TijuanaTim

Thanks for the offer JM, not ask, but pass on info. Can you please tell Terry about Big Ron's wife Chris passing. Ron and Terry were teammates and the making of each other for many years and expect Terry would want to know. Thanks TT

Okay, just got off the phone with Big Ron, which was a great relief as I have not been able to contact him for 2 and half days. Unbeknown to me Ron had left with his American Indian friend to visit his friend's mom on the reservation. This was a really good excursion for Ron. I read him the article from the Times "Saints Top 50 Players", in which he was a very creditable 4th. He was extremely flattered, pretty tickled and chuffed to be fair. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6809386.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1 He had just picked up his wife Chris's death certificate, so my intent was to keep all conversation up-beat, positive and light. I did briefly touch on his thoughts about a return to the UK. Have to tell you this is not very high on his list of priorities, he will never move back permanently and even a visit seems a bit arduous to him at this time. I promised to accompany him, if he changed his mind. Ron feels he wants the 'dust to settle' before undertaking anything with 'too many memories attached', he was very clear that he will probably change his mind as time heals. Back on the subject of Saints top players, he truly felt the right top three had been chosen, speaking fondly of playing with Paine and Channon. Ron has the 'Unbelievable' MLT DVD and always tells me how amazed he is by Matty, he says he has never seen 'one player' score so many fantastic goals. He would have loved to have played with him!! Keep the good will coming, it does help. Thanks

I have spoken with Ron pretty well once a day until Sunday. I contracted swine flu on my trip back to the UK and it developed into a nasty case of pneumonia. The last couple of days I just haven't felt like talking to anyone. However the super, powerful 'Z-Pack' 5 day treatment they have given me has me feeling a lot more human today. I have already called Ron, but there is no answer. It says his 'voice-mail' is full, however that may not be the case. During inclement whether in Albuquerque, Ron quite often loses service...so I'll just keep trying. Everyone's support, ideas and thoughts for Ron have been extremely supportive and appreciated. Because of his recent heart-breaking bereavement I chose not to get into anything to deep, just listening a lot and then talking about lighter topics which suits Ron. He likes to recall old characters and incidents from his past playing with (and for) his Southampton 'friends'. He recalls getting one of his only bookings for kicking Chopper Harris up in the air, or the fact that all 4 of his goals against Villa in one game were with his FEET!! He fondly recalls his teammates...this is a nice man, he hardly has a bad word for anyone. Also as great as he was and for those of you not fortunate enough to see him play, he really was great, he would have just played for the fun of it. Strange really, there is no real comparison in the modern game. I have tried in vain to think of someone to compare his with but it's hard. Yes he is kinda like Ricky Lambert, but as good as Ricky is, Ron was leaps and bounds (literally better). Far better than Beats and more effective in the air than 6'8" Crouch. Tim Cahill has great heading technique, one of the best in today's game, but he could not approach Ron's ability. Ron was not too quick, but had great feet, he was smart, strong and extremely team oriented and unselfish. In his heyday every club had a superb CB pairing - Hunter/Charlton, England/Mackay, Yates/Hughes, Todd/MacFarland, Simpson/Maclintock, Harris/Webb and yet they were all Ron's *****es, he dominated them all...bar none, so much so that whatever partner Big Ron had would receive so much freedom. He was the making of both Chiv and Channon as he drew double-teamming and extreme close attention, giving the young strikers a chance to flourish. At this stage Ron does not need anything specifically except your love and support. He has to let all these recent events sink in and then take his time to decide about his future. Ron is sent all your regards and also the numerous e-mails that I've been sent. When I mail them to him he has time to read and digest your thought and that is comforting and how he likes it. He is extremely appreciative. Even when Ron was given a cross that he couldn't score from, he would lay it on a plate for another Saint...in this case, his buddy Jimmy Gabriel

Great post - Thanks

Yay, my own personal stalker is back. Hello Brad, I see you kept a low profile while I was back in the UK...should've come and said 'hi', I won't bite. Then again, I forgot, you don't actually go and watch games do you. Prefering to stay in the confines of your suburban, cyber security amusing us with your obsessions - good job fella!! BTW, does it ever occur to you that the coaching staff of SFC might just have recognized that there was a genuine problem and addressed it...or are you one of those wonderful fatalists that believe if you ignore a problem 'it'll just go away'. Never fail to make my day Brad...you really should get out more, but don't change please as your predictable naivety and devoted obsession with me is somewhat, strangely fascinating.

Everyone's sentiments are hugely appreciated and the flowers etc are thoughtful ideas. However the ceremony took place early this week, Ron has little if any room for arrangements etc. So please keep the memories coming as these are much more practical, they mean a lot to Ron and also give us a good old sense of Saints pride. Genuine thanks everyone!

No one out here mate, just a friend or two in NM. I will be talking to him at least once a day for the forseeable future. Personally, I think Ron is past slipping into the 'bottle'. So, I'll keep up the communication as loneliness may become his worst enemy.

Dunc, I will print and mail Ron your thoughts. He is obviously aware of you and your fine work. So thanks, thanks also for your articlate, as always thoughts and recollections.

As many of you know I have worked hand in glove with my friend and ex-idol to many of us, the one and only, incomparable Big Ron Davies. When I returned from the UK this Wednesday morning Ron had left numerous voice-mails for me to call him, as had his friend (also called Ron). I duly obliged, however due to torrential rain in the Albuquerque area the phones were down. This morning I finally got hold of Ron only to be informed the tragic news that Ron's dearly beloved wife, my friend Chris had succumbed to her illness and past on Sunday. After a long struggle Chris had fallen foul to kidney and liver failure (renal failure). Chris had spoken to us for a while of wanting to join her 'mom', who had also past quite a time ago, this was actually fairly comforting to Ron. So please spare a thought for Big Ron, he thrilled and excited us. He scored against the very top defenders in twos and threes, sometimes even fours. He rose majestically at the far post burying ball, centre-back and sometimes even an odd goalie and he did it in a red and white striped shirt with a big number 9 on the back. While we had had Ron, we had faith and belief, it was possible for us to beat anyone, literally anyone and anywhere too. We sang about him, marvelled at him and damn well appreciated him...like I said spare a thought for this fine, humble man now. Widowed too young, half crippled through a life of carrying one if not two defenders on his back for the cause of Southampton Football Club and it's fans. He sits in his trailer home, with two cats for company in the most modest of surroundings. He calls you his Southampton 'friends' rather than 'fans' and despite being a long way off perfect, Ron certainly casts a finer and prouder shadow than many a player in today's football world. I will make my business to pass on any respectful messages you may have for Ron

Fantastic FFS Now that is a quality signing I believe, this dude just knows where the net is....whereas most strikers deteriorate in the 30s, he may have improved in a strange way as he always seemed to struggle with 'attitude' problems when younger. Really wanted him at the club in his 'Don' days as he was wicked in front of goal...a little and large combo with Lambo could scare this div (maybe even the CCC) schitless FFS Oh, and it's David Connolly with an 'o'...he can just finish

See my post #15 mate ;-)

Papa Waigo - Waigo - Waigo - Waigo - Waigo Papa Oh, Oh Papa Oh... Plagurised from this

Yeah, we'll lighten him up again and maybe some of this severe political correctness over here will alter our mate Chester in the right way - or maybe not

Yes!! And thanks for asking Stinky: Things have taken a very slight upward turn, Chris is a bit more Compos Mentis today, she is telling Big Ron to "shut up", which is more normal behaviour. However, she is still confined to bed, cannot even walk to the bathroom and is not eating. At this stage there is no way she can leave the urgent critical care at the hospital. She is very weak, the quacks maintain that she MUST start to self feed and also actually show more will to...well you get my drift. All the messages continue to be conveyed to this great Saints servant, so genuine thanks everyone. The one REALLY good thing is that Ron is coping better and a bit more positive and upbeat - the love is helping. I'll give you more news as I get it

Oh, and just as a head's up boys and girls our 'lack strategic awareness and blissfully asleep' coaching staff, led by Alan Pardew have put out teams that since my original post have conceded goals in...wait for it...90 - 49 - 69 - 65 and 90 minutes, if you fail to recognise this extremely disturbing trend then your blinder than the people that are paid with your money to supply this broken product!! Oh and each and every one of those goals from that time frame have cost us a minimum of two points - wake up people!!

Just got off the phone with Ron, he is a little more upbeat today and Chris has showed a slight improvement, he really appreciates all the good will. The doctors are encouraging Chris to try and eat and to show more fight. Ron is by himself at night so after hearing what is happening I then steer the subject towards happier times for him. He reminisced about the old days, singing the praises of some old teammates. He loved playing with Chivers, thought Sydy was unstoppable on his day and also told me John had the same right boot his whole career ;-). Ron said that Brian O'Neill is the best player he ever saw in muddy conditions. He rated Leeds as easily the best opponent. Funny thing, Big Ron said that between Ted Bates, Ian St John and Tommy Docherty there was no strategy or tactics, just relying on the players being in the right positions and knowing what to do???? Can you imagine that today? He also said he always thought the World of Gabriel, Fisher and Stokes. Saints fans ain't his 'fans', they are his 'friends'.

Glad we stopped giving up those goals later in the second half that cost ....us....oh...schit...games....

Just in case anyone has forgotten or hasn't had the opportunity to see the greatest ever heading centre forward...here y'go (below). Sincere thanks everyone for your thoughts, I will print/send and Ron will read them all and believe me they need all the love and encouragement from you their 'friends' they can get right now. Respect. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9024836154390592659&q=ron+davies#

Just like England's World Cup dream dying in France '98 whilst the nation's biggest threat, greatest penalty taker and best ever attacking midfield played sat on his couch watching back at home....Just the same, Scotland's World Cup dream is in danger of slipping away while their best player and biggest threat sits watching it on tv Burley...get real, that's not a 'no', that'a a 'fu¢k no!!'

Thanks Splendid!!

I gotta admit that statement could be perceived as very funny here, just didn't want to get into that sort of p!ssing contest...thanks for the attempt lighten mate!!

n&f...this thread was intended for exactly what you are telking about mate...

WGS was unlucky enough not to be giving up late goals at a sickeningly consistent regularity to teams of the calibre of Stockport and Brentford FFS, he coached against real teams - hence having 'better players'. Apples for apples...I'm not even saying it's fitness...what I have always suggested on this thread is that we give up the majority of our points-league positions-goals due to lapses during a regular spell during games. You cannot strategise with 'random' events...that's what tactics are for, however events that happen on a regular basis you can, absolutely, prepare or have a 'strategy' for that circumstance, am I right?

None so blind as those that cannot see. How much better and happy would you and I feel if the whistle had gone for FT at 0-1 if one of our players were poncy about on the half way line playing keep-ball, or collecting the ball from the crowd, or watching their 'keeper run his socks off to the corner flag at their end trying to retrieve a clearance? But no, they're in our area FFS

Thank God that today we didn't give up yet another sickening late go.....oh schit