Eastleigh's DoF, Dave Malone in tonight's Echo

[Fitzhugh Fella]

is not happy that the game with Saints did not take place on a Saturday "as it was due under the terms of the Aaron Martin deal", he also is quoted as saying "next season I hope Saints honour their obligation to play us on a Saturday".

 

According to the Echo when Martin was signed by Saints there was "a written agreement that they would visit them (Eastleigh) for a Saturday friendly for the next 3 years".

 

The Echo goes on to claim "Saints rubbed salt in Eastleigh's wounds by playing Sutton Utd managed by ex Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell "on their one free Saturday".

 

The crowd last night was 1655 which was more than Malone expected.

 

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do?

Are Saints out of order for breaching a written agreement or is it a storm in a teacup?

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day?

So many questions - aint it grand we have a forum to debate them?

Edited 3 August, 2010 by Fitzhugh Fella

[alpine_saint]

Echo sh*t stirring of course.

[Scummer]

It's funny actually, as we stepped in to play Sutton after Fulham reneged on a contractual agreement to play them under the terms of them signing a player........

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Has Eastleigh's DoF seen that Martin might turn into a better player than he anticipated and is now wishing he'd got a better deal for him...?

[dune]

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do? Just reporting facts which is what a free press does.

 

Are Saints out of order for breaching a wriiten agreement or is it a storm in a teacup? Saints are out of order

 

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day? Of course Saints should have good relations with Eastleigh - they're not a rival club they're friends of SFC.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

It's funny actually, as we stepped in to play Sutton after Fulham reneged on a contractual agreement to play them under the terms of them signing a player........

 

I did not know that but it is interesting that we happened to have a free Saturday at short notice.

[saint_bert]

The PA bloke last night made it quite clear that Saints had the whole backing of Eastleigh fc for the upcoming season.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Shut up you bunch of gays. Especially the trolley dolly.

 

I had a bet to myself that this thread would not get to 10 posts without a personal insult from a butch boy cretin.

Just off to pick up my winnings.

Edited 3 August, 2010 by Fitzhugh Fella

[boxosponge]

 

According to the Echo when Martin was signed by Saints there was "a written agreement that they would visit them (Eastleigh) for a Saturday friendly for the next 3 years".

 

The talk is about years as opposed to seasons.

As the deal took place in 2010, the first (next) year will be 2011, 2nd year 2012 and 3rsd year 2013, so **** stirring seems on the agenda to me.

[VectisSaint]

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do? Stirring up trouble based on hearsay of some non-league nobody who may or may not know the facts of any deal (may be true but who knows)

Are Saints out of order for breaching a written agreement or is it a storm in a teacup? As we don't know that there was a written agreement we cannot judge, but the Echo like to stir the **** so hey ho here we go again, assume Docker and Stu will be along shortly

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day? Frankly who cares, I support Saints, have no interest in Eastleigh, they are not my local non-league team. If this were Cowes or Calne I might be slightly more upset but without knowing any facts I would not criticise

So many questions - aint it grand we have a forum to debate them?

I really wonder sometimes if some posters on here actually support Saints or not

[stevegrant]

I had a bet to myself that this thread would get to 10 posts without a personal insult.

How much did you win?

 

The talk is about years as opposed to seasons.

As the deal took place in 2010, the first (next) year will be 2011, 2nd year 2012 and 3rsd year 2013, so **** stirring seems on the agenda to me.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/8343247.stm

He was signed in 2009.

 

I guess they've not lost out too badly in the end as they got a good attendance anyway (even though it was fairly obvious there weren't going to be any first-teamers having played Reading on Saturday), but I suppose for them it's the principle of it, and somewhat rubbing salt into their wounds that it was Paul Doswell's Sutton United who did get a Saturday friendly out of our first team. If it's in the contract from the transfer, we should be honouring it. It's not really much of a hardship to take a team 5 miles up the road for a friendly on a Saturday, I wouldn't have thought.

[crouchi]

bitter and twisted former ITK's who backed the wrong horse

[Kingsland Nick]

 

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do?

Are Saints out of order for breaching a written agreement or is it a storm in a teacup?

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day?

 

1. Can't find the article online, but if it has actual quotes from Eastleigh then of course they should report about a dispute between two clubs in their area.

2. Depends what the agreement said, but if we agreed to play on a Saturday, we should have played on a Saturday.

3. Both teams gain from having a good relationship.

[hoozonside10]

Fitzhugh Fella/Duncan. I do not know you, I know you are an ardent Saints fan and I respect what I read about you from other fans on this forum. But... you obviously are an intelligent person, you know this is going to get negative reactions, hence the comment.. "I had a bet to myself that this thread would get to 10 posts without a personal insult. No I thought not."

 

I do wonder why you do it - is it attention seeking? No I don't believe it is.... Do you have a hidden agenda... possibly... Is it bitterness, it certainly comes across like this, has the club changed in your eyes since the Liebherr/Cortese regime have taken over? Has your influence declined there? From my point of view, the club has changed dramaticallysince the takeover, but it needed to. Football has changed rapidly since we graced the Premier League, if we want a chance of making it back there, never mind surviving there, we need people like Cortese; and with the backing of Marcus Liebherr we have the financial clout to stand a chance.

 

I really think you need to move on and by no means forget the past but accept it is the past and embrace the future.

 

PS it is a forum which is for discussion so I fully support your right to post your opinion, I hope you accept this as mine

 

PPS As a poster of sub 50 posts I fully expect to be ignored!!

[SuperMikey]

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do?

Of course The Echo are stirring up trouble - that's what they do nowadays. The Eastleigh DoF feels slightly begrudged, so what? They got the friendly at the end of the day, and 1.6k ain't exactly bad for a Monday night friendly.

 

Are Saints out of order for breaching a written agreement or is it a storm in a teacup?

If Saints weren't free to play them on a Saturday, surely the Monday is better than nothing? We play them every single year, it's an annual fixture. It's hardly a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

 

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day?

Of course it's important to have a good relationship with Eastleigh, but i'm sure plenty of other clubs would appreciate the partnership if Eastleigh want to grumble and go to The Echo about a molehill they're dubbing Everest Part II.

[Smirking_Saint]

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do? Just reporting facts which is what a free press does.

 

Are Saints out of order for breaching a wriiten agreement or is it a storm in a teacup? Saints are out of order

 

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day? Of course Saints should have good relations with Eastleigh - they're not a rival club they're friends of SFC.

 

In many ways you are worse than SRS

[Scummer]

When was the Eastleigh game arranged? The Sutton match wasn't announced until the 19th July, and I'm pretty sure the Eastleigh game was already scheduled by then.

[dune]

In many ways you are worse than SRS

 

Just debate the thread.

[Smirking_Saint]

Seriously Dune why do you bother ?? Seeing as you clearly hate Saints and the management so much ??

[Ponty]

Just debate the thread.

What's to debate? Only Dot Cotton gets this much interest out of idle gossip.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Fitzhugh Fella/Duncan. I do not know you, I know you are an ardent Saints fan and I respect what I read about you from other fans on this forum. But... you obviously are an intelligent person, you know this is going to get negative reactions, hence the comment.. "I had a bet to myself that this thread would get to 10 posts without a personal insult. No I thought not."

 

I do wonder why you do it - is it attention seeking? No I don't believe it is.... Do you have a hidden agenda... possibly... Is it bitterness, it certainly comes across like this, has the club changed in your eyes since the Liebherr/Cortese regime have taken over? Has your influence declined there? From my point of view, the club has changed dramaticallysince the takeover, but it needed to. Football has changed rapidly since we graced the Premier League, if we want a chance of making it back there, never mind surviving there, we need people like Cortese; and with the backing of Marcus Liebherr we have the financial clout to stand a chance.

 

I really think you need to move on and by no means forget the past but accept it is the past and embrace the future.

 

PS it is a forum which is for discussion so I fully support your right to post your opinion, I hope you accept this as mine

 

PPS As a poster of sub 50 posts I fully expect to be ignored!!

 

Thanks for your response, written with feeling but no insult.

I was being a little devil's advocate I do admit

[AussieDog]

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do? Just reporting facts which is what a free press does.

 

Are Saints out of order for breaching a wriiten agreement or is it a storm in a teacup? Saints are out of order

 

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day? Of course Saints should have good relations with Eastleigh - they're not a rival club they're friends of SFC.

 

 

I have found that I very rarely agree with dune, but I have to agree 100% on this one.

I am sure the Eastleigh DoF wouldn't be stupid enough to slander SFC about the agreement they made over Martin, so you have to take what he said on face value. That being the case, it is poor form to renege on the deal (plus they basically sent along a bunch of kids!)

 

I'm all for SFC being run professionally and successfully (which I do feel is happening on the playing side), but they are certainly racking up the bad PR points in the past few months!

 

As for the Echo...I have long since given up even reading their website, but it seems to me that Cortese can't have it both ways. If you are going to make enemies then you have to expect them to attack you!

[Fitzhugh Fella]

PPS As a poster of sub 50 posts I fully expect to be ignored!!

 

Thanks for your response, written with feeling but no gripes from me as you obviously speak from the heart. And of course you are right, we are only ever going to regain our standing in the upper echelons with ML's money.

Football has changed, but not for the better, but none of us can turn back the clock.

My personal feelings are that we should always treat people worse off than us with dignity and respect. I don't think that has happened with the Eastleigh match, where it appears we have simply ignored contractual obligations safe in the knowledge that the little person daren't complain. I do not want to support an organisation like that. You say move on and that is easy, lets leave Eastleigh behind us, but at the end of the day I can no longer love my club unconditionally if it behaves like a bully in the playground. I could type more but the way this forum now works it has taken me half an hour to get thus far.

[Micky]

Thanks for your response, written with feeling but no insult.

I was being a little devil's advocate I do admit

 

A little, being the operative there Duncan, but stay with me while I too play DA for a while. I actually agree with you that, if true, the club has been a little remiss towards Eastleigh. If this game was one of the terms of the transfer contract then it should have been upheld, it effectively is a revenue earner for Eastleigh and therefore constitutes part of the payment due for the player. So in that respect they have every right to feel agrieved.

 

However that said - airing such grievances in a local newspaper is probably not the best way to 'state your case' so to speak, and is really not going to solve anything.

 

However, my real point would be that this game was not arranged overnight, nobody phoned them and said 'right we're coming up tomorrow, get your lads ready...!' Eastleigh would have had to agree to the date of the game, and it is at this point that any debate over the timing of the game should have been raised. Therefore, they would have had time to refer to the contract for the Aaron Martin deal and point to the clause which dictates the game must be played on a Saturday. If that clause was not met and Eastleigh wish to pursue the complaint it should be done through the FL not the Echo.

 

As I say - if true, then Eastleigh have a right to feel hard done by - but thier airring of the issue has probably not been done in the correct forum.

[Saint_clark]

What a bitter little man. Personally, I hope we tell him to f*ck off if he's gonna have that attitude. Play AFC Totton instead.

[trousers]

However, my real point would be that this game was not arranged overnight, nobody phoned them and said 'right we're coming up tomorrow, get your lads ready...!' Eastleigh would have had to agree to the date of the game, and it is at this point that any debate over the timing of the game should have been raised. Therefore, they would have had time to refer to the contract for the Aaron Martin deal and point to the clause which dictates the game must be played on a Saturday. If that clause was not met and Eastleigh wish to pursue the complaint it should be done through the FL not the Echo.

 

Agree with this. If it's in a contract then raise the breach of contract with the relevant authorities. Quite simple really.

 

Also, as a side thought, I've no stats but I wouldn't mind venturing that during the summer clubs are more likely to get a bigger gate on a weekday evening than a weekend because people will be 'out and about' with the family etc at weekends if the weather is nice. Perhaps.

Edited 3 August, 2010 by trousers

[Saint Fan CaM]

Echo in "have a stab at Saints for any reason" shocker! FF in "I'm a bitter ex-freeloader" shocker!

 

I am of course playing devils advocate a little bit. (;

[belgrave]

Are we putting Mr Malone on a pedestal here ?

 

Paul D has probably done more for saints in the longer term (at least he has transparently supported for years)

 

Eastleigh (Swaythling A) are seriously not rivals in any way, shape or form - so not sure why this is being blown up.

[Saint George]

Echo in "have a stab at Saints for any reason" shocker! FF in "I'm a bitter ex-freeloader" shocker!

 

I am of course playing devils advocate a little bit. (;

 

He used get all bitter and twisted over the Saints because Rupes was nasty to him and once put him in his place during a phone call......Now Rupes is long gone but the bitterness is still there

[manji]

Fitzhugh Fella/Duncan. I do not know you, I know you are an ardent Saints fan and I respect what I read about you from other fans on this forum. But... you obviously are an intelligent person, you know this is going to get negative reactions, hence the comment.. "I had a bet to myself that this thread would get to 10 posts without a personal insult. No I thought not."

 

I do wonder why you do it - is it attention seeking? No I don't believe it is.... Do you have a hidden agenda... possibly... Is it bitterness, it certainly comes across like this, has the club changed in your eyes since the Liebherr/Cortese regime have taken over? Has your influence declined there? From my point of view, the club has changed dramaticallysince the takeover, but it needed to. Football has changed rapidly since we graced the Premier League, if we want a chance of making it back there, never mind surviving there, we need people like Cortese; and with the backing of Marcus Liebherr we have the financial clout to stand a chance.

 

I really think you need to move on and by no means forget the past but accept it is the past and embrace the future.

 

PS it is a forum which is for discussion so I fully support your right to post your opinion, I hope you accept this as mine

 

PPS As a poster of sub 50 posts I fully expect to be ignored!!

 

Superb post.

[WestSaint]

Could be a good game complete with a brand new ground next season !!

 

(The Totton Game that is)

Edited 4 August, 2010 by WestSaint
clarity !

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

****ing scummy Echo.

 

There was no agreement for Saints to honour it in year 1, so why ***** and moan. They realise Cortese will:

 

A: find a way to not honour the friendly.

B: ban the Echo again.

 

The Echos attitude really does make me laugh. Can tell their editor is a filthy skate ****.

 

Edit: misread it said for 3 years and not in 3 years.

 

If this is the case then it is bad form. I'll believe it when a better press than the Echo gets hold of it. Either way the Echo seems to enjoy going tete a tete with the club. It's up to them of course, but doesn't bode well for them.

Edited 4 August, 2010 by Dibden Purlieu Saint

[Huntingdon]

The two biggest non league clubs in our region are Eastleigh and Totton - should we see them as rivals or friends?

 

IMO Saints should maintain a strong relationship with these clubs, not just because the occasional player like Martin will crop up, but because I suspect many supporters at Eastleigh and Totton also regularly visit SMS

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Agree with this. If it's in a contract then raise the breach of contract with the relevant authorities. Quite simple really.

 

Also, as a side thought, I've no stats but I wouldn't mind venturing that during the summer clubs are more likely to get a bigger gate on a weekday evening than a weekend because people will be 'out and about' with the family etc at weekends if the weather is nice. Perhaps.

 

I think part of the problem was that had the Eastleigh game been arranged on the Saturday we played Sutton then it is more likely Saints would have fielded more 1st teamers, there would have been more publicity and Eastleigh would therefore have got a bigger gate.

I did wonder why Malone chose to go through the Echo. I guess he didn't really want to make a big deal of it by going through the FL (that would certainly have upset Saints) but he also did want to make the point that the contract had been broken.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

What a bitter little man. Personally, I hope we tell him to f*ck off if he's gonna have that attitude. Play AFC Totton instead.

 

Well, I know where you are coming from but if Martin turns into a Premiership centre-half (and he is looking promising) then you might wish to reconsider your feelings towards Malone just a tad.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do? Just reporting facts which is what a free press does.

 

Are Saints out of order for breaching a wriiten agreement or is it a storm in a teacup? Saints are out of order

 

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day? Of course Saints should have good relations with Eastleigh - they're not a rival club they're friends of SFC.

 

This.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

The PA bloke last night made it quite clear that Saints had the whole backing of Eastleigh fc for the upcoming season.

 

Was he really allowed to say that?

[trousers]

I think part of the problem was that had the Eastleigh game been arranged on the Saturday we played Sutton then it is more likely Saints would have fielded more 1st teamers, there would have been more publicity and Eastleigh would therefore have got a bigger gate.

 

Hadn't thought it that way. Yep, playing a first team would have made a big difference.

[Gingeletiss]

s not happy that the game with Saints did not take place on a Saturday "as it was due under the terms of the Aaron Martin deal", he also is quoted as saying "next season I hope Saints honour their obligation to play us on a Saturday".

 

According to the Echo when Martin was signed by Saints there was "a written agreement that they would visit them (Eastleigh) for a Saturday friendly for the next 3 years".

 

The Echo goes on to claim "Saints rubbed salt in Eastleigh's wounds by playing Sutton Utd managed by ex Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell "on their one free Saturday".

 

The crowd last night was 1655 which was more than Malone expected.

 

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do?

Are Saints out of order for breaching a written agreement or is it a storm in a teacup?

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day?

So many questions - aint it grand we have a forum to debate them?

 

Ummm! once again Duncan, you appear on here with a negative posting.....bitter I'd say so, as are the Echo.

 

So we played them on a weekday as opposed to a weekend, it's hardly the end of the world, and if Eastleigh thought so, they would now be seeking a cancelation of the Martin contract on that basis. So yes, it's a storm in a teacup, but you knew that before you posted.

 

Is it important to maintain good relations with our neighbours, yes, and we do, but equally, they should be greatful of that fact.

 

So the first point, are the Echo sh1testirring, of course they are, you know it, I know it, and everyone on here knows it, even the trolls. Are they duty bound to report it, NO, they are not duty bound, they just have no morals. For them it's about selling papers, they obviously don't care about the damage they cause. Then again, it seems, neither do you.

[davej27]

Could not have played Eastleigh on the 24th July as their ground was booked up all weekend for a camping and scooter rally, As we needed a stronger test on the 31st July and having been in Switzerland it seems that there was not a vacant date available

[trousers]

Could not have played Eastleigh on the 24th July as their ground was booked up all weekend for a camping and scooter rally, As we needed a stronger test on the 31st July and having been in Switzerland it seems that there was not a vacant date available

 

a.k.a. no research by the Echo?

[OldNick]

if it is a breach of contract I would have thought that solicitors would be first port of call not the Echo.

It seems there is a large section of fans who won't be content until the club is destabilised again.

I do not defend NC if he has broken a pledge but i also feel that yet again the facts may be slightly wrong.

Why would Saints prefer to play Sutton than Eastleigh? the quality of opposition would be the same.

I feel just as we are on an upward climb there are quite a few antagonists who are trying to rock the boat.

[John Smith]

A little confused here. Let's say that this was contractual, what weekend was set aside for this fixture? I mean, if something is stipulated as contractual and annual, it must set aside the dates? Anyway, it appears as though, due to no firm dates being pencilled in when this contract was drawn up (sloppy, not necessarily on Eastleighs part, but on the contract writers part), then, when Saints had 1 date available, Eastleigh had planned another event at their ground, then what can be done? Well, exactly what was done. An alternative was 'agreed', obvioulsy it was agreed by both parties otherwise saints wouldn;t have turned up just on the off chance they get a game and just by coincidence 1600 people were passing that all fancied to pay to watch saints v Eastleigh. So, even if contractural, a remedy was put in place, agreed by both parties, and this superceeded any underlining contract and was fulfilled by the game going ahead.

 

So, in reflection of the comments in the Echo, this was not against the contractural agreement, as a new agreement was reached. It was agreed by both sides and fulfilled by both sides. I'm not saying Eastleigh are at fault, I'm not saying Saints are at fault, what I'm saying is that circumstances (that I'm not sure any of us fully understand), got in the way and a remedy was found that satisfied both parties. Would a trip down the road in front of 'local' support been morebeneficial than travelling to Sutton for the game? Probably. Would it be in Saints and Eastleighs interest to play each other, yes. Did they? Yes.

 

So, where is the echo in all of this? Did the Echo agree the terms of the contract between the 2 clubs? Probably not. is it therefore a newsworthy act, probably, but in my opinion, not sure it is a legally binding situation and as cut and dry as the Echo make out. Therefore, is the Echo not at fault here for 'not' reporting news to it's local readers that effects the local populace? probably. Does the Echo think that it's audience do not understand warranties and remedies? probably. Are the Echo therefore dumbing down it's readership, that's up to you. Should the news be fair and balanced, yes, if as said earlier it is the right of the 'free press'. But, why would this 'free press' want to alienate a large proportion of it's readership ie, saints fans, in order to misrepresent an action and agreement that has been mutually serviced? I'll let you decide.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

So Saints, according to Malone, break a contract and you accuse me and the Echo of causing damage.

I want Saints to succed very much but I don't like to see us allegedly not honouring our written committments.

s not happy that the game with Saints did not take place on a Saturday "as it was due under the terms of the Aaron Martin deal", he also is quoted as saying "next season I hope Saints honour their obligation to play us on a Saturday".

 

According to the Echo when Martin was signed by Saints there was "a written agreement that they would visit them (Eastleigh) for a Saturday friendly for the next 3 years".

 

The Echo goes on to claim "Saints rubbed salt in Eastleigh's wounds by playing Sutton Utd managed by ex Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell "on their one free Saturday".

 

The crowd last night was 1655 which was more than Malone expected.

 

So - is the Echo stirring up trouble or are they merely just reporting back a fact and are duty bound so to do?

Are Saints out of order for breaching a written agreement or is it a storm in a teacup?

Is it important that Saints maintain a good relationship with their local neighbours or should they be grateful that Saints give them the time of day?

So many questions - aint it grand we have a forum to debate them?

 

Ummm! once again Duncan, you appear on here with a negative posting.....bitter I'd say so, as are the Echo.

 

So we played them on a weekday as opposed to a weekend, it's hardly the end of the world, and if Eastleigh thought so, they would now be seeking a cancelation of the Martin contract on that basis. So yes, it's a storm in a teacup, but you knew that before you posted.

 

Is it important to maintain good relations with our neighbours, yes, and we do, but equally, they should be greatful of that fact.

 

So the first point, are the Echo sh1testirring, of course they are, you know it, I know it, and everyone on here knows it, even the trolls. Are they duty bound to report it, NO, they are not duty bound, they just have no morals. For them it's about selling papers, they obviously don't care about the damage they cause. Then again, it seems, neither do you.

[Gingeletiss]

So Saints, according to Malone, break a contract and you accuse me and the Echo of causing damage.

I want Saints to succed very much but I don't like to see us allegedly not honouring our written committments.

 

Did you actualy read what I posted Duncan. You wanted a respose to your OP, you have them. I have pointed out, that if Eastleigh feel that agreived that Saints had'broken' the contract, then the Martin transfer could be deemed nul and void.Is this what you are saying as well?

[theyin]

is it me or is the job of a free press to report what they see and hear?

 

How is the Echo (whom I have plenty of beef with so don't start accusing me of being an insider) shytestirring when all they are doing is reporting? You all go on about this but what would you rather have? How about a Stalinist, Maoist press, only able to report the good things and then totally blown out of all proportion.

 

You all moan as there's nothing ever in the Echo, well, as far as I can see they are doing their job in this case. If NC chooses to utilise their pages for exclusives on great things going on in the club I am sure the back pages would be splashed with good stories eminating from within the club - but no, everything is to come from the OS which isn't much at all.

 

Have a thought for the Echo staff, they are working under extrememly limited resources to fill a newspaper on a daily basis. They can only report what they've got.

[Big Bad Bob]

is it me or is the job of a free press to report what they see and hear?

 

How is the Echo (whom I have plenty of beef with so don't start accusing me of being an insider) shytestirring when all they are doing is reporting? You all go on about this but what would you rather have? How about a Stalinist, Maoist press, only able to report the good things and then totally blown out of all proportion.

 

You all moan as there's nothing ever in the Echo, well, as far as I can see they are doing their job in this case. If NC chooses to utilise their pages for exclusives on great things going on in the club I am sure the back pages would be splashed with good stories eminating from within the club - but no, everything is to come from the OS which isn't much at all.

 

Have a thought for the Echo staff, they are working under extrememly limited resources to fill a newspaper on a daily basis. They can only report what they've got.

 

It's not so much an issue with the reporting, it's an issue with the lack of investiagtion into ANY sensationalist story (much like on here).

 

If the Echo could have been bothered they would have found out that Eastleigh's stadium was busy on Saints' only free saturday, hence the match had to have been played on a date agreed by the clubs.

 

They could then have downgraded the sensationalism of the story and not written it with a slant that puts Saints' in a bad light.

 

Yes, Saints should maybe have agreed the Saturday with Eastleigh before they arrange the other fixtures but who knows...

[alpine_saint]

is it me or is the job of a free press to report what they see and hear?

 

How is the Echo (whom I have plenty of beef with so don't start accusing me of being an insider) shytestirring when all they are doing is reporting? You all go on about this but what would you rather have? How about a Stalinist, Maoist press, only able to report the good things and then totally blown out of all proportion.

 

You all moan as there's nothing ever in the Echo, well, as far as I can see they are doing their job in this case. If NC chooses to utilise their pages for exclusives on great things going on in the club I am sure the back pages would be splashed with good stories eminating from within the club - but no, everything is to come from the OS which isn't much at all.

 

Have a thought for the Echo staff, they are working under extrememly limited resources to fill a newspaper on a daily basis. They can only report what they've got.

 

I think we are all more concerned with accuracy, as opposed to good and bad...

 

However, the Echo seems to be taking "you are either with us or against us" attitude. Meaning give us exclusives without any input about when they are released, or we will print negativ sh*te about you

[Thedelldays]

I think part of the problem was that had the Eastleigh game been arranged on the Saturday we played Sutton then it is more likely Saints would have fielded more 1st teamers, there would have been more publicity and Eastleigh would therefore have got a bigger gate.

I did wonder why Malone chose to go through the Echo. I guess he didn't really want to make a big deal of it by going through the FL (that would certainly have upset Saints) but he also did want to make the point that the contract had been broken.

 

after all we have helped them with over the years...they should not be so hasty in having a dig

[Dave Benson Phillips]

LOL

 

Some of you on here make me chuckle. Our arrogance shines through worse than Leeds this season.

 

One person saying " I don't care, they are not my local team, if they were, I might care " - Seriously, that post couldn't be more " I'm alright Jack " if you tried!

 

Another one saying "after all we have helped them with over the years...they should not be so hasty in having a dig " - Jesus wept, THAT is the sort of arrogance that will have us hated all over the land. Eastleigh are a local community team who we have a moral obligation to support. In the same way P*mpey support Havant and Waterlooville.

 

Even if we didn't have a moral obligation to support Eastleigh then we have a contractual one. Of course Eastleigh are going to have a pop at Saints for going back on what they promised, which was 3 Saturday friendlies in the next 3 years. This seasons game being one of them. Of course they are not going to sue SFC, firstly because of the costs and secondly because they are reliant on having a good relationship with SFC, with whom are one of their largest income streams away from matchday, through freindlies, coaching courses etc etc. So a whinge in the paper is about all they can do.

 

There is even people on this thread doubting if it is actually true which I find the most staggering! The article is an interview with the Eastleigh chairman! What exactly do some of you need to believe something FFS?! :shock: I don't think it would be in Malones best interests to completely make up something like that, do you? I think if we are all being realistic then we can agree the article was a true version of events.

 

The Echo have a duty to print Eastleigh news just as much as they do Southampton news, some people need to take the chip off their shoulder and realise this. To the 500 Eastleigh STH's - Eastleigh is just as important to them as SFC is to us. This is a newsworthy story with an article from their chairman in their eyes.

 

On a last note, this is a pretty much nothing story, Saints are out of order - yes most definately, but it's been escalated into a much bigger deal by the people jumping on here to protect Cortese, not the other way round. AND it's got to this with no help from me.