat us to a 1-0 yawn fest

Peter Rodrigues served me a pint once. But as it was his pub at the time, King Rufus, Eling nr Totton, it wasn’t entirely random or unexpected.

Interesting observation from his time with us. Relatives in Wolverhampton liked him as player when he first arrived there but didn't have a good word to say about him, and his off field conduct. They believe that was the reason behind his departure from Molineux.

Climbing a bit of a social and intellectual ladder over the past 20 years then Hatch ? Might be worth checking you’ve got those the right way round, and sounding out your libel lawyers before commenting again.

Nice story. On club shop visits on non match-days at The Dell and more recently St Mary’s I was walking through the car park and came face to face with David Armstrong, and Jose Fonte. Both were walking towards their cars but had the everyday decency to pass a quick hello, or alright ? I was an adult at the time, so it was nothing great or special but I was impressed that despite their success and wealth they still had a basic decency about them. Quite a contrast to some of the arseholes who think supporters are beneath them. (Quashie treating fans as if they’d walked something in on the bottom of their shoe). Always impressed by David Armstrong (RIP) and thought he’d make a good manager one day, but not a career path he wanted it seems