A big thankyou

[Tomobz]

Hi everyone. (This is Tom, one of the admins from the facebook group organising the march, I just realised I still had an account on here from the TSF days).

 

Just a quick message to say A BIG THANKYOU to everyone who supported the protest yesterday. It was a massive success (as far as the protest itself anyway, we still await possible effects on Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde). To be honest, if someone asked me how I wanted the protest to go, I would have never imagined it would of been as well supported as it was. You all did great. I was especially impressed with how civilised and well put across we were. The fact we all completely resisted ourselves to not sing anti Lowe songs during the game was top notch and made for one of the best atmospheres I have witnessed at St Mary's this year along with winning over a lot of people who thought we would effect the players on the pitch. We quite clearly did the opposite.

 

Just on a personal note too, I would like to wish congratulations and again a big thanks to Connor who ran the show yesterday. You did great buddy, be proud.

 

I think the march showed just how much we can achieve if we all unite together. Hopefully we can get our club back from the disillusioned who are currently running it and begin the long progress forward within the not to distant future. Saints is the heart and soul of Southampton and we need to return to our former glory!!

Lastly I need to highlight the fact that yesterday was just the start, we need to continue to put pressure on the board and hopefully remove Lowe and Wilde asap.

 

I keep thinking that this is the start of big things for SFC. Thanks again to all and UP THE SAINTS!!!

 

 

P.s To the people saying ''its only 5% or whatever of the fanbase''. Correction... its only 5% of the fanbase that demonstrated, I personally don't know of a single person in real life who thinks Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde are good for the club and I know A LOT of saints fans!! I predict that now everyone knows the protest wasn't just for ''chavs and imbocilles trying to get on tele or have an excuse to kick off'' future demonstrations will be more greatly supported.

[saint lard]

Thanks to both you,Connor and everyone else that played their part in the organisation of the march.

 

The momentum must be kept up.

[paris]

All being well i'll join the Preston march ..

*Well Done to you and Conner claps all around....

[hypochondriac]

Fantastically well supported. I do worry though that the next one won't be so much. Are you sure we shouldn't try something new or different for Preston? I would also give the whole thing a catchy title so that all the protests come under some sort of banner.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Fantastically well supported. I do worry though that the next one won't be so much. Are you sure we shouldn't try something new or different for Preston? I would also give the whole thing a catchy title so that all the protests come under some sort of banner.

 

well done!

Next march maybe a good idea to have it half an hour later so when everyone gets to the ground there can be a protest and then everyone go in.

[um pahars]

Fantastically well supported. I do worry though that the next one won't be so much.

 

I actually think the next one will be even bigger.

 

We're a fairly reluctant and shy bunch down here and even me and a few others in the pub were up for sloping off if only 50 turned up!!!!!!!!

 

This will give others the confidence to come along and play their part.

 

Apply some pressure on the media to advertise it in advance (particularly The Echo and Radio Hampshire who were reluctant this time around).

 

Get a viral advertising campaign going and spread the word.

 

Maybe a different message.

 

Maybe getting some names and/or faces involved to really catch people's imagination.

 

I honestly think the genie is out of the bottle on this one.

[Tomobz]

Fantastically well supported. I do worry though that the next one won't be so much. Are you sure we shouldn't try something new or different for Preston? I would also give the whole thing a catchy title so that all the protests come under some sort of banner.

 

I agree, I think that another march is the easy option and something different would be better... I just dont know what though!! :s Maybe a 'sit in' after or something... Tbh though as well, we all demonstrate as much as we want but we do need more of a plan this time.

 

The thing that keeps coming to my head (although it would be a pain to organise and run) is buying a majority shareholding ourselves. If we got 50,000 people to put in £20 (or obviously less people if some wanted to donate more) via an online site or something we could elect a fan onto the board ourselves and then we should never have this problem ever again. I personally dont think it would be too hard to gain that kind of support either.

[exit2]

NO a big thank you to you mate. Quite enjoyed the day met up with some old faces I havent seen in years.

 

 

even me and a few others in the pub were up for sloping off if only 50 turned up!!!!!!!!

 

Really?

[eurosaint]

I actually think the next one will be even bigger.

 

We're a fairly reluctant and shy bunch down here and even me and a few others in the pub were up for sloping off if only 50 turned up!!!!!!!!

 

This will give others the confidence to come along and play their part.

 

Apply some pressure on the media to advertise it in advance (particularly The Echo and Radio Hampshire who were reluctant this time around).

 

Get a viral advertising campaign going and spread the word.

 

Maybe a different message.

 

Maybe getting some names and/or faces involved to really catch people's imagination.

I honestly think the genie is out of the bottle on this one.

 

You mean Lucy Pinder might come along and get her 'wotsits' out ?

I'll be there !!!!

[Delmary]

I agree, I think that another march is the easy option and something different would be better... I just dont know what though!! :s Maybe a 'sit in' after or something... Tbh though as well, we all demonstrate as much as we want but we do need more of a plan this time.

 

The thing that keeps coming to my head (although it would be a pain to organise and run) is buying a majority shareholding ourselves. If we got 50,000 people to put in £20 (or obviously less people if some wanted to donate more) via an online site or something we could elect a fan onto the board ourselves and then we should never have this problem ever again. I personally dont think it would be too hard to gain that kind of support either.

Black armband parade?

[exit2]

Maybe a 'sit in' after or something...

 

We did this against Newcastle when protesting against Branfoot / Askham. Made one hell of an impact especially as near enough all of the under eaststand and Milton stayed there for about an hour

[Tomobz]

We did this against Newcastle when protesting against Branfoot / Askham. Made one hell of an impact especially as near enough all of the under eaststand and Milton stayed there for about an hour

 

I like this idea and it was the most popular suggestion from people up my local earlier. I think this should be planned as well as a demo prior for sure.

[um pahars]

NO a big thank you to you mate. Quite enjoyed the day met up with some old faces I havent seen in years.

 

I quite agree.

 

It was actually probably the best thing connected with this season!!!!!!! Caught up with a lot of old faces from the past and had a good laugh along the way.

 

The march had a really good and supportive feel to it. Plenty of families, a real mix of ages and something all those who started it off and took part should be proud of.

[hypochondriac]

I actually think the next one will be even bigger.

 

We're a fairly reluctant and shy bunch down here and even me and a few others in the pub were up for sloping off if only 50 turned up!!!!!!!!

 

This will give others the confidence to come along and play their part.

 

Apply some pressure on the media to advertise it in advance (particularly The Echo and Radio Hampshire who were reluctant this time around).

 

Get a viral advertising campaign going and spread the word.

 

Maybe a different message.

 

Maybe getting some names and/or faces involved to really catch people's imagination.

 

I honestly think the genie is out of the bottle on this one.

 

I really really hope so and I'll be coming along regardless. I also agree with your ideas and it's the reason I suggested some sort of organisation so that people were aware that this would be an ongoing initiative. We need something more than just a march or I believe some people will not bother when they see it has made no difference.

[hypochondriac]

I like the idea of a mass sit-in. Could we publish some flyers and post people around the ground before kick off to inform everyone?

[Gordon Mockles]

Well done guys, top effort! There's a few Lowe trolls on here to ignore but 99% of the actual fans are behind supporting the club and this march certainly helped do that. Made me proud to be a Saints fan (after so much sh*t) so a huge WELL DONE!!

[rocknrollman no2]

Well done to all of those who organised the march.

It made me feel proud to have been part of it and i was glad so many turned up.

Lets hope the next one is even bigger.

Lowe out.

[Fan The Flames]

yes well done to all involved.

[hypochondriac]

Just so the original poster knows, I would very much like to help out if you need some help. I think these ideas suggested by others are really good. Certainly worth considering.

[saint lard]

Sorry,im going to repost the idea i posted last night.......

 

The way that the march/demo went today shows that there is enough feeling and desire for change to happen.

 

What should be the way to move this forward and continue the momentum?

 

Bear with me on this very simplistic idea....

 

As it is the month of February approaching could we use this to make our next heartfelt plea,unfortunately we have an away fixture on the 14th,Valentines day,but as a symbol could supporters buy a single red rose and lay them in a organised,blanket, fashion at the foot of the Ted Bates statue and in and around the area of all the engraved paving blocks.

 

This could be done with either red roses or black roses to emphasise a club dying on its feet under the current regime.

We have a home fixture as we all know on tuesday but that would possibly come too soon, we could use the Preston game on the 21st.

I'm sure many will think this a pish idea but maybe we could incorporate this with something else.

It may make an impressive sight,as long as they are not just piled upon each other.

Feel free to mock but any ideas would be good.

 

Perhaps this could have the tagline "for the love of our club"

And of course those who cant partipate in a march or demo could still lay a rose and feel they have contributed

 

 

Edited 1 February, 2009 by saint lard

[StuRomseySaint]

If you want to do a succesful march then there is only one way.

 

Start outside St Marys at 2:45pm and march back to town, congregate in a large pub like the square and remain there for the duration of the game.

 

The press and media would love that story, it would hit the club hard financially etc and action would HAVE to be taken. Even if Lowe and Wilde didn't want to budge, Barclays would give them a nudge seeing as they would be directly involved in the loss of revenue.

 

How many people would do this? Not many I guess.... if there was the same numbers who were willing to boycott a game than those that marched to the ground, then it would achieve it's goal.

 

Like I said, fair play for the march, but ultimately it will achieve nothing.

 

Infact, the march will have actually generated revenue due to the number of people down at the ground for 1:30pm when they would normally be in a pub! So the march probably earnt SFC EXTRA money!!!

 

The only way to get a result is to hit them were it hurts.... the pocket.

[Tomobz]

I do agree Stu but we would just never get enough people to miss the game. Plus by losing SFC of its revenue we are just hurting the club more. We do need to emphasise that you can support the club and demonstrate at the same time and have effective results, we just need to continue to add more and more pressure on them to leave. No matter how thick their skin is eventually they/someone will have to act.

[Mole]

Plus by losing SFC of its revenue we are just hurting the club more.

 

The PLC needs depriving of revenue IMO. Lowe and his cronies will scoff at peasants protesting, but when you hit them in the pocket it's a different story.

[Tamesaint]

I do agree Stu but we would just never get enough people to miss the game. Plus by losing SFC of its revenue we are just hurting the club more. We do need to emphasise that you can support the club and demonstrate at the same time and have effective results, we just need to continue to add more and more pressure on them to leave. No matter how thick their skin is eventually they/someone will have to act.

 

You talk so much sense. I agree entirely with your sentiments. We cannot afford to hurt the club financially.

 

Next time I would bring my dog as well ... if you could arrange kennels or something during the match. :-)

[StuRomseySaint]

I do agree Stu but we would just never get enough people to miss the game. Plus by losing SFC of its revenue we are just hurting the club more. We do need to emphasise that you can support the club and demonstrate at the same time and have effective results, we just need to continue to add more and more pressure on them to leave. No matter how thick their skin is eventually they/someone will have to act.

 

With all due respect mate, a march is not effective.

 

I see another one is being organised..... why? The march was a good spontaneous gesture and should not be repeated.

 

If you still want to protest then do something different, like the 'reverse march' that I suggested, or boycotting the concourses.

 

Yes it is hurting the club even more by boycotting, which is why it will be effective.... sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

 

As soon as the club start losing significant revenue Barclays will want answers, and will put pressure on Lowe and Wilde to walk and hand power over. You can march to the ground every game till the end of the season, it's not going to change a thing.

 

Lastly, fair play, enjoy your time in the limelight, but if this is going to be repeated every game then we run a serious risk of looking like a bunch of clowns, and with respect, my Facebook inbox and threads on here contain far too many attention ho-bag statements from organisers for my liking and suspect there is a danger of their new found 'fame' going to their heads.

 

If you want to step things up a bit then fine, but think up something new lads.

 

Just to clarify, I am not knocking Saturdays march, I am knocking the one organised for Preston.

[Tomobz]

I agree and think that the march basically just seems like the easy option to take and I dont fully agree with having another one. As you say, its been done and just doesn't seem worth doing again really. Plus the general public will just get fed up with us disrupting the city on a saturday and 'wasting' tax payer money on the policing involved.

 

It needs to be stepped up for sure but ideas are very faint at the moment. I like the idea of a mass sit in and demonstration after the Preston game that someone suggested. I dont personally agree with a boycott (unless it was literally a last ditch resort) and I know for sure that it wouldn't be aswell supported. All we need to do is unite the fanbase to as great an extent as possible so that it shows the majority opinion. What I would really want more than anything is for us to somehow get a fan on the board, but we know that'll probably never happen unfortunately.

[Turtle]

FWIW - I think another march would attract more people and be even more effective - people definitley stayed away this time around thinking it would be aggressive and another excuse for "rent a mob" and chorley and co to take the limelight.

 

if the people of Southampton get fed up with the disruption, then the pressure will be felt all the more within the council and businesses for them to recognise the need to apply pressure to lowe and co.

[Michelle]

Two thoughts I had after yesterday:

 

If doing a second march (maybe leave it a month or so, so it doesn't lose it's effectiveness) once arriving at SMS, do a "lap" around the stadium for a bit more attention to others, then congregate outside the main entrance for a bit.

 

Mass sit-in after the game - been thinking about this for a while now - and those that don't go to the games get their backsides down to SMS for the final whistle and get in there too. Get everyone to move round to the Itchen stand, so we're as close to the directors/suites as we can be. Could be fun.

 

Sit-in for Preston, second march for QPR?

[Tomobz]

FWIW - I think another march would attract more people and be even more effective - people definitley stayed away this time around thinking it would be aggressive and another excuse for "rent a mob" and chorley and co to take the limelight.

 

if the people of Southampton get fed up with the disruption, then the pressure will be felt all the more within the council and businesses for them to recognise the need to apply pressure to lowe and co.

 

Very true that. At the end of the day, whatever we do, we just need everyone to do it. Thats what will get the message across, even if it were a mass cheese eating in demonstration against the board it would get the message across as long as everyone did it! Numbers are the key.

 

The mass sit in would be effective IMO.

[hypochondriac]

I vote for the mass sit-in. That is what we should do and I am prepared to go and look at how much some flyers would cost if needed

[eelpie]

well done!

Next march maybe a good idea to have it half an hour later so when everyone gets to the ground there can be a protest and then everyone go in.

 

It did actually get to the ground a good hour before kick off.

 

But congratulations. Brilliantly organised. Brilliantly supported.

[SFC Forever]

A mass sit in after the march and game is a good idea. We cpuld also leave the purchasing of our tickets until the day as well.

By doing this we would be showing the club that our money can be withheld at any moment. The banks will take note as they expect to see money going in on a regular basis and most people buy well before a game.

At the same time we could broadcast the fact that a boycott is the next move. This would give those on the board who can help, time to push him out. We do not want to hurt the club but the board has to realise that we are determined to remove Lowe and possibly Wilde.

Problem then is who will take their shares as they could still be a thorn if they keep them.

[Michelle]

I vote for the mass sit-in. That is what we should do and I am prepared to go and look at how much some flyers would cost if needed

 

Colour Company by my office seem to have some good deals on. Was going to suggest getting some more "Lowe Out" cards done, maybe "Lowe and Wilde Out" or summat this time. I'll double check the great bloody offer poster they've got in their window tomorrow.

[Minsk]

Well done to both you and Connor.

 

I am certain that the next march will have even more attendees.

 

Good luck with everything.

[Massimo Osti]

Sorry,im going to repost the idea i posted last night.......

 

The way that the march/demo went today shows that there is enough feeling and desire for change to happen.

 

What should be the way to move this forward and continue the momentum?

 

Bear with me on this very simplistic idea....

 

As it is the month of February approaching could we use this to make our next heartfelt plea,unfortunately we have an away fixture on the 14th,Valentines day,but as a symbol could supporters buy a single red rose and lay them in a organised,blanket, fashion at the foot of the Ted Bates statue and in and around the area of all the engraved paving blocks.

 

This could be done with either red roses or black roses to emphasise a club dying on its feet under the current regime.

We have a home fixture as we all know on tuesday but that would possibly come too soon, we could use the Preston game on the 21st.

I'm sure many will think this a pish idea but maybe we could incorporate this with something else.

It may make an impressive sight,as long as they are not just piled upon each other.

Feel free to mock but any ideas would be good.

 

Perhaps this could have the tagline "for the love of our club"

And of course those who cant partipate in a march or demo could still lay a rose and feel they have contributed

 

 

 

LoL at this....pure Farce!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pennyred]

Agree with Michelle - a full circuit round the stadium, or maybe two, depending on what time it gets there. GOOD IDEA. The procession would collect people as it went round. Reckon quite a few would have come Saturday but weren't sure if it was going to be 'well-behaved'.

And next time - someone must try and count the marchers - all this cr*p about 300 as stated by the police - we know it was at least 1000.

[hypochondriac]

No to the roses and yes to the sit-in. We need to do things differently or it will lose its effect.

[mcjwills]

If you want to do a succesful march then there is only one way.

 

Start outside St Marys at 2:45pm and march back to town, congregate in a large pub like the square and remain there for the duration of the game.

 

The press and media would love that story, it would hit the club hard financially etc and action would HAVE to be taken. Even if Lowe and Wilde didn't want to budge, Barclays would give them a nudge seeing as they would be directly involved in the loss of revenue.

 

How many people would do this? Not many I guess.... if there was the same numbers who were willing to boycott a game than those that marched to the ground, then it would achieve it's goal.

 

Like I said, fair play for the march, but ultimately it will achieve nothing.

 

Infact, the march will have actually generated revenue due to the number of people down at the ground for 1:30pm when they would normally be in a pub! So the march probably earnt SFC EXTRA money!!!

 

The only way to get a result is to hit them were it hurts.... the pocket.

 

The only problem with that idea is that the club already has my money for the game being a season ticket holder, and so the only person being hit in the pocket is me!!!

[kelkel31]

my two cents

 

the second march is the right move. i believe there was a great deal of apathy for the first one(lack of numbers and fears of it conduct). everything went perfectly, and we all achieved a lot of credit for the way it was managed and the atmosphere it created in the stadium was obvious for all to see.(even the itchen by the dugout got in the mood which doesnt happen often)

 

the second march will be bigger and better, but should be the last time we use this method. further protest need to be a really big visual event. a sit in protest at the next home match(after preston) is a good idea, but wouldnt its support be diluted by what we hope would be a good result!

 

maybe something along the lines of a previous post i.e flowers would be very good visually, but i would suggest we use black paper(im sure someone could post how to fold it into a flower) and at the end of the game as everyone leaves we throw the paper flowers onto the pitch, this would be both very poignant and a great visual sign of our discontent.

 

as ive said before, we now have a method of organizing ourselves, visible signs that people are prepared to put themselves out and do things for the good of the club, things will only get bigger and in time will will get our point across, we have to persevere and we will prevail!