spyinthesky

24th August 1960 As I recollect we played Liverpool on our first year back after promotion from Division 3. I went in the boys entrance with the right change my Dad had given me only to find that the entrance fee had either increased from 6d (ie 2.5 new pence) to 1/- (ie 5p) ir 1/- to 1/6d(ie 7.5p) Quite a few lads were turned away as they didnt have the right money. Fortunately my Dad was a steward at the time and he was able to come to the turnstile and get me. Sometime after this my Dad used to get me in to the ground free via the main entrance with all the other stewards This meant me being at the ground by 1pm so had to wait around for 2 hours - no mobiles etc to while away the time but I just enjoyed being there and seeing all the goings on. Anyone remember the uniformed Master of Arms type who used to front up the entrance to the Dell (I think ex Saint Bill Beaney did the job for a while)

Cant be bothered to research but dont we have a pretty poor win ratio for first games of the season? Seem to remember that Leeds 3-1 after promotion back to the Championship was last opening day winner

I am pleasantly surprised about this Assumed we would be down about 4,000 on our season ticket sales and thought the issues re VVD, general lack of entertainment at home games last season and no big name signings would have restricted the crowd to below 30,000 Good news if we exceed 30,000

Yes this seems very odd, Sevilla playing two games in two days 250 miles apart. Hope we didn't play against a weakened team yesterday!!

Dont know wheher it was my imagination but Bertrand did not seem to be 'engaged' today.

Think Pompey may be running out to that catch ditty ...'Its a small world'.... i am sure there are some appropriate words someone can dream up for this wonderfully irritating tune.

Sue Carabao are an Asian based company (drinks related) who had a stall at Wembley for the League Cup final where there was the opportunity for participants to hit footballs at electronic targets (I have to say as an 'oldie' I did rather well) I think the draw for the early rounds of the cup where made in Asia and there was a bit of an embarrasing cock up with some duplication.

Surely Taylor wouldn't be considered for first team action? What about Gazzaniga who seems to be from his Spanish loan

I think Virgil is a top, top player. Best central defender I've seen in Saints colours over (too) many years supporting the Saints. I had hoped he was decent individual who would stand by the long term contract he signed last year. However there are very few honourable players about these days and Virgil seems to be no exception to this. If he wants away, let him go for the best deal on offer even if this means Liverpool who will be seen by many fair minded people as a lot of shyshters who tell lies. We can tell Virgil he must stay but if his heart is not here his form will suffer and the relationship with the fans, which is now tainted, will become toxic. Best maximise value from the bloke and look to get in the best replacement as possible (and plus a decent defensive midfielder) and hope Virgil suffers a recurrence of his recent injury soon after leaving Saints (as long as this doesn't impact on his transfer fee) It hurts me to say this but I am fed up with our club (and others) being shafted by Agents and players.

But Liverpool have said publically that they have no further interest in signing VVD As honourable people surely we have to take these honest people at their word...surely!!!

I would agree with this comment. Seemed a genuinely nice guy who seemed to get on with all his team mates. Probably a coaches dream, trained well and never complained However he was limited on the field of play and for Everton to give him a 3 year contract (albeit as a Free Transfer) on the basis that Koeman reportedly said ..' he can provide cover in a number of positions' ..seems rather generous. I reckon he was passable as cover at right back but wouldn't like to have see him in any other position across the back four in Saints first team action Best of luck to him though

Interestingly Coutinho was very close to signing for Saints when Cortese was here but Liverpool came in with an 11th hour bid than won the day

To be fair Brighton have a decent core support, there is a feel good factor over the new stadium and, of course, excitement over their promotion to the Prem. Unfortunately a lot of our feel good factor was diluted last year and the prospect of losing more star names this close season All our gang have renewed plus one additional so we are doing our bit but understand why others have decided not to renew.

Liverpool Echo reporting that Saints and LFC are discussing terms for VVD

How good are our U 21's likely to be this year?

Cant deny that is a decent performance for league 1 but recollect that Bradford City consistently sold around 18,000 due to competitive pricing. Wonder how many we would sell if Pompey prices were offered up to our season ticket holders?

Although I got the venue wrong, am I now officially ITK on the basis of a very tenuous link between leaks and leeks?

Swansea away? See what I did there?

Black armbands and floral tributes at the ready!!!

Meanwhile the blue side of Merseyside appear to be up in arms about the 'disrespectful' attitude of Lukaku. The blue noses don't appear to be too fussed about Ross Barkley though even though he is in a similar position!!

This makes sense I doubt if the aggregate/cement/scrap wharves along the Itchen will be moved until such time as ABP's plans for a renewed shot at Dibden Bay has been played out - perhaps in 10 years

Charlie, Interesting Who is marketing the RMC site? I actually thought RMC had ceased to exist. Perhaps bought out by Cemex Do they hold the freehold of the site (adjacent to Baltic Wharf?) I thought the City Council owned most/all the freehold along the west side of the Itchen and the area fell into their regeneration plans which hopefully would benefit the football club

It is frustrating continually selling our best players However there are quite a few clubs who buy players for decent fees and they fail to produce. OK we have a few 'duds' too but by and large our scouting system has been decent and the revenue generated has been used to keep us in a reasonable League position When you think about it there are quite a few clubs (especially on the Continent) who have the same challenges developing and keeping players

Notice that Huddersfield are offering season tickets at £199 reducing to £100 for those who have had a season ticket for a number of years. Meanwhile there is a suggestion elsewhere that clubs work on a general rule of 80% renewal rate. If so this would mean that around 4,800 SMS season ticket holders will not renew (out of a reported 24,000 last season) From comments on here I reckon there may be more than 20% non renewals this year. Normally the 20% loss would be made up by new season ticket holders but I guess the general low level of enthusiasm for next season will badly affect new purchases. Lets hope there will be good news on the player front (and to some the management situation) to provide us all with a positive outlet for next season.