spyinthesky

Never fails to amaze me how people can access such information I often wondered if my youthful reminiscence was correct and it seems it was

Pretty sure I went on that one too. Seem to recollect that the train passed over a viaduct somewhere (Bath?) and there were quite a few toilet roll 'streamers, despatched from the door windows, which could be opened then. A few of these streamers were then set alight!!! To someone who was brought up in the sticks, mixing with the 'town lads' was an education. Actually 'mixing' is probably the wrong expression. We learnt from them from afar but enjoyed being on the fringes of the more vocal tougher and less well behaved element. Quite a few of the supporters on the trains worked for British Railways as they could use Travel Warrants.

I suppose there are a few of us here who can remember Football Specials The forthcoming Hull game brought back memories of joining a 'Football Special' at the now closed Dock Station in January 1966. The steam train left about 11PM with a few hundred intrepid fans on board including a gang of 6 schoolboys all properly attired with ties, macs and clean handkerchiefs (and probably red & white rosettes) plus sandwiches and a flask of tea (which had to last all day!!) We travelled north through the night in a compartment train and we took turns to sleep in the overhead luggage racks (v uncomfortable) No I phones, computers, music etc etc in those days so it was a long journey but it was the first time most of us had been able to stay away all night without parents I think we arrived into Paragon Station about 6 am and had to wander around the cold, dark and deserted streets of Hull until we managed to find somewhere warm to sit (think it might have been a Bowling Alley) Remember being really impressed with Boothferry Park (covered accommodation all round and 6 floodlight pylons) but it was really foggy and only saw glimpses of the game in a 1-0 defeat against lower league opposition. After a trudge back to the station the train left about 7pm and I arrived back home about 3 am and then up at 7am to do a Sunday paper round in the pouring rain. I was knackered for days. Bit different these days Mind you walking down the hill with thousands of others to join one of the many Football Specials at Central Station for the 1963 semi final v Man Utd in 1963 was something I shall never forget along with the convoy up to London in 1976 and for the JPT final

Isn't it nice to witness a couple of decent 3-0 away wins and no thumpings so far this season. Over the years Saints have generally struggled away from home, especially in the top division, and here we stand with the second best defensive record on the road. Hope this positive post doesn't come back to haunt me further down the line just as the 7-1 defeat at lower league Watford did many years ago when we had won the home leg League Cup game 4-0 and we toddled off to Vicarage Road expecting an easy transition into the next round!!

I go back a little further for the slightly differerent version Eye yi yi yi Forsyth is better than Yashin Ron Davies is better than Eusebio And you're all in for a thrashin' Frightening thing is, at least three of these players have departed this mortal coil!!

Any one read it? If so a good read, especially in relation to his time at the Dell?

I'm in I have a soft spot for Coventry especially after our 8-2 & 5-5 games back in the 80's

I remember playing against Cowes when they were a decent Hampshire League team Pat Parker was an elder statesman centre half. Quite lanky if I remember correctly and, as mentioned, a real gentleman. Think Cowes played in red & white stripes at the time RIP Pat

Sorry missed out Osvaldo from above list

If you add NC into the equation, the club has probably saved £150k a week in wages from the recent (confirmed) departure (plus trousering reported £1.7m from JP's sale) of: Cortese Fox Barnard Martin Puncheon Lee Sharp

Liverpool Echo suggesting Everton will bid for Jay Rodriguez after Lukaku's injury last night. Return to the NW may possible attract JR would Everton be able to improve upon Jay's wages or be a more attractive long term prospect Would leave us very short of experienced strikers IF it happens

Thought the time taken by AOC to applaud all areas of St Marys was a very nice touch and obviously representative of his affection for the club and fans even though he has now moved on Wouldn't mind seeing him back down here for the right money Young English player with the right work ethic

Presumably none of the youngsters on here will remember the 'enjoyment' of queuing for big match tickets at the Dell with long lines of supporters snaking round the ground. Also turning up at a popular pay at the gate game and being turned away as the ground was full. (Fortunately never happened to me) last time I can remember an overnight queue was for the 76 cup Final and then there was a lock out for Mick Channons testimonial on the Monday So glad I was here to witness both Writing this reminds me of the special evening games at the Dell. Poor floodlights seemed to enhance the atmosphere and there was the all pervading smell of cigarette smoke, booze and hot Bovril plus whatever was on your shoes after a visit to the latrines. Also for big games the Echo used to publish both attendance plus gate receipts which wouldn't equate to a fraction of the weekly wage of our top wage earners nowadays Good memories but glad we have moved on.

Agree with this For every Alan Shearer there is a Matt Pattison and I sincerely hope that young Sam follows the Shearer line I am nervous about tonight but no different when we played a very youthful team (Dodd debut) v undefeated Liverpool at the Dell and smashed them 4-1 Good luck to all our boys tonight and hope for a god result and no more injuries!!

Also am I right to understand that Pompey have had to raise £450k from their HNW fans to pay for some outstanding ground improvements to maintain their Stadium (!!!) Licence One of these is improved accommodation for way disabled fans who have suffered regular abuse from the Fratton Faithful(!!!!) Last bit doesn't sit that comfortably with the 'Best fans in the World' title

Don't think he can be criticised for trying to get the Stoneham site underpinned by retail. Decent business principle As I understand it the SCC provided the St Marys site FOC and Rupes/Andrew Cowans sorted out a £33m mortgage via Norwich Union Again credit where it is due However there were many downsides, including the laughable letter of support from the 'mystery' supporter at one of the last AGM's I would love to read a full resume of the Lowe years at some stage. Come on Duncan I think you should have a go before our collective memories fail

I am no particular fan of Rupes but walking up to the ground today made me reflect what our position would be today if Rupert and Co had spunked our Premiership revenue on big money signings a la Pompey and not invested in the new Stadium and training facilities. If we had stayed at the Dell who knows where we would be now. Certainly not able to attract 24,000 fans for a cup tie against relatively modest (no disrespect intended) opposition. Southampton City Council should also be congratulated for overcoming the longstanding problem in finding a site. It still rankles with me that the residents of Stoneham, the politicians at Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council had their spurious objections to the Stoneham site upheld. However, thanks to SCC, the stadium was built in the heart of the city and we have decent facilities. I had a good view today, was kept dry and saw some new talent develop. All good stuff.

For those who think today will be a stroll in the park should remember that only top class saves from the often maligned Kelvin Davis kept us in with a shout against Bristol City and Burnley I thought our team v Bristol City would be good enough to see them off comfortably but we struggled at times and it was only the introduction of regular first teamers as subs which pulled us through both games

My first reaction to the news was..'Typical of Osvaldo. Waste of money. Get rid asap, especially after his spat at Newcastle'... I then remembered that when I was playing football at a reasonable level many years ago, there were regular flare ups in training for any number of reasons. However in those days such incidents never made the press and also fans were more tolerant as most players weren't on massive wages and didn't cost a fortune in transfer fees. Todays players do have a greater responsibility towards their club and supporters and, all things considered, if we can cut our losses with Osvaldo and try again for a decent replacement, that should be the objective. I am glad though that we have a few points in the bag. It would not have been good to suffer injuries + Osvaldo problems if we were at the wrong end of the table

I see Penny's red swimsuit is going up for Auction. Someone unkindly said that Adidas were going to buy it to make into a set of kit for Accrington Stanley ahead of their relegation clash at Fortress Fratton On a separate matter, I notice there is a Toy Fair on in London at the moment. Wonder if our ex favourite poster is in attendance?

First of all I think this is a very positive statement that will hit the spot with most supporters. We are unlikely to ever know but I would be very interested to learn who actually prepared the draft before Katharina signed it off. Whoever they were it was a very good effort.

John Don't think posters are sniping at Aaron Martin, just trying to give an honest assessment and I for one would love to be proved wrong as he cost us nothing. However as I recollect he went on loan to Palace last season and was shipped back after only playing a few games so may be that is a reasonable yardstick to consider

Question is, do we want Pompey to go down to Non League where they should comfortably survive and possibly thrive with record attendances etc and possibly regroup for a glorious return to League football (more honours on the board etc)? Alternatively they survive and, hopefully, get stuck in League 2/ Div 4 for a few years with interest dwindling away. I suppose if they went down to Non League and got a hefty points deduction and ended up doing a Stockport/Bradford PA/Workington/Boston or even a Maidstone this would be seen as the natural progression this side of the M27

I agree with you on this Because I was uncertain of my whereabouts I bought my ticket for the Bristol City game on the morning of the game (for an evening KO) I wasn't aware of the surcharge and was asked to pay £22 for a ticket For a moment I thought about walking but didn't I know £2 is not a great deal of money in the grand scale of things but it was the principle that annoyed me, especially as the three people ahead of me were being delayed at the Ticket office and I was expecting to exceed the 15mins parking time All this for what was really a reserve team fixture!!