yorkie

So by not committing to a ST you are effectively being charged double to watch a game! Sounds like they like people like me walking up - after all we are the true fans because we pay twice as much as people with STs! Always knew I was a better supporter than a ST holder! (PS Please take this as very tongue in cheek...honest!)

I have to say why is everyone clamouring to buy a ST? OK benefits - you sit in the same seat every week...but that's about it! Why would anyone want to shell out the thick end of £300+ now when they can go every week like in the good old days of just walking up? It's a stigma - it's the I'm a better fan scenario. You can't be a fan unless you own a season ticket. I was trying to wrk it out from The Dell days when we only had seats in the West & East stands - what was it then about 5,000 season ticket holders when the capacity was 30,000+ (I was there that night)? So I'm pleased for the club they attract a loyal fans base to stump up the cash to assist with cash flow...but why is it essential for anyone to hold a ST? If they opened Blocks 1/2/3 - I bet they'd sell a lot more quickly!

The strange thing about John is his attitude. Coventry fans didn't rate him after his initial good showing. Perhaps it's the "comfort factor" - he may have to work too hard for Pardew - as his deal may be on a pay as you score/assist basis. Any new striker should be given that as his contract...and no difference if you set them up or score directly. You watch the number of goals we score then!

So apart from the Guiness, the excellent Cheeseburger, great toilets (in which two shakes is compulsory), the AP impersonator, a wayward Everton fan - has anything actually happened? Do we look like scoring? Is Rasiak warming up? Why are we using a stuffed Italian pasta for a left back? I bet now Farnborough score! WOOT!

Comes back to the age old being a fan - if you want to see goals get yourself down to SMS! Do not rely upon SKY, BBC or ITV to save you the effort!

Can't believe this is the same team that lost 5-4 mid-week. Davis in goal - a couple of full backs, a big stopper in the middle, and heart and lungs in mid-field. Any idea of the crowd? Pardew must be purring - Hearts are no mugs in Scotland! Looks like Pardew in the dug out has the desired affect...first game in a long run of wins at Fortress SMS. Been lovely up here - went out for a drive and didn't worry once about the game! perhaps that is the reason!

It's official business - they are ging to announce opening the Itchen North - and be renaming it the "Rupert Lowe" stand as a mark of respect for the man who led us in our darkest hour! Once renamed they are hoping to attract a less vocal and less passionate supporter who will sit down, shut-up and not look at those scarey away fans! The Saints Trust were asked to comment - and they stated "We already have a place like this - it's called The Kingsland. However we endorse anything to do with Rupert Lowe and welcome the news!" The Ha,pshire police have welcomed this news saying that "The work at St.Mary's has been a lot less entertaining since they closed the Itchen North Stand. We look forward to being able to interface with the fans on a personal level once again." Season ticket holders were up in arms as they have not be give the opportunity to go back to their roots. One aggrieved fan who wishes to remain annonomous was overheard to have commented "I can't understand why middle-aged, overweight football fans with memories of the 70's and 80's have been alienated by this decision. Sure we like to sing, we like to have a bevvy or three, and love discussing the finer aspects of the game up close with the away fans. As for re-naming the stand "We're the Lowe Stand, We're the Lowe Stand, We're the Lowe Stand over 'ere" does run off the tongue easily - I nearly choked when I tried it!" Finally Alan Pardew wanted some input into the decison stating "Anything that makes this stadium a hostile place for the visitors to come and play football is a must!" Mr. Lebherr was heard to have been considering his options over the additional cost of a few policeman.

Agree no cost much up front - but the wages might be a stumbling point in getting them to come to Div.1

Pilchards me old mucker...still got nothing better to do with your time then spread idle gossip on the pages here? Tanned, ginger and M&S bag - that description is surely too close to home? If only it had been a Tesco's bag that would have confirmed it! Reliable information I bet...training sessions should be public anyway! All this behind closed doors rubbish....no wonder fried egg sandwiches, hip flasks and bacon butties can no longer be the staple diet ay Staplewood! I know it sounds daft but shouldn't they train at least once a week at SMS? It's absolutely no good playing on a superb pitch every other week and losing, when most grounds will be second class anyway! A few more bumps at SMS may just give us a bit more of an edge...we know how well we cope with pitches from the lower divisions! Sure ly fortress SMS is a must for 2009/10. No defeats at home is the minimum we should be striving for! So once we have got shot of all the chaf, put on our shooting boots, organised some protection for Kelvin, and got the team to play as a team and not "I'm here until I get a better offer" individuals the better. Hats off to Mr. Pardew...he obviously has a good understanding of our problems! Perhaps he's been reading the pages of this site - after all we could have told him all our problems for the last 3-years - we've watched it week after week! Life is too short to hang around - I wonder if the goals at SMS are cursed? Surely if out strikers hit the net a few more times during training there it would boost confidence?

I can't take all the praise for the lyrics...I came up with the opening line, and a mate went to work on the rest. The lyrics are copyright protected so Whizzkid can claim his prize. The original post was on Codgers Reunited...an ancient site for all those Saints fans that got fed up with the bullsh*t on here and it's predecessor. Pardew me, boy Is that the Markus Liebherr choo choo? 2 thousand and 9 Our club is back on the line I can afford To board the Markus Liebherr choo choo I've got my fare And just a ticket to spare We left the Coca-Cola 'bout a quarter to four We start on minus ten, but we'll be back for more Winning it style We'll go the extra mile Every single player, playing with a smile When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar Then you know the Premiership is not very far Shovel all the coal in Gotta keep it rollin' Woo, woo, Markus Liebherr there you are There's gonna be A promotion party at St Marys All Red and White We've got rid of the ****e Saints til I die We will go marching in So Markus Leibherr choo choo Won't you choo-choo me home? Markus Leibherr choo choo Won't you choo-choo me home?

Just thought I'd introduce a song for our new leader... "Pardew me boy - is that the Markus Liebherr choo choo" Full lyrics available - could be the tune to run out to!

Personally I think 4-5-1 works when you have legs in the full backs and wide midfield players who have pace and can push on. It should read 4-5-1 approaching 4-4-2 on most attacks - but really should adopt the 4-3-3 look when at home and trying to bury a team. To play this way you must have the right players - we never could play 4-5-1 because we didn't have the players. Even though 4-4-2 is the way most of our squad has been brought up - with the right coaching Pardew should make it work - after all it's only football! Big welcome to Alan Pardew. Just instill the winning mentality and the fans will respond! It's going to be a long hard slog but you have the full backing of the majority, and despite being split in the past couple of years the fan base is more united. We like our Managers to punch the air, jump up and down and verbally abuse the players to let them know what's what...I think you may be just what we need after the "Dutch Experiment". Put your mark on SMS and make it a fortress again - a place where the visitors are scared what will hit them...in recent times all they've done is take the points on a nice day out.

Yeah like we scored loads with those two up front...consistently! The only goals I remember from BWP last season were to 2 at Reading...did he miss more than he scored? DMcG will come out alright at Forest, but let's face it he didn't seem that bothered in most games. We haven't had a decent forward for 3/4 seasons...Rasiak and Saganowski (pre-contract) scored a few but again missed more than they scored. What is it about creating chances in the 6-yard box we don't understand? We constantly hoofed the ball and hoped someone wpuld out jump a 6ft 2in defender already conceding 5/6 inches! We passed the ball lovely - but never went wide and the man to the goal line and cut it back. Defenders hate having to deal with it and keepers leave them well alone. All we seemed to do was invite golaies and defenders alike to pluck the ball out of the air - they could see it for ages before they had to decide what to do. Our shooting is abysmal - I'm not going to pull punches...say what I mean. If they were on target 9/10 the goalkeeper held on - lack of power or what? No rebounds for the forwards (if they were up with play and not offside) to tap in. I attacking prowess is appalling - we simply don't want to take charge and take the game to other teams. We had (and probably a bit unfair) no one who had the "I'll have a go!" mentality. It was always pass and give the responsibility to someone else. The forwards were lazy and never seemed hungry enough. Good old Beattie came and got the ball if he felt he didn't have the service, and chased virtually everything down - something Rasiak or BWP ever did? So in short - forwards are gone who didn't set The Championship on fire leaving us with an couple of old Poles who clearly don't want to play for us...and Stern John! No disrespect to the youngsters playing at the moment but I haven't seen you play and you didn't score against Cheltenham FFS! It reminds of the cold night in Rotherham (well Sheffield) - "Who needs Renaldo...We've got Stern John" after he scored. He was direct and wanted it after coming off the bench. It really is a real dilemna - we have internations in the squad that really should play every week and score sh*t loads of goals or we have hungry youths who just don't have the nounce. Before I go on about what we should or shouldn't have - every successful team builds from the back. A decent shot stopper, two big centre halves and a couple of decent full backs. Then you need a spine and enforcer + a legs man in midfield...then you can worry about who scores the goals!

A good manager can get the best out of an average squad of players. It's not about the individual - it's all about the balnace and the team. Fitness is an issue, mixing it up - sometime direct sometimes and patient build up with intricate passing. Changing tactics to suit the opposition - we've been much too predictable in recent years and hence easy to beat. Playing to your strengths depending on who is on form, fit and scoring goals (or saving them). I think as punters we all know the answers - but we see a very small snapshot of a footballers week. Training and commitment are just as important - but what's done on the training pitch is not always repeated on the day of the big match. I think it is important but not essential the chosen one has played the game at this level - not at the top level. I think he also needs to have something about them - I'd call it charisma - but leadership that inspires the TEAM to do or die for the fans. Am I asking too much? It is after all what every supporter wants. A team that is united in the desire to win at any cost - dropping points is not an option. All too frequently a draw was seen as a good result, I never see settling for a share of the spoils as acceptable. Our managers have been only too happy to accept a point when three have gone begging. So a good manager is...one that wins more than he loses - and cuts out the draws! It's simple win one lose one is better than two draws. Win your home games, try to win your away games (and usually you will) and not go for the draw! Be cavalier away from home and focused at home. Fotress SMS must happen this year...many clubs will never have played in such a big stadium - it should be the fear factor, not "Oh this is nice"!

Should all go as Swiss Tony...owning a football club is like making love to a beautiful woman. First you start on the bottom, work your way to the top and presto you rise and come top - promotion!

Who was the last player to want to "Die for the club"? The last person I saw that had that in him was Prutton - but he lost it big time and I believe was very instrumental of getting us relegated with his ban! The word I look for is not really a leader but an enforcer - Case was that, Hurlock too, and going back a few years the Bedlington Terrier. Not only are they not afraid to put their foot in where it hurts, but are respected by their colleagues. Not regressing to "Chopper" Harris or Norman "bites yer legs" Hunter - but we need some metal and backbone. The kids are very skillful but are too lightweight - they need some muscle around them. Not big stomaches! Trying to think of someone who fits the mould - Joey Barton? Robbie Savage would be a good buy - he plays because he likes football. I'm sure he could do a job for us - just like Merson did for that lot down the road. Youth alone will not win anything...we've been here before, but no we have some serious money let's get a couple of old has beens who like a fight and get on with it!

The community of Saints fans live and well. I go down from York two or three times a season, but try to get to all the away games within a 100-mile radius (or more) depending on rich I'm feeling! The lads from Harrogate are a sound bunch - and that bloke Andy from Northern Saints is based in Manchester (I thought). We all tend to meet up and exchange stories over a beer - let's hope the bad days are behind us and we can celebrate a bit and talk about the win the week before unstead of yet another lost cause! Next season is looking pretty positive...how many want Tony Adams?

Still in shock... first the take over... then Davis signing... and now the biggest bonus of them all Wotte gone! The future is bright...somebody pinch me I must be dreaming! What's going to happen tomorrow...it will have to be good to cap the last two days? Then again something always happens ona Friday!!!

My grandfather was Swiss and had nothing to do with football - but he would have hated what Lowe and his cohorts did to our club over their tenure. He boycotted SMS - but then again he did die in the 1950's! I really think this is all water under the bridge now - I was very vocal about my boycott and proud...however how many did the same will never be established. However one thing is for certain my old Saints supporting mate "The Itchen Sitter" won't be back...it was all just too much for him. It wasn't Lowe in truth it was the lack of drive, spirit and quality that drove him away - but we know who to blame for that! I've found myself looking at life slightly differently - a round trip to SMS is equivalent to a good day out in the MX5, a slap up dinner in Mrs Miggin's Pie Shoppe, and a night away. On the basis of the last few seasons I know which one I would chose - but will it all change now we are on the brink of a brand new dawn in the clubs history? I guess I'll always be a Saints fan and less of a "financial" supporter after this debacle - I'm going to write a book on it all and make millions..."Life after Lowe"

Just as I thought it couldn't get any better I thought about all the ramifications of not attending SMS and taking my anti-Lowe stance. I had issues with the Dutch dream especially after Rotherham last year. I prepared a match report for the Matchday Programme after that match and it was edited...but here it is in full.... Saints V Rotherham - a fans view. The stadium itself was a little unreal, obviously not designed to host football matches with 3-sides completely empty, which kept the ball boys very busy. Not a bad turn out for a Tuesday in Sheffield, I remember going to Sheffield Wednesday in the 1980s and there were only 25/30 of us there in the Leppins Lane end! The game itself seemed to pass me by. Saints gave away a sloppy goal from a corner in the first half, and then it was half time. The second half was no better, giving someone a shooting chance from 20-yards to make it 2-0. We huffed and puffed and tried to raise spirits with a “Oh When The Saints” but after Stern John had got us back into the game, the mix up in communications saw an easy tap in for 3-1. Thankfully the group around me resorted to singing at the Rotherham fans, which were remarkably quiet seeing they were winning 3-1. It comes to something to say the highlight of the evening where the chants aimed at the home fans. The best chant of the evening for me was the “We’ve got more points than you” or the “We can see you sneaking out” aimed at Saints fans who’d had enough after 75-mins. The Woolston Ferry song rang around The Don Valley Stadium – surreal! I used to think Saints sides were lazy, money grabbing journeymen – now with all the huff and puff of the youth we clearly aren’t good enough. Personally I’ve given my all as a fan for 40+ years, but I can’t do it any more. When at my age the game passes you by and you find singing at the home fans more entertaining than the game itself - it’s time to quit. No anti-Lowe songs, although someone did try to start “Rupert Lowe’s Red & White Army” – it never caught on! So remember folks - this change (if it happens) was brought about by people staying away from SMS and not giving money to the club. Administration was not the fans fault but the fault of the mis-management over the last 5/6 years at all levels of the club. There are no better fans. There are no "more "loyal fans. We are "Saints fans" in it together for life...good or bad! BTW my grandfather was Swiss - does that qualify me for a ST next season? "I'll be back" - let's hope people return in their hoardes. "UNITED" - oops sorry wrong club!

If this man has anything more to do with our football club - that will be the death of it! He must have a death wish or something...perhaps he thinks third time lucky! £12.5 million - that must be about what was taken out of the club during his tenure? I'm sat her virtually speechless...how can a man put a company into receivership and then come back and buy it? Is this all a smoke screen by Fry to up the price the Swiss consortium has offered? After all he has to do his best for the creditors. If the Swiss onlt offered £12,499,999 - he has to accept the Gilico offer. There is no rush now as the company can keep going for a few more weeks - it's of no interest to Fry that the season starts in a few weeks - providing we can field a team and make the fixture it doesn't matter. Signing off - worried of Pocklington!

This is my concern too - no desire and poor tactics! I still can't get his rantings about the protests - not proper fans? His loyalty is probably due to the fact he hasn't had any other offers - maybe a bit unfair but wouldn't you be looking for another job under the circumstances? It's not as if he's a Southampton fan and would do it for nothing (he had to renegotiate a contract)! Any Manager is better than no Manager - I guess, sorry Mark if this sounds a bit negative but you had your chance and you blew it last season. All this talk about giving people a chance is fine - we gave big Lawrie another go after relegation, but he had charisma and had to sort things out in the dressing room...

Is the going to be a wake arranged to mourn the loss of our once great club? Any excuse for a ****** up!

Look lads I'm not forking out for a membership - but I'm going to attempt hijacking this thread! If it meant SFC survived - would you accept Rupert Lowe back? Is it possible? From hated figure to saviour in one fell swoop. So what say you lot?

I lurk on this forum with my 3-posts a day - and I must confess the need to respond to this one at this stage. As one who imposed a self made ban on visiting SMS with the dark lord returning - I would emphatically take what's on offer. I've been labelled as a non-fan for boycotting SMS, but I still went to away games and bought a ticket for every match at SMS once Rupes had gone! I know I have probably contributed to our current fate - but my few hundred quid wasn't going to stop us going into administration - the fact so many did the same did though. I'm still not sure about the facts of the Pinnacle bid, is it the same as the Wilde situation? All I want is a club that treats the fans, the staff and players fairly. SFC has been part of my life for too long for me to watch another team or get the same passion... Rupert's gone - long live the new regime. In the words of a Who song..."Won't get fooled again" - well I hope not!