spyinthesky

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!!

I wonder if the anonymous correspondent who penned a letter of support to Mr Lowe at the AGM is still in contact with our august ex leader? Presumably we can access Mr Lowes address from Companies House and let him know that the supporters/customers/rabble have not forgotten him.

Will you continue as Chairman/President? of the Ex\Saints

Saint Warwick, Fair comment. However questions have to be asked why these basically useless players were signed. For example we didnt need a third GK and signing an injury prone player rejected by a number of lower league sides was 'unusual' to say the least. I also missed out the Millwall reserve, Ryan Smith. Most fans would have argued that the team needed a big ugly defender, a big ugly stiker and someone with ball winning skills and energy in midfield. Mr Lowe, in his wisdom, decided to bring in an untried Dutch experiment, which was unable to deal with the rigours of Championship football. Also, according to the official Saints bsite, and an article on Schneiderlin in the matchday programme the transfer fee was £1.2m.

Couple questions: 1. The straw that supposedly 'broke the camels back' was a bounced pay check for the GK coach. Is this the current one or the one Mr Lowe put on gardening leave? 2. Someone at the club, during Mr Lowe's most recent tenure, agreed contracts for Messrs Gasmi/Pulis/Molyneaux/Forecast and loans for Pekhart and Robertson. I would suggest non of these players have contributed anything to Southampton Football Club and probably cost say £2/£3k per week plus any add ons, say £750k over a year. 3. In addition, if things really were so parlous pre season, why on earth did we spend £1.2m on Morgan Schneiderlin and also offer Paul Wotton more money than was on offer at Plymouth, plus a longer deal?