Leon Crouch - Football Echo

[spyinthesky]

Anyone read the article?

 

A short synoposis for those who didnt

 

Apparently he confirmed that he personally paid up last years May outstandings of £500k to allow Pinnacle bid to proceed.

 

The Administrator asked him to do so as the financial situation was critical.

 

Because of this Crouch & MLT didn't have time to undertake normal due diligence and subsequently felt very let down by the Pinnacle mob.

 

He welcomes Markus's involvement but missed most of last season as he wanted to reflect on the past.

 

Went to Wembley and will be back in his Box next season re-invigorated

[Glasgow_Saint]

Never got the recognition he deserved......kept us alive and a true, true Saints fan + to bloke!

 

Respect

[NickG]

good. extra season ticket sale!

[rocknrollman no2]

Never got the recognition he deserved......kept us alive and a true, true Saints fan + to bloke!

 

Respect

 

My views exactly.

[chrisobee]

My views exactly.

 

+ 2. In many ways the forgotten man.

[Saint_lambden]

The only one who actually put his heart into the club and accepted that he made mistakes and overspent at times.

 

Came back and put his own money in to save the club whilst that other W^nker , Lowe , just walked off with a smug grin on his face.

 

Cheers Crouchy!

[saint_mears]

The only one who actually put his heart into the club and accepted that he made mistakes and overspent at times.

 

Came back and put his own money in to save the club whilst that other W^nker , Lowe , just walked off with a smug grin on his face.

 

Cheers Crouchy!

 

Overspent ? He was only chairman for six months

[Daren W]

Overspent ? He was only chairman for six months

 

Something that a few people on here conveniently forgot...

[Doctoroncall]

Top bloke for putting in his own cash like that. Glad he's back to see a promotion chasing season.

[eling-saint]

A fan who put his money where his month was. Maybe misplaced but heart in the right place. Deserves respect not abuse in my view.

[doggface]

Crouch certainly had a few foot in mouth incidents, but no doubting his intentions.

 

He made a great appointment in Pearson & then Wilde the cvnt stitched him right up.

 

Could we have stayed up & stayed afloat under crouch?

 

Crouch put the £ in in our hour of need, & I for one am happy to see him back supporting the club.

[Turkish]

good. extra season ticket sale!

 

bet he isn't moaning about the installment plan....

[Turkish]

A fan who put his money where his month was. Maybe misplaced but heart in the right place. Deserves respect not abuse in my view.

 

Interesting and something i forgot was that before administration he offered to put £2m into the club if Lowe and Wilde matched it, they refused. We would never have gone into administration if they too had put their money where thier mouth was.

 

Also sums up what SFC means to him that he said he put the £500k for exclusivity in because he couldn't have it on his consience that he could have done something to save us, he didn't want fans asking him why didn't he do something. Only one out of that lot that actually cared about the club and the fans, not their own agenda.

[spyinthesky]

Ironically only met the bloke about 3 or 4 times

 

First couple of time I thought he wasn't the real deal. In fact a bit odd.

 

Subsequently invited to the Board room with a potential sponsor, who he treated v well, and again in a Hotel at an away game when Burley was the Manager.

 

We had a good chat about the club and he came across as an informed and passionate person.

 

However heard that he is not well thought of in the Lymington area despite his support of local charities.

 

Like the Curates Egg, he is good in parts.

[Foxstone]

Glad he is back supporting the club but also glad he is'nt part of its leadership too.

 

I appreciate all his commitment and the financial help he gave to the club, and I realise he is popular with many fans on here,

but I did regard him as part of the problem that saw us lurch from one boardroom crisis to another over a 3 year period. Thankfully in my opinion we got the clean sweep we needed.

 

Nevertheless I hope he enjoys being back home at SMS as a committed and loyal supporter.

[Block 5]

There aren't many chairmen of football clubs who would sit in with the fans at away games.

Crouchie did.

[carljack]

The Statue of Ted is his lasting legacy to the Club.

[Iowsaintsfan]

The Statue of Ted is his lasting legacy to the Club.

 

 

[alpine_saint]

Never got the recognition he deserved......kept us alive and a true, true Saints fan + to bloke!

 

Respect

 

What he said.

[aintforever]

500K is a lot of money, even for someone of his wealth. True Saint.

[Right sider]

 

Not that one :-)

 

But would also like to agree with Glasgow and Alpine in that LC deserves respect. (Never saw that coming!)

[eling-saint]

He was in my opinion harshly criticised during his tenure. His intention was always to do the best for the club he supported. He put significant funds into the club, but was screwed over by the Wilde child and Lowe so got wrongly grouped into that rabble. He may have gambled but he did what any grass root fan would have done, tried to get us up. No ?

 

Good to see he is back and should be applauded for his role in keeping this club alive. A fan who put significant money where where most of us would if we could?

[alehouseboys]

He was in my opinion harshly criticised during his tenure.

 

In the main (on this site) by posters that have since disappeared along with a certain ex-chairman.

 

Good on yer Crouchy.

[Charlie Wayman]

Glad he's not gone away for good. We may need him again one day soon?

[SuperSAINT]

He was mis-guided, but his heart was in the right place - I for one, am truly grateful.

[corsacar saint]

He loves the club,like most of us fans,without his help the club may well have folded. For these two reasons alone ,LC has my total respect.

[saint-ross]

He loves the club,like most of us fans,without his help the club may well have folded. For these two reasons alone ,LC has my total respect.

 

+1

 

Almost worthy of his own miniture statue imo, especially for having to work with those other two t*ssers!

[ooohTerryHurlock]

 

Always brings a smile tomy face!!! - How bad was the first attempt but thanks to Leon we have a fantastic statue in place now to honour the great Ted Bates... well done Leon and thanks

[ooohTerryHurlock]

He was mis-guided, but his heart was in the right place - I for one, am truly grateful.

 

Why was he mis-guided?

[Saint Fan CaM]

Mentioned on here quite a few times how much the club meant to LC - I know from discussions with him. Beyond being a good businessman, he is a top guy who put lots into the club for many years, even when Lowe was trying his best to ruin it. Be glad to see him back at SMS ready for the good times to roll again.

[Red and White Army]

Overspent ? He was only chairman for six months

 

So, it isn't possible to splurge and waste a crapload of money in one month, or six months? Of course it is possible and that is exactly what Crouch did.

 

If he hadn't had saddled the club with players on high wages and spunked money we didn't have on transfer fees, we wouldn't have needed to enter administration in the first place.

[rocknrollman no2]

So, it isn't possible to splurge and waste a crapload of money in one month, or six months? Of course it is possible and that is exactly what Crouch did.

 

If he hadn't had saddled the club with players on high wages and spunked money we didn't have on transfer fees, we wouldn't have needed to enter administration in the first place.

 

We also wouldnt be here typing about Southampton FC if it wasnt for LC.If he hadnt dipped into his own pocket,then Saints would have folded.

[westofshannonsaint]

as I see it (from afar) Leon Crouch is a fan (with cash) who did what he felt was best for saints including injecting his own cash (other than shares which may rise or fall in value). He found himself in the accidental position of Chairman and didn't do a bad job when you consider the mess we were in, one notable appointment is Nigel Pearson.

 

He was a Saints fan then & I am glad to read he is a Saints fan now.

[shurlock]

There aren't many chairmen of football clubs who would sit in with the fans at away games.

Crouchie did.

 

Absolutely- even after he had been ousted out, would see him at hard-to-get-to midweekers (Sheffield away ) - wasn't lapping up the publicity (unlike some), just discretely minding his own biz and supporting the team.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Interesting and something i forgot was that before administration he offered to put £2m into the club if Lowe and Wilde matched it, they refused. We would never have gone into administration if they too had put their money where thier mouth was.

 

Also sums up what SFC means to him that he said he put the £500k for exclusivity in because he couldn't have it on his consience that he could have done something to save us, he didn't want fans asking him why didn't he do something. Only one out of that lot that actually cared about the club and the fans, not their own agenda.

 

This. Precisely.

 

Top Man!

 

Probably far more love for this club than a certain squad of players had for this country during the last month.

Edited 5 July, 2010 by EastleighSoulBoy

[dubai_phil]

Sorry, not going to join the love-in.

 

Leon bought into the club by buying shares from other shareholders (not from the club). He then made a decision to vote to remove Lowe which led to the overspend during Burleys reign on a promotion or bust strategy.

 

His 6 months in charge were populated with embarrassing Churchillian speeches and "Investment is Coming" as we sailed to our financial meltdown

 

He was not part of Pinnacle, but joined the group by putting up their 500k. I fully accept that act ensured that the club survived, BUT in his own words, he did not pursue any Due Dilligence and that decision to me will always be tainted that in fact it was his attempt to remain a part of the club "and keep his hands on the controls of the train set".

 

For a supposed succesful Businessman, he made one heck of a continuing trail of poor decisions.

 

So yes, his money saved the club, yes his actions led to ML & NC coming in to buy the club, and so for that he has an important place in our history. But backing Pinnacle without at least checking on their source of funds? Come off it, he was in too big a rush to stay a part of the action.

 

To me his poor decision making led to the BOTCHED ATTEMPT to remove Lowe, led to our financial demise and two seasons in league One. I will always believe that he made those bad decisions for Egotistical reasons, NOT business (ie The Club's) reasons.

 

History will no doubt show that the nett result of his time in the limelight has been a good thing, being part of the journey of fate/karma/luck that led to ML.

 

But we got here by Luck, not by design, and we were days from playing in the Conference through his decision making. I'm sorry but I will never accept he did what he did for anything other than Ego.

[Wopper]

Did us all a favour getting rid of Lowe.

[dubai_phil]

Did us all a favour getting rid of Lowe.

 

But that was the real problem. He DIDN'T.

 

It was like one of those old Hollywood Horror Movies, where the good guys win but forget to drive the silver stake through the Vampire's heart and you get "The Return of Lowe and another set of nightmares

[saint_bert]

Met him on the train back from one game last season. Cant remember which. He sat next to my mate.

 

Seemed a decent enough bloke.

[Katalinic]

Something that a few people on here conveniently forgot...

 

Arguably he was the only one that made us some money having negotiated a settlement to get rid of the rapidly plot losing Burley - at the time most of us would have driven to Scotland.

[Red and White Army]

We also wouldnt be here typing about Southampton FC if it wasnt for LC.If he hadnt dipped into his own pocket,then Saints would have folded.

 

We wouldn't have been in the position of almost folding had it not been for Crouch. He wasn't solely responsible for our demise - far from it - but his tenure certainly hastened our demise. He did step up and save the club he almost killed but history will not view Crouch kindly I suspect.

[trousers]

Sorry, not going to join the love-in.

 

Leon bought into the club by buying shares from other shareholders (not from the club). He then made a decision to vote to remove Lowe which led to the overspend during Burleys reign on a promotion or bust strategy.

 

His 6 months in charge were populated with embarrassing Churchillian speeches and "Investment is Coming" as we sailed to our financial meltdown

 

He was not part of Pinnacle, but joined the group by putting up their 500k. I fully accept that act ensured that the club survived, BUT in his own words, he did not pursue any Due Dilligence and that decision to me will always be tainted that in fact it was his attempt to remain a part of the club "and keep his hands on the controls of the train set".

 

For a supposed succesful Businessman, he made one heck of a continuing trail of poor decisions.

 

So yes, his money saved the club, yes his actions led to ML & NC coming in to buy the club, and so for that he has an important place in our history. But backing Pinnacle without at least checking on their source of funds? Come off it, he was in too big a rush to stay a part of the action.

 

To me his poor decision making led to the BOTCHED ATTEMPT to remove Lowe, led to our financial demise and two seasons in league One. I will always believe that he made those bad decisions for Egotistical reasons, NOT business (ie The Club's) reasons.

 

History will no doubt show that the nett result of his time in the limelight has been a good thing, being part of the journey of fate/karma/luck that led to ML.

 

But we got here by Luck, not by design, and we were days from playing in the Conference through his decision making. I'm sorry but I will never accept he did what he did for anything other than Ego.

 

Hi phil, cheers for the summary. Fills a few gaps in my knowledge jigsaw from 'the takeover years'

 

Out of curiosity, where do you think the club would be now if Crouch had stayed in the background rather than taking over the helm for those (ill)fated 6 months?

 

In more or less the same situation albeit via a different route or somewhere completely different?

[Mmm Donuts]

For those who know more about the takeover, what or who behind the Pinnacle bid and was there any money?

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Sorry, not going to join the love-in.

 

Leon bought into the club by buying shares from other shareholders (not from the club). He then made a decision to vote to remove Lowe which led to the overspend during Burleys reign on a promotion or bust strategy.

 

His 6 months in charge were populated with embarrassing oChurchillian speeches and "Investment is Coming" as we sailed to our financial meltdown

He was not part of Pinnacle, but joined the group by putting up their 500k. I fully accept that act ensured that the club survived, BUT in his own words, he did not pursue any Due Dilligence and that decision to me will always be tainted that in fact it was his attempt to remain a part of the club "and keep his hands on the controls of the train set".

 

For a supposed succesful Businessman, he made one heck of a continuing trail of poor decisions.

 

So yes, his money saved the club, yes his actions led to ML & NC coming in to buy the club, and so for that he has an important place in our history. But backing Pinnacle without at least checking on their source of funds? Come off it, he was in too big a rush to stay a part of the action.

 

To me his poor decision making led to the BOTCHED ATTEMPT to remove Lowe, led to our financial demise and two seasons in league One. I will always believe that he made those bad decisions for Egotistical reasons, NOT business (ie The Club's) reasons.

 

History will no doubt show that the nett result of his time in the limelight has been a good thing, being part of the journey of fate/karma/luck that led to ML.

 

But we got here by Luck, not by design, and we were days from playing in the Conference through his decision making. I'm sorry but I will never accept he did what he did for anything other than Ego.

 

This. Thanks for the money Crouch, you did keep us alive, but none of this would have been an issue had they not ousted Lowe. We have been extremely lucky to end up where we are, and we need to remember that.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Cortese should do the right thing and make a gesture to Crouch. Give him his box for free for the season, if it wasn't for Crouch, Cortese wouldn't have a club to be chairman of.

[saint_mears]

What a load of total garbage

 

 

 

Sorry, not going to join the love-in.

 

Leon bought into the club by buying shares from other shareholders (not from the club). He then made a decision to vote to remove Lowe which led to the overspend during Burleys reign on a promotion or bust strategy.

 

His 6 months in charge were populated with embarrassing Churchillian speeches and "Investment is Coming" as we sailed to our financial meltdown

 

He was not part of Pinnacle, but joined the group by putting up their 500k. I fully accept that act ensured that the club survived, BUT in his own words, he did not pursue any Due Dilligence and that decision to me will always be tainted that in fact it was his attempt to remain a part of the club "and keep his hands on the controls of the train set".

 

 

 

For a supposed succesful Businessman, he made one heck of a continuing trail of poor decisions.

 

So yes, his money saved the club, yes his actions led to ML & NC coming in to buy the club, and so for that he has an important place in our history. But backing Pinnacle without at least checking on their source of funds? Come off it, he was in too big a rush to stay a part of the action.

 

To me his poor decision making led to the BOTCHED ATTEMPT to remove Lowe, led to our financial demise and two seasons in league One. I will always believe that he made those bad decisions for Egotistical reasons, NOT business (ie The Club's) reasons.

 

History will no doubt show that the nett result of his time in the limelight has been a good thing, being part of the journey of fate/karma/luck that led to ML.

 

But we got here by Luck, not by design, and we were days from playing in the Conference through his decision making. I'm sorry but I will never accept he did what he did for anything other than Ego.

[saint_mears]

This. Thanks for the money Crouch, you did keep us alive, but none of this would have been an issue had they not ousted Lowe. We have been extremely lucky to end up where we are, and we need to remember that.

 

Ahh i think you will find we where financially dead in the water upon relegation and we would of still eneded up in administration. Do bear in mind that it was and still is Rupert Lowe's financial director Dave Jones. Crowds where boycotting and it was only a matter of time.

[Saint Fan CaM]

This. Thanks for the money Crouch, you did keep us alive, but none of this would have been an issue had they not ousted Lowe. We have been extremely lucky to end up where we are, and we need to remember that.

 

What we need to remember is that Lowe was driving the club into the ground - it was failing financially prior to LC's involvement...way before. Getting Lowe out was an attempt to rescue the club, no ifs or buts. It was Wilde that caused the utter mess with the Executive he appointed and then turning Judas to allow Lowe back in. Crouch did everything he possibly could, but it was too late by the time he was able to influence matters. And let's all remember also that Lowe's failure to put the club into Admin 1 week earlier would have seen us back in the CCC this season as we wouldn't have had the -10pts.

Edited 5 July, 2010 by Saint Fan CaM
typo

[manji]

Respect for what ? He was part of the Pinnacle debacle which delayed the Liebherr takeover.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Ahh i think you will find we where financially dead in the water upon relegation and we would of still eneded up in administration. Do bear in mind that it was and still is Rupert Lowe's financial director Dave Jones. Crowds where boycotting and it was only a matter of time.

 

We were dead in the water following relegation? If that's the case why did we spend 7 million and then break our wage structure. If that's the case the board that followed Lowe were even more of a joke. Which I think Crouch was a member of, was he not?

 

We wouldn't have gone into admin following relegation, there were measures in place to ensure this (

wages halfed etc).