Sunday paper round up.....

[saint lard]

04/04/2009

FULHAM aim to cash in on the money crisis at Southampton by landing England Under- 21 star Adam Lallana for a knockdown fee.

 

 

Boss Roy Hodgson had a £2.5m bid for Lallana, 20, rejected last summer but hopes to secure the midfield ace for £1.5m.

 

Saints are £30m in debt and need to sell players to raise funds.

 

From NOTW.

[pilsburydoughboy]

After recent performances from AL cash him in he has been really poor.

[saint lard]

Rupert Lowe raps old Southampton board

 

 

 

 

 

By Andrew Warshaw, 04/04/2009

FORMER Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe last night blasted his predecessors for bringing the club to its knees and insisted: Don't blame me.

 

 

Saints are in danger of collapse after 125 years and will learn on Tuesday whether they will be docked 10 points by the Football League.

 

But Lowe hit back at the critics who have accused him of killing the club after two spells in charge.

 

Last week, trading in shares in Southampton Leisure Holdings, which owned Southampton and was headed by Lowe, was dramatically halted.

 

And fears are growing that the club itself could fold unless a buyer is found quickly.

 

Lowe - who was booted out as club chairman in 2006 but returned last year - resigned from the board on Thursday.

 

But yesterday he claimed he was not responsible for causing a £28million debt mountain.

 

Lowe declared: "The damage was done during the two years I was away, by the people who kicked me out.

 

"I went back knowing I was putting my head into the lion's jaws because the club was in dire straits. But having spent 10 years building Southampton up, I wanted to make sure that the club survived.

 

"It had been badly run by the board, who over-borrowed from the banks. Leon Crouch (previous chairman) is responsible for that. He was the kingmaker and it was from him that all the damage flowed.

 

"When I left in 2006, there was no debt. After I left, they racked up vast amounts of debts and put the club in a financial mess.

 

"Was I in the wrong place at the wrong time? Yes I was. Do I feel it's my fault for other people blowing the club wide open? No I don't."

 

Administrators have warned that without a white knight, there is a high risk that Saints will fold this summer.

 

Lowe admitted that it would be easier to find a buyer if Southampton stay in the Championship, but said the spending policy that caused their relegation dogfight was unavoidable.

 

"The reason we've been playing with kids this season is largely because the money was not there. That's not my fault. The previous regime squandered money on wages, on transfer fees, on stupid redecoration of the stadium and on squabbles.

 

"I was forced to cut costs but I'm proud of what we've achieved."

 

Lowe doubts he will ever again be involved.

 

"I have to say it's unlikely, even though I built the stadium. Have I been unfairly vilified? Possibly. I knew it was a risk going back but I'd do the same again. I still love the club."

 

Nice pic..!

[saint lard]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1167024/HATCHET-MAN-As-Saints-marching-Charlton-prepare-sale-Premier-League-chiefs-examine-greed.html

[John B]

After recent performances from AL cash him in he has been really poor.

 

Yes shame he was not sold in the Summer

[brongal]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/apr/05/football-finance

 

This has been the story at Southampton, where the parent holding company last week called in administrators as a securitisation deal - that is, a loan secured against future ticket sales - appeared to be turning sour. The move comes less than six weeks after League Two's Darlington called in insolvency experts for the second time in six months. Both have spent substantial sums on new stadiums in recent years.

 

Lawrence Schechter, a director at boutique finance house Schechter & Co, says: "Southampton used to be run very well, by former investment bankers who managed the club like a business. But the fans got upset that they weren't spending ridiculous amounts of money on star players.

 

"Now the fans should point the finger at themselves and say: is this what you wanted? They forced the guys out in 2005, those who were doing a good job, but the fans wanted Southampton to be like Chelsea or Man United. The fans bit the hand that fed them."

[saint_bert]

Rupert Lowe raps old Southampton board

 

 

 

 

 

By Andrew Warshaw, 04/04/2009

FORMER Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe last night blasted his predecessors for bringing the club to its knees and insisted: Don't blame me.

 

 

Saints are in danger of collapse after 125 years and will learn on Tuesday whether they will be docked 10 points by the Football League.

 

But Lowe hit back at the critics who have accused him of killing the club after two spells in charge.

 

Last week, trading in shares in Southampton Leisure Holdings, which owned Southampton and was headed by Lowe, was dramatically halted.

 

And fears are growing that the club itself could fold unless a buyer is found quickly.

 

Lowe - who was booted out as club chairman in 2006 but returned last year - resigned from the board on Thursday.

 

But yesterday he claimed he was not responsible for causing a £28million debt mountain.

 

Lowe declared: "The damage was done during the two years I was away, by the people who kicked me out.

 

"I went back knowing I was putting my head into the lion's jaws because the club was in dire straits. But having spent 10 years building Southampton up, I wanted to make sure that the club survived.

 

"It had been badly run by the board, who over-borrowed from the banks. Leon Crouch (previous chairman) is responsible for that. He was the kingmaker and it was from him that all the damage flowed.

 

"When I left in 2006, there was no debt. After I left, they racked up vast amounts of debts and put the club in a financial mess.

 

"Was I in the wrong place at the wrong time? Yes I was. Do I feel it's my fault for other people blowing the club wide open? No I don't."

 

Administrators have warned that without a white knight, there is a high risk that Saints will fold this summer.

 

Lowe admitted that it would be easier to find a buyer if Southampton stay in the Championship, but said the spending policy that caused their relegation dogfight was unavoidable.

 

"The reason we've been playing with kids this season is largely because the money was not there. That's not my fault. The previous regime squandered money on wages, on transfer fees, on stupid redecoration of the stadium and on squabbles.

 

"I was forced to cut costs but I'm proud of what we've achieved."

 

Lowe doubts he will ever again be involved.

 

"I have to say it's unlikely, even though I built the stadium. Have I been unfairly vilified? Possibly. I knew it was a risk going back but I'd do the same again. I still love the club."

 

Nice pic..!

 

That pic is quality

[paulsfc]

Article in Sunday Times by Rod Liddle

 

http://http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/rod_liddle/article6036576.ece

 

Slags us off alot but can't disagree with his sentiments. This is probably how the rest of the football world thinks about us as well

[saint_bert]

I wonder what Martin Samuel makes of it all

[saint lard]

Cash-strapped Saints should go for broke

 

Southampton’s financial woes make them prime candidates for a merger – with south coast neighbours Portsmouth

 

ROD LIDDLE

 

 

div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited {color:#06c;}SOUTHAMPTON FC, by virtue of some imaginative sleight of hand, have so far avoided incurring a 10-point deduction for being bankrupt. The former chairman, Rupert Lowe, ensured it was Southampton’s parent company that went into administration, rather than the club itself.

This, however, is financial sophistry in pursuit of a delusion; quite clearly the Saints are utterly skint and deeply in debt and one would expect the Football League, sooner or later, to call the club’s bluff. It may be, in the end, the most positive outcome if they go marching into the Football League Division One; the supporters will still have a club and a healthy dose of realism would not come amiss. Because this is a deeply deluded club, tormented with intimations of grandeur. They are far from alone in being so, of course. Visit Southampton’s official website and you will find, alongside the Save Our Saints! appeal, an article of quite magnificent stupidity, my favourite quote of which reads as follows: “Southampton is indisputably a Premier League club, in all but its league position.” Those are my italics. It is a little like me saying that I am indisputably a love god stud muffin, in all but my continued celibacy. In other words, I could be a love god stud muffin were I not hideous, old and impotent. (Not that I am all of those things, mind. I’m just trying to make a point, you know).

But it is this delusion which will do for Southampton FC, in the end, much as it has threatened to do for a long, long list of similarly deluded clubs – of which Leeds United, Coventry City, Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest are but four, all of whom have found the receivers either marching up the garden path or waiting by the gate. All of whom considered themselves Premier League clubs – in all but reality.

The Saints do not even have history on their side, never mind their current league position, to support that “indisputably”. They have spent just 34 seasons in the top division throughout their 124-year history, a little bit less than they have spent in Division Two, or its modern equivalent. They have spent quite a bit of time in the third tier of the game as well, a place to which they may soon return. How this makes them “indisputably” a Premier League club is beyond comprehension, unless you’re on magic mushrooms.

They will no doubt continue telling themselves they are indisputably a Premier League club when they make the trip to Hartlepool next season. Much as Leeds United supporters, similarly afflicted, sang “we’ll never play you again!” to all the small and insignificant opponents they came up against when they were first relegated. Oh yes you will, Leeds. You will play them again and again and again until you get it into your thick Yorkshire heads that this is where you deserve to be. The history of Leeds, remember, is not one of previously permanent residency in the top tier. Not by a long shot.

The obvious answer for Southampton is to merge with Portsmouth, who are indisputably a Championship team in all but league position. Pompey have that thing which tends to separate the top-flight teams from the rest – good players. They also have solid, loyal supporters, but that is about all they have. They don’t have a decent ground and are also short of dosh. Southampton, meanwhile, have an excellent ground but no good players. Given the geographical proximity, any other business would go for a merger immediately. Imagine the size and fervour of the crowd at a newly established Solent United, all of them kicking each other’s heads in.

The deadline for administration which passed last week came as a surprise to many at the Football League, with no clubs at all queuing up for their 10-point deductions. They had been expecting between six and nine to do so, and maybe twelve over the course of the next year. As evidenced by the case of Southampton, these struggling clubs have been kept afloat largely by unfounded optimism and hot air. But increasingly it is not the real strugglers who succumb to the cosh – the Burys and Rochdales and Macclesfields and Chester Citys, the Cheltenhams and Stockports, surviving on minuscule attendances and the goodwill of a few individuals. These clubs tend to understand that they need to abide by the same laws of economics as apply in every other industry. It is more usually the chronically deluded Championship sides who feel that their natural berth is – indisputably – one division above and break their necks trying to get there.

It is entirely possible and even likely that three of these clubs, strapped for cash almost to the point of annihilation, will be relegated to “Division One” at the end of the season – Charlton, Nottingham Forest and Southampton. A fourth similarly disposed side – Norwich City – seem to have scampered clear. So long as these teams consider themselves to be playing below their station, they will continue to be in big trouble. Ambition is fine, but not when it is confused with droit de seigneur. They should all take a look at Luton Town – who by Southampton’s standards are almost indisputably a Premier League club, having spent 20 seasons in the top flight – who will be kicking off next season against the likes of Forest Green.

 

 

 

 

[ST Randy]

Cash-strapped Saints should go for broke

 

Southampton’s financial woes make them prime candidates for a merger – with south coast neighbours Portsmouth

 

ROD LIDDLE

 

 

div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited {color:#06c;}SOUTHAMPTON FC, by virtue of some imaginative sleight of hand, have so far avoided incurring a 10-point deduction for being bankrupt. The former chairman, Rupert Lowe, ensured it was Southampton’s parent company that went into administration, rather than the club itself.

This, however, is financial sophistry in pursuit of a delusion; quite clearly the Saints are utterly skint and deeply in debt and one would expect the Football League, sooner or later, to call the club’s bluff. It may be, in the end, the most positive outcome if they go marching into the Football League Division One; the supporters will still have a club and a healthy dose of realism would not come amiss. Because this is a deeply deluded club, tormented with intimations of grandeur. They are far from alone in being so, of course. Visit Southampton’s official website and you will find, alongside the Save Our Saints! appeal, an article of quite magnificent stupidity, my favourite quote of which reads as follows: “Southampton is indisputably a Premier League club, in all but its league position.” Those are my italics. It is a little like me saying that I am indisputably a love god stud muffin, in all but my continued celibacy. In other words, I could be a love god stud muffin were I not hideous, old and impotent. (Not that I am all of those things, mind. I’m just trying to make a point, you know).

But it is this delusion which will do for Southampton FC, in the end, much as it has threatened to do for a long, long list of similarly deluded clubs – of which Leeds United, Coventry City, Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest are but four, all of whom have found the receivers either marching up the garden path or waiting by the gate. All of whom considered themselves Premier League clubs – in all but reality.

The Saints do not even have history on their side, never mind their current league position, to support that “indisputably”. They have spent just 34 seasons in the top division throughout their 124-year history, a little bit less than they have spent in Division Two, or its modern equivalent. They have spent quite a bit of time in the third tier of the game as well, a place to which they may soon return. How this makes them “indisputably” a Premier League club is beyond comprehension, unless you’re on magic mushrooms.

They will no doubt continue telling themselves they are indisputably a Premier League club when they make the trip to Hartlepool next season. Much as Leeds United supporters, similarly afflicted, sang “we’ll never play you again!” to all the small and insignificant opponents they came up against when they were first relegated. Oh yes you will, Leeds. You will play them again and again and again until you get it into your thick Yorkshire heads that this is where you deserve to be. The history of Leeds, remember, is not one of previously permanent residency in the top tier. Not by a long shot.

The obvious answer for Southampton is to merge with Portsmouth, who are indisputably a Championship team in all but league position. Pompey have that thing which tends to separate the top-flight teams from the rest – good players. They also have solid, loyal supporters, but that is about all they have. They don’t have a decent ground and are also short of dosh. Southampton, meanwhile, have an excellent ground but no good players. Given the geographical proximity, any other business would go for a merger immediately. Imagine the size and fervour of the crowd at a newly established Solent United, all of them kicking each other’s heads in.

The deadline for administration which passed last week came as a surprise to many at the Football League, with no clubs at all queuing up for their 10-point deductions. They had been expecting between six and nine to do so, and maybe twelve over the course of the next year. As evidenced by the case of Southampton, these struggling clubs have been kept afloat largely by unfounded optimism and hot air. But increasingly it is not the real strugglers who succumb to the cosh – the Burys and Rochdales and Macclesfields and Chester Citys, the Cheltenhams and Stockports, surviving on minuscule attendances and the goodwill of a few individuals. These clubs tend to understand that they need to abide by the same laws of economics as apply in every other industry. It is more usually the chronically deluded Championship sides who feel that their natural berth is – indisputably – one division above and break their necks trying to get there.

It is entirely possible and even likely that three of these clubs, strapped for cash almost to the point of annihilation, will be relegated to “Division One” at the end of the season – Charlton, Nottingham Forest and Southampton. A fourth similarly disposed side – Norwich City – seem to have scampered clear. So long as these teams consider themselves to be playing below their station, they will continue to be in big trouble. Ambition is fine, but not when it is confused with droit de seigneur. They should all take a look at Luton Town – who by Southampton’s standards are almost indisputably a Premier League club, having spent 20 seasons in the top flight – who will be kicking off next season against the likes of Forest Green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Rod Liddle does not understand that dreams are what keep football suppiorters going, then I suggest that he stops writing about football and goes back to doing what he is most famous for:

 

Editing the Today programme.

Getting sacked by the BBC

Sh***ing other men's wives.

[John B]

As Rod Liddle does not understand that dreams are what keep football suppiorters going, then I suggest that he stops writing about football and goes back to doing what he is most famous for:

 

Editing the Today programme.

Getting sacked by the BBC

Sh***ing other men's wives.

 

But what he is saying makes complete sense together with the other articles. from other newspapers

 

 

Most Saints fans appear to be unrealistic and demand success.

[saint_bert]

But what he is saying makes complete sense together with the other articles. from other newspapers

 

 

Most Saints fans appear to be unrealistic and demand success.

 

Pretty much like every football clubs supporters

[Amesbury Saint]

 

Most Saints fans appear to be unrealistic and demand success.

 

Really? Supporting Saints for the last 25 years my expectation for most seasons has been very modest - getting enough points to stay up plus the occassional good cup run.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I shouldn't take too much notice of what that little sh*t Rod Liddle has to say - he has plenty of 'previous' regarding some inexplicable grudge against the Saints and the whole piece is little more than a lazy rehash of older similar rants . For those who take an interest the bloke is a Millwall fan - which should tell you everything you need to know about him .

 

Disappointing that the Times should employ a hack of this quality , standards are most definitely slipping at 'The Thunderer' .

[ST Randy]

But what he is saying makes complete sense together with the other articles. from other newspapers

 

 

Most Saints fans appear to be unrealistic and demand success.

 

 

Saints fans demand success ??????

 

I don't think so. We have won 1 trophy in 120+ years. I think that the last thing that Saints fans can be accused of is demanding success.

 

If you accuse Saints fans iof demanding success, how do you describe the likes of Spurs, Chelsea, Man City etc etc who sack their managers every season because they have not won the league ?? Saints fans are ecstatic with 2 successive victories!!!

 

:-) :-)

[John B]

Pretty much like every football clubs supporters

 

Dont think every club but at some I agree.

 

 

I feel that other clubs supporters like Crystal Palace Ipswich Norwich hope for success whilst our supporters expect success without realising a club needs good finanance and good players.

 

 

I was watching England last week and Pompey had three England players and have a reasonably good side when we got relegated we did did not have very good players as we had no money to spend

[Tomobz]

Rod Little is a complete moron. I hate how people like him get to share their ridiculous opinions about things to millions of people without putting any thought into the actual content being written or the possible side effects it may have.

[John B]

Really? Supporting Saints for the last 25 years my expectation for most seasons has been very modest - getting enough points to stay up plus the occassional good cup run.

 

I have been supporting the Saints for nearly 50 years and like you my expectation was as you post.

 

 

But I am talking the fans who were demanding that we move to the next level in 2003 which was plainly unrealistic.

 

 

I feel this outlook has cost us dearly because we have become a divided club

[Daren W]

But what he is saying makes complete sense together with the other articles. from other newspapers

 

 

Most Saints fans appear to be unrealistic and demand success.

 

Indeed, and his idea of merging saints and Pompey is pure genius.....

[OldNick]

Littles article is awful but we have to accept we are not as a popular club that many have thought we were.There will be few tears for us.I expect many clubs resent us for sending them down when we survived by the skin of our teeth over the years.

The fan not understanding about the need for financial stability is correct though.

We need a team of players who are not special but a good unit.We have produced too many stand out players over the last few years that have been taken from us. Teams who have done well but made of journeymen but a solid team have done better as they dont have the heart torn out of it every season.

[miserableoldgit]

I have been supporting the Saints for nearly 50 years and like you my expectation was as you post.

 

 

But I am talking the fans who were demanding that we move to the next level in 2003 which was plainly unrealistic.

 

 

I feel this outlook has cost us dearly because we have become a divided club

Like you I have been supporting the club for 50 years plus, but I have to disagree with you regarding fans expectations. We have always been a club that likes to be the underdog, that tweaks the noses of the big boys now and then. We like to go to games, enjoy our football and come away with a smile on our faces.

 

As far as moving to the next level, this meant to go from being continual relegation fodder to becoming a regular mid-table team with the occaisional appearance in the UEFA Cup - not the next Chelsea or Man U.

This was because the increasing injection of money into the PL made it vital that once you were there, you had to stay there or the worst would happen.

[OldNick]

Like you I have been supporting the club for 50 years plus, but I have to disagree with you regarding fans expectations. We have always been a club that likes to be the underdog, that tweaks the noses of the big boys now and then. We like to go to games, enjoy our football and come away with a smile on our faces.

 

As far as moving to the next level, this meant to go from being continual relegation fodder to becoming a regular mid-table team with the occaisional appearance in the UEFA Cup - not the next Chelsea or Man U.

This was because the increasing injection of money into the PL made it vital that once you were there, you had to stay there or the worst would happen.

Definately right, our results deteriorated the day when Kamara broke the news that WGS was not going to sign a new contract.We lost our form and from then on the squad lost its way and the rest is depressing.

[corsacar saint]

No tears will be shed about us primarily due to that pompous prat Lowe, getting the

club adverse publicity in the press virtually every single day since we were relegated.

Also what a surprise for him to blame Crouch.

[SaintRichmond]

Papers do not say this, because Lowe never mentioned it to them, so, in addition to his wonderful Business accumen, they should be aware of this

 

When he came back, and prior to the start of the season :-

 

1) He dismissed Nigel Pearson, in a lot of peoples opinion, the man who had managed to keep us up in 2008

2) He brought in Two untried and untested (in the UK) Dutch "Managers", Poortvliet and Wotte

3) He insisted on a Dutch "Total Football" concept, which had no chance of working in the Championship

4) He insisted that we go with Youth, and by so doing , sold off, or loaned out, any and all players that represented experience, mainly in the Goalscoring department

5) He (again) alienated the Supporters, (Who he refers to as "Customers" )

6) As the season progressed, it was obvious to most, that the Young Team, though full of effort, lacked experience, and the ability to score goals. They were not Street Wise for the League

7) Also, as the season progressed, Fans became disallusioned at the product on offer, and stayed away in Thousands

His act of resigning last week led to the biggest Home attendance of the season

 

IMHO, it is only No 8, that Lowe can truly take credit for

 

PS: By overseeing Leisure Holdings demise into Administration, he has added YET ANOTHER "FAILED" Company to his already impressive "Failed" Listt

[mynameisthehulk]

Cash-strapped Saints should go for broke

 

Southampton’s financial woes make them prime candidates for a merger – with south coast neighbours Portsmouth

 

ROD LIDDLE

 

 

div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited {color:#06c;}SOUTHAMPTON FC, by virtue of some imaginative sleight of hand, have so far avoided incurring a 10-point deduction for being bankrupt. The former chairman, Rupert Lowe, ensured it was Southampton’s parent company that went into administration, rather than the club itself.

This, however, is financial sophistry in pursuit of a delusion; quite clearly the Saints are utterly skint and deeply in debt and one would expect the Football League, sooner or later, to call the club’s bluff. It may be, in the end, the most positive outcome if they go marching into the Football League Division One; the supporters will still have a club and a healthy dose of realism would not come amiss. Because this is a deeply deluded club, tormented with intimations of grandeur. They are far from alone in being so, of course. Visit Southampton’s official website and you will find, alongside the Save Our Saints! appeal, an article of quite magnificent stupidity, my favourite quote of which reads as follows: “Southampton is indisputably a Premier League club, in all but its league position.” Those are my italics. It is a little like me saying that I am indisputably a love god stud muffin, in all but my continued celibacy. In other words, I could be a love god stud muffin were I not hideous, old and impotent. (Not that I am all of those things, mind. I’m just trying to make a point, you know).

But it is this delusion which will do for Southampton FC, in the end, much as it has threatened to do for a long, long list of similarly deluded clubs – of which Leeds United, Coventry City, Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest are but four, all of whom have found the receivers either marching up the garden path or waiting by the gate. All of whom considered themselves Premier League clubs – in all but reality.

The Saints do not even have history on their side, never mind their current league position, to support that “indisputably”. They have spent just 34 seasons in the top division throughout their 124-year history, a little bit less than they have spent in Division Two, or its modern equivalent. They have spent quite a bit of time in the third tier of the game as well, a place to which they may soon return. How this makes them “indisputably” a Premier League club is beyond comprehension, unless you’re on magic mushrooms.

They will no doubt continue telling themselves they are indisputably a Premier League club when they make the trip to Hartlepool next season. Much as Leeds United supporters, similarly afflicted, sang “we’ll never play you again!” to all the small and insignificant opponents they came up against when they were first relegated. Oh yes you will, Leeds. You will play them again and again and again until you get it into your thick Yorkshire heads that this is where you deserve to be. The history of Leeds, remember, is not one of previously permanent residency in the top tier. Not by a long shot.

The obvious answer for Southampton is to merge with Portsmouth, who are indisputably a Championship team in all but league position. Pompey have that thing which tends to separate the top-flight teams from the rest – good players. They also have solid, loyal supporters, but that is about all they have. They don’t have a decent ground and are also short of dosh. Southampton, meanwhile, have an excellent ground but no good players. Given the geographical proximity, any other business would go for a merger immediately. Imagine the size and fervour of the crowd at a newly established Solent United, all of them kicking each other’s heads in.

The deadline for administration which passed last week came as a surprise to many at the Football League, with no clubs at all queuing up for their 10-point deductions. They had been expecting between six and nine to do so, and maybe twelve over the course of the next year. As evidenced by the case of Southampton, these struggling clubs have been kept afloat largely by unfounded optimism and hot air. But increasingly it is not the real strugglers who succumb to the cosh – the Burys and Rochdales and Macclesfields and Chester Citys, the Cheltenhams and Stockports, surviving on minuscule attendances and the goodwill of a few individuals. These clubs tend to understand that they need to abide by the same laws of economics as apply in every other industry. It is more usually the chronically deluded Championship sides who feel that their natural berth is – indisputably – one division above and break their necks trying to get there.

It is entirely possible and even likely that three of these clubs, strapped for cash almost to the point of annihilation, will be relegated to “Division One” at the end of the season – Charlton, Nottingham Forest and Southampton. A fourth similarly disposed side – Norwich City – seem to have scampered clear. So long as these teams consider themselves to be playing below their station, they will continue to be in big trouble. Ambition is fine, but not when it is confused with droit de seigneur. They should all take a look at Luton Town – who by Southampton’s standards are almost indisputably a Premier League club, having spent 20 seasons in the top flight – who will be kicking off next season against the likes of Forest Green.

 

 

 

 

 

Utter, utter, complete, total, sh!te

[miserableoldgit]

Rupert Lowe raps old Southampton board

 

 

 

 

 

By Andrew Warshaw, 04/04/2009

FORMER Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe last night blasted his predecessors for bringing the club to its knees and insisted: Don't blame me.

 

 

Saints are in danger of collapse after 125 years and will learn on Tuesday whether they will be docked 10 points by the Football League.

 

But Lowe hit back at the critics who have accused him of killing the club after two spells in charge.

 

Last week, trading in shares in Southampton Leisure Holdings, which owned Southampton and was headed by Lowe, was dramatically halted.

 

And fears are growing that the club itself could fold unless a buyer is found quickly.

 

Lowe - who was booted out as club chairman in 2006 but returned last year - resigned from the board on Thursday.

 

But yesterday he claimed he was not responsible for causing a £28million debt mountain.

 

Lowe declared: "The damage was done during the two years I was away, by the people who kicked me out.

 

"I went back knowing I was putting my head into the lion's jaws because the club was in dire straits. But having spent 10 years building Southampton up, I wanted to make sure that the club survived.

 

"It had been badly run by the board, who over-borrowed from the banks. Leon Crouch (previous chairman) is responsible for that. He was the kingmaker and it was from him that all the damage flowed.

 

"When I left in 2006, there was no debt. After I left, they racked up vast amounts of debts and put the club in a financial mess.

 

"Was I in the wrong place at the wrong time? Yes I was. Do I feel it's my fault for other people blowing the club wide open? No I don't."

 

Administrators have warned that without a white knight, there is a high risk that Saints will fold this summer.

 

Lowe admitted that it would be easier to find a buyer if Southampton stay in the Championship, but said the spending policy that caused their relegation dogfight was unavoidable.

 

"The reason we've been playing with kids this season is largely because the money was not there. That's not my fault. The previous regime squandered money on wages, on transfer fees, on stupid redecoration of the stadium and on squabbles.

 

"I was forced to cut costs but I'm proud of what we've achieved."

 

Lowe doubts he will ever again be involved.

 

"I have to say it's unlikely, even though I built the stadium. Have I been unfairly vilified? Possibly. I knew it was a risk going back but I'd do the same again. I still love the club."

 

Nice pic..!

 

Hmmmmm........

[VectisSaint]

But what he is saying makes complete sense together with the other articles. from other newspapers

 

 

Most Saints fans appear to be unrealistic and demand success.

What utter and complete ******. Since when have Saints fans demaded success. We may crave it, but demand how can you be so stupid. What we demand, if we demand anything is honesty and decent football. Those two reasons alone are why there has been a huge drop off in support this season, dishonesty from Wilde and Lowe, and **** poor football on the field, as demonstrated once again yesterday. And of course the football quality is down to Wilde and Lowe as well, sheer stupidity of employign a semi-pro coach and trying to play all the kids. Lowe knows nothing about football, and now he is gone perhaps we can get some things sorted. At least with no PLC a buyer can come in and take over, with the PLC still in the way it was effectively blocked by Wilde and Lowe. We will be relegated this season, the table and our performances do not lie, and the inevitable points penalty will confirm it anyway. But hopefully we will survive, and will be run properly as a football club again.

[del boy]

Yes shame he was not sold in the Summer

 

In which case the club would have been torn to shreds on the forum for selling its best assets and the only chance of survival etc.....

[strummer]

Utter, utter, complete, total, sh!te

 

Agreed. Apart from the first sentence of the article. Much as it pains me to say, I think Saints should be docked 10 points.

[lordswoodsaints]

lallana has been rubbish all season,too easily knocked off of the ball,weak in going forward,poor in tracking back and he doesnt really contribute anything.undoubtedly the boy has skill but is that any good to us in this situation? ball juggling,fancy little flicks and stepovers aint going to get us out of the sh1te......all of his tricks would be good if he scored a few or even setup a couple,like le tissier used to do but tricks and flicks that lead to nothing count for nothing.

at the moment he aint worth a w@nk,shame we didnt cash in last summer.

[PaulSaint]

What really, really always annoys me about these unbalanced and unresearched Lowe articles is they all fail tio mention:

 

- Its was Lowe who employed Gray!

- Its was Lowe who employed Wigley!

- Its was Lowe who decided we should take a disinterested Redknapp, their backroom staff & a load of their crappy players!

- Its was Lowe who's entire transfer policy consisted of selling the family silver, replacing it with Tupperware & expecting us to be better!

- Its was Lowe who bought a ground that required 18k fans every game to afford it, then he refused to back Strachans request to move up a gear in the transfer market & replace him with a new manager every 6 months until we were down!

- Its was Lowe who employed SCW (an effin Rugby coach)!

- Its was Lowe who decided a new dome was better than buying decent players in the first season down!

- Do I even need to move onto the complete F up he made this season?

 

 

When we finally got fed up of this we apparently "bit the hand that fed us". He never fed us anything but he sure did borrow a lot of Sugar!

[ecuk268]

No tears will be shed about us primarily due to that pompous prat Lowe, getting the

club adverse publicity in the press virtually every single day since we were relegated.

Also what a surprise for him to blame Crouch.

 

He does have a point. The Echo had an article analysing our financial performance over the last few seasons.

 

Bank borrowing when Lowe left = 0

Bank borrowing when Lowe returned = 5.0m

 

It was this 5.0m that put us into administration.

 

This is not a pro-Lowe posting, just pointing out some cold facts. No one person is to blame for this mess.

[um pahars]

Ignorant, sloppy, trotted out before etc etc etc.

 

I don't think we have delusions of grandeur or a belief that we have a divine right to be in the premiership. Of course we aspire to get there (as do/should most teams), but then that's whole point of the footballing pyramid with promotions based on success on the pitch.

 

We know where we are in the foootballing pecking order and have always enjoyed a healthy awareness of our place in the grand scheme of things.

 

Even when we were at our peak in the early to mid 80's we still accepted we were punching above our weight and were happy to give the big teams a bloody nose when they ventured down to The Dell.

 

 

To claim we have delusions of grandeur due to one strapline on the Official Site, which is actually more of a rallying call and an aspiration is just poor tired journalism (and I use the term journalism very loosely indeed).

[sidthesquid]

Papers do not say this, because Lowe never mentioned it to them, so, in addition to his wonderful Business accumen, they should be aware of this

 

When he came back, and prior to the start of the season :-

 

1) He dismissed Nigel Pearson, in a lot of peoples opinion, the man who had managed to keep us up in 2008

2) He brought in Two untried and untested (in the UK) Dutch "Managers", Poortvliet and Wotte

3) He insisted on a Dutch "Total Football" concept, which had no chance of working in the Championship

4) He insisted that we go with Youth, and by so doing , sold off, or loaned out, any and all players that represented experience, mainly in the Goalscoring department

5) He (again) alienated the Supporters, (Who he refers to as "Customers" )

6) As the season progressed, it was obvious to most, that the Young Team, though full of effort, lacked experience, and the ability to score goals. They were not Street Wise for the League

7) Also, as the season progressed, Fans became disallusioned at the product on offer, and stayed away in Thousands

His act of resigning last week led to the biggest Home attendance of the season

 

IMHO, it is only No 8, that Lowe can truly take credit for

 

PS: By overseeing Leisure Holdings demise into Administration, he has added YET ANOTHER "FAILED" Company to his already impressive "Failed" Listt

 

Do you still not get it - it was all down to money (or the lack of it). Apart from 5 (I accept) it was all down to money. As a CEO of a plc company, he has to put the best shine on events or the shares plummet and you go broke. All the youth thing, a cheap coach & trying to get senior players out was because Barclays were threatening to pull the plug if we didn't act. But if he'd stood up on the 1st September and said 'basically we are doing this because we are broke' we would already be in administration & possibly out of the league. I am not a fan of his by any means, but to still go on about playing youngsters and having a cheap option manager being Lowe's fault is just pointless & totally ignoring reality. We were as good as stuffed last autumn, he gave it a shot at saving us, but ultimately failed. That is reality - deal with it

[70's Mike]

Do you still not get it - it was all down to money (or the lack of it). Apart from 5 (I accept) it was all down to money. As a CEO of a plc company, he has to put the best shine on events or the shares plummet and you go broke. All the youth thing, a cheap coach & trying to get senior players out was because Barclays were threatening to pull the plug if we didn't act. But if he'd stood up on the 1st September and said 'basically we are doing this because we are broke' we would already be in administration & possibly out of the league. I am not a fan of his by any means, but to still go on about playing youngsters and having a cheap option manager being Lowe's fault is just pointless & totally ignoring reality. We were as good as stuffed last autumn, he gave it a shot at saving us, but ultimately failed. That is reality - deal with it

 

disagree it was about how he chose to spend the money we had NOT the lack of it, we had as much as Preston, Burnley etc we just were led down a route which was one mans theory

[Legod Third Coming]

Do you still not get it - it was all down to money (or the lack of it). Apart from 5 (I accept) it was all down to money. As a CEO of a plc company, he has to put the best shine on events or the shares plummet and you go broke. All the youth thing, a cheap coach & trying to get senior players out was because Barclays were threatening to pull the plug if we didn't act. But if he'd stood up on the 1st September and said 'basically we are doing this because we are broke' we would already be in administration & possibly out of the league. I am not a fan of his by any means, but to still go on about playing youngsters and having a cheap option manager being Lowe's fault is just pointless & totally ignoring reality. We were as good as stuffed last autumn, he gave it a shot at saving us, but ultimately failed. That is reality - deal with it

 

That's what I thought when we scraped relegation by a whisker and had a whole summer to shave the squad and work with a credible young manager to rebuild it and faith among the fans.

 

In fact, I recall thinking that the only thing better than having a productive, reliable and proven plan and working with shareholders, manager, fans and financiers alike, would be for the most hated man in Southampton to come back and try an experiment with **** van Dyke and Rip van Winkle...

 

 

Feck me. No wonder footballs fans get a bad name...

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Rupert Lowe raps old Southampton board

 

 

 

 

 

By Andrew Warshaw, 04/04/2009

FORMER Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe last night blasted his predecessors for bringing the club to its knees and insisted: Don't blame me.

 

 

Saints are in danger of collapse after 125 years and will learn on Tuesday whether they will be docked 10 points by the Football League.

 

But Lowe hit back at the critics who have accused him of killing the club after two spells in charge.

 

Last week, trading in shares in Southampton Leisure Holdings, which owned Southampton and was headed by Lowe, was dramatically halted.

 

And fears are growing that the club itself could fold unless a buyer is found quickly.

 

Lowe - who was booted out as club chairman in 2006 but returned last year - resigned from the board on Thursday.

 

But yesterday he claimed he was not responsible for causing a £28million debt mountain.

 

Lowe declared: "The damage was done during the two years I was away, by the people who kicked me out.

 

"I went back knowing I was putting my head into the lion's jaws because the club was in dire straits. But having spent 10 years building Southampton up, I wanted to make sure that the club survived.

 

"It had been badly run by the board, who over-borrowed from the banks. Leon Crouch (previous chairman) is responsible for that. He was the kingmaker and it was from him that all the damage flowed.

 

"When I left in 2006, there was no debt. After I left, they racked up vast amounts of debts and put the club in a financial mess.

 

"Was I in the wrong place at the wrong time? Yes I was. Do I feel it's my fault for other people blowing the club wide open? No I don't."

 

Administrators have warned that without a white knight, there is a high risk that Saints will fold this summer.

 

Lowe admitted that it would be easier to find a buyer if Southampton stay in the Championship, but said the spending policy that caused their relegation dogfight was unavoidable.

 

"The reason we've been playing with kids this season is largely because the money was not there. That's not my fault. The previous regime squandered money on wages, on transfer fees, on stupid redecoration of the stadium and on squabbles.

 

"I was forced to cut costs but I'm proud of what we've achieved."

 

Lowe doubts he will ever again be involved.

 

"I have to say it's unlikely, even though I built the stadium. Have I been unfairly vilified? Possibly. I knew it was a risk going back but I'd do the same again. I still love the club."

 

Nice pic..!

 

Just about sums up his dellusion....

[SaintRichmond]

Do you still not get it - it was all down to money (or the lack of it). Apart from 5 (I accept) it was all down to money. As a CEO of a plc company, he has to put the best shine on events or the shares plummet and you go broke. All the youth thing, a cheap coach & trying to get senior players out was because Barclays were threatening to pull the plug if we didn't act. But if he'd stood up on the 1st September and said 'basically we are doing this because we are broke' we would already be in administration & possibly out of the league. I am not a fan of his by any means, but to still go on about playing youngsters and having a cheap option manager being Lowe's fault is just pointless & totally ignoring reality. We were as good as stuffed last autumn, he gave it a shot at saving us, but ultimately failed. That is reality - deal with it

 

 

Do YOU still not get it ??????

 

Lowe has always been 1000% Business .... 0% Football

 

He has FAILED at Business (look at all his previous Company's) ....... and has led Saints Football Team to the brink of extinction

 

Thanks to Lowe, all we can look forward to is CERTAIN Relegation, because evn if we climb out of the bottom three, the League will hit us with TEN POINTS

 

So, from whichever angle you look at it ..... Well Done Rupert

 

PS: IMHO, the man is a Liar .... he WILL be back

[SaintRichmond]

Do you still not get it - it was all down to money (or the lack of it). Apart from 5 (I accept) it was all down to money. As a CEO of a plc company, he has to put the best shine on events or the shares plummet and you go broke. All the youth thing, a cheap coach & trying to get senior players out was because Barclays were threatening to pull the plug if we didn't act. But if he'd stood up on the 1st September and said 'basically we are doing this because we are broke' we would already be in administration & possibly out of the league. I am not a fan of his by any means, but to still go on about playing youngsters and having a cheap option manager being Lowe's fault is just pointless & totally ignoring reality. We were as good as stuffed last autumn, he gave it a shot at saving us, but ultimately failed. That is reality - deal with it

 

 

Sorry .... I've only been supporting Saints for 50 years ...... HOW did he have a shot at saving us ????

 

Do you mean sacking the Manager that had kept us up ? Do you mean Going Dutch with the untried Duo ? Do you mean playing with all Youngsters because proven Goalscorers had been sold or loaned out ? Do you mean again alienating the Supporters (customers to him)

 

Please explain how any of THAT helped Saints ON THE PITCH

[Lord Duckhunter]

As Rod Liddle does not understand that dreams are what keep football suppiorters going, then I suggest that he stops writing about football and goes back to doing what he is most famous for:

 

Editing the Today programme.

Getting sacked by the BBC

Sh***ing other men's wives.

 

And beating up his pregnant girlfriend, an offence he aceptted a Police Caution for.

[um pahars]

Do you still not get it - it was all down to money (or the lack of it).

 

So elbowing out Pearson and getting in Poortvliet was down to money then????

 

We didn't have a shedload of money, but what we did have was spent poorly and a decent asset in Pearson wa shipped out to make way for the disaster that was Poortvliet.

[Professor]

As Rod Liddle does not understand that dreams are what keep football suppiorters going, then I suggest that he stops writing about football and goes back to doing what he is most famous for:

 

Editing the Today programme.

Getting sacked by the BBC

Sh***ing other men's wives.

Be fair. Rod Liddle is not only a very amusing writer, he also knows a lot about football. He supports Millwall.

[benjii]

That's what I thought when we scraped relegation by a whisker and had a whole summer to shave the squad and work with a credible young manager to rebuild it and faith among the fans.

 

In fact, I recall thinking that the only thing better than having a productive, reliable and proven plan and working with shareholders, manager, fans and financiers alike, would be for the most hated man in Southampton to come back and try an experiment with **** van Dyke and Rip van Winkle...

 

 

Feck me. No wonder footballs fans get a bad name...

 

 

Great post.

[The Rover]

Be fair. Rod Liddle is not only a very amusing writer, he also knows a lot about football. He supports Millwall.

 

I'v expressed my opinions of this very fine writer in an email to

 

letters@sunday-times.co.uk

 

I think he would make an excellent writer for The Sun.

[Deppo]

Rod Liddle is a tosser.

[sidthesquid]

disagree it was about how he chose to spend the money we had NOT the lack of it' date=' we had as much as Preston, Burnley etc we just were led down a route which was one mans theory[/quote']

 

Of course it was the lack of it - we got anyone we could out on loan because we had to, not because we wanted to, & I bet Peckart, Gasmi & co that everyone goes on about cost in total about one weeks wages for Euell or John (plus the fact that, crap though they may have been, we did still need a squad). Pearson was supposedly on £250k, Poortvliet maybe £50k. All the bullsh1t was to convince our creditors we were were doing from choice & we could still pay the bills. Everything that has happened this season was down to no money. Had we been able to shift one or two of our ludicrously overpaid 'stars' it might have been different, but we couldn't.

[sidthesquid]

Sorry .... I've only been supporting Saints for 50 years ...... HOW did he have a shot at saving us ????

 

Do you mean sacking the Manager that had kept us up ? Do you mean Going Dutch with the untried Duo ? Do you mean playing with all Youngsters because proven Goalscorers had been sold or loaned out ? Do you mean again alienating the Supporters (customers to him)

 

Please explain how any of THAT helped Saints ON THE PITCH

 

It didn't help us at all on the pitch, but it was that or Barclay's pulling the plug. It has been well documented that we had to cut our overdraft by a third in one hit

[ottery st mary]

Of course it was the lack of it - we got anyone we could out on loan because we had to, not because we wanted to, & I bet Peckart, Gasmi & co that everyone goes on about cost in total about one weeks wages for Euell or John (plus the fact that, crap though they may have been, we did still need a squad). Pearson was supposedly on £250k, Poortvliet maybe £50k. All the bullsh1t was to convince our creditors we were were doing from choice & we could still pay the bills. Everything that has happened this season was down to no money. Had we been able to shift one or two of our ludicrously overpaid 'stars' it might have been different, but we couldn't.

 

Pearson £175,000

 

JP £100,000

Wotte £150,000

Gorre £85,000

Kim The Whale £300,000

Rupert £250,000

20 loanees including Gasmi, Pulis and gang Total£140,000

 

= Ruperts Administration

 

 

Now Sid that is how to make up bull****....Funnily enough they look awfully like the sort of figure jonah would make up as our resident computer mechanic but I know a little from The Rupert school of Economics.:smt049

[benjii]

Of course it was the lack of it - we got anyone we could out on loan because we had to, not because we wanted to, & I bet Peckart, Gasmi & co that everyone goes on about cost in total about one weeks wages for Euell or John (plus the fact that, crap though they may have been, we did still need a squad). Pearson was supposedly on £250k, Poortvliet maybe £50k. All the bullsh1t was to convince our creditors we were were doing from choice & we could still pay the bills. Everything that has happened this season was down to no money. Had we been able to shift one or two of our ludicrously overpaid 'stars' it might have been different, but we couldn't.

 

Even if one accepts we needed a cheaper manager (which I don't) - why on earth appoint Poortvliet?

 

Can you honestly say that any person in the world, other than Lowe, would make such a mental decision?

 

If we needed a manager to do the job for peanuts there were better options than that.

 

Clearly we needed to try and reduce wages and take some difficult decisions, but to trot out the turgid "no choice" nonsense again just illustrates timid thinking.