spyinthesky

Sure I saw him with a few 'suits' on the 1430 E Cowes to Soton Ferry (in a chaffeured Jag) Not sure what this means but wasnt he featured with Matty in yesterdays Echo?

I was skiing in Italy and a group of older lads from Luton or Watford (who knew I was a Saints fan) mentioned the news to me as we were in the lift going up the mountain. I semi knew it wasn't a wind up as they werent that type altho it was v hard to believe. I never came down a mountain that fast ever again and then began the search for a paper. As said earlier no mobiles in those days. Had to wait until the following day when I could get hold of a day old Daily Mail Also remember going to the Guidhall when KK was presented. There was a journo on stage (from the Express? boyfriend of Lillian Board the athlete?) who said ..'this will be the first of many.. Didnt quite work out that way but LM did manage to sign a lot of big names KK was a v good player and his disallowed volley from the corner of the box (can't remember who against) was one of the best techical efforts i have ever seen. Disallowed at the time for offside against someone else. would definately have counted under todays rules

Have I been too demoralised with the recent goings on, or just getting old!! Whatever, I look at the fixtures and get an instant feeling of dread as to where the points are going to come from unless we can keep our decent players and strengthen in crucial areas, especially starting from a -10 point situation and historically never winning our opening game!!

Will the problems at Setanta cause financial problems within the English game or will their rights be snapped up by competitors at around the same price? Presume any financial fall out will hit the FA and Premiership but will there be any likely repurcussions for teams in League 1? I also heard that Setanta owe the Scottish League £3m (a relatively small sum) and this may cause 4 Scottish clubs to go into administration. If so it shows the fragility of Scottish clubs.

I have often been amused at the amount of different explanations as to how the 'affectionate' term, Scummer, was adopted by East Hampshire residents to describe those of us fortunate to live in the more favoured part of the county. As someone who has lived in the area for many (many!!) years, and on the 'frontline too, my recollection is that this terminology is fairly recent. I don't ever remember it being used when I was young and I went to school in what is now the PO post code area. One of the explanations, which is often used to support the supposed 'dislike' of Soton people, was that S.C.U.M referred to the Soton Company of Union Men who, supposedly, broke a strike in Portsmouth Docks at some time in the dim and distant past. Interestingly no one has ever found an organisation of that name or any historical dates to support the claim. However, having researched the strike breaking story a little more deeply, I have come across an anecdotal piece of information which suggests that on Tuesday 23 November 1976 (6 months after we won the cup), workers at Portsmouth Commercial Port decided to accept a ship which had been 'blacked' in Soton, effectively strike breaking. A deputation from Soton went down to Portsmouth to politely persuade the workers there to desist. There was a subsequent confrontation at the gates of the commercial port and several Soton Dockers were arrested, including the brother of an ex Saints goalie, a rather large gentleman (well both of them were actually!!!). If anyone has access to the archives of the Soton Echo or Portsmouth News, it would be interesting to establish the exact facts of the matter. If the circumstances are as reported to me, then the strike breaking 'slur' may well have a completely different angle.

See previous post

Dudley Carpenter? If so is a a member in the Mike Channon suite. Lives in chilworth. Used to run a printing company. Why?

Had friends down at the weekend to join a cruise ship. They were impressed with the Saints Trust banners in W Quay and those on roundabouts in the City (notice one has been nicked at Lordshill!!) Notice the banners were shown as a backdrop to a piece (on Euro elections) shown on BBC South this evening. Made me feel a degree of pride in these difficult times

The official England world cup 2018/2022 bid has gone live today. A a number of stadia are in the frame should the bid succeed. As expected, Wembley/Old Trafford/Villa park/St James Pk/St of Light/Walkers Stadium are in there plus Elland Rd & Hillsboro (presumably updated) Also in contention are Derby (with increased capacity to 44,000) Hull (increase to 32,500), MK Dons ( to 32,000) New grounds on the list are Liverpool, Bristol City and Nottm Forest (50,000!!!). Surprisingly P/mouth are in there on the basis that Fratton Park will have an increased capacity of 30,000!! I know our future is uncertain but, in some respects so could that of P/mouth, or at least this could be said of their stadium project. Why werent the mighty Saints represented. At least, for the moment, we have a ready made facility

Any one in the Insurance Business know what the normal premium increase is for an SP30. I guess quite a few people get one these days. i had one to add to my insurance this year + a claim for a named driver and my premium went up £150 even tho I had another year of no claim for myself. Do Insurers actually check up on such details if you make a claim?

Forgot to say, the fall back position is to sell the [portrait of Johnnie Westwood soon to be displayed in the National Gallery. Understand uber fan Fred Dineage is willing to shell out to buy Perhaps we ought to try the sme tactic with the painting of the Doncaster Steam Loco!!

Dont believe all you read in the papers. As we speak Corps Ho is out there with new backers who are about to inject substantial sums into the club If that doen't work Pompey do have considerable saleable assets such as Johnson/Krancjar/Crouch/Pennant etc. Even the lad up front (who used to play for PNE) would fetch a couple of million. They should be able to reduce their wage bill massively and, with good management, could still survive in the Prem. Question is where does the money come from the redevelop fratton Park and pay for the Training Ground? Would have really been interesting if Pompey had been relegated this year. For the decent Pompey fans, I hope all goes relatively well for you. For the significant band of knuckledraggers, here's hoping for a massive fall from grace

Harold Redknapp has agreed to demolish part of Portsmouth..........................to build a housing development!! also Mr Redknapp says he has not bought a flat at Gunwharf Pompey Fan spits in Theo Walcott's water bottle during the recent Pompey v Arsenal game. re the last point, I remember a pompey 'fan' setting fire to our GK's gloves during a reserve fixture at Havant a few years ago. add in regular crowd disturbances at derby games the disrespect shown when honouring the death of Ted Bates, makes me realise how comparatively well behaved our fans have been. Can you imagine the mayhem if saints had a training ground on the outskirts of Pompey? i think we are a pretty tolerant lot!1

I am sure that you will all be delighted to learn that a life size portrait of this bizarre character is due to be exhibited at the National Gallery soon. Quite how he manages to operate a book selling business in Petersfield is beyond me if he continues to parade in his 'day wear'. I am sure those art lovers amongst you will be interested!!

We lost at Brizzle Rovs last year and Rotherham this year, albeit cup games Difficult to second guess as none of us know what players we will have

There is definately a paln being formulated for the Waterfront which may well be announced in the next month. A large Exhibition/Conference centre is likely to be part of this

Exit2 is deffo ITK

Bradford City have about 12/13k season ticket holders and Huddersfield have also done well recently on the back of v affordable season ticket deals. Altho Derby County have a bad press with some Saints fans, you have to say their numerical support this season has been outstanding (av nearly 30k?) Have they done season ticket deals?

Woggys back working in the Docks on the Heulin Renouf service (won from P'mouth!!!) along with a couple of other familiar faces from the St Marys yellow coat brigade

According to the Saints programme earlier in the season, the fee was £1.2m. Still suppose you should always take what the club says with a pinch of salt. He certainly looked OK at the start of the season, as did some of the other youungsters, but has been disappointing over the full term

Just in case you had forgotten Jersey Mike's heartfelt message to fans in July 2006, here is a resume: .....We are fast approaching one of the most important dates in the history of SFC: Mon 3rd July. Mention then made of relegation from the Prem/prolonged period of instability/nine managers in last ten years/plummeting attendances,season tickets, revenue etc etc. Pre tax loss of £1.438m for 6 months up to 30/11/05. Downward spiral likely to continue. Vast swathe of supporters have become deeply disillusioned. The Chairman of our Company presides over a split board. Effectively two Camps of Directors within the Board. WE MUST NOT ALLOW THE RAPID DECLINE OF OUR COMPANY DURING RECENT TIMES Why, in the run-up to such a critically important General Meeting, has the Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Mr Rupert Lowe, made no comment to shareholders concerning the current financial status and projected financial performance of our Company? Mention made of election manifesto: 'Saints: Planning for Success' ..' I encourage you to read it and compare and contrast the scope and quality of its contents with the material circulated by Mr Rupert Lowe ahead of the EGM. Followed by testimonials from George Burley (sort of)/Gavin Davies/Lawrie/Saints Trust/Mick Channon (didnt know Wilde but mates with Pat Trant)/Alan Goodenough(??)/Mary Corbett/Keith Wiseman. ..'Many, many more supporters and shareholders share these views. I am disappointed to note remarks that Mr Rupert Lowe has made about me and certain of my colleagues in his circular dated 23 June. I do not intend to dignify such remarks with a response. It's amazing to think that a short time latter Messrs Wilde and Lowe were best buddies (for a while!!) All the above only underscores the circus Southampton Football Club has become under these clowns.

Saints first 'rivals' were Freemantle (the Magpies) Perhaps Freemantle FC should be reformed?

I speculated on another thread who would be best positioned/willing to indicate where the bodies are buried. David Jones/Guy Askam/Andy Cowens/Graham Hiley (as a journo) come to mind Apart from Graham the others may have positions to protect However there must be quite a few who Lowe has crossed who would be interested in putting forward their view of our dear departed ex Chairman. Anyone want to start a list?

When all this (hopefully) dies down it would be interesting to see if anyone is able to write an account of the 'Lowe years' I assume either David Jones, Andrew Cowans or Guy Askam would be the most informed people. Doubt whether latter two would fess up to where the bodies are buried but perhaps a disenchanted David Jones may want to help out, for a suitable consideration. Can't see he will be around if new owners do take over and may need a wedge. Graham Hiley might be ITK to some extent and as a journo could write the piece

Wot no Rupert?? The Colonel is putting on weight!!