Guided Missile Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 (edited) Dear Southampton Supporter I am writing to you to outline our plans for Southampton Football Club. I believe that the Club’s previous management team has lost the support and confidence of a wide body of supporters. Moreover, we believe there has been a breakdown in communication between the Football Club and its supporters. The Club’s fortunes, both commercially and on the field of play have also deteriorated. This has come against a backdrop where the previous Boards have failed to raise any new equity investment monies for a period of in excess of 5 years. We believe that if the Saints are to be put back on the road to success, significant changes need to be made to the strategy and operations of the business, in order to revitalise and re-establish Southampton as a Football Club that is genuinely capable of sustained success on and off the field of play. I am pleased to have been able to bring together a management team comprising a blend of exceptional business people; highly committed fans; and experienced football business executives. Together, we share the philosophy and motivation required to “give” the Club back to the City of Southampton and its supporters. This document spells out briefly, as far as we can at this stage, our proposed strategy to achieve a renewed unity of purpose and mutual trust amongst everyone connected with the Club. Our aim is to deliver the success that all supporters and shareholders and indeed all other stakeholders rightly demand and deserve. I summarise briefly below its core components and the philosophy of our approach. • As a priority, we are seeking to establish an open, inclusive and interactive system of communication with our stakeholders The new Board of Southampton Leisure Holdings plc will exercise overall financial and operational control over Southampton Football Club and will be responsible for ensuring that the governance of the Company is both proper and effective. The Directors will be held fully accountable for their actions and will ensure transparency in all of the Company’s dealings. The proposed new Directors will comply fully with their obligations as Directors of a public company which has publicly traded shares. We believe there are several potential new investors who are fans and are genuinely interested to invest in the Club, but who are categorically unwilling to do so while the previous Directors remained in place. We also believe that ownership of the Club should remain widely spread amongst fans. • Our aim is to put at the Football Manager’s disposal the best facilities and resources to enable him to develop a playing squad capable of delivering football success; adoption and implementation of a Football First philosophy. • We do not merely intend to achieve a speedy return to the Premiership. As we explain in this document, our objective is to build the infrastructure, management team and playing squads necessary for sustained football and business success. Such a plan has a substantial cost and without access to the financial and other proprietary business data of the Company, and a thorough analysis of that information, together with a knowledge of the prospects of an appeal against the 10 point deduction next season, it is impractical for us to suggest precisely the level of investment required to achieve our objectives. However, we would propose to keep all shareholders and fans alike fully informed of the results of our analysis once we had completed such a review. • We also discuss in this document the characteristics that single out Southampton Football Club as a family orientated, community-based institution. Within the bounds of sound commercial principles we intend to introduce ticket pricing and related initiatives to recognise these factors. I hope you will agree with our aims to partner with the Club’s supporters to recreate a strong team and commercial business. I believe that the supporters are the lifeblood of the Club and their relationship with us should be a strong, long term and special bond. To this end we will be discussing with supporter representatives how they can be represented at board level. I look forward to sharing with you the success I believe we can bring to Southampton Football Club. Signed Phil Connors Edited 9 May, 2009 by Guided Missile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint dyer Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 sign them up. where is this from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 (edited) Dear Southampton Supporter I am writing to you to outline our plans for Southampton Football Club. I believe that the Club’s previous management team has lost the support and confidence of a wide body supporters. Moreover, we believe there has been a breakdown in communication between the Football Club and its supporters. The Club’s fortunes, both commercially and on the field of play have also deteriorated. This has come against a backdrop where the previous Boards have failed to raise any new equity investment monies for a period of in excess of 5 years. We believe that if the Saints are to be put back on the road to success, significant changes need to be made to the strategy and operations of the business, in order to revitalise and re-establish Southampton as a Football Club that is genuinely capable of sustained success on and off the field of play. I am pleased to have been able to bring together a management team comprising a blend of exceptional business people; highly committed fans; and experienced football business executives. Together, we share the philosophy and motivation required to “give” the Club back to the City of Southampton and its supporters. This document spells out briefly, as far as we can at this stage, our proposed strategy to achieve a renewed unity of purpose and mutual trust amongst everyone connected with the Club. Our aim is to deliver the success that all supporters and shareholders and indeed all other stakeholders rightly demand and deserve. I summarise briefly below its core components and the philosophy of our approach. • As a priority, we are seeking to establish an open, inclusive and interactive system of communication with our stakeholders The new Board of Southampton Leisure Holdings plc will exercise overall financial and operational control over Southampton Football Club and will be responsible for ensuring that the governance of the Company is both proper and effective. The Directors will be held fully accountable for their actions and will ensure transparency in all of the Company’s dealings. The proposed new Directors will comply fully with their obligations as Directors of a public company which has publicly traded shares. We believe there are several potential new investors who are fans and are genuinely interested to invest in the Club, but who are categorically unwilling to do so while the previous Directors remained in place. We also believe that ownership of the Club should remain widely spread amongst fans. • Our aim is to put at the Football Manager’s disposal the best facilities and resources to enable him to develop a playing squad capable of delivering football success; adoption and implementation of a Football First philosophy. • We do not merely intend to achieve a speedy return to the Premiership. As we explain in this document, our objective is to build the infrastructure, management team and playing squads necessary for sustained football and business success. Such a plan has a substantial cost and without access to the financial and other proprietary business data of the Company, and a thorough analysis of that information, together with a knowledge of the prospects of an appeal against the 10 point deduction next season, it is impractical for us to suggest precisely the level of investment required to achieve our objectives. However, we would propose to keep all shareholders and fans alike fully informed of the results of our analysis once we had completed such a review. • We also discuss in this document the characteristics that single out Southampton Football Club as a family orientated, community-based institution. Within the bounds of sound commercial principles we intend to introduce ticket pricing and related initiatives to recognise these factors. I hope you will agree with our aims to partner with the Club’s supporters to recreate a strong team and commercial business. I believe that the supporters are the lifeblood of the Club and their relationship with us should be a strong, long term and special bond. To this end we will be discussing with supporter representatives how they can be represented at board level. I look forward to sharing with you the success I believe we can bring to Southampton Football Club. Signed Phil Connors Who is Phil Connors ? Was he writing this for Wilde a couple of years ago Edited 9 May, 2009 by John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintDonkey Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 I was half expecting to see 'Mike Wilde' at the bottom of the page and it to be a reprint of something he wrote when he came in. Who is Phil Connors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintDonkey Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Who is Phil Connors ? Ah... Bill Murray's character in Groundhog Day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Sounds positive if lacking in exact actions. I like the sound of an open, honest board but to be honest we have heard that one before. I also agree about the ticket pricing as the Charlon game showed, if this is right the stadium is full. I would also welcome incentives for people who have long way to travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
instinct Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 phil connors is that con man off south park, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red and White Army Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Sounds extremely like the spiel from Mike Wilde. I can write open letters, what I want to see is someone with enough cash to be able to save us. Pounds, not words! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 "We believe there are several potential new investors who are fans and are genuinely interested to invest in the Club" So there's not actually any money in place - just a manifesto? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicko Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 PMSL when I saw Phil Connors at the bottom That will be lost on some posters GM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 GM - please tell everyone why you posted this, some people dont get it and think its real! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Shearer Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 GM - please tell everyone why you posted this, some people dont get it and think its real! I reckon that'll be in the Echo come monday morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Sounds like the real deal. I'm fully signed up to whoever is delivering this blueprint for future success... :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 i reckon that'll be in the echo come monday morning. lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stirchleysaint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Another gem from Phil Connors: When Chekhov saw the lower leagues, he saw leagues bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that League One is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Southampton and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous League One campaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
del boy Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Its an open wallet we need at the moment, not an open letter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordonToo Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 What a load of ******! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Yep, stand by for another 'Echo Exclusive' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Really ?? What happened to non-disclosure ?? Plus don't like this talk of SLH PLC. I don't ever want to see the PLC again. Been there, done that, got the heart ache. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Phil Connors is not the name of the new owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 most importantly will you move some seats so there is more space for you to sit in comfort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Phil Connors is not the name of the new owner Tis true, the new owners are infact Lou Zar, Robin Banks and Winsom Cash with Shanda Lear drooping in now and then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 I reckon that'll be in the Echo come monday morning. Wouldn't be too surprised! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 For the less initiated of us - would somebody like to explain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 For the less initiated of us - would somebody like to explain? In broad terms this site has become a pretty pointless place to visit. GM wants you to think he is very clever kid but I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 In broad terms this site has become a pretty pointless place to visit. GM wants you to think he is very clever kid but I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Sadly - I tend to agree with your conclusion as well, there appears to be many on here who like to 'whisper' or 'suggest' that they know what is going on - when in fact they appear to know absolutely nothing at all. For the record, is there anybody that I should trust implicitly - or is trawling through all of this guff just a meaningless waste of time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolution saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 For the less initiated of us - would somebody like to explain? Groundhog day, we've been here before - a rehash of Wilde's manifesto. It's quite funny and not in the least bit serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW11_Saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 But it does make you want to believe in it all over again. Shame it was such a false dawn. Oh well, let's not assume that the new guys are going to be the same, and frankly, no one can do a worse job than Lowe, so that's one positive already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Groundhog day, we've been here before - a rehash of Wilde's manifesto. It's quite funny and not in the least bit serious. And the source and / or relevance at this moment in time..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stirchleysaint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 And the source and / or relevance at this moment in time..? See this thread... http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4355745.Premiership_in_five_years/ I wonder who is the person with the money behind it? How much money does he have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 I'd like to know what alternative approach, to trusting new owners and their plan, that GM can offer or propose. Sneering at anything and everything seems to come so easy for him... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Sneering at anything and everything seems to come so easy for him... Sorry I'm confused. Is this a quote by Alpine or about him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guided Missile Posted 9 May, 2009 Author Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Sneering at anything and everything seems to come so easy for him... On the contrary, my little Edelweiss....or as they sing in your country: Mutig in die neuen Zeiten, Frei und gläubig sieh uns schreiten, Arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich. Einig laß in Bruderchören, Southampton Football Club, dir Treue schwören. Vielgeliebtes Saints, Vielgeliebtes Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 • As a priority, we are seeking to establish an open, inclusive and interactive system of communication with our stakeholders The new Board of Southampton Leisure Holdings plc will exercise overall financial and operational control over Southampton Football Club and will be responsible for ensuring that the governance of the Company is both proper and effective. The Directors will be held fully accountable for their actions and will ensure transparency in all of the Company’s dealings. The proposed new Directors will comply fully with their obligations as Directors of a public company which has publicly traded shares. We believe there are several potential new investors who are fans and are genuinely interested to invest in the Club, but who are categorically unwilling to do so while the previous Directors remained in place. We also believe that ownership of the Club should remain widely spread amongst fans. And here was me thinking that Fry was trying to find a buyer for 'Southampton Football Club Limited' (and other subsidiary assets) rather than 'Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC' as a whole.... :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 On the contrary, my little Edelweiss....or as they sing in your country: Mutig in die neuen Zeiten, Frei und gläubig sieh uns schreiten, Arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich. Einig laß in Bruderchören, Southampton Football Club, dir Treue schwören. Vielgeliebtes Saints, Vielgeliebtes Saints. Still not offering any alternative approach, are you ?? Much as I think Marc Jackson is a joke, its an exit route for the club going over the edge of a cliff if Mark Fry thinks it will work. However, you've now taken the p*ss out of both offers on the table. Keep sneering.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guided Missile Posted 9 May, 2009 Author Share Posted 9 May, 2009 (edited) However, you've now taken the p*ss out of both offers on the table. I'm prepared to bet you £100,000 that neither Marc Jackson, nor Pinnacle Asset Management have tabled an offer and provided proof of funds to Mark Fry. The reason? Neither of these jokers have got the funds and there is absolutely no reason why any sane businessman with the funds would need/want either of them for either advice or support. If you stopped reading the Echo website for all your information and engage your brain, you may understand why everything we have been told to date is the product of fertile minds, trying to sell either a football club or papers.... Failing that, spend a quid on Companies House and check out the Balance Sheet of Pinnacle Asset Management. In fact, I'll save you the f***ing money. As of 31st August, 2008, Pinnacle Asset Management Limited had net assets of £4. They were in better shape in 2007, when their net assets totalled £6. Pinnacle Property Consultants Limited was only set up on June 3rd, 2008 so have yet to file accounts, but if the success of Pinnacle Asset Management Limited is anything to go on, I'm not optimistic. Hard not to take the p!$$, isn't it? Edited 12 May, 2009 by Guided Missile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 GM - make the bet more reasonable and Alps might take you up on it (provided you take Euro's ;-) ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 GM that's not the full picture and I think you know that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Charteris Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Tread carefully, GM, or you'll be banished to the Muppet Show. This is just too funny for some... (or too subtle). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 Then how about YOU do something, Misselbrook ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rover Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 I can't believe the future of the club lies with Marc Jackson or Pinnacle Asset Management either. If it does, there is no future imo. Why shouldn't GM say it the way he sees it? You ought to read The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Anderson alpine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 I can't believe the future of the club lies with Marc Jackson or Pinnacle Asset Management either. If it does, there is no future imo. Why shouldn't GM say it the way he sees it? You ought to read The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Anderson alpine. OK, lets all give up and accept the club is dead then.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rover Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 OK, lets all give up and accept the club is dead then.. We could just believe that every self delusional nutter that gives his name to the Echo is our saviour of course, that's probably much better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever a red and white Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 remeber Wilde's manifest of football first, with investors coming in, don't believe everything you read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 We could just believe that every self delusional nutter that gives his name to the Echo is our saviour of course, that's probably much better Then what are you pontificating about ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Rooney Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 I'm prepared to bet you £100,000 that neither Marc Jackson, nor Pinnacle Asset Management have tabled an offer and provided proof of funds to Mark Fry. The reason? Neither of these jokers have got the funds and there is absolutely no reason why any sane businessman with the funds would need/want either of them for either advice or support. If you stopped reading the Echo website for all your information and engage your brain, you may understand why everything we have been told to date is the product of fertile minds, trying to sell either a football club or papers.... Failing that, spend a quid on Companies House and check out the Balance Sheet of Pinnacle Asset Management. In fact, I'll save you the f***ing money. As of 31st August, 2008, Pinnacle Asset Management Limited had net assets of £4. They were in better shape in 2007, when their net assets totalled £6. Pinnacle Property Consultants Limited was only set up on June 31st, 2008 so have yet to file accounts, but if the success of Pinnacle Asset Management Limited is anything to go on, I'm not optimistic. Hard not to take the p!$$, isn't it? Forgot you were a millionaiire businessman ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delmary Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 I'm prepared to bet you £100,000 that neither Marc Jackson, nor Pinnacle Asset Management have tabled an offer and provided proof of funds to Mark Fry. The reason? Neither of these jokers have got the funds and there is absolutely no reason why any sane businessman with the funds would need/want either of them for either advice or support. If you stopped reading the Echo website for all your information and engage your brain, you may understand why everything we have been told to date is the product of fertile minds, trying to sell either a football club or papers.... Failing that, spend a quid on Companies House and check out the Balance Sheet of Pinnacle Asset Management. In fact, I'll save you the f***ing money. As of 31st August, 2008, Pinnacle Asset Management Limited had net assets of £4. They were in better shape in 2007, when their net assets totalled £6. Pinnacle Property Consultants Limited was only set up on June 31st, 2008 so have yet to file accounts, but if the success of Pinnacle Asset Management Limited is anything to go on, I'm not optimistic. Hard not to take the p!$$, isn't it?Spot on GM. Why would a so called mega wealthy investor want to employ the services of Pinnacle? Very suspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardc Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 We'll if it is Pinnacle management - what would you spend the £4 on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW11_Saint Posted 9 May, 2009 Share Posted 9 May, 2009 (edited) OK, lets all give up and accept the club is dead then.. Guided Missile/19 Canteen would probably rather that - but then he is a die-hard Rupert "two relegations/one administration" Lowe fanatic, so draw your own conclusions! Edited 9 May, 2009 by SW11_Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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