spyinthesky

Just think that for quite some time the 'Portsmouth News' ran a major campaign endorsed by many of their readers (and those read to), politicians (including some MP's now asking for the Govt to put pressure on the HMRC to cut some slack on PFC's outstanding tax demands), and various n'er do wells, promoting Henry Redknapp for a knighthood Some even suggested Peter Storrie was also worthy of such an honour I bet there won't be many admitting to their folly now!!

Have they gone to the wall? Seems a lot of activity around their site today and signs being taken down

Any one out there in the trade? Possibly looking to change my car and assumed that, due to the recession, prices for used cars would be on the slide However read an article recently which said that prices had hardened due to a combination of lack of supply and people not buying so many new cars

Didnt have the commercial success and profile of others but a great voice nonetheless

Obviously it is a different model at Pompey Assume their youngsters are not 'Professionals' When we had injuries/suspensions earlier this year a number of U18's were drafted in as was the case when we went into admin

I share a degree of cynicism on this but understand from a couple of well placed 'sauces' that there will be an announcement shortly about major developments, starting, I think, with the Royal Pier scheme

Are you sure you dont mean Greg Llewellyn?

Dont rule out Pompey Plenty of their fans predict a late run after late spending splurge by their prospective, minted, new owner They have a game in hand as well!!

Presume Hooper is English? likely to be wanting to get his exit visa sorted before he is nationalised post devolution!!

I am broadly in favour of speed cameras but can understand people being a bit cheesed off if they are caught marginally exceeding the speed limit, especially on clear roads I dont understand why the insurance companies work on a 5 year clearance of speeding fines whilst the DVLA work off a shorter cycle Also the double whammy of 'fines' ie the actual offence fine plus the additional insurance cost, which is often significant Compare these to some paltry firnes for violence against the person which is irksome to generally law abiding motorists

Away at Stoneham!! Wonder if we will field a stronger side than when we lost at Staplewood 1-0 before Xmas Interesting that Pompey play their Youth cup game next Weds so may rest some of their better players for Saturday

He was the lad sent off against Pompey Youth in a League game before Xmas

Perhaps we should have asked the FA to put their crack Appeals team on the case, you know the one that represented Rooney after his sending off for blantantly kicking a player from behind whilst playing for England!!

Very decent turnout to watch an under strength Saints team

Up and Away I admire your positive view. However, whilst I am sure that both Markus Liebherr and Cortese may have warmed towards the club all the feedback I have received, from various sources, that this was initially a purely financial investment where there was a chance of a return at the end. This is no different than the position almost all football clubs find themselves in so this is nothing to be unduly worried about specifically. Markus's death has raised some questions going forward but whatever happens I am sure Southampton Football Club is a more saleable proposition than many in Europe

Anyone know if he is still 'on loan' at Bromley?

TV Game = unlikey good result

After feeling very disappointed and a bit annoyed (I guess because my aspirations for the season have increased unreasonably in recent weeks) at the Brighton result, I was impressed by the measured and positive approach taken by Dean Hammond in his post match interview with Radio Solent In an age when the majority of footballers are relatively in articulate, he was obviously disappointed with the result but believed that the strong work ethic and team spirit allied to a talented and focussed squad would overcome the recent dip in results and continue progress towards the Premiership. This was all put across in a clear and concise fashion. Of course he may have really wanted to say something along the lines of ..'we are all gutted to lose, cheating opposition players, crap ref, worried about recent results, need more players etc' .... which I guess would echo the thoughts of the majority of posters on here. However the message he gave was..'there is no panic, we are all together, we have now played all the teams in the League and have not seen anything to unduly worry us, we are all determined to do our best for Southampton Football Club and achieve promotion. I just hope that his optimism is not misplaced.

According to Page 2 of the News, Pompey will soon be taken over by new investors (Chinese?) and the paperwork to pass the FAPPT should be complete within the next 2 weeks. Looks as though our friends down the road have got out of jail again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

When I had a season ticket in the East Stand there was a youngish bloke who used to regularly slag off Mike Channon in the 'early doors' part of his career Later an older chap continually rubbished Alan Ball Ironically both the 'supporters' were Irish.

If last season is anything to go by we only need to match Pompey's results over the first first 23 games to guarantee a place in the Play Offs Of course there would be a great deal of disappointment if we didnt make the top two but it shows all would not be lost if there was a bit of slippage in the second part of the season With some stregthening in certain areas and good fortune with injuries/suspensions, we should be OK Didnt realise that Swansea lost 14 games last season but got promoted through the Play Offs

Magri looked a decent prospect when he played in Pompeys 1-0 win over our, depleted, side recently

So if this figure is extrapolated over 23 games at, say, a net of VAT, average figure of £18 the difference in revenue through the gate at SMS v the Fratton Arena is a tad under £5million per season Add in additional Executive Club and Box revenue at a conservative £500k then it highlights the revenue earning capacity of a successful versus a moribund football club

Went to the Palace game with an old mate over from the States. His first game at St Marys We were reminiscing about our teenage days going to the Dell. Some random thoughts which may strike a cord with others on here 'of a certain age' 1. Trying to get transport into Soton from outlying areas for Xmas games. No one we knew had a car so it involved a long walk to the nearest main road and then hitching 2. Getting to the ground early and standing near the front of the Boys queue (1/- to get in, 5p in todays money!!) and finding yourself pushed back as the older boys would arrive and push in at the front 3. Feeling ill in the Chocolate Box one Xmas, after too much rich food, and having to visit the First Aid Room (near the players entrance) and missing John Page score a penalty. 4. Buying cheap souvenirs from traders outside the ground (no club shop then) 5. Buying a penny on the ball ticket (you won the match ball if successful!!) 6. Listening to the Albion Band 7. The all pervading smell of tobacco (and the occasional whiff of strong alcohol) 8. On a couple of occasions someone playing 'Oh When the Saints' on bagpipes under the East Stand 9. Hardly any grass on the pitch 10. Not that many away supporters. 11. Trying to hit the people who carried a target around the pitch ( a large blanket in a frame with a fold in the bottom) which encouraged people to lob small change into the target, the money going towards the Albion Band. 12. Half Time scores being put up manually on the scorebaord at the corner of the Archers and West Stand. 13. Reading the programme in about 10 seconds flat as it only had half a dozen or so flimsy pages and no photos. 14. The occasional copper strolling round the pitch and Stewards in white coats!!! 15. The man selling hot Bovril from a container as he walked round the running track. 16. Hoping you could hold out to the end before succumbing to the urgent messages emanating from your bladder. If you went to Fratton Park last week you would probably relive the experience 17. The walk back to town after the game. People collecting their Bikes/Motor cycles from houses nearby where they had been left for a 1d parking fee. 18. Not necessarily at Xmas, but the number of red and cream Corporation buses parked up in various locations around the Dell ready to whisk people away 19. Paper sellers outside the ground Echo/Evening Standard where you could get all the half time results printed at the bottom of the page. No idea why this was popular 20. Walking down to the Echo Office on a normal Saturday and waiting with my Dad for a Football Echo so he could go home and check his pools All good stuff from my younger days but, in reality, wouldn't really swop this for the impressive and comfortable stadium we now enjoy and the enjoyable brand of successful football now on offer. Hope all the younger fans reading this will bottle it up to be remembered fondly in future years

It must have taken ages Wonder what was behind all the time and effort?