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So now any bugger can play on the hallowed turf


alpine_saint

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Not sure what the problem is. Making money to help the club survive, at the same time, making dreams come true?

 

Sorry, there are lines to be drawn.

 

Stepping out onto the pitch at SMS or the Dell before has the feeling of stepping out on to Wembley or Lords for me, you just dont do it unless you are one of the chosen few.

 

Now this little bit of mystique also has its price, where any old f**king chav (including ones from down the other end of the M27) can walk out there..

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Sorry, there are lines to be drawn.

 

Stepping out onto the pitch at SMS or the Dell before has the feeling of stepping out on to Wembley or Lords for me, you just dont do it unless you are one of the chosen few.

 

Now this little bit of mystique also has its price, where any old f**king chav (including ones from down the other end of the M27) can walk out there..

 

Never done a pitch invasion then?

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Sorry, there are lines to be drawn.

 

Stepping out onto the pitch at SMS or the Dell before has the feeling of stepping out on to Wembley or Lords for me, you just dont do it unless you are one of the chosen few.

 

Now this little bit of mystique also has its price, where any old f**king chav (including ones from down the other end of the M27) can walk out there..

 

The only people who would spend that kind of money will be a true fan. I think your jealous. ;)

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Agree totally. I had the privalidge of playing at the Dell in a Southampton Senior Cup final and getting man of the match. In the same week I played at Anfield and Home Park. Nothing meant more to me in my brief footballing career than playing at the Dell and walking down those steps that Le Tiss had done on the Saturday. I never did it again and whilst I was part of a squad that made it to the Senior Cup Final a few year back at St Mary's I was never selected and after joining them late, didn't deserve to. But those that did, took the day off work, made a complete day of it, booked hotels and enjoyed every single moment. I don't begrudge them at all. Its the magic of playing those games at those venues. These things should be earnt, not bought. I'll treasure my memories for ever. We worked damn hard to get to everyone of those grounds, travelling hundreds of miles, playing in all kinds of weather and taking all kinds of abuse. I love the club but please, charge Hampshire FA the money rather than the fans - god knows they have it.

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Sorry, there are lines to be drawn.

 

Stepping out onto the pitch at SMS or the Dell before has the feeling of stepping out on to Wembley or Lords for me, you just dont do it unless you are one of the chosen few.

 

Now this little bit of mystique also has its price, where any old f**king chav (including ones from down the other end of the M27) can walk out there..

 

Is that really a worthy argument for not doing it? Opening up the pitch to this excercise is great news - money in the coffers plus galvanising fans attachment to the hallowed turf.

 

If I had the money or fitness to play I'd be in there like a shot especially after the 'on the pitch' when we stayed up last season, it was a great sensation to be looking up at the stands.

 

Too much of old blighty is trapped in the past and needs draggin' into the the present -this a good idea, take a look at the thread on forum match at SMS to gauge the passion you miserable sod.

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If they cough up 4 grand.

 

It was only a couple of years ago when the tour guides would tell you not to step on a single blade of grass less an irate groundsman turned up.

 

We must really be in the deep doo-doo...

 

Don't see a problem with it, it's the end of the season, will make the club a few bob and also will make a dream come true for many a supporter. The pitch can then be relaid in the summer.

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Fans in uproar at cash strapped club trying to make money

Fans in uproar because club is cashed strapped and can't afford loans

 

Don't worry, if things are as bad as the rumours flying around on here, the games won't happen as the new owners of the stadium won't want to spoil it before they rent it out to the Skates for a zillion next season

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If they cough up 4 grand.

 

It was only a couple of years ago when the tour guides would tell you not to step on a single blade of grass less an irate groundsman turned up.

 

We must really be in the deep doo-doo...

 

Does the your attitude on this apply to golfers playing around on a championship golf course? or maybe even driving a lap round a motor racing circuit? Why should n't we fulfil our ambitions in life? or should we all sit in dark rooms writing narky little threads on internet message boards - get out and smell the air Alpine - and for christ sake try smiling at the world - you never know it might just smile back!:p

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Agree totally. I had the privalidge of playing at the Dell in a Southampton Senior Cup final and getting man of the match. In the same week I played at Anfield and Home Park. Nothing meant more to me in my brief footballing career than playing at the Dell and walking down those steps that Le Tiss had done on the Saturday. I never did it again and whilst I was part of a squad that made it to the Senior Cup Final a few year back at St Mary's I was never selected and after joining them late, didn't deserve to. But those that did, took the day off work, made a complete day of it, booked hotels and enjoyed every single moment. I don't begrudge them at all. Its the magic of playing those games at those venues. These things should be earnt, not bought. I'll treasure my memories for ever. We worked damn hard to get to everyone of those grounds, travelling hundreds of miles, playing in all kinds of weather and taking all kinds of abuse. I love the club but please, charge Hampshire FA the money rather than the fans - god knows they have it.

 

Do you not think that supporting the club week in week out since I can remember - travelling thousands on miles and giving up hour after hour travelling too and from games. all the emotion I've poured into this passions counts as earning 45 minutes running around on the pitch where my heros have played??? not to mention the thousands of pounds ploughed into the club in tickets, kits, programmes? The games are hardly comparable to a senior cup final are they? Don't be such a kill joy and lighten up a bit - the worlds such a glum place as it is!

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oh dear!! i honestly did not think anyone could moan about this! WRONG!!

 

And i resent the ..'any old chav' comment alpine :-(

 

I have been going to watch saints home and away for near on 30 years. I have always dreamed about playing on the pitch one day and now i have the chance to fulfill that dream and help the club out with some cash too. Nothing wrong at all with either.

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I agree with Alpine 100%. What a shame some thing need to be kept special but these are “special” times, the club need to get money in from whatever source they can and if someone is willing to pay good money for a kick around on the pitch the club have no option but to accept their payment.

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Playing there will mean more to me than it did to John Bon Jovi or Elton John, by putting more of my money into my club, I, hopefully, will be one of the 'chosen few'.

 

Its only right and proper that during these very difficult times alternative revenue streams are created, many corporations have diversified in attempts to create the same, so why not SFC, our need is as great as any's.

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anyone who has seen games in the last three years will already know that lack of talent is no barrier to pulling on the shirt and playing on the hallowed pitch, if a few dreams are realised and Rupert gets a new suit out of it then I can't see the harm.

 

I like to believe that there is something special about running out at St Marys and don't start me on the Wembley semi-final situation, but the fans have been starved of 'fun' for too long so if a few people have a great day, it would be a bit miserable to object.

But then again most of us are!

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I accept being in the minority on this without rancour, and on a logic level I understand the counter-arguments.

 

But I am a life-long Saints fan. To me this is something totally special. If someone offered me a chance to participate in such a kick around, I simply couldn't. For me, it is the Mecca of football.

 

The only way I could countenance walking out to that centre spot is if I really were a Saints player. And I am afraid my legs are too far gone for that.

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I agree with Alpine 100%. What a shame some thing need to be kept special but these are “special” times, the club need to get money in from whatever source they can and if someone is willing to pay good money for a kick around on the pitch the club have no option but to accept their payment.

 

it gets better :confused:

 

Are people really that narrow minded??

 

So, as mentioned in a previos post, are these "red letter" type days all wrong? The club are offering to make some peoples dreams come true and you call this a shame?

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The other way of doing it is to phone up the manager and say you're one of George Weah's cousins. That way it's free.

But in answer to the original point, yes we are in deep doo doo, but the people who are buying to play at the ground are doing just that. They should not get too many delusions of grandeur...

I've played at Chelsea. It was good fun, and great to be walking out of the tunnel (and scoring a penalty), but I am not sure that Chelsea have suffered too much and I certainly don't think I'm Frank Lampard. Or his son.

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it gets better :confused:

 

Are people really that narrow minded??

 

So, as mentioned in a previos post, are these "red letter" type days all wrong? The club are offering to make some peoples dreams come true and you call this a shame?

 

Why the aggression about this ? why must everybody agree with it ?

 

Btw, the amount of money it will bring is MINIMAL.

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Why the aggression about this ? why must everybody agree with it ?

 

Btw, the amount of money it will bring is MINIMAL.

 

what aggression???

 

Just pointing out that i cannot believe that people find something to moan about this club, even when they are doing something good!

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One of the main problems with the stadium is that it only generally generates income from matchdays 30 days a year max. The odd pop concert helps but for the rest of the year it's basically a white elephant but one whose pitch has to be tended and stands have to cleaned etc. etc. etc. all costing money. Anything to generate extra revenue outside of this period, should be applauded IMO. The pitch hiring is a good idea but I think that the club should make more of the much lauded catering/hospitality and open one of the suites as Southampton's Top Restaurant venue, open every evening apart from match nights. The Dell bar should also be used more, open most evenings and weekend lunchtimes and should, outside of matchday, be open to all Saints fans and not just members.

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Frankly I am gobsmacked that there are so many people with enough money to splash around on such a luxury - perhaps they're all bankers!

 

I kind of understand Alpines point - the SMS pitch is not a municipal play park - its supposedly a professional footballing stadium. In some way it sort of cheapens the stadium experience in a way - i.e. if it was not so special, why would people pay that much? And after doing so, does it become less special or less magic because there's no mystery or gravitas to SMS?

 

Never the less, if it's all done after the end of the season then I guess there's no harm done really. And Lord knows, the club needs the cash.

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If they cough up 4 grand.

 

It was only a couple of years ago when the tour guides would tell you not to step on a single blade of grass less an irate groundsman turned up.

 

We must really be in the deep doo-doo...

 

If it makes you feel better, Played on it in 2004 in they football aid match ;-) Rupert Lowe was on hand in the dressing room giving us the team talk... sorry I am mistaken, that was Jimmy Case, which was such a dissapointment

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Grass grows by the inch...and it dies by the foot...

 

Or some such like...

 

I couldn't give a rat's arse though if me playing there takes away some of the magic for you though Alpine...as it will make the pitch even more special for this "bugger" as in years to come i will point to the pitch and say "i've played on that"...no bother that the opposition were a little out of shape...as i can glaze over the details...

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Sorry, there are lines to be drawn.

 

Stepping out onto the pitch at SMS or the Dell before has the feeling of stepping out on to Wembley or Lords for me, you just dont do it unless you are one of the chosen few.

 

Now this little bit of mystique also has its price, where any old f**king chav (including ones from down the other end of the M27) can walk out there..

 

If Darren Powell is one of the chosen few, a few forum members having a kick about isn't much of a step down IMO.

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Sorry, there are lines to be drawn.

 

Stepping out onto the pitch at SMS or the Dell before has the feeling of stepping out on to Wembley or Lords for me, you just dont do it unless you are one of the chosen few.

 

Now this little bit of mystique also has its price, where any old f**king chav (including ones from down the other end of the M27) can walk out there..

 

Erm, I played at the Dell in 1997.

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One of the main problems with the stadium is that it only generally generates income from matchdays 30 days a year max. The odd pop concert helps but for the rest of the year it's basically a white elephant but one whose pitch has to be tended and stands have to cleaned etc. etc. etc. all costing money. Anything to generate extra revenue outside of this period, should be applauded IMO. The pitch hiring is a good idea but I think that the club should make more of the much lauded catering/hospitality and open one of the suites as Southampton's Top Restaurant venue, open every evening apart from match nights. The Dell bar should also be used more, open most evenings and weekend lunchtimes and should, outside of matchday, be open to all Saints fans and not just members.

 

 

The Dell bar is certainly open to anyone every lunchtime apart from Saturday matchdays, I went there for lunch last week, had a very good meal and not too expensive either.

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Frankly I am gobsmacked that there are so many people with enough money to splash around on such a luxury

 

 

 

Luxury. We used to have to get out of the lake at three o'clock in the morning, clean the lake, eat a handful of hot gravel, go to work at the mill every day for tuppence a month, come home, and Dad would beat us around the head and neck with a broken bottle, if we were LUCKY! - and we still never got to even see a blade of grass at St Mary's.

 

 

....sorry, time on my hands. :cool:

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no, because you just want something else to moan at the club about. thats all it ever is with you.

 

so what is "bad" about giving fans the chance to play???

 

How is that accusation any different than always assuming the worst in what I post, like you have ?

 

It shatters the mystique that playing at the home of SFC engenders to Saints fans

 

It will bring in f**k-all money, and certainly wont turn around our fortunes.

 

Accept the fact I dont agree with you and move on..

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