Meeting Thurs 23rd with Trust, SISA, Saveoursaints, 2 MPs, LM and MC

[derry]

It was announced in the Echo yesterday that there is a meeting of the above groups tomorrow evening.

 

The trust's idea is to unite all the groups under one heading, the trust.

 

I have spoken to Nick Illingsworth at length and am meeting him this afternoon to talk about where we both are.

 

There are plusses and minuses and I have flagged up the public concern and perception of the trust etc.

 

The idea is to essentially to set up a bid for the club and have the trust own it. How that would sit with those that are being asked to contribute and raise the necessary funds I'm not sure. I personally am open minded.

 

Unless there is a visual reform of the trust I can't see this having public appeal.

 

The proposed bid is for the club and I presume Staplewood, leaving the council to pick up the stadium and letting Jackson's farm go.

 

I think that any bid should include the stadium and keep the farm intact for the future. The price of the stadium and the farm would never be as low again.

 

The reason for the thread is to canvass your opinions, so if I am representing the members at the meeting I have an idea where you are coming from warts and all.

 

I would say in conclusion, just keep the opinions sensible and leave personal abuse and opinions of people unless relevant, prejudices etc for another day please.

[miserableoldgit]

Whilst "Fan Ownership" is not new and has been successful in a few cases, the concept as far as SFC is concerned does worry me somewhat, and may be just that step too far into the unknown. It worries me that should a "Fans Consortium" somehow manage to raise the cash, too many personalities and egos (we have had enough of those haven`t we?) could be involved. Too many Crouch`s, Chorleys, Illingworths etc who think that they should be involved at a high level to make it work. One hell of a lot of safeguards and procedures (not to mention professional people) would have to be in place to ensure that it worked properly. It cannot be run by amateurs. We can see how people on this board have violently opposing views as to how things should be done, and we all support Saints don`t we? I am not totally against the idea, but would need some convincing that it is the way forward.

[alpine_saint]

Already, this plan is making a mistake.

 

Why cant it untie under one heading, "Saveoursaints" rather than the "Trust" ?

 

The Trust is a discredited organisation which will deter support, whereas Saveoursaints is clear, unambigous and has no history of inaction, impotence and delusion.

 

I'd also like to know :

 

1. Where is the money to buy the club going to come from ?

 

2. Who is going to run said bought club ? I suspect another power/privellge trip from a certain individual I prefer not to name.

[Frank's cousin]

Good luck Derry, unification of all the supportive factions is a great first step. To get everyone on side, there does need to be a collective understanding that now is the time to move forward and forget teh past, forget the sniping and schardenfreude that is sometime in evidence from thos ecritical of previous regimes -especially those strong personalties in volved - and focus purely on the future. Its must stand and fall opn its own merits, not present failure as a success because its better than what we had before.

 

If that is done and gobs can be tightly shut with respect to the past, i think it could work in uniting the fans purpose - we should not forget as well the impact a positibve and united face will have on other potential bidders.

 

Good luck to all with your efforts.

[manji]

Just when you thought things couldnt get any worse we now have an uber-fan consortium...........................................

An extreme way of getting a fan on the board dont you think ?

[Legod Third Coming]

For my part, I could give a t0ss if you call the organisation Harold.

 

I don't care who's involved.

 

I don't care about what people have said, say and will say.

 

None of us is without fault in life.

 

If we can save our club - which is all anyone cares about today, then good luck to you.

 

Just tell those of us who are not fussed about the details where to send the cheque.

 

If we make our focus saving the club we love, the rest will fall into place.

[Charlie Wayman]

The Council cannot and will not be allowed by to buy SMS with taxpayers money. This is not only a DAFT idea but betrays ridiculous wishful thinking that is very damaging to the notion that people trying to get together to 'buy' Saints are seriously professional in their thinking and projections.

 

Any potential purchase must come from the private sector and only Tesco or ASDA are in good enough shape financially right now to even consider such a venture; whether or not they'd be interested in developing a retail / entertainment complex down there is open to debate.

 

On the other hand Tesco have been stone-walled on their Plan for a giant national warehouse at Andover airfield so why not let them take over the SMS industrial area which by good fortune is next to the docks?

 

Just might suit them?

[StuRomseySaint]

Here we go again.

 

For f*cks sake, the Trust have about 80 members, SISA have 4 or 5, I take it LM and MC are Lawrie and Mary Corbett? SaveourSaints is not an organisation either.

 

Between all of them, a massive total of £75,000ish has been pledged!

 

Give up people of the Trust and stop trying to f*ck about with the club, you have done absolutely f*ck all the last 2 years to show that you will be any good in the running of the football club.

 

I for one, will never set foot in St Marys again whilst there is a bunch of self-obsessed ego's running it. So for that reason, I hope this comes to nothing.

 

It's getting really tedious now, the amount of different ways the Trust are trying to get their hands on the club.

[StuRomseySaint]

Just when you thought things couldnt get any worse we now have an uber-fan consortium...........................................

An extreme way of getting a fan on the board dont you think ?

 

Exactly, it is absolutely pathetic, seriously.

 

For a start, the Saints Trust are STILL claiming to have 838 members, this has been the case for almost a year, when I first made them aware of the error on their site.

 

If they are going to LIE about how many people they represent, then think of all the other lies that will come out if they are allowed anywhere near the club.

 

If they are allowed to take a seat next season on the board, then I will be having some football time-out.

 

S.I.S.A - There is no such f*cking organistion.

 

Saveoursaints - Is not an organistion, just a name of a campaign.

 

So that leaves us with Lawrie, Mary Corbett and 2 MP's? No thanks, out with the old and in with the new.

[manji]

Here we go again.

 

For f*cks sake, the Trust have about 80 members, SISA have 4 or 5, I take it LM and MC are Lawrie and Mary Corbett? SaveourSaints is not an organisation either.

 

Between all of them, a massive total of £75,000ish has been pledged!

 

Give up people of the Trust and stop trying to f*ck about with the club, you have done absolutely f*ck all the last 2 years to show that you will be any good in the running of the football club.

 

I for one, will never set foot in St Marys again whilst there is a bunch of self-obsessed ego's running it. So for that reason, I hope this comes to nothing.

 

It's getting really tedious now, the amount of different ways the Trust are trying to get their hands on the club.

Well said.

[Wade Garrett]

I withdrew my support for the Trust because Illingsworth has been in a love-in with Rupert all season, and is too quick to point the blame at supporters for our downfall.

 

I wouldn't want him involved, and to be honest, there would be too many big egos and small wallets to make it work.

 

I agree with StuRomseySaint about the Trust. They are a busted flush. They should have orchestrated the protests and got the publicity at the start of the season. Instead, they stood back and let a 16 year old nipper have a go (he did a superb job as well).

 

In my opinion, there was too much cosying up and not enough representation.

Edited 22 April, 2009 by Wade Garrett

[dubai_phil]

Derry

 

The club is in this mess because of our recent history.

 

The Trust and SISA are, unfortunately a part of that history.

 

The club must make a fresh start, unity is crucial, but anything in terms of naming, branding, leadership that harks back to recent history rather than New Beginning will not unite the fan base.

 

Sisa, Crouch, The Trust, MP's, councillors, LM and all the rest should unite but should put ALL their weight behind a new group, a new name and a new start.

 

That means they have to find a spokesperson and a leader who is not sullied by past association with the failed club or any of the failed incarnations of leadership in the past 5 years. Watching Chorley, Crouch et al trying to lead us to a new future will not work for the fan base.

 

Give yourselves a new name and find a new figurehead and you may have a chance

[jonah]

Meeting Thurs 23rd with Trust, SISA, Saveoursaints, 2 MPs, LM and MC

 

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

 

No, no, NO, NO, NO! Please don't try to do something like this - the "Trust" couldn't organise a p!ss up in a brewery even when that was their only remaining task and there is no way anything under their banner is going to get anywhere. It's just all the same ego-driven nonsense all over again - so along come SISA and their obligatory "+ 2 MPs" who trail along behind Chorley and MacMillan like little lost puppies, and of course 2 ex-Directors who also just cannot leave it alone having never stumped up a penny in the past.

 

On a practical note, how would they ever "raise the money for a bid"? The Trust have about 60 members, SISA have about 6, the 2 MPs and LM/MC are in no position to contribute any cash either. Sorry to be so negative but it sounds like a typical Trust/SISA meeting where there will be lots of chest beating, comments about "bleeding red and white" and a "decision" to raise £10m to make a bid by having a whip round at the taxi rank. The administrator isn't going to accept a Trust "IOU" on the basis they plan to raise the money, it's proven funds or nothing at this stage.

 

And another thing - why would you possibly want to touch Jacksons Farm? We're not property speculators, and "it'll never be cheaper" are the words of property speculators.

 

The whole thing is just plain daft (though I kind of see the sentiment) - just leave it alone for proper bids. Otherwise, clarify from Fry exactly how money being raised is being utilised and separated from SLH and the creditors - cash into SFC is more important than half-arsed "bids" from that lot.

 

Like I said at the beginning - arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Weston Saint]

I think many of you have missed the point. This initiative is not an alternative to a bid from another party, it is a last ditch back up if no bids are made to save Southampton Football Club.

 

It is a case of drawing all active parties together and pooling ideas, experience and resourses in the unhappy event that there is not an alternative.

 

Why the Saints Trust? Because it is a vehicle that has legal trust status and has the backing of the national supporters association. Forget the past. This needs to be a united effort or all will fail.

 

TO REPEAT, THIS IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. IT IS NOT BEING SET UP TO CHALLENGE ANY OTHER BID. IT IS THE FALL BACK SHOULD ALL ELSE FAIL.

 

On that basis if you do not support the idea you do not support Southampton Football Club when all other avenues fail.

[krissyboy31]

Derry

 

The club is in this mess because of our recent history.

 

The Trust and SISA are, unfortunately a part of that history.

 

The club must make a fresh start, unity is crucial, but anything in terms of naming, branding, leadership that harks back to recent history rather than New Beginning will not unite the fan base.

 

Sisa, Crouch, The Trust, MP's, councillors, LM and all the rest should unite but should put ALL their weight behind a new group, a new name and a new start.

 

That means they have to find a spokesperson and a leader who is not sullied by past association with the failed club or any of the failed incarnations of leadership in the past 5 years. Watching Chorley, Crouch et al trying to lead us to a new future will not work for the fan base.

 

Give yourselves a new name and find a new figurehead and you may have a chance

 

Agree 100%. There are always going to be the anti-Crouch, the anti-Illingsworth and anti-Chorley brigade, who will not unite behind any of them. Nobody can deny their passion for the club but giving any of them a pivotal role, would not work.

[manji]

Sisa, Crouch, The Trust, MP's, councillors, LM and all the rest should unite but should put ALL their weight behind a new group, a new name and a new start.

I think they should all shut up.They are all incriminated.I hope that whoever takes over none of that lot are involved (I will include Lowe as well :-) ) and we have a fresh new start.

Anyone else wonder whether the reason we are hearing so much from Crouch (and his little disinformation gimp Chorley ) is that LC can see his plan for getting the club on the cheap dissapearing ?

[Wade Garrett]

Meeting Thurs 23rd with Trust, SISA, Saveoursaints, 2 MPs, LM and MC

 

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

 

No, no, NO, NO, NO! Please don't try to do something like this - the "Trust" couldn't organise a p!ss up in a brewery even when that was their only remaining task and there is no way anything under their banner is going to get anywhere. It's just all the same ego-driven nonsense all over again - so along come SISA and their obligatory "+ 2 MPs" who trail along behind Chorley and MacMillan like little lost puppies, and of course 2 ex-Directors who also just cannot leave it alone having never stumped up a penny in the past.

 

On a practical note, how would they ever "raise the money for a bid"? The Trust have about 60 members, SISA have about 6, the 2 MPs and LM/MC are in no position to contribute any cash either. Sorry to be so negative but it sounds like a typical Trust/SISA meeting where there will be lots of chest beating, comments about "bleeding red and white" and a "decision" to raise £10m to make a bid by having a whip round at the taxi rank. The administrator isn't going to accept a Trust "IOU" on the basis they plan to raise the money, it's proven funds or nothing at this stage.

 

And another thing - why would you possibly want to touch Jacksons Farm? We're not property speculators, and "it'll never be cheaper" are the words of property speculators.

 

The whole thing is just plain daft (though I kind of see the sentiment) - just leave it alone for proper bids. Otherwise, clarify from Fry exactly how money being raised is being utilised and separated from SLH and the creditors - cash into SFC is more important than half-arsed "bids" from that lot.

 

Like I said at the beginning - arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

 

F*ck me jonah, I actually agree with much of what you say.

 

Although I do think Lawrie is an excellent figurehead for the club, and Mary Corbett is well-intentioned.

[Saint Fan CaM]

The way I see it, the focus of this lot is still entirely wrong. It's more likely to have a detrimental effect muddying the waters for the Administrator. And I do feel its more about certain individuals wanting to find an easy ride into some position of influence.

 

I applaude the groups wanting to re-uniting under one banner (although calling it the Trust is a mistake), BUT to focus on buying the club is laughable - a joke. Put ALL your efforts into rallying the troops to buy tickets for the match Saturday and for Forest. Organise fund raising events - loads of ideas to go at - to save the club. Or is that too much like hard work? For crying out loud, leave the business end to the real businessmen with the money to sort out the club properly - you're not doing the club or yourselfs any favours IMO.

[manji]

I think many of you have missed the point. This initiative is not an alternative to a bid from another party, it is a last ditch back up if no bids are made to save Southampton Football Club.

 

It is a case of drawing all active parties together and pooling ideas, experience and resourses in the unhappy event that there is not an alternative.

 

Why the Saints Trust? Because it is a vehicle that has legal trust status and has the backing of the national supporters association. Forget the past. This needs to be a united effort or all will fail.

 

TO REPEAT, THIS IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. IT IS NOT BEING SET UP TO CHALLENGE ANY OTHER BID. IT IS THE FALL BACK SHOULD ALL ELSE FAIL.

 

On that basis if you do not support the idea you do not support Southampton Football Club when all other avenues fail.

Do you not suspect some of that lot are hoping everything else will fail ?

[solentstars]

Exactly, it is absolutely pathetic, seriously.

 

For a start, the Saints Trust are STILL claiming to have 838 members, this has been the case for almost a year, when I first made them aware of the error on their site.

 

If they are going to LIE about how many people they represent, then think of all the other lies that will come out if they are allowed anywhere near the club.

 

If they are allowed to take a seat next season on the board, then I will be having some football time-out.

 

S.I.S.A - There is no such f*cking organistion.

 

Saveoursaints - Is not an organistion, just a name of a campaign.

 

So that leaves us with Lawrie, Mary Corbett and 2 MP's? No thanks, out with the old and in with the new.

good post

[manji]

Again the "Trust" seem to be uniting the fans.....................................but not in the way they planned lol !

[StuRomseySaint]

Here is some of the business plan from the ST I assume...

 

1) 1. Electronic Transaction System - These cost about £500k to install ( if you are talking about swipe turnstiles as well )

 

2) 2. Supporters Social Club - Turning the Mick Channon Suite into a Supporters Social Club? LMFAO, seriously, have a word....

 

There is already a Supporters Club at the back of the Kingsland. Do you honestly think that turning the Mick Channon Suite into a Social Club would work? Do you realise how much it gets used during the week for conferances, in the evenings for events etc.

 

Do you think that people in the Terry Paine/Ted Bates/Matt Le Tiss Suites will be chuffed at sharing space with the 'common folk'?

 

The most stupid idea I have ever heard in my life..... ever.

[Wade Garrett]

I think many of you have missed the point. This initiative is not an alternative to a bid from another party, it is a last ditch back up if no bids are made to save Southampton Football Club.

 

It is a case of drawing all active parties together and pooling ideas, experience and resourses in the unhappy event that there is not an alternative.

 

Why the Saints Trust? Because it is a vehicle that has legal trust status and has the backing of the national supporters association. Forget the past. This needs to be a united effort or all will fail.

 

TO REPEAT, THIS IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. IT IS NOT BEING SET UP TO CHALLENGE ANY OTHER BID. IT IS THE FALL BACK SHOULD ALL ELSE FAIL.

 

On that basis if you do not support the idea you do not support Southampton Football Club when all other avenues fail.

 

Richard Chorley said on the radio that this was the only way to save the club. He said there were no 'white knights' out there. I'm not sure that is the case.

 

Where's Morph when you need him.

[Marsdinho]

Here we go again.

 

For f*cks sake, the Trust have about 80 members, SISA have 4 or 5, I take it LM and MC are Lawrie and Mary Corbett? SaveourSaints is not an organisation either.

 

Between all of them, a massive total of £75,000ish has been pledged!

 

Give up people of the Trust and stop trying to f*ck about with the club, you have done absolutely f*ck all the last 2 years to show that you will be any good in the running of the football club.

 

I for one, will never set foot in St Marys again whilst there is a bunch of self-obsessed ego's running it. So for that reason, I hope this comes to nothing.

 

It's getting really tedious now, the amount of different ways the Trust are trying to get their hands on the club.

 

 

This post sums up my feelings totally.

 

How they have the audacity to get in the way of serious bidders at a time when SFC needs all the money they can get.

 

My best advice for the trust would be to declare yourself out of the bidding, step aside and let the people with proper cash the chance to buy our club.

 

If the trust think that majority of the saints fan base would be behind their bid, purley on the basis that the club would be "fan owned", then they are even more foolish than i previously thought.

 

They have a Lowe-esque ability to not see what the public opinion of them is.

 

WTF have they EVER done.

Edited 22 April, 2009 by Marsdinho

[Saint Fan CaM]

TO REPEAT, THIS IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. IT IS NOT BEING SET UP TO CHALLENGE ANY OTHER BID. IT IS THE FALL BACK SHOULD ALL ELSE FAIL.

 

As I have said already, the sentiments are fine but why are all these people not doing something PRACTICAL NOW! There must be a huge number of initiatives that could raise money to fund us until a buyer is found. But no, these people insist on having a meeting to discuss a power trip. So they're effectively preparing their stall waiting for the worst case scenario to happen....i.e. pick-up the club on the ultra cheap to enable certain individuals their dream of owning the club. Wrong focus for these organisations IMO and many will see it that way too I believe.

[dubai_phil]

Lol

 

I'm not anti-supporter groups but reading some of these makes me think that maybe we'll end up as a parody "Parish Committee" type show with French & Saunders in it.

 

WS - your point about the "legal entity" status is fair, but the problem is (in an entirely extreme example, NOT a comparison) Robert Mugabe's government is "a legal entity".

 

Now much of the fan base don't recognise the Trust, but their political links are important.

 

Find a local businessman and fan - ask the guys who have boxes at SMS or are sponsors if they would help the cause and run it as SOS, supported by blah blah and blah

 

What you need is a RELUCTANT hero. Not a wannabe

[StuRomseySaint]

I think many of you have missed the point. This initiative is not an alternative to a bid from another party, it is a last ditch back up if no bids are made to save Southampton Football Club.

 

It is a case of drawing all active parties together and pooling ideas, experience and resourses in the unhappy event that there is not an alternative.

 

Why the Saints Trust? Because it is a vehicle that has legal trust status and has the backing of the national supporters association. Forget the past. This needs to be a united effort or all will fail.

 

TO REPEAT, THIS IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. IT IS NOT BEING SET UP TO CHALLENGE ANY OTHER BID. IT IS THE FALL BACK SHOULD ALL ELSE FAIL.

 

On that basis if you do not support the idea you do not support Southampton Football Club when all other avenues fail.

 

Who the hell are you to tell me if I support the club or not?

 

I am sure ( correct me if I am wrong ) , that you are involved in the meeting tommorow, which is obvious by the chip you have inherited on your shoulder.

 

I would rather SFC are liquidated and start all over in the non-leagues than have the Saints Trust running the show..... doesn't mean I am not a Southampton supporter, it just means I won't set foot anywhere near St Marys if they were running it.

[Son of Bob]

Unfortunately the Trust, and Nick Illingsworth, leave a very bitter taste in many fans mouths. I cannot see a push for a 'Trust-fronted fan ownership scheme' being anything other than a failure.

 

If the whole fan ownership thing is to be successful then it needs to be started from a completely blank sheet. I'm sure the large percentage of fans feel someone as publicly outspoken as Nick (who splits supporters feelings almost as widely as Rupert Lowe) should not be involved in key decision making whatever his good intentions.

 

I'm not questioning Nicks loyalty or tireless hard work, just his suitability to be neutrally representing the fans.

[manji]

Richard Chorley said on the radio that this was the only way to save the club. He said there were no 'white knights' out there. I'm not sure that is the case.

 

Where's Morph when you need him.

I know that Crouch does speak to Chorley. LC uses him to feed disinformation (can you imagine it ? LC : "Richard dont tell anyone but...." ). I reckon Crouch is ramping up the fear factor because he knows that he is unlikely to be involved in real takeover of the club.

I remember Chorley telling a mate of mine that the Paul Allen bid was real so...............

[Justin C]

I think many of you have missed the point. This initiative is not an alternative to a bid from another party, it is a last ditch back up if no bids are made to save Southampton Football Club.

 

It is a case of drawing all active parties together and pooling ideas, experience and resourses in the unhappy event that there is not an alternative.

 

Why the Saints Trust? Because it is a vehicle that has legal trust status and has the backing of the national supporters association. Forget the past. This needs to be a united effort or all will fail.

 

TO REPEAT, THIS IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. IT IS NOT BEING SET UP TO CHALLENGE ANY OTHER BID. IT IS THE FALL BACK SHOULD ALL ELSE FAIL.

 

On that basis if you do not support the idea you do not support Southampton Football Club when all other avenues fail.

 

 

I think this is very much the point. It MUST only be the last resort.

[DT]

The Council cannot and will not be allowed by to buy SMS with taxpayers money.

I'm mystified why this is not a perfectly legitimate use of taxpayers money in terms of the economic regeneration of the said taxpayers' city. Could you explain why it is not to me? Thanks.

[Wade Garrett]

This post sums up my feelings totally.

 

How they have the audacity to get in the way of serious bidders at a time when SFC needs all the money they can get.

 

My best advice for the trust would be to declare yourself out of the bidding, stap aside and let the people with proper cash the chance to buy our club.

 

If the trust think that majority of the saints fan base would be behind their bid, purley on the basis that the club would be "fan owned", then they are even more foolish than i previously thought.

 

They have a Lowe-esque ability to not see what the public opinion of them is.

 

WTF have they EVER done.

 

The wine.

 

Law and Order.

 

The aquaduct.....

[Weston Saint]

Who the hell are you to tell me if I support the club or not?

 

I am sure ( correct me if I am wrong ) , that you are involved in the meeting tommorow, which is obvious by the chip you have inherited on your shoulder.

 

I would rather SFC are liquidated and start all over in the non-leagues than have the Saints Trust running the show..... doesn't mean I am not a Southampton supporter, it just means I won't set foot anywhere near St Marys if they were running it.

Well you have set out your position well.

 

I will not be there tomorrow. I have other commitments but yes Stu, I was asked by Derry to give him some support. IF, this is the only way left in the event of no bids and it is succesful I will not be part of any group running the club. I have enough to keep me busy.

[SaintRobbie]

It was announced in the Echo yesterday that there is a meeting of the above groups tomorrow evening.

 

The trust's idea is to unite all the groups under one heading, the trust.

 

I have spoken to Nick Illingsworth at length and am meeting him this afternoon to talk about where we both are.

 

There are plusses and minuses and I have flagged up the public concern and perception of the trust etc.

 

The idea is to essentially to set up a bid for the club and have the trust own it. How that would sit with those that are being asked to contribute and raise the necessary funds I'm not sure. I personally am open minded.

 

Unless there is a visual reform of the trust I can't see this having public appeal.

 

The proposed bid is for the club and I presume Staplewood, leaving the council to pick up the stadium and letting Jackson's farm go.

 

I think that any bid should include the stadium and keep the farm intact for the future. The price of the stadium and the farm would never be as low again.

 

The reason for the thread is to canvass your opinions, so if I am representing the members at the meeting I have an idea where you are coming from warts and all.

 

I would say in conclusion, just keep the opinions sensible and leave personal abuse and opinions of people unless relevant, prejudices etc for another day please.

 

 

This gathering is exactly what should have been put together - and some of us were screaming for - last summer TO GET OUT THERE AND SELL THE CLUB.

 

Can't help but think the stable door has been closed after the horse has bolted.

 

Suffice to say, its a good gathering whom (provided they can all sing on the same songsheet) have potential to do some good.

 

My suggestion however, is that whilst the main effort of this group may be to look to own the club themselves they would be missing the point if that was the aim. Their aim HAS to be to form a SALES TEAM to get out there and find a serious buyer if (and its luckily a big if) no one comes forward to buy the club in the next few weeks.

 

Personally, I dont think we'll need this grouping. But, if we do it has to have one priority:

 

GETTING OFF ITS ARSE AND FINDING A NEW OWNER.

 

A year too late... but may prove to be a useful forum.

 

Edit... A new name? How about THE SOUTHAMPTON FC SALES TEAM

Edited 22 April, 2009 by SaintRobbie

[StuRomseySaint]

Well you have set out your position well.

 

I will not be there tomorrow. I have other commitments but yes Stu, I was asked by Derry to give him some support. IF, this is the only way left in the event of no bids and it is succesful I will not be part of any group running the club. I have enough to keep me busy.

 

I am Weston, many things you can call me, inconsistent is not one of them!

 

I have had my opinion since Day 1 with regards to the Trust, not once have I been proven wrong by them.

[Weston Saint]

I think this is very much the point. It MUST only be the last resort.

If it as anything but that I would not have put my name to it. If the meeting tomorrow moves away from this idea in any shape or form I will be withdrawing my support.

[dubai_phil]

Picking back up on Ron's point.

 

This is not about buying the club. I truly hope so, because if they had done ANY research at all, even IF they bought it for a pound, the wage bill vs income expectations in L1 would still show a likely loss of around 250k a month.

Any planning that doesn't work around that becomes a committee and talking shop.

 

As a method of buying Mark Fry TIME, ie as a last resort unifying the fund raising efforts to keep us in business for another few weeks or even a month, then it is a worthy cause.

 

BUT the problem is you just add another BARRIER - politics. Within minutes this thread shows up arguements AGAINST the concept. How on earth will you raise funds when fans question the very validity.

 

Call it SOS, put the lad who organised the protests in charge with two independent fans who are an accountant and a lawyer and all work to support HIM, if not, as I say, find a reluctant hero to do it.

 

MLT would be a good start

[Wade Garrett]

The Trust, SISA, saveoursaints.

 

What about the Judean Peoples Front, or the Peoples Front of Judea.

[Weston Saint]

The Trust, SISA, saveoursaints.

 

What about the Judean Peoples Front, or the Peoples Front of Judea.

Well done, you just sit there and criticise supporters who are giving up there time to try to see this club has a future.

[StuRomseySaint]

I would also like to say fair play to Derry for putting time and effort into trying to make a difference. Nothing personal against SaveOurSaints, great initiative.... just a shame Saints Trust and SISA have bullied their way in there....

[StuRomseySaint]

Well done, you just sit there and criticise supporters who are giving up there time to try to see this club has a future.

 

No, people like Derry etc give up their time for that reason, Saints Trust et al give up their time to see if one day, they can be allowed to run a football club.

[Snowballs2]

Well done, you just sit there and criticise supporters who are giving up there time to try to see this club has a future.

 

 

We all have opinions...this one seems to be a disaster waiting tp happen, especialy if the trust guys are involved. They could not make the trust work so how can they run a football club.

Good idea but a disaster from the start

[Gemmel]

The Trust, SISA, saveoursaints.

 

What about the Judean Peoples Front, or the Peoples Front of Judea.

 

 

What about Wade Garrett's contribution to saving the club?

 

The Trust has had and still does have it's issues and people can't identify with SISA becase of the personalities involved. But with the exeception of Derry, I don't see many other fans getting of their arses and doing something. So credit where its due.

This is being positioned as "When all else fails" alternative, so basically no club or the chance of doing something to save it.

The irony isn't lost on me for those people lambasting fans who couldn't support the lowe regieme, yet now refusing to back a last ditch initiative to save the club because of the personalites involved.

 

Good luck to all those trying to do something and thank you.

[Wade Garrett]

Well done, you just sit there and criticise supporters who are giving up there time to try to see this club has a future.

 

 

Leave it out will you.

 

It won't save the club, they don't have the money and you know it.

 

This is more about a bit of publicity for the usual suspects. Where have all these groups that supposedly represent us been all season? Where were the 'red card' protests that have been successful in days gone by. Where have the outspoken critics of Rupert been (The Trust, don't make me laugh).

 

I take my hat off to people who are genuine about this. But SISA, Richard Chorley, The Saints Trust, please don't bother on my account, although you might get yourselves on the telly, radio and in the papers.

 

In my opinion, a lot of these people have been complicit with their silence this season. That 16 year old lad who sorted out the marches is worth a thousand Trusts or SISAs.

 

I'll do my bit to save the club by going to the game on Saturday, and chucking what I can afford into one of the collection buckets.

[Marsdinho]

Why are all these individuals of the belief that there are NO BIDS coming our way.

 

They have their heads so far up each others ar5e5 that they honestly believe that they are privvy to all info concerning Saints.

 

If I was a serious bidder, Illingsworth / chorley / the trust etc are not the first people I would be contacting to give all my info to.

 

Weston Saint - you say that we cannot be saints fans based on the fact we would rather let our club go under than be run by the trust. Well, these individuals cant be real fans if they are prepared to let their own agenda's get in the way of serious bidders.

 

OPEN COMMENT TO MARK FRY:

 

PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DONT DO A DEAL WITH ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAINTS TRUST, SISA OR LEON CROUCH.

 

SAINTS FANS ARE DESPERATE FOR A FRESH START, DONT LET US DOWN.

[ooohTerryHurlock]

Here we go again.

 

For f*cks sake, the Trust have about 80 members, SISA have 4 or 5, I take it LM and MC are Lawrie and Mary Corbett? SaveourSaints is not an organisation either.

 

Between all of them, a massive total of £75,000ish has been pledged!

 

Give up people of the Trust and stop trying to f*ck about with the club, you have done absolutely f*ck all the last 2 years to show that you will be any good in the running of the football club.

 

I for one, will never set foot in St Marys again whilst there is a bunch of self-obsessed ego's running it. So for that reason, I hope this comes to nothing.

 

It's getting really tedious now, the amount of different ways the Trust are trying to get their hands on the club.

 

Don't bother coming then - its people like you that are not needed at the moment. We are in **** street and at least people like Derry are working hard to come up with any kind of solution that saves this club from disappearing. Try to be postive - If people in Ireland can forgive the terrible acts that were committed and move on - surely we can stop our petty squabling! perhaps you should go to the meeting and see if you can find any common ground to work from instead of just fuming at akeyboard - Time is running out.. the clock is ticking and if people like you don't forget the past the club will die.... do you want that? Stu we really do need to let by gones be by gones and move on.

[Gemmel]

Why are all these individuals of the belief that there are NO BIDS coming our way.

 

They have their heads so far up each others ar5e5 that they honestly believe that they are privvy to all info concerning Saints.

 

If I was a serious bidder, Illingsworth / chorley / the trust etc are not the first people I would be contacting to give all my info to.

 

Weston Saint - you say that we cannot be saints fans based on the fact we would rather let our club go under than be run by the trust. Well, these individuals cant be real fans if they are prepared to let their own agenda's get in the way of serious bidders.

 

OPEN COMMENT TO MARK FRY:

 

PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DONT DO A DEAL WITH ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAINTS TRUST, SISA OR LEON CROUCH.

 

SAINTS FANS ARE DESPERATE FOR A FRESH START, DONT LET US DOWN.

 

 

Can't you read???????

Have you listened to anything that SOS has said on here or in the press?

They don't want to buy, take over or run the club, they are putting something together in the event that no one else does.

Gobbing off and having a pop without even understanding what they are trying to do.

[ooohTerryHurlock]

Picking back up on Ron's point.

 

This is not about buying the club. I truly hope so, because if they had done ANY research at all, even IF they bought it for a pound, the wage bill vs income expectations in L1 would still show a likely loss of around 250k a month.

Any planning that doesn't work around that becomes a committee and talking shop.

 

As a method of buying Mark Fry TIME, ie as a last resort unifying the fund raising efforts to keep us in business for another few weeks or even a month, then it is a worthy cause.

 

BUT the problem is you just add another BARRIER - politics. Within minutes this thread shows up arguements AGAINST the concept. How on earth will you raise funds when fans question the very validity.

 

Call it SOS, put the lad who organised the protests in charge with two independent fans who are an accountant and a lawyer and all work to support HIM, if not, as I say, find a reluctant hero to do it.

 

MLT would be a good start

 

 

 

No! It would be like letting John Westwood Run Pompey? We need a person who can rally the troops - someone who can unite the fan base and there is only one man that can do that - MLT

[StuRomseySaint]

Don't bother coming then - its people like you that are not needed at the moment. We are in **** street and at least people like Derry are working hard to come up with any kind of solution that saves this club from disappearing. Try to be postive - If people in Ireland can forgive the terrible acts that were committed and move on - surely we can stop our petty squabling! perhaps you should go to the meeting and see if you can find any common ground to work from instead of just fuming at akeyboard - Time is running out.. the clock is ticking and if people like you don't forget the past the club will die.... do you want that? Stu we really do need to let by gones be by gones and move on.

 

I have praised Derry, fair play to him. I don't want Saints Trust anywhere near my football club, that opinion will never change.

[miserableoldgit]

Who the hell are you to tell me if I support the club or not?

 

I am sure ( correct me if I am wrong ) , that you are involved in the meeting tommorow, which is obvious by the chip you have inherited on your shoulder.

 

I would rather SFC are liquidated and start all over in the non-leagues than have the Saints Trust running the show..... doesn't mean I am not a Southampton supporter, it just means I won't set foot anywhere near St Marys if they were running it.

 

Here we go again - "I won`t set foot in SMS while Lowe is there", "I won`t set foot in SMS if the Trust are running it, "I won`t set foot in SMS until.............":(