Lawrie McMenemy on the derby

[Graffito]

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/401154653?-11205

 

Some anecdotes as well as his views on the rivalry. Some of it new, to me at least. Happy days. I didn't know Keegan signed a blank contract for instance.

 

Who was the "thoughtless official" that told Lawrie he'd have to pay for his own tickets to attend matches and who only lasted 3 months in the job, Oldknow perhaps?

[St Landrew]

Yeah, that would be Oldknow. I suppose the best we can say about him is that he was still indoctinated from his days as an employee under the previous board. Like the man said, would you charge Shankly or Robson..? Of course not.

 

I thought Lawrie was right on the money, with his comments, right upto the stadium sharing. But of course, he proposed that idea way before St Marys was even dreamed of. Back then it may have been possible, even desirable. But certainly not now.

[Matthew Le God]

‘I’m a football man. I said it many years ago and I say it again. It would be great for the area for both clubs to be in the same division, the top division, and sharing a 40,000-seat stadium on the M27.’

 

I worry for Lawrie's state of mind if he seriously thinks that is a viable proposition.

[Micky]

Nice article - gave us some great times, players and memories. As for sharing a stadium though, probably not a great idea - I don't even like having to share the county with the Blue Few, never mind a stadium...!

[Saint_clark]

What colour design would the stadium be? Would never work.

[Belgiansaint]

Excellent read. Can't believe how signing Keegan worked out. Had to laugh.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Nice article - gave us some great times, players and memories. As for sharing a stadium though, probably not a great idea - I don't even like having to share the county with the Blue Few, never mind a stadium...!

 

Country, surely? Not county!

[miserableoldgit]

Nd here:- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1250317/Southampton-v-Portsmouth-There-fiercer-derby-says-Saints-idol-Lawrie-McMenemy.html

[Miltonaggro]

I think he was talking about the skates sharing with Eastleigh...

[Wes Tender]

The article says that he was invited a couple of weeks ago to attend a match and meet the Chairman. Has he been yet, or is the match the one against the Skates? Interesting to have it made clear that the policy of everybody paying for their tickets originating from Oldknow. And yet apparently non-playing staff will be paying to park at the stadium on match days. It will be interesting to see whether LMac and Cortese get on when they meet. They couldn't be more different as personalities, but I suspect that Cortese is becoming very attached to the club, more and more each week and maybe they might hit it off together. Our former chairman had a character defect that meant that he had to be the big cheese and therefore he resented anybody loved by the fans. But perhaps Cortese is better able to have respect for those who have achieved success through their own efforts and doesn't allow issues of class or upbringing to cloud his judgement. He's certainly canny enough as a businessman to recognise that it would do no harm to embrace those who are held in high esteem by the fans. It will be interesting to see whether there are any changes of policy in that direction.

[croydonsaint]

Great article about a great man. i can still remember seeing the press conference on tv, when Keegan was unveiled. You couldnt have written the script and still one of the best moments in my life.

He brought some great players to the club and could certainly pick a player. Do you remember Peter Rodrigues, an unlikely hero.

Unfortunate that he was stained by the disgusting shenanigans of the previous regime, [i think through no fault of his own].

I hope he gets a great reception, he along with Ted Bates [and many others] played a massive, positive part in the history of our great club.

[Mister Neil]

The article says that he was invited a couple of weeks ago to attend a match and meet the Chairman. Has he been yet.....

 

He was in the Directors Box recently and I'm pretty sure it was the Stockport game. Didn't pay much attention to what was going on behind me so can't say whether there was any interaction between them during the match.

[saintjay77]

Some fantastic storys and IMO the paying for his own ticket would have been a great idea for him and the rest of them when the club was skint. I think every board member past and present could have made the gesture to do the same throughout the revolving door for who was in charge.

 

Once financially secure it sounds like Oldkow was doing it more to push people about and there was only ever going to be one winner so LeMac has every right to smile.

 

Cant wait for tomorrow and ir will be good to see a few faces from our history there and enjoying the beginning or our rise from the ashes.

[DT]

For all the knocking the sports press gets, occasionally they come up with a real gem of a piece. This is one such. Interesting, controversial, and full of good insights. Well done the author.

[theyin]

For all the knocking the sports press gets, occasionally they come up with a real gem of a piece. This is one such. Interesting, controversial, and full of good insights. Well done the author.

 

Quite right.

 

Lawrie Mac is still the man in my eyes. He is Mr Southampton for anyone who was around for '76 and the '84 seasons alone

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Yeah, that would be Oldknow. I suppose the best we can say about him is that he was still indoctinated from his days as an employee under the previous board. Like the man said, would you charge Shankly or Robson..? Of course not.

 

I thought Lawrie was right on the money, with his comments, right upto the stadium sharing. But of course, he proposed that idea way before St Marys was even dreamed of. Back then it may have been possible, even desirable. But certainly not now.

 

If Marcus and Nicola pay for their tickets, so should Lawrie.

[VectisSaint]

I assume 19Canteen is not monitoring the forum today.

[sotonjoe]

If Marcus and Nicola pay for their tickets, so should Lawrie.

 

quite right

[Crab Lungs]

I have no real sentimentality towards LMc as I wasn't around for the days under his management, thats maybe why I take a rather suspect look at him, I suppose. Whilst I agree he shouldn't have to pay for a ticket, he was pretty happy taking his sizeable wage as we rode towards administration for 2 years...

[St Landrew]

If Marcus and Nicola pay for their tickets, so should Lawrie.

 

But do they..?

[Lord Duckhunter]

Here we go, a decent article about our greatest living manager and it'll end up in a slanging match with people running the great man down.

 

I will always be grateful for what he achieved for our Club, achievements that seem more and more unbelievable as the years pass by.

[SFC Forever]

I worry for Lawrie's state of mind if he seriously thinks that is a viable proposition.

 

 

Actually it is not that stupid an idea. We would end up with a bigger stadium and the blue noses hate us so much that they wouldn't want to be part of it anyway. At least the rabis ones.

Only difference I would make is for the stadium to be 45000 plus as a few genuine footy fans would come across. plus for big teams like Utd Livpool Gooners etc we would have enough room to offer more tickets.

[once_bitterne]

What a surprise the main point LM wanted to drive home to the interviewer was that his freebies had been stopped.

 

I still maintain LM has done not one positive thing for the club since the day he deserted us for his spiritual home in Sunderland.

[Lord Duckhunter]

What a surprise the main point LM wanted to drive home to the interviewer was that his freebies had been stopped.

 

I still maintain LM has done not one positive thing for the club since the day he deserted us for his spiritual home in Sunderland.

 

How do you know what he wanted to "drive home". Interviewers put their own spin on things leave things out, and generaly highlight what THEY think are the main points of interest to the reader. Are you trying to say that Lawrie was all "make sure you put the bit about my freebies in, and drive it home"

 

99% of supporters up and down the Country would be shocked that he had to pay for his own tickets.

 

Didn't he bring Bally back from Exeter and Nigel Pearson in?

[John B]

Here we go, a decent article about our greatest living manager and it'll end up in a slanging match with people running the great man down.

 

I will always be grateful for what he achieved for our Club, achievements that seem more and more unbelievable as the years pass by.

 

He was of course a very good manager however that does not make him a great man.

[dune]

Watching Pardews pre matech interview on Saintsplayer he revealed that big Lawrie rang him and told him he won all of these derbies.

[up and away]

The article says that he was invited a couple of weeks ago to attend a match and meet the Chairman. Has he been yet, or is the match the one against the Skates? Interesting to have it made clear that the policy of everybody paying for their tickets originating from Oldknow. And yet apparently non-playing staff will be paying to park at the stadium on match days. It will be interesting to see whether LMac and Cortese get on when they meet. They couldn't be more different as personalities, but I suspect that Cortese is becoming very attached to the club, more and more each week and maybe they might hit it off together. Our former chairman had a character defect that meant that he had to be the big cheese and therefore he resented anybody loved by the fans. But perhaps Cortese is better able to have respect for those who have achieved success through their own efforts and doesn't allow issues of class or upbringing to cloud his judgement. He's certainly canny enough as a businessman to recognise that it would do no harm to embrace those who are held in high esteem by the fans. It will be interesting to see whether there are any changes of policy in that direction.

 

How much input Oldknow had, I am not sure but it was Cortese's decision to make everyone pay. The fact it was Oldknow who informed LM is another matter, but if it was going to be anyones job to do it? As for anyone trying to officially try and speak to Liebherr, it's nigh on impossible. There is certainly some bile directed at Oldknow, but he was only the messenger boy.

[jam]

Actually it is not that stupid an idea. We would end up with a bigger stadium and the blue noses hate us so much that they wouldn't want to be part of it anyway. At least the rabis ones.

Only difference I would make is for the stadium to be 45000 plus as a few genuine footy fans would come across. plus for big teams like Utd Livpool Gooners etc we would have enough room to offer more tickets.

 

And the rest of the time play in a half empty stadium? No thanks.

[Graffito]

What a surprise the main point LM wanted to drive home to the interviewer was that his freebies had been stopped.

 

I still maintain LM has done not one positive thing for the club since the day he deserted us for his spiritual home in Sunderland.

 

I thought Lawrie was a Geordie. Did I have that wrong?

[Weston Saint]

OK, I will start. - he was invited to attend a game so I assume he did not pay- he is going to the FA Cup game in someone elses box - another free lunch I assume - BUT what about all the other games???????

 

McMenemy was a fantastic Manager for us as the article is clear to show. The Big Man is a legend in his time for us Saints supporters (well most of us) but he tarnishes his reputation by always thinking the world owes him a living or free lunch and speaking out when he does not get it. It is not just at Southampton Football Club as I know from first hand but that is another story.

[miserableoldgit]

What a surprise the main point LM wanted to drive home to the interviewer was that his freebies had been stopped.

 

I still maintain LM has done not one positive thing for the club since the day he deserted us for his spiritual home in Sunderland.

Yeah, the traitor!! He doesn`t deserve anything for the 12 years that he served as manager. After all, he only gave us the FA Cup, appearances in the Charity Shield, and League Cup Final. Second place place in Division One, signed top, top players (including European Footballer of the Year), got us playing regularly in Europe and generally established us as a force in the top division.

 

You`re right. The man deserves nothing.

[once_bitterne]

Yeah, the traitor!! He doesn`t deserve anything for the 12 years that he served as manager. After all, he only gave us the FA Cup, appearances in the Charity Shield, and League Cup Final. Second place place in Division One, signed top, top players (including European Footballer of the Year), got us playing regularly in Europe and generally established us as a force in the top division.

 

You`re right. The man deserves nothing.

 

See Weston's accurate summary above.

 

So, with the derby game upcoming, a journo is dispatched to talk to SFC's most famous manager. And what does the story begin with? Talk of old games, Keegan? The Moran goal? Nah, this is Lawrie we are talking about, the first thing he obv talked about to the journo was that his freebies had been stopped.

 

I would assume the same journo who is saying it would never had of happened to Bobby Robson is not aware that under the ill fated Wilde regime just a couple of seasons back that LM trousered over £100k in 'expenses' for attending games?

 

Our greatest manager? Yes. But he always has loved his wallet far more than the club.

[The Kraken]

I had the good fortune of being in the Terry Paine Ambassador's Suite for the final day survival game against Sheff Utd. The Ambassadors Suite is like the regular corporate suites but ratcheted up a notch or two. As part of his duties at the time it was Lawrie's responsibility to host the day in the suite, usually accompanied by a few ex players. On this occasion he had with him Glenn ****erill, Jim Steele and Nick Holmes, and we were lucky enough to be on the table next to theirs.

 

Now obviously the result that day helped, but I have to say that being there for that day, have the big man welcome us, chat amongst us, give a few speeches throughout the day, and hear the reverence with which Jim Steele and Nick Holmes spoke of him; it all added up to the best day I've had watching Saints. Ever. Lawrie is perhaps one of the most engaging people I've seen connected with the club, and talks about Saints with real passion and knowledge. I truly think the club are missing a trick in not having him continue in this role. I don't know how much the tickets cost in the Ambassador's Suite (mine were a gift from my parents but I've heard in excess of £200) but whatever it was for me it was money well spent. And if some of that money (expenses or otherwise) goes into paying the host for being the central figure in such an overwhelmingly brilliant day , then that's alright with me. I've got far better things to do than be bitter about the fact that our best ever manager continued to earn a living from the club he helped develop.

[saintfully]

I don't need my legends tarnished thanks.

 

Lawrie Mac will always be a hero in my eyes because hes probably the second biggest reason Im a Saints fan (besides the fact I was born one so was always going to be). 76, Kevin Keegan & Mick Channon, 84. At that time I knew I was lucky to be supporter of the best footy club in the country.

 

If he takes the p1ss a bit, fair enough, don't tell me about it, cause Im not interested.

 

Same for MLT.

[fez]

I'll never forget Lawrie Mac's courtesy and friendliness when I met him by chance in Cardiff in autumn '75. He seemed to have so much time to chat to a star-struck student (as I then was)...

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

I shared a cab with Lawrie a few years back. The driver was a Spurs fan but his old man was a Saints season ticket holder. The driver could not believe his good fortune and although we were late Lawrie told him to ring his old man and he would have a word. Sadly his old man was out so when we arrived Lawrie took the number and promised he would ring him the next day.

 

Every club needs legends. He is ours.

[Lord Duckhunter]

 

So, with the derby game upcoming, a journo is dispatched to talk to SFC's most famous manager. And what does the story begin with? Talk of old games, Keegan? The Moran goal? Nah, this is Lawrie we are talking about, the first thing he obv talked about to the journo was that his freebies had been stopped.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you really think the Journo writes the article in the exact order that they discuss things in. For all you know, he could have started talking about players BEFORE the mention of having to pay, but the Journo thinking (as I do ) that it's quite a big deal, wrote that first.

 

Most players who worked for him, speak glowingly of him, that's good enough for me.

[trousers]

Do you really think the Journo writes the article in the exact order that they discuss things in. For all you know, he could have started talking about players BEFORE the mention of having to pay, but the Journo thinking (as I do ) that it's quite a big deal, wrote that first.

 

Most players who worked for him, speak glowingly of him, that's good enough for me.

 

I agree with this post

[ottery st mary]

Sir Lawrie of Southampton...is a God to me and many of my fellow Saints supporters...

 

Bless you Sir...

 

COYRs

[St Marco]

Sometimes i wonder about our fans. Or at least some on this board, have yet to meet one away from it who shared that view.

 

It makes me think who would want to manage us? If you get success your have muppets attacking you, and if you fail your have muppets attacking you....

 

People forget so easily history, so caught up in the now to forget the then. Which had to happen for the club to be where it was.

 

Lawrie is a legend. The last and only manager in this clubs history to win the fa cup.

If someone said to me "hey if Pardew got you guys promoted. got you to Wembley in the fa cup final and you won it, brought in Ronaldo and got you to 2nd in the premier league and all you had to do was give him a £250 season ticket for life, would you take it?"

 

I think even the dumbest of mongs can answer that one

[VectisSaint]

I thought Lawrie was a Geordie. Did I have that wrong?

Lawrie was born in Gateshead, I think that makes him a Geordie, definitely not a Mackem. He played originally for Newcastle then Gateshead and Bishop Auckland. Never understood this idea that Sunderland was his spiritual home.

[St Paul]

Sometimes i wonder about our fans. Or at least some on this board, have yet to meet one away from it who shared that view.

 

 

 

I have never ever met a Saints fan anywhere who doesn't think Lawrie's a legend. Apart from Sunderland fans, most other supporters I've met respect what he did for us, and consider him Mr Southampton (a title that belongs to Ted, but none the less, shows the respect people have for Lawrie achievements)

[Legod Third Coming]

See Weston's accurate summary above.

 

So, with the derby game upcoming, a journo is dispatched to talk to SFC's most famous manager. And what does the story begin with? Talk of old games, Keegan? The Moran goal? Nah, this is Lawrie we are talking about, the first thing he obv talked about to the journo was that his freebies had been stopped.

 

I would assume the same journo who is saying it would never had of happened to Bobby Robson is not aware that under the ill fated Wilde regime just a couple of seasons back that LM trousered over £100k in 'expenses' for attending games?

 

Our greatest manager? Yes. But he always has loved his wallet far more than the club.

 

Whereas Fergie, Shankly, Paisley and Cloughie all worked for free?

[Legod Third Coming]

Sometimes i wonder about our fans. Or at least some on this board, have yet to meet one away from it who shared that view.

 

It makes me think who would want to manage us? If you get success your have muppets attacking you, and if you fail your have muppets attacking you....

 

People forget so easily history, so caught up in the now to forget the then. Which had to happen for the club to be where it was.

 

Lawrie is a legend. The last and only manager in this clubs history to win the fa cup.

If someone said to me "hey if Pardew got you guys promoted. got you to Wembley in the fa cup final and you won it, brought in Ronaldo and got you to 2nd in the premier league and all you had to do was give him a £250 season ticket for life, would you take it?"

 

I think even the dumbest of mongs can answer that one

 

I just don't think people have any concept of what it was like supporting us then. And some of those that do, seem to think it happened by chance.

 

The bloke was marginalised by Rupert Fecking Lowe. Is he bitter? You bet.

 

Does he have every right to be?

 

You fecking bet.

 

So he moved on to manage another club - whose fault is that? McMenemy or the people who wouldn't back him?

 

If people don't like him, fine. But as my mum would say, if you can't say something good about someone, say nothing at all.

[70's Mike]

LIKE him or not

he managed the club through its most successful period and built us into a club with a big following from being a sleepy hollow club

[saintjay77]

Sometimes i wonder about our fans. Or at least some on this board, have yet to meet one away from it who shared that view.

 

It makes me think who would want to manage us? If you get success your have muppets attacking you, and if you fail your have muppets attacking you....

 

People forget so easily history, so caught up in the now to forget the then. Which had to happen for the club to be where it was.

 

Lawrie is a legend. The last and only manager in this clubs history to win the fa cup.

If someone said to me "hey if Pardew got you guys promoted. got you to Wembley in the fa cup final and you won it, brought in Ronaldo and got you to 2nd in the premier league and all you had to do was give him a £250 season ticket for life, would you take it?"

 

I think even the dumbest of mongs can answer that one

 

I agree with Weston on this one. Although due to the History that LeMac has created I would love to meet him and talk football.

 

The clubs recent history has given us plenty of villans to hate so while I am not overwhelmed at LeMacs part in the recent history it doesnt taint what he has done for the club in the past.

 

If he gets freebee's now then fine but creaming money out of the club while it burned was out of order for plenty of people and LeMac was a small part of that era too.

[Nineteen Canteen]

and Nigel Pearson in?

 

And why did he choose to pluck him from obscruity? He had been following his career closely and thought he was the next big manager in waiting and the ideal man to turn us around? Sorry, but that doesn't sound believable IMO.

 

Nigel who? Was the shout at the time and initially made D&G look appealing.

 

LM can opine on how it was but objectively look at the future without reference to himself? In the kingdom of the blind the 'I' man is king.

[The Kraken]

Whereas Fergie, Shankly, Paisley and Cloughie all worked for free?

 

There's no point reasoning with idiots like that. Given the propensity that "Cloughie liked a bung", it would only be a true idiot Derby or Forest fan that would classify as him as anything but an absolute genius and complete legend.

 

Nobody is saying Lawrie is a flawless character; but it is thoroughly sad that such a trivial and inconsequential matter as an expenses account can mean more in the scheme of things to some people than all of his achievements for the club. Of course, it's obviously a bit more than that. And nothing to do with the fact that most of his major detractors seem to have been of the "Lord Lowe" persuasion; no, certainly not.

[Dalek2003]

The days of Lawrie mac were the 'glory days' for SFC. The legacy of Lawrie lived on right through to the millienium and beyond. The tragedy that befell this club happened in2004 when Sturrock was appointed.

[Nineteen Canteen]

LIKE him or not

he managed the club through its most successful period and built us into a club with a big following from being a sleepy hollow club

 

Agreed, and history cannot be altered and nor should it. Likewise he has hardly covered himself in glory since he left for Sunderland and the fact he has deserted supporting the club that now it has finally turned a corner for the better is difficult to understand. Afterall, our new owners were only trying to find an equitable way to welcome back directors from the past and heal those wounds. Paying for a ticket is hardly a major issue when you still have a seat in the Directors box and no doubt plenty of fawning towards LM from some quarters which would be worth the entrance fee alone surely.? Not to mention a free lunch at the captains table if I were to venture a guess.

 

McMenemy and Crouch should consider picking up their dummies as no matter how badly the club treated me I can't imagine a scenario where I wouldn't come back for more. Do they really love the club or was it popularity seeking rhetoric?