The Spygate Saga

[Cuddles]

19 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Wow, cretins. Didn't Helborg himself say they're preparing for the final straight after losing to Saints anyway. 

I dont some fans and how they think.

This is why I stay away from Twitter, it's absolutely rammed full of total wankers. A cesspit of wankiness.

[qwertyell]

3 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Imagine doing all this and then he gets banned and consequently sacked next week.

Less concerned about that than what the FA investigation might turn up, to be honest.

If he admits that we spied on more than the three reported occasions - or the FA happen upon that information - then surely that gets passed back to the EFL and we get more sanctions.

[hypochondriac]

6 hours ago, qwertyell said:

Less concerned about that than what the FA investigation might turn up, to be honest.

If he admits that we spied on more than the three reported occasions - or the FA happen upon that information - then surely that gets passed back to the EFL and we get more sanctions.

Parsons reckons it was just the three times. I think at this point if it was more then the disciplinary panel would have known about it. 

Edited 16 hours ago by hypochondriac

[qwertyell]

12 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Parsons reckons it was just the three times. I think at this point if it was more then the disciplinary panel would have known about it. 

He's floated a number of different versions of events over the last few weeks. I wouldn't take anything as his final answer just yet. He's still got a phone a friend and a 50-50. 

It really would be remarkable for us to have spied only three times and been caught bang to rights on each occasion. 

I hope there isn't more damaging stuff to come, but thought it was notable in his video the manager omitted to say the three spying missions were the only times we've done it - just the times we were charged for. 

 

[Sheaf Saint]

27 minutes ago, qwertyell said:

He's floated a number of different versions of events over the last few weeks. I wouldn't take anything as his final answer just yet. He's still got a phone a friend and a 50-50. 

It really would be remarkable for us to have spied only three times and been caught bang to rights on each occasion. 

I hope there isn't more damaging stuff to come, but thought it was notable in his video the manager omitted to say the three spying missions were the only times we've done it - just the times we were charged for. 

 

Yeah wasn't there some talk recently (forget from who) about other Champ clubs being well aware of us doing it and running dummy drills / formations to mitigate it? If that's the case, I would be astounded if it really was just the three occasions.

[hypochondriac]

32 minutes ago, qwertyell said:

He's floated a number of different versions of events over the last few weeks. I wouldn't take anything as his final answer just yet. He's still got a phone a friend and a 50-50. 

It really would be remarkable for us to have spied only three times and been caught bang to rights on each occasion. 

I hope there isn't more damaging stuff to come, but thought it was notable in his video the manager omitted to say the three spying missions were the only times we've done it - just the times we were charged for. 

 

Not really. Firstly because some clubs would be impossible to spy on and secondly because if it involved the two analysts in question they would have all the evidence. I also know someone who has spoken to Parsons and he said it is just the three.

[Katalinic]

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/06/03/arbitrator-in-saints-spygate-appeal-linked-to-efls-legal-team/

Hmm

[badgerx16]

3 minutes ago, Katalinic said:

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/06/03/arbitrator-in-saints-spygate-appeal-linked-to-efls-legal-team/

Hmm

"Despite a somewhat hysterical national press ....". 

 

"Somewhat" is a bit of sn understatement.

[obelisk]

18 minutes ago, Katalinic said:

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/06/03/arbitrator-in-saints-spygate-appeal-linked-to-efls-legal-team/

Hmm

The stench is now overwhelming.

[Lighthouse]

53 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Yeah wasn't there some talk recently (forget from who) about other Champ clubs being well aware of us doing it and running dummy drills / formations to mitigate it? If that's the case, I would be astounded if it really was just the three occasions.

Between Tonda being appointed and the end of the season we played every team in the league, many of them twice. I could believe that it was just Ipswich and Boro, they were two vital games against very good teams. What I can't believe is that we sent someone to spy on relegation fighting Oxford United, then didn't deem it necessary to spy on anyone else for the next five months.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, qwertyell said:

He's floated a number of different versions of events over the last few weeks. I wouldn't take anything as his final answer just yet. He's still got a phone a friend and a 50-50. 

It really would be remarkable for us to have spied only three times and been caught bang to rights on each occasion. 

I hope there isn't more damaging stuff to come, but thought it was notable in his video the manager omitted to say the three spying missions were the only times we've done it - just the times we were charged for. 

 

We weren't caught on the other two occasions, we were grassed up. Neither Ipswich nor Oxford were aware of anything until the EFL hearing.

[Tamesaint]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Not really. Firstly because some clubs would be impossible to spy on and secondly because if it involved the two analysts in question they would have all the evidence. I also know someone who has spoken to Parsons and he said it is just the three.

Were we caught 3 times? I thought that we volunteered the Oxford and Ipswich events. 

[tdmickey3]

When the snivelling bottle job clubs supporters  from the teesside slums visit we should put one of these on their seats.

 

Edited 9 hours ago by tdmickey3

[Verbal]

42 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Between Tonda being appointed and the end of the season we played every team in the league, many of them twice. I could believe that it was just Ipswich and Boro, they were two vital games against very good teams. What I can't believe is that we sent someone to spy on relegation fighting Oxford United, then didn't deem it necessary to spy on anyone else for the next five months.

If we were as serious about spying as you suspect, then I can't believe the club just sent an ill-equipped intern to do it - someone least likely to get what was wanted. But that's exactly what they did.

[Whitey Grandad]

40 minutes ago, Tamesaint said:

Were we caught 3 times? I thought that we volunteered the Oxford and Ipswich events. 

I think we had to own up to them because they were mentioned in the WhatsApp records.

[Window Cleaner]

21 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

When the snivelling bottle job clubs supporters  from the Wearside slums visit we should put one of these on their seats.

 

Teeside slums. No doubt there are slums on Wearside as well...

[Doctoroncall]

56 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Teeside slums. No doubt there are slums on Wearside as well...

Teesside slums if you’re going to the bother of a correction 😜

[Doctoroncall]

1 hour ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I think we had to own up to them because they were mentioned in the WhatsApp records.

It was also the club’s duty to mention all breaches being a member of the EFL.

[Yozzman]

2 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Between Tonda being appointed and the end of the season we played every team in the league, many of them twice. I could believe that it was just Ipswich and Boro, they were two vital games against very good teams. What I can't believe is that we sent someone to spy on relegation fighting Oxford United, then didn't deem it necessary to spy on anyone else for the next five months.

The reason for spying on Oxford was because they had just sacked their manager and Craig Short might have changed formation.

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Yozzman said:

The reason for spying on Oxford was because they had just sacked their manager and Craig Short might have changed formation.

Yep. If we're to believe Tonda's explanation to the context behind each of the three disclosed occasions (I personally see no reason to doubt him), there was a specific snippet of info they were seeking to gain each time, rather than it being something they simply did routinely on the off-chance they might stumble across some info. That, to me, is a reasonable explanation as to why there were no other incidents between December and April, and why there are only 3 cases of 'spying'...

Edited 10 hours ago by trousers

[Chez]

5 minutes ago, trousers said:

Yep. If we're to believe Tonda's explanation to the context behind each of the three disclosed occasions (I personally see no reason to doubt him), there was a specific snippet of info they were seeking to gain each time, rather than it being something they simply did routinely on the off-chance they might stumble across some info. That, to me, is a reasonable explanation as to why there were no other incidents between December April, and why there are only 3 cases of 'spying'...

I find it hard to believe there wasn't any info we wanted for any of the other 40 odd games.

Did we admit to spying on Oxford and Ipswich because evidence had been presented about both, so we couldn't really deny it, or did we give that information voluntarily? 

[RedArmy]

4 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Yeah wasn't there some talk recently (forget from who) about other Champ clubs being well aware of us doing it and running dummy drills / formations to mitigate it? If that's the case, I would be astounded if it really was just the three occasions.

If that were true you’d also have to assume that we weren’t the only club doing it. Otherwise why go to all that trouble instead of just reporting us? 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Chez said:

I find it hard to believe there wasn't any info we wanted for any of the other 40 odd games.

Did we admit to spying on Oxford and Ipswich because evidence had been presented about both, so we couldn't really deny it, or did we give that information voluntarily? 

I've no idea... personally, I'm not ruling out it being more than 3 occasions but I'm equally not ruling out it was only 3 occasions. But, to me, doing it rarely, for a specific targeted reason seems "more Tonda" than doing it willy nilly.

What would surprise me more is if we're the only club to have 'observed' opponents training sessions since the new rule was brought in, especially outside of the 72 hour exclusion period. 

 

[Sheaf Saint]

Just now, trousers said:

I'm not ruling out it being more than 3 occasions but I'm equally not ruling out it was only 3 occasions. 

So unlike you to take such a firm position on something trousers.

[Whitey Grandad]

36 minutes ago, trousers said:

Yep. If we're to believe Tonda's explanation to the context behind each of the three disclosed occasions (I personally see no reason to doubt him), there was a specific snippet of info they were seeking to gain each time, rather than it being something they simply did routinely on the off-chance they might stumble across some info. That, to me, is a reasonable explanation as to why there were no other incidents between December April, and why there are only 3 cases of 'spying'...

Strange... If all you need is a snippet then that needs binoculars or enquiries rather than a distant phone. Just standing innocently watching with your hands in your pockets might be enough.

[tdmickey3]

3 hours ago, Window Cleaner said:

Teeside slums. No doubt there are slums on Wearside as well...

edited 

[trousers]

[Saint Scott]

P&O Cruises Full Statement:

“P&O Cruises is deeply rooted in Southampton, our home port city and its community. We recognise both the challenges and the triumphs that have defined its football club in recent weeks."

"Throughout this period, the team, at the most senior level, has openly acknowledged these issues and expressed sincere apologies."

"We believe that facing adversity with honesty and integrity is the mark of true sportsmanship and it is important to us to continue showing steadfast support for the Saints during this pivotal time."

“Our partnership has always been more than just a logo on a shirt; it is a symbol of our continued commitment to the people of Southampton and to fostering positive change both on and off the pitch. Next season this will be even more important."

“We are especially proud to continue our support of the women’s and youth teams and also Saints Foundation, whose invaluable work uplifts and empowers individuals across our local community."

"Together, we will champion initiatives that promote inclusion, brighter futures, wellbeing and opportunities. We look forward to an exciting season ahead, standing shoulder to shoulder with Southampton FC and its passionate supporters."

"United by our shared values and dedication to our home city, we are confident that together the Club can make a meaningful difference and inspire pride once again.”

Edited 9 hours ago by Saint Scott

[benjii]

4 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

P&O Cruises Full Statement:

“P&O Cruises is deeply rooted in Southampton, our home port city and its community. We recognise both the challenges and the triumphs that have defined its football club in recent weeks."

"Throughout this period, the team, at the most senior level, has openly acknowledged these issues and expressed sincere apologies."

"We believe that facing adversity with honesty and integrity is the mark of true sportsmanship and it is important to us to continue showing steadfast support for the Saints during this pivotal time."

“Our partnership has always been more than just a logo on a shirt; it is a symbol of our continued commitment to the people of Southampton and to fostering positive change both on and off the pitch. Next season this will be even more important."

“We are especially proud to continue our support of the women’s and youth teams and also Saints Foundation, whose invaluable work uplifts and empowers individuals across our local community."

"Together, we will champion initiatives that promote inclusion, brighter futures, wellbeing and opportunities. We look forward to an exciting season ahead, standing shoulder to shoulder with Southampton FC and its passionate supporters."

"United by our shared values and dedication to our home city, we are confident that together the Club can make a meaningful difference and inspire pride once again.”

Woke nonsense!

[saintant]

38 minutes ago, trousers said:

Great news. Some said we'd struggle to get sponsors.

[saintant]

33 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

P&O Cruises Full Statement:

“P&O Cruises is deeply rooted in Southampton, our home port city and its community. We recognise both the challenges and the triumphs that have defined its football club in recent weeks."

"Throughout this period, the team, at the most senior level, has openly acknowledged these issues and expressed sincere apologies."

"We believe that facing adversity with honesty and integrity is the mark of true sportsmanship and it is important to us to continue showing steadfast support for the Saints during this pivotal time."

“Our partnership has always been more than just a logo on a shirt; it is a symbol of our continued commitment to the people of Southampton and to fostering positive change both on and off the pitch. Next season this will be even more important."

“We are especially proud to continue our support of the women’s and youth teams and also Saints Foundation, whose invaluable work uplifts and empowers individuals across our local community."

"Together, we will champion initiatives that promote inclusion, brighter futures, wellbeing and opportunities. We look forward to an exciting season ahead, standing shoulder to shoulder with Southampton FC and its passionate supporters."

"United by our shared values and dedication to our home city, we are confident that together the Club can make a meaningful difference and inspire pride once again.”

Wait for the media pile on to hit P&O Cruises for this statement 🙂

[AlexLaw76]

 

[Lord Duckhunter]

5 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Between Tonda being appointed and the end of the season we played every team in the league, many of them twice. I could believe that it was just Ipswich and Boro, they were two vital games against very good teams. What I can't believe is that we sent someone to spy on relegation fighting Oxford United, then didn't deem it necessary to spy on anyone else for the next five months.

I imagine the 2 we copped to were provable. 
 

The alternative view is. Everybody is doing it, and Tonda didn’t know it was illegal. Being a man of detail, a man obsessed with small tactical opportunities & plans, I’m surprised if he thought it was totally legal he only did it against 3 teams, especially if everyone else is doing it. 
 

That’s why I think he’s spouting pony and not being 100% truthful . If he genuinely thought it was allowed, he’d have done it more than 3 friggin times. 

[trousers]

13 minutes ago, saintant said:

Wait for the media pile on to hit P&O Cruises for this statement 🙂

If some deranged Middlesbrough fan hasn't publicly threatened to boycott them by now I'll eat my trousers....

[trousers]

13 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

 

😂😂😂 Very good 😂😂😂

 

#SaintsFC supporters have today confirmed that while they are broadly opposed to censorship, there are “one or two extremely specific exceptions,” most notably anything written by Henry Winter about Spygate.

The veteran The Daily Telegraph journalist, who has made a late-career pivot into delivering moral verdicts with the tone of a disappointed school headmaster, has spent the past month handing down increasingly sombre ratings of Southampton’s conduct—each one somehow more sanctimonious than the last.

Fans, however, have pointed out a critical structural flaw in Winter’s campaign: “You have to pay to read it.”

“I’m being told I should be outraged by his latest column,” said lifelong supporter Martin Hedges, staring at a locked article like a dog trying to understand a magic trick. “But I’m not paying £2.99 a week to be patronised by a man who writes like he’s narrating a funeral.”

Indeed, insiders at St Mary’s report a growing sense that if Winter truly wants to maximise his impact, he should remain exactly where he is—hermetically sealed behind one of Britain’s more stubborn paywalls, alongside premium Sudoku and people who think quinoa is a real food. 

Elsewhere, the online reaction has been less contained. Supporters of Middlesbrough - who were, to be fair, directly involved in the whole saga but still contrived not to benefit from Southampton’s expulsion—have taken to social media in numbers. 

“I understand their frustration,” said season ticket holder Martin Hedges. “If you’re going to be handed a situation like that and still come away empty-handed, you probably do need to log on and start typing in capital letters.”

Meanwhile, fans of Coventry, who had already secured promotion and therefore have absolutely nothing riding on any of this, have also been energetically contributing their views.

“Coventry’s involvement is my personal favourite,” said Hedges. “They’ve essentially turned up after the exam’s been marked, aced their own paper, and are now demanding a re-mark of someone else’s out of principle. It’s admirable in a completely unnecessary sort of way.”

The resulting online discourse has been described by experts as “a rich tapestry of outrage,” combining genuine grievance, opportunistic indignation, and the timeless British tradition of having very strong opinions about things that don’t concern you.

Back in Southampton, however, fans insist they are already fully aware of the situation without needing it narrated like a Shakespearean tragedy.

“We know it’s a mess,” said Hedges. “We don’t need Henry Winter delivering a eulogy”.

[Whitey Grandad]

36 minutes ago, trousers said:

If some deranged Middlesbrough fan hasn't publicly threatened to boycott them by now I'll eat my trousers....

I sincerely hope they do. I haven't been on a P&O cruise for years but I'm going on one in August 🫣

Edited 8 hours ago by Whitey Grandad
Clucking autocorrect.

[Teamsaint1]

12 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I sincerely hope they do. I haven't been on a P&O cruise for years but I'm going on one in August 🫣

👍

That will make up for the one henry winter  has cancelled.

Edited 8 hours ago by Teamsaint1

[Teamsaint1]

Nobody really wants to be on a cruise with any m******ough fans on it .

Edited 7 hours ago by Teamsaint1

[trousers]

Good to see the BBC in the North East using tax payers money wisely by reporting on something that's got f*** all to do them them now...

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

If some deranged Middlesbrough fan hasn't publicly threatened to boycott them by now I'll eat my trousers....

Trousers eating trousers...

Is that the SaintsWeb Ouroboros equivalent?

[ecuk268]

 

Spying in Germany:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c87q93jw4w9o

 

Edited 7 hours ago by ecuk268

[Willo of Whiteley]

31 minutes ago, trousers said:

Good to see the BBC in the North East using tax payers money wisely by reporting on something that's got f*** all to do them them now...

 

They are like a desperate ex.

Clinging on hoping something is still there. 😂😂

[Holmes_and_Watson]

58 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I sincerely hope they do. I haven't been on a P&O cruise for years but I'm going on one in August 🫣

I am proud of our sponsors. The next time I'm out cruising...oh wait, that's a different thing...

[Window Cleaner]

11 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Trousers eating trousers...

Is that the SaintsWeb Ouroboros equivalent?

An excellent novel "The Worm Ouroboros"

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

3 hours ago, trousers said:

The Teeside Squealers 0 v Southampton 1

nobody likes a grass

[bpsaint]

4 hours ago, trousers said:

If some deranged Middlesbrough fan hasn't publicly threatened to boycott them by now I'll eat my trousers....

Is it actually a boycott if your benefits won’t stretch being able to afford a cruise anyway? Maybe a ferry from Hull to Amsterdam is about their limit 

[Whitey Grandad]

3 hours ago, trousers said:

Good to see the BBC in the North East using tax payers money wisely by reporting on something that's got f*** all to do them them now...

 

Then there's an agenda.

[Verbal]

3 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I am proud of our sponsors. The next time I'm out cruising...oh wait, that's a different thing...

I'm proud too but I'll be as far away from one of those cruise ships as possible. Never know what you might catch. Instead I'll be cottaging in the Cotswolds. 

[suewhistle]

I didn't think there were many public toilets there Verbal. These days it's probably all country lane laybys and steamed up windows.

[Saint86]

6 hours ago, Saint Scott said:

P&O Cruises Full Statement:

“P&O Cruises is deeply rooted in Southampton, our home port city and its community. We recognise both the challenges and the triumphs that have defined its football club in recent weeks."

"Throughout this period, the team, at the most senior level, has openly acknowledged these issues and expressed sincere apologies."

"We believe that facing adversity with honesty and integrity is the mark of true sportsmanship and it is important to us to continue showing steadfast support for the Saints during this pivotal time."

“Our partnership has always been more than just a logo on a shirt; it is a symbol of our continued commitment to the people of Southampton and to fostering positive change both on and off the pitch. Next season this will be even more important."

“We are especially proud to continue our support of the women’s and youth teams and also Saints Foundation, whose invaluable work uplifts and empowers individuals across our local community."

"Together, we will champion initiatives that promote inclusion, brighter futures, wellbeing and opportunities. We look forward to an exciting season ahead, standing shoulder to shoulder with Southampton FC and its passionate supporters."

"United by our shared values and dedication to our home city, we are confident that together the Club can make a meaningful difference and inspire pride once again.”

Circle the bloody wagons - blackmore and co take note.