Fans need to show that Saints are worthing investing in (From This is Hampshire)
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Nick Illingsworth calls for Southampton fans to turn out in frorce against Charlton
12:24pm Wednesday 1st April 2009 in News
Nick Illingsworth
SAINTS Trust chairman Nick Illingsworth has urged fans to show their support for their club and prove that Saints are worth investing in.
Illingsworth was speaking after shares in Saints were suspended by the Stock Exchange this morning, a move that is usually the precursor to administrators coming in to take over the running of the club.
Illingsworth said: "Now we know what the situation is the only way out of it is for the supporters to rally around the club.
"The club is bigger than any individual and the only way out is for Saints supporters to who they care and the simplest way to do that is for Saints supporters to turn up on Saturday.
"If you are an investor, would you want to invest in a club that appears to have no customers? The answer is no.
"Supporters want investment and want to show the world that the club is a viable on going concern and they can do that by showing their support and turning up to games.
"In the short term that will bring money into the club and in long-term that encourages investors that the supporters back their club through thick and thin."
Comments(10)
Charlie George's Lawnmower
says...
12:46pm Wed 1 Apr 09
With no shares, the Saints Trust are an even bigger lame duck than they were anyway.
The Trust should look long and hard at themselves for getting into bed with Michael Wilde and also ask why they didn't ask more questions of the club.
If there is anyone out there going to invest in Saints, I very much doubt they will take a bit of notice of the Saints Trust or of the attendance for one game into their thinking.
c0rsa28
says...
1:51pm Wed 1 Apr 09
saint_lambden
says...
2:03pm Wed 1 Apr 09
DJI
says...
2:24pm Wed 1 Apr 09
"Trust jumped into bed with Mr Wilde!?
If I recall, they did this to assist in removing Rupert Lowe the first time around, something the majority of fans wanted to happen back then.
To put some of the more ignorant straight, the Trust is assisting discussions with the Council and MP's to try and refinance St. Mary's stadium and are calling for all fans to go to the Civic Centre on Thursday for a photo call to show support for SFC (not the Trust).
As for what Nick is asking here, he is right in stating that, with the PLC Parent possibly heading into Administration, the SFC needs supporters to show potential investors and consortiums that it is a Club worth buying from the Administrator of SLH.
If the PLC goes and SFC survives, we will not be subject to 10 point deductions and the Shareholders will be removed for all time. A 'win, win' situation as this suits everybodys views and ensures SFC can go forward to celebrate its' 125yrs into next Season, possibly with a new Owner.
So put aside your petty prejudices and consider the bigger picture for once.
Saint Rob
says...
3:01pm Wed 1 Apr 09
allsaintsnocurves
says...
3:06pm Wed 1 Apr 09
But if getting in 25,000 + this Saturday helps then I'll go...I just can't believe no investment has come before!
St Dannuth
says...
3:38pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Fred_In_Brizzle
says...
4:25pm Wed 1 Apr 09
DJI wrote:It's not fickle at all, fact is the Trust got involved to get rid of Lowe yet when he returned they backed right away and have done NOTHING for the fans since. The club knows that without shares the Tust is toothless, hence the fans council idea.
How fickle some people are and what short memories they have. "Trust jumped into bed with Mr Wilde!? If I recall, they did this to assist in removing Rupert Lowe the first time around, something the majority of fans wanted to happen back then. To put some of the more ignorant straight, the Trust is assisting discussions with the Council and MP's to try and refinance St. Mary's stadium and are calling for all fans to go to the Civic Centre on Thursday for a photo call to show support for SFC (not the Trust). As for what Nick is asking here, he is right in stating that, with the PLC Parent possibly heading into Administration, the SFC needs supporters to show potential investors and consortiums that it is a Club worth buying from the Administrator of SLH. If the PLC goes and SFC survives, we will not be subject to 10 point deductions and the Shareholders will be removed for all time. A 'win, win' situation as this suits everybodys views and ensures SFC can go forward to celebrate its' 125yrs into next Season, possibly with a new Owner. So put aside your petty prejudices and consider the bigger picture for once.
If anyone thinks that an investor is going to invest in the club based on the attendance this weekend then they are sorely mistaken, think about it, would you?
Any investor will take a good look at the record attendance, attendances in the premiership and the reasons why attendance has dropped. That should lead them round nicely to noting how an attendance drop coincides with both relegation and the return of RL.
And just to rectify an incorrect fact being reported by the Echo - if by the parent company going into administration removes a substantial amount of debt from the club, the club could still be liable for a points deduction.
Stossie
says...
7:14pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Jeff Le Taxi says...
12:46pm Wed 1 Apr 09