Making the point - anti Lowe stay away fans.

[derry]

Wouldn't it make a point, if all the stay away because of Lowe fans, turned up at every match, stayed outside and demonstrated the vast numbers staying away because of Lowe.

 

Would it in fact, demonstrate how few rather than how many?

[Toomer]

More to the point how many would bother to show up?

[Weston Saint]

Good point. If they can get enough interested they might get some media coverage.

[Scudamore]

That would be one fun day out...

[um pahars]

The return of Lowe, the introduction of a revolutionary coaching set up and the failure to win at home has brought with it a wave of apathy that has swamped the Club.

 

People can't even be ar55ed to go anymore, so the thought that they would then come and protest instead is not that logical. It has just got to a stage where many thousands have clearly giving up and I worry that even a modicum of success will not mean they will all come back. Get out of the habit, lose the passion and it might be hard to reignite.

 

We can argue all we like about whether it is 100's or 1000's who are staying away from Lowe, but the cold, hard facts of the matter is that attendances are massively down and with every match we edge closer to administration.

 

How I wish there were more uber fans out there like you or I [sic] who would go week in, week out whatever the results, but I also wish for other fantasies that aren't going to happen.

 

We need to get real, accept our hard core is somehwere around 12,000 -13,000, and look at ways at seeing if there is any way of getting those missing punters back through the door.

 

We can slag the stayways all we like, but for many they come for reasons other than blind loyalty. For them the Club has to deliver something and to date it has been wanting.

 

13,000 of us deliver our side of the bargain regularly, perhaps the Club should start to deliver something.

 

The failings at the Club have very little to do with the grass roots supporters (stayaways or not) and so much to do with those who have the power to change things, be they players, manager or directors.

[Chez]

The return of Lowe, the introduction of a revolutionary coaching set up and the failure to win at home has brought with it a wave of apathy that has swamped the Club.

 

People can't even be ar55ed to go anymore, so the thought that they would then come and protest instead is not that logical. It has just got to a stage where many thousands have clearly giving up and I worry that even a modicum of success will not mean they will all come back. Get out of the habit, lose the passion and it might be hard to reignite.

 

We can argue all we like about whether it is 100's or 1000's who are staying away from Lowe, but the cold, hard facts of the matter is that attendances are massively down and with every match we edge closer to administration.

 

How I wish there were more uber fans out there like you or I [sic] who would go week in, week out whatever the results, but I also wish for other fantasies that aren't going to happen.

 

We need to get real, accept our hard core is somehwere around 12,000 -13,000, and look at ways at seeing if there is any way of getting those missing punters back through the door.

 

We can slag the stayways all we like, but for many they come for reasons other than blind loyalty. For them the Club has to deliver something and to date it has been wanting.

 

13,000 of us deliver our side of the bargain regularly, perhaps the Club should start to deliver something.

 

The failings at the Club have very little to do with the grass roots supporters (stayaways or not) and so much to do with those who have the power to change things, be they players, manager or directors.

 

 

spot on, and I also fear that even if we won 5 in a row the vast majority would see it as a blip and still not buy a ticket this season. The damage has been done.

 

 

 

We're in the ****, we all know it, so whats the point of moaning about it all day long?

[Charlie Wayman]

I am a stayaway. However, I am also a fully paid up ST holder. My protest is costing me money not the club. As for standing outside SMS and joining a mob screaming for Lowe's life, forget it. I've got better things to do with my time, he just isn't that important to me.

 

For those of you who will say "what's the point?", the point is that my seat in an expensive part of te stadium is left empty at every match and come March when Lowe sends out his ST renewal forms, if he is still in office I won't be renewing. They conned me this year by changing the deckchairs around after the early offers were made, they can't pull that trick off again!

[saintjay77]

I dont think the stay aways because of lowe are making much of a point at the mo as there are too many other reasons that they could be staying away for.

 

If they are going to have an impact then it has to be more visual.

 

protest outside SMS is a possibility but I would have thought the stay aways are sitting somewhere tucked up nice and warm with a pint and the radio so they can still listen to how we are doing. (I dont believe they are not fans so cant believe they dont care)

 

otherwise why not stay away on the 1st or last home game of every month and turn up in numbers to any other home match. It would be far more visual and I think it would gain the support of more people. under 10,000 1nce a month compared with over 17,000 the rest of the time would send the right message. if nothing is done then the protest could move to more than 1 match per month.

[INFLUENCED.COM]

If they are going to go to the trouble of getting to the ground, step inside for the game, stay back after the final whistle when the team have left the field and demonstrate then, you may find some of those who still attend and support the team, despite feeling toward the board, may join you maximising the potential impact, some may think fu ck me I know we are financially in the mire but them lads play some decent football, if we attend every week, with the increase in revenue the club may then be able to afford to buy a decent defence.

[derry]

At the moment the only quantifiable fact is the crowds are down. The stay away because of Lowe group, would point to that, as them making their point. The club would point to the financial problems, credit crunch, young team, poor results, not in the Premier etc.

 

It needs something to measure this protest, at the moment there is no way to do that. Either a matchday protest or as mentioned, specific identified matches would clarify the depth of protest.

 

This would allow the banks, creditors, shareholders, media and fans to see exactly how much Lowe is costing/not costing the club.

[John Smith]

I think you'll find, that when people like Lowe are concerned, saying nothing at all is the best way to proceed.

 

By turning up, like an angry, witch hunting mob, it will only give Lowe ammunition to throw back and encourage others to part with their hard earned cash. ( BTW, how much does Lowe pay for his seat - oh, we pay him, nice one).

 

By staying away, the 'protest' has a more 'presence', as it cannot be 'attacked'. All sorts of people aren't going to games anymore, the young, the old, the wealthy, the poor. All social groups are represented and all walks of life have a voice. We don't need to turn up on demand for some sort of freakshow!

 

Listen to the silence my friend, we are not happy, period!

[saintjay77]

I think you'll find, that when people like Lowe are concerned, saying nothing at all is the best way to proceed.

 

By turning up, like an angry, witch hunting mob, it will only give Lowe ammunition to throw back and encourage others to part with their hard earned cash. ( BTW, how much does Lowe pay for his seat - oh, we pay him, nice one).

 

By staying away, the 'protest' has a more 'presence', as it cannot be 'attacked'. All sorts of people aren't going to games anymore, the young, the old, the wealthy, the poor. All social groups are represented and all walks of life have a voice. We don't need to turn up on demand for some sort of freakshow!

 

Listen to the silence my friend, we are not happy, period!

 

but thats my point. if the however many stay aways turned up as per normal except the 1st home match of every month the banks and everyone else would see what support could be at SMS week in week out if RL and co were told to sling there hook and also what support they are missing out on while he is still there.

 

If the banks dont take any notice then the amount of games you stay away from can increase but at least there is a form that the banks can gauge the support on.

[John Smith]

but thats my point. if the however many stay aways turned up as per normal except the 1st home match of every month the banks and everyone else would see what support could be at SMS week in week out if RL and co were told to sling there hook and also what support they are missing out on while he is still there.

 

If the banks dont take any notice then the amount of games you stay away from can increase but at least there is a form that the banks can gauge the support on.

 

Actually, I think the notion of staying away from every home game, every month, will have a more immediate reaction from the banks. However, from my perspective, it isn't about the banks noticing, in fact, I wish we weren't in danger of going into administration, bad timing for my apathy with the club to have drained. My point is to the board and the shareholders-

 

You placed Lowe back in charge with a mandate to rule through a majority shareholding 'vote'. I, as a paying customer, remove my mandate from Lowe to rule, through not donating my money to this regime.

 

The 'only' way for me to 'protest' my displeasure, is to withold my money and by proxy, any mandate that Lowe has to rule on my behalf. I disagree with his policies and his direction, I also hold contempt for the way in which he enforces those policies and even more so, totally object to the lack of understanding and empathy he has with the fans of this club.

 

Customers, that is what I throw back in Lowes face, anyone that wants to argue the case for Lowe, and me paying my money regardless, I want you to first explain the difference between a customer and a fan, then, think if you've actually described either, or just a nodding dog and a herd of sheep, baaaa.

[paris]

A slow silent march from the Civic to the entrance of SMS by all the stay away fans at the next home match with banners and everything included would hava a massive impact go for it.....

[saintjay77]

Actually, I think the notion of staying away from every home game, every month, will have a more immediate reaction from the banks. However, from my perspective, it isn't about the banks noticing, in fact, I wish we weren't in danger of going into administration, bad timing for my apathy with the club to have drained. My point is to the board and the shareholders-

 

You placed Lowe back in charge with a mandate to rule through a majority shareholding 'vote'. I, as a paying customer, remove my mandate from Lowe to rule, through not donating my money to this regime.

 

The 'only' way for me to 'protest' my displeasure, is to withold my money and by proxy, any mandate that Lowe has to rule on my behalf. I disagree with his policies and his direction, I also hold contempt for the way in which he enforces those policies and even more so, totally object to the lack of understanding and empathy he has with the fans of this club.

 

Customers, that is what I throw back in Lowes face, anyone that wants to argue the case for Lowe, and me paying my money regardless, I want you to first explain the difference between a customer and a fan, then, think if you've actually described either, or just a nodding dog and a herd of sheep, baaaa.

 

To be honest mate I didnt understand much of what you said at all. It all got a bit too political for me. Sorry.

 

I dont disagree with the stay aways as basically we want the same thing in that we want Lowe gone. Im sure we all will have different views on how that should happen though.

 

Personally I think if we can keep the club alive and at the same time remove Lowe and Co while attracting a better alternative then we will have a much stronger club to build back up.

 

Simply staying away and voicing opinions in pubs and message boards is IMO not going to be enough to make a difference.

 

Turning it on its head...... (a few big IFs here so stick with me for a sec)

 

If things do improve on the pitch and results start going our way then I would have thought that a good number of fans will gradually start to return, and in the eyes of the banks RL would continue to get there support and we would be no-nearer gettting rid of him. If the results were good enough to get us within a chance of a playoff place would you continue to stay away?

 

My point being that this "experiment" no matter whos idea it was would to some extent be working and would be in with a chance of providing us prem football again. I wouldnt expect anyone to support Lowe should this be the case but I would expect there to be more fans back supporting the team again.

 

Like I said there are some pretty big Ifs and I am no closer to knowing if any of the above would ever become a reality or not than anyone else.

 

but it would make the stay aways position a little difficult would it not?

[saintstr1]

Wouldn't it make a point, if all the stay away because of Lowe fans, turned up at every match, stayed outside and demonstrated the vast numbers staying away because of Lowe.

 

Would it in fact, demonstrate how few rather than how many?

 

Daftest post I have ever seen on here !

[saintstr1]

I am a stayaway. However, I am also a fully paid up ST holder. My protest is costing me money not the club. As for standing outside SMS and joining a mob screaming for Lowe's life, forget it. I've got better things to do with my time, he just isn't that important to me.

 

For those of you who will say "what's the point?", the point is that my seat in an expensive part of te stadium is left empty at every match and come March when Lowe sends out his ST renewal forms, if he is still in office I won't be renewing. They conned me this year by changing the deckchairs around after the early offers were made, they can't pull that trick off again!

 

100% Correct , Thank god someone has sense

[hughieslastminutegoal]

The return of Lowe, the introduction of a revolutionary coaching set up and the failure to win at home has brought with it a wave of apathy that has swamped the Club.

 

People can't even be ar55ed to go anymore, so the thought that they would then come and protest instead is not that logical. It has just got to a stage where many thousands have clearly giving up and I worry that even a modicum of success will not mean they will all come back. Get out of the habit, lose the passion and it might be hard to reignite.

 

We can argue all we like about whether it is 100's or 1000's who are staying away from Lowe, but the cold, hard facts of the matter is that attendances are massively down and with every match we edge closer to administration.

 

How I wish there were more uber fans out there like you or I [sic] who would go week in, week out whatever the results, but I also wish for other fantasies that aren't going to happen.

 

We need to get real, accept our hard core is somehwere around 12,000 -13,000, and look at ways at seeing if there is any way of getting those missing punters back through the door.

 

We can slag the stayways all we like, but for many they come for reasons other than blind loyalty. For them the Club has to deliver something and to date it has been wanting.

 

13,000 of us deliver our side of the bargain regularly, perhaps the Club should start to deliver something.

 

The failings at the Club have very little to do with the grass roots supporters (stayaways or not) and so much to do with those who have the power to change things, be they players, manager or directors.

 

If there is no heart to a team, by that I mean a core of good players who stay at the club, and all there is to support are mostly 4 month loans looking to get a better move elswhere, I doubt whether such a policy will any longer engender loyal grass roots support. What we do have will just trickle away.

 

An improvement in results will slow the exodus down, but I forsee a gradual withering of interest, unless something happens to makes fans feel that the club really is a second home again.

[John Smith]

To be honest mate I didnt understand much of what you said at all. It all got a bit too political for me. Sorry.

 

I dont disagree with the stay aways as basically we want the same thing in that we want Lowe gone. Im sure we all will have different views on how that should happen though.

 

Personally I think if we can keep the club alive and at the same time remove Lowe and Co while attracting a better alternative then we will have a much stronger club to build back up.

 

Simply staying away and voicing opinions in pubs and message boards is IMO not going to be enough to make a difference.

 

Turning it on its head...... (a few big IFs here so stick with me for a sec)

 

If things do improve on the pitch and results start going our way then I would have thought that a good number of fans will gradually start to return, and in the eyes of the banks RL would continue to get there support and we would be no-nearer gettting rid of him. If the results were good enough to get us within a chance of a playoff place would you continue to stay away?

 

My point being that this "experiment" no matter whos idea it was would to some extent be working and would be in with a chance of providing us prem football again. I wouldnt expect anyone to support Lowe should this be the case but I would expect there to be more fans back supporting the team again.

 

Like I said there are some pretty big Ifs and I am no closer to knowing if any of the above would ever become a reality or not than anyone else.

 

but it would make the stay aways position a little difficult would it not?

 

My last post for the next 24hrs, so please 'try' and understand.

 

In 'addition' to my previous post, and in response to your latest post, please take it as fact that I WILL NOT BE COMING BACK TO SMS WHILST LOWE IS IN CHARGE.

 

This stance is even IF were were in with a shout of the play-offs, promotion OR Champions League. No means No.

 

OK, little bit more, I have not uttered one word against JP and his management team. I have not said one negative word about the team as a whole, my only slight criticism, some months ago, was that I felt McG, would be a more potent striker if he pushed into the channels, was more direct and stopped dropping so deep to collect the ball. I don;t wish to debate the players at the oent, as I don;t see them week in week out, I have no real idea of how they play. BUT, they do have my support, I will not put them down and I will not criticise, and this is mainly due to the good reports I read on how well they are performing in the effort stakes at least. From what I've seen on th TV, they give everything, every game.

 

My problem lies purely with Lowe and his decisions, I will not criticise the team for doing what they've been asked to do, I criticise the man that has brought this upon us and I disagree with him taking this road. So, I will not show my support, in the only way that counts to Lowe, my money. Trust me, if I was allowed in for free, I would be at SMS, shouting my support every minute I could, I was there relegation season and I did sing for nearly all the game, every game, Norwich at home, what an atmosphere, what a win, what a shame we couldn;t survive after that. I was there last season as well, as a ST holder still, I even missed the last game against Sheff Utd, due to work commitments, but made sure my seat was used by a Saints supporter on my behalf.

 

I love the Saints, but cannot find 'any other' alternative to vent my point of view, other than not renewing my ST because Rupert Lowe is in charge. If you've seen my Summer postings you'll know that I had filled in my ST application before I knew we were safe in the CCC. I had already decided to pay for a ST with the acceptance that I may be watching Div 1 football. It didn;t and doesn''t matter. What does matter is that I believe that with Lowe at the helm, this club will NEVER be able to achieve whatever it is that it can achieve, he is the wrong man for the job, and I will not support this bungling fool.

[70's Mike]

Rupert needs to worry about the 13000 of us who are the hardcore, because if we go 2 behind against Plymouth on tuesday week, the protests will start within SMS.

 

They were very near the surface on Saturday but Lee Mason's performance and Pearces goal meant there was a common enemy

[LatvianTolix]

In my point of view, it is better to attend and show their frustration in voice - shouting LOWE OUT from the stands in front of him as we tried to do at Wolves game. It should be fully packed stadium shouting!!!!!

[saintjay77]

My last post for the next 24hrs, so please 'try' and understand.

 

In 'addition' to my previous post, and in response to your latest post, please take it as fact that I WILL NOT BE COMING BACK TO SMS WHILST LOWE IS IN CHARGE.

 

This stance is even IF were were in with a shout of the play-offs, promotion OR Champions League. No means No.

 

OK, little bit more, I have not uttered one word against JP and his management team. I have not said one negative word about the team as a whole, my only slight criticism, some months ago, was that I felt McG, would be a more potent striker if he pushed into the channels, was more direct and stopped dropping so deep to collect the ball. I don;t wish to debate the players at the oent, as I don;t see them week in week out, I have no real idea of how they play. BUT, they do have my support, I will not put them down and I will not criticise, and this is mainly due to the good reports I read on how well they are performing in the effort stakes at least. From what I've seen on th TV, they give everything, every game.

 

My problem lies purely with Lowe and his decisions, I will not criticise the team for doing what they've been asked to do, I criticise the man that has brought this upon us and I disagree with him taking this road. So, I will not show my support, in the only way that counts to Lowe, my money. Trust me, if I was allowed in for free, I would be at SMS, shouting my support every minute I could, I was there relegation season and I did sing for nearly all the game, every game, Norwich at home, what an atmosphere, what a win, what a shame we couldn;t survive after that. I was there last season as well, as a ST holder still, I even missed the last game against Sheff Utd, due to work commitments, but made sure my seat was used by a Saints supporter on my behalf.

 

I love the Saints, but cannot find 'any other' alternative to vent my point of view, other than not renewing my ST because Rupert Lowe is in charge. If you've seen my Summer postings you'll know that I had filled in my ST application before I knew we were safe in the CCC. I had already decided to pay for a ST with the acceptance that I may be watching Div 1 football. It didn;t and doesn''t matter. What does matter is that I believe that with Lowe at the helm, this club will NEVER be able to achieve whatever it is that it can achieve, he is the wrong man for the job, and I will not support this bungling fool.

 

I understand where your coming from and wont take it any further really as you cant respond till tomorrow. Im not trying to question you as a fan either. IMO we both want the same thing in Rupes gone but our actions or thoughts on route to that are different. at least we can both discuss these views without name calling or abuse like it can get on here.

 

What ever happens I hope that we can start next season in a stronger position and without the dead weight at our club.

[VectisSaint]

This has been my point all along with this boycott. It isn't visible and therefore has little real impact. It is impossible to know how big or small a boycott is. The boycott is pointless without other action being taken. It is all very well the boycotters saying it is hurting Lowe in the pocket, but how can that be demonstrated when Lowe realises that there are other factors that are causing fans to leave in droves. The boycott may be large or small, I have no way of knowing, and for the same reason nor does Lowe. The biggest reason for stay aways at the moment is almost certainly the results, continuous home defeats.

 

I support the people who are boycotting, but I cannot support the boycott itself because it is completely ineffective. I cannot personally boycott because I am not a regular attender anyway, so me boycotting would be even more silly. I went to Watford and quite frankly watched the biggest load of rubbish for 90 minutes (yes, unlike most I stayed to the end). That game made me realise that it is not worth all of the effort to go until things change, but I suspect I will make a couple more visits before Christmas because Saints are in my blood and I need the fix every so often.

 

I do suspect the Club are beginning to realise there is a problem, witness the bigging up of the performance on Saturday on the OS. This is a sign of desparation, getting our opponents to say how good we are, after they have beaten us. At the end of the day, we lost, it doesn't matter how you package it, we scored less goals than the other team therefore we got 0 points. 6 points out of 27 at home = relegation and supporters staying away.

[saintjay77]

In my point of view, it is better to attend and show their frustration in voice - shouting LOWE OUT from the stands in front of him as we tried to do at Wolves game. It should be fully packed stadium shouting!!!!!

 

after going 2 down I can fully understand the crowd turning on lowe but did the team not raise there game and show that they might actually be good enough and as such lowe might have pulled a rabbit out of his hat? come the end of the seaason when we are in admin and league 1 I know I will eat those words but you can see my point lol

[View From The Top]

after going 2 down I can fully understand the crowd turning on lowe but did the team not raise there game and show that they might actually be good enough and as such lowe might have pulled a rabbit out of his hat? come the end of the seaason when we are in admin and league 1 I know I will eat those words but you can see my point lol

 

We lost. Again, or did that fact pass you by?

[saintjay77]

We lost. Again, or did that fact pass you by?

 

did we expect to beat the top of the league team with a bunch of kids?

 

If that was the result after playing the bottom of the league team feelings would be so much worse than they are.

[yorkie]

I see the Lowe PR machine is on the go again - but it doesn't wash with me.

 

I'm another stay away while Lowe is here - I've had enough!

 

Manager after Manager!

Journeyman after Journeyman!

Excuse after excuse!

More loss after more loss!

No money after no money!

Fans after fans!

 

We have become Saints Disunited - we all have a passion for the club from years of underachievement. Whilst we maintained our Premiership status no problem..but unrest. All fans were crying out for investment after Cardiff (including the Manager). Strachan saw the light - he knew he had gone as far as he could with Lowe and left. Others came and went, no investment and relegation followed. Last season for many was the last straw - Lowe coming back for me was the straw that broke the camels back!

 

As Denzil says on the Echo Forum - Lowe out and take your Dutch boyfriends with you!

[Mole]

Wouldn't it make a point, if all the stay away because of Lowe fans, turned up at every match, stayed outside and demonstrated the vast numbers staying away because of Lowe.

 

Would it in fact, demonstrate how few rather than how many?

 

Sod that. Waste of petrol. I've said before that i didn't plan to do many home games this year, but i'd have done 5-10. With Lowe at the club i've made my mind up not to do a single game and i'll stick to it rest assured.

 

That is my protest and it'll continue til the day both Lowe and Wilde are gone.

[Dogs]

Totally agree with Charlie's view.

[St. Jason]

Wouldn't it make a point, if all the stay away because of Lowe fans, turned up at every match, stayed outside and demonstrated the vast numbers staying away because of Lowe.

 

Would it in fact, demonstrate how few rather than how many?

 

yes your quite right, all the fans that have had enough of all the ****e going on down at st.marys should turn up to protest to get rid of Lowe!!

 

Same crap isn't it, down to the fans everytime " if you really loved the club you'd turn up" or "if you hate lowe get outside and protest" how about " we'd rather the anti Lowe brigade stay away, no place for booing during the game", same crap just a different spin.

 

How about Lowe's a budgy and is killing our once great club and all us poor sad sap fans can do is sit there, pay our money to watch the reserves play yet "get behind our team and put the past (lowe) behind us)

 

CRAP!!!

[Chez]

I am a stayaway. However, I am also a fully paid up ST holder. My protest is costing me money not the club. As for standing outside SMS and joining a mob screaming for Lowe's life, forget it. I've got better things to do with my time, he just isn't that important to me.

 

For those of you who will say "what's the point?", the point is that my seat in an expensive part of te stadium is left empty at every match and come March when Lowe sends out his ST renewal forms, if he is still in office I won't be renewing. They conned me this year by changing the deckchairs around after the early offers were made, they can't pull that trick off again!

 

so you have paid but you are bit going to games? Sorry but I can't get my head round that one. Do you live hundreds of miles away?

 

Get to games mate, enjoy the struggle then quit next summer. Yes it painful at times but Saturday was a great game and worth every penny.

[Mole]

St.Jason - wasn't it you who organised the Lowe Out flypast?

 

It should be done again and i'd be willing to contribute.

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WQCD90XAzCs

[CLOTH EARS]

I have not been to watch saints this season, I went to two thirds of the home games last season. I used to follow Saints home and away and spend a fortune in doing so, but i've been ground down by all the politics that surrounds the club This is by far the longest i've been without watching saints since I started going in 1975. Lowe is the reason I have not been, its my own personal protest. I have fed my footy addiction by watching AFC Totton this season and I am enjoying it alot. The entertainment value is very good for only £6. I'm starting to ask myself if I could ever go back to paying £26 to watch a game of football. The danger is that the missing 17.000 or so that we have lost since relegation have also found something else to do on a saturday that they enjoy, if the club isn't carefull they may lose alot of these fans forever.

[sperm_john]

dont you think they know the fans arent happy? even lowe??? you think he thinks when the team lose the fans are fine... fact is unless you have a lot of money they really dont care, go outside, get 100 people together, get a small bit in the echo, then come back on here and organise the same again in 6 months time....just be like any other group of fans in the country and support the team, thats our job in this world

[Frank's cousin]

My last post for the next 24hrs, so please 'try' and understand.

 

In 'addition' to my previous post, and in response to your latest post, please take it as fact that I WILL NOT BE COMING BACK TO SMS WHILST LOWE IS IN CHARGE.

 

This stance is even IF were were in with a shout of the play-offs, promotion OR Champions League. No means No.

 

OK, little bit more, I have not uttered one word against JP and his management team. I have not said one negative word about the team as a whole, my only slight criticism, some months ago, was that I felt McG, would be a more potent striker if he pushed into the channels, was more direct and stopped dropping so deep to collect the ball. I don;t wish to debate the players at the oent, as I don;t see them week in week out, I have no real idea of how they play. BUT, they do have my support, I will not put them down and I will not criticise, and this is mainly due to the good reports I read on how well they are performing in the effort stakes at least. From what I've seen on th TV, they give everything, every game.

 

My problem lies purely with Lowe and his decisions, I will not criticise the team for doing what they've been asked to do, I criticise the man that has brought this upon us and I disagree with him taking this road. So, I will not show my support, in the only way that counts to Lowe, my money. Trust me, if I was allowed in for free, I would be at SMS, shouting my support every minute I could, I was there relegation season and I did sing for nearly all the game, every game, Norwich at home, what an atmosphere, what a win, what a shame we couldn;t survive after that. I was there last season as well, as a ST holder still, I even missed the last game against Sheff Utd, due to work commitments, but made sure my seat was used by a Saints supporter on my behalf.

 

I love the Saints, but cannot find 'any other' alternative to vent my point of view, other than not renewing my ST because Rupert Lowe is in charge. If you've seen my Summer postings you'll know that I had filled in my ST application before I knew we were safe in the CCC. I had already decided to pay for a ST with the acceptance that I may be watching Div 1 football. It didn;t and doesn''t matter. What does matter is that I believe that with Lowe at the helm, this club will NEVER be able to achieve whatever it is that it can achieve, he is the wrong man for the job, and I will not support this bungling fool.

 

JS, Although we probably disagree on much you write here, thanks for putting it across os clearly and rationally. We all have our own choices to make about the situation and whilst I dont share your views, I do at least respect your right to make the choice.

 

Most of the arguments from both sides have been done to death, so I wont start repeating it all over but IMHO, and again this is a choice thing, many of us have lost the plot a bit about all this. Yes, its important to us, afterall why would we feel the anger and frustration if we did not care? Yes I can appreciate the pain that the lowly situation and fall from grace over the alst 5 years has caused us to feel, I can even fully apprecaite that for many Lowe has become the personification of that anger and pain - afterall his mistakes HAVE directly contributed to that fall (dont worry, not going to go on about flip side again). No what I feel right now (and before Um Pahars comes along and rips me to shreds by quoting somthing from 3 years ago --- surely we are allowed to change our minds with the change in circumstances ??? ;-)) is that maybe, just maybe, the years in the prem have made us forget why we are supporters in the first place? Hear me out, what I mean is that the years of playing at the top table, the realtive success v the other hundreds of clubs NOT at the top tier - often clubs with greater histories and successes to their names than us, made us complacent - did we take it all for granted and thus expect that that is our RIGHTFUL place? afterall that mantra has been forced upon us by both fans and the Club in their OS PR?

 

Have we lost the value of what made supporting a club so important to so many people - the simple things, going to the match on a Saturady with your Dad or Grandad as a kid, when it was more about the atmosphere than the result, the fact that it creates a belonging? OK so culturally things have changed, but have we lost sight of the fact that whatever we like to think this IS a game and we will always ahve ups and downs however they are caused, whether through bad managers, crap players or awful decuisions in the board room?

 

I also think that whilst I understand that some feel they simply dont want to support the lOwe regime by putting money into the club, the fact is that whatever the gate and the revenue generated, Lowe WONT benefit personally - the only beneficiary at the club at this time from improved gate reciepts will be the club as a whole reducing its debts and perhaps surviving long enough to a point where the kids do actually make that next step? I dont know if thats possible, I dont have any answers, but I do have hope - hope not of the eternal optimist, but the hope and dream that makes football fans so unique - the reason why they come back year on year to see Margate play Ashford town or lets face it Saints v whoever. So maybe its this hopw that has been extinguished in many for the time being - which is sad if true, because it only takes afew sparks to reignite it - we are just in a phase of firing blanks at the moment.

 

So I guess for me, its this hope that makes me a fan, the dream of Wembley some day and championship winning glories - without that we dont bother. Right now, I count myself as lucky that this has not been erroded by Lowe, in fact I refuse to let it be erroded by the boardroom as right now, I feel a bit more liberated by getting back to what its always really been about, however naive - the hope and dreams.

[slickmick]

I agree with that Frank C, as soon as my kids are old enough I will be taking them, know what matter what Division we are in or who is chairman ect and hopefully it will be as magical and exciting an experience for them as it was for me when I first went to see Saints during our last spell in this Division.

Edited 18 November, 2008 by slickmick

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Personally, I see a lot of people saying that they 'can't be bothered' to go down to protest, but I honestly feel that there aren't enough to make a decent stand. If someone can actually quantify the amount of people who aren't going every week solely because of Lowe (circa 500 imo), then perhaps if it is nearer the 10000 that people think it is something can be done.

 

I think everyone just likes to sit behind a desk and complain, but don't actually believe what they say, instead they just decide to regurgitate what the more 'expressive' people on this forum say to align themselves under someone who has sway.

[St Paul]

The danger is that the missing 17.000 or so that we have lost since relegation have also found something else to do on a saturday that they enjoy, if the club isn't carefull they may lose alot of these fans forever.

 

You make a great point. I've heard from a couple of guys, who haven't been much lately, saying they dont really miss it. One plays golf instead and one works overtime at work. Both have said althouh they'll attend the odd game, they wont return to week in week out support.

Now obviously people can say, they are "fair weather" supporters and I do agree with that handle somewhat, however if we're not careful we will lose the causal supporter and be down to the hard core for good. It could take years to build the support back up..........

[St. Jason]

St.Jason - wasn't it you who organised the Lowe Out flypast?

 

It should be done again and i'd be willing to contribute.

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WQCD90XAzCs

 

 

Yes Stanley it was I with a very, very kind donation from one of our American brothers!

[St. Jason]

JS, Although we probably disagree on much you write here, thanks for putting it across os clearly and rationally. We all have our own choices to make about the situation and whilst I dont share your views, I do at least respect your right to make the choice.

 

Most of the arguments from both sides have been done to death, so I wont start repeating it all over but IMHO, and again this is a choice thing, many of us have lost the plot a bit about all this. Yes, its important to us, afterall why would we feel the anger and frustration if we did not care? Yes I can appreciate the pain that the lowly situation and fall from grace over the alst 5 years has caused us to feel, I can even fully apprecaite that for many Lowe has become the personification of that anger and pain - afterall his mistakes HAVE directly contributed to that fall (dont worry, not going to go on about flip side again). No what I feel right now (and before Um Pahars comes along and rips me to shreds by quoting somthing from 3 years ago --- surely we are allowed to change our minds with the change in circumstances ??? ;-)) is that maybe, just maybe, the years in the prem have made us forget why we are supporters in the first place? Hear me out, what I mean is that the years of playing at the top table, the realtive success v the other hundreds of clubs NOT at the top tier - often clubs with greater histories and successes to their names than us, made us complacent - did we take it all for granted and thus expect that that is our RIGHTFUL place? afterall that mantra has been forced upon us by both fans and the Club in their OS PR?

 

Have we lost the value of what made supporting a club so important to so many people - the simple things, going to the match on a Saturady with your Dad or Grandad as a kid, when it was more about the atmosphere than the result, the fact that it creates a belonging? OK so culturally things have changed, but have we lost sight of the fact that whatever we like to think this IS a game and we will always ahve ups and downs however they are caused, whether through bad managers, crap players or awful decuisions in the board room?

 

I also think that whilst I understand that some feel they simply dont want to support the lOwe regime by putting money into the club, the fact is that whatever the gate and the revenue generated, Lowe WONT benefit personally - the only beneficiary at the club at this time from improved gate reciepts will be the club as a whole reducing its debts and perhaps surviving long enough to a point where the kids do actually make that next step? I dont know if thats possible, I dont have any answers, but I do have hope - hope not of the eternal optimist, but the hope and dream that makes football fans so unique - the reason why they come back year on year to see Margate play Ashford town or lets face it Saints v whoever. So maybe its this hopw that has been extinguished in many for the time being - which is sad if true, because it only takes afew sparks to reignite it - we are just in a phase of firing blanks at the moment.

 

So I guess for me, its this hope that makes me a fan, the dream of Wembley some day and championship winning glories - without that we dont bother. Right now, I count myself as lucky that this has not been erroded by Lowe, in fact I refuse to let it be erroded by the boardroom as right now, I feel a bit more liberated by getting back to what its always really been about, however naive - the hope and dreams.

 

Great post mate and your right about how a supporter should be, your also right about the dreams and hope of a supporter, unfortunately under this management set up, Lowe, Wilde, Cowan, Jan, Wotte and the kids I have no dreams of playing at Wembley, no hope of the play-offs and the most killing part for me is I have to passion or heart left!!

 

I've had a season ticket for 20 years, i purchased 2 again this year, i've already missed Norwich, Bristol City & Wolves at home, AT HOME, just struggle to get motivated, i'm not at work counting down the hours till 15.00 Saturday! I really wish I was mate, wish I shared your hopes and dreams but for me i've been kicked in the teeth 1 no 10 to many times by Lowe et al!!

 

Best wishes mate!