Southampton hoping to be allowed to bid for 2018 FIFA World Cup host status (From This is Hampshire)

Go for it and make this City (even more) proud!

Extension to our stadium - I keep hearing chants....

"Your ground's too big for you"

The local economy could do with a boost - but the City needs a bit of a face lift for the visitors, it's turning into a bit of a dump!

We in Southampton may have lots of things in our favour, like stadium, training facilities and hotels etc, but do we have a decent Council?
Let’s not forget our Council's commitments to cuts closures and privatisation, by the time they will be needed most of the advantages would have been destroyed.
For achieving anything we need to change this cut crazy Council.

We'll be back in the Prem with regular gates in excess of 32,000.
COYR

I believe Saints have everything going for it e,g. location; St Marys; FANS; training ground; airport; New Forest; already held an England game etc.
.
However IMO Southampton Council could not organise a p*** up in a brewery. Just look at the mess they make of the roads, if they get a traffic jam their solution is to stick another set of traffic lights so that cars are stopped before they get to the original jam.
Another ****-up is London Road, Bedford Place has now become a rat-run and is far more dangerous that both roads were before the change. A complete mistake by the City Council.
.
If Saints go for it they should keep the City Council out of all decision making.

It will be great if we could but how much money for the investment will come from the council and how much from the club?

The council has no money and are good at making promises but not always great at actually doing. It could be just another plan for them to privatise yet more things and still try to get the credit.

At the end of the day, will England ever get the world cup? I bet Fifa are desperatly trying to come up with excuses to turn down the application

Please please please come here.

Went on FA word cup site to pledge my support and on comments put 'include Southampton' wonder who will read that?

Come on

"Southampton for the World Cup!"

Let's get promotion from League One first! It is great though isn't it to have optimism in the city again!

Come on You Reds!!!!!!!!!

I think Southampton would greatly benefit from this...and it would bring in new investment to the city centre in all the development areas that have stalled due to the recession...by the time the worldcup would come around Saints would be in the Premiership...and 40,000 stadium would be easily filled then. Liebher will be investing in the team to compete as high as it can.

If the FA wants the best possible stadiums to be used for the worldcup then surely Southampton should be considered. Spurs haven't even built their stadium yet and they are being included.

sw: - club-cash lol...yes lots of it!!

Paramjit Bahia wrote:
We in Southampton may have lots of things in our favour, like stadium, training facilities and hotels etc, but do we have a decent Council? Let’s not forget our Council's commitments to cuts closures and privatisation, by the time they will be needed most of the advantages would have been destroyed. For achieving anything we need to change this cut crazy Council.

There you go again Paramjit!

This is a football story. Please stop using this forum to bash our Council. We do not need your lefty viewpoint. All you are doing is making it even easier for your mob to be voted down-again! And they dont have much going for them now, without you damaging them even more!

aldershot had more chance than portsmouth!

As Carbon has only just been appointed we should be able to put in a bid, as for not filling the stadium when (not if) we reurn to the prem the glory boy's and girls will return and I will have to go back singing down the Chapel end

Not only should we try and get on the bandwaggon, we should demand to play host to Brazil.
They owe us!

could set up a temp train station next door to st marys for speical football trains

The quote from Councillor Royston Smith, did make me chuckle,

"With all due respect to Portsmouth, they didn’t even have a ground"

Spoken like a true Saints fan, offer the due respect bit, then stick the knife well and truely in,

Love it Royston, well said

I wouldn't worry about it No way will Blatter and Platini allow the world cup to come to England They would only allow it if we entered a GB team A sqad of 1 taff 2 jocks a paddy and 18 English gentlemen

Councillor Royston Smith forgot to say

"With all due respect to Portsmouth, they didn’t even have a ground. We’ve got a fantastic ground that can easily be upgraded to far more than is needed"

We also have financial security, a manager, an owner who has a pot to p*** in, unlike, the lot down the road, who have managed to find only 2 Sheiks in the world, that don't have a pot to p***, decent supporters and that embarrassing ugly thing called West something or other.

Zeo wrote:
could set up a temp train station next door to st marys for speical football trains

railtrack wanted £4 million to to put a station there when sms was built, probably double that now

“With all due respect to Portsmouth, they didn’t even have a ground.

thats pretty funny- like saying "with all due respect" they dont have a team, but we do.

Love it.

Also, the eco girl is cute

You're havin' a laff. The prospective cities have already declared their interest & the decision will be made 16th December so that gives any Southampton bid just over 2 weeks. Surely the bid has to come from the City, not Southampton FC & we know how efficient & "ready to put their money where their mouth is" SCC are. Anyway, I agree with saintsayer in as much as we (England) are unlikely to get the bid anyway. So, in a nutshell, people of Southampton, FORGET IT. Pie in the sky Echo reporting again.

This is an opportunity for Southampton councillors of all persuasions to find common ground for once, and give the City and its football team the support needed to bring this once in a life time opportunity into reality. Although probably a little late for consideration as a potential venue, and considering the bleak future our Saints faced earlier this year – what a turn around in fortune we have seen, and just to dream of hosting some games in the worlds biggest sporting event is something none of could have imagined during those dark times.
COYR.

We already have world cup rugby so let's get the football too.

I hope Marcus Liebher goes for the bid, it's only 5 years to the Rugby 2015 world cup; When we get back into the Championship we'll need a bigger stadium anyway, so there's definately big reasons for applying. Hey... with Liverpools 73,000 monstrosity being indefinately shelved, Everton's new ground being rejected, and Portmouth's new ground dead and buried, Southampton could end up with one of the biggest and coolest stadiums in the whole league!!; eh .... how would you like to pay for the expansion Mr Leibher?...eh, CASH PLEASE!!..crickey i can feel a song comming on,..... oh happy days, oh happy daaaaayyyys!!!

Deluded fools, there is no chance the World Cup will come to Southampton.

This is just a PR stunt

Southampton city council have said they're interested as have Saints but the FA have to confirm whether they will let us or whether it's too late.

Red Duster wrote:
Deluded fools, there is no chance the World Cup will come to Southampton.

This is just a PR stunt

Deluded, maybe not RD, the only stadium west of London and south of the midlands capable of handling 40,000+ if required, perfectly feasible I think, and its not for another 9 years, where will we be by then? It could be already our capacity?

Does anyone know whether the F.A. would subsidise the necessary stadium extension? Could it not be considered as a Group stage venue at 32,000?

Also, much as I love the club and know we have great support, I can't see us getting into a position to fill a 40,700 seater stadium regularly even in the top half of the Prem. I have a feeling that we would be making a rod for our own backs by having the extra expense and rates that will come from having a bigger venue.

Think about it, if we were in a 40k seat staduim now it'd be just about half full regularly. We need to consider the prime reason that St. Mary's exists, and that is to be our club's home. The minute we start to create empty seats I feel that the atmosphere will diminish and the team could suffer.

AllSaintsDave wrote:
Does anyone know whether the F.A. would subsidise the necessary stadium extension? Could it not be considered as a Group stage venue at 32,000?

Also, much as I love the club and know we have great support, I can't see us getting into a position to fill a 40,700 seater stadium regularly even in the top half of the Prem. I have a feeling that we would be making a rod for our own backs by having the extra expense and rates that will come from having a bigger venue.

Think about it, if we were in a 40k seat staduim now it'd be just about half full regularly. We need to consider the prime reason that St. Mary's exists, and that is to be our club's home. The minute we start to create empty seats I feel that the atmosphere will diminish and the team could suffer.

If the council want go to for this bid, a deal would have to done with regards to the rates, the council can not go for this without the support of the club, therefore Saints hold the key, if I was chairman, I would ask the council for a massive rates rebate for the next 10 years before agreeing anything, then ask the F.A subsidise the extra building work before we (as a club) agree to the proposals of bidding.

I think it would be alright to offer our stadium as a venue, but to be totally honest it would be great for the city, the club and football supporters but I don't think the F.A has snowball's chance in hell of getting the world cup.

I agree with what you sayAllsaintDave, except if England do get the 2018 world cup games I do think that we could fill a larger stadium, I would imagine that many skates would be Saints fans by then, as we know they are living on borrowed time and will go under in the not too far distant future, there are many fans who will only watch premiership matches and we will be the only team in the premier league by then

Invidia wrote:
I agree with what you sayAllsaintDave, except if England do get the 2018 world cup games I do think that we could fill a larger stadium, I would imagine that many skates would be Saints fans by then, as we know they are living on borrowed time and will go under in the not too far distant future, there are many fans who will only watch premiership matches and we will be the only team in the premier league by then

Well there is only 17,000 of them at best and most of them have never been off the island

worried of e sussex wrote:
aldershot had more chance than portsmouth!

Haha.....HMP Stangeways had more chance than "the muffs".

Mind Fratton Park's easy to find.......just head towards Portsmouth and follow the stench!!!.

When Saints were in the Premier League (not too long ago), avarege attendances were consistently above 30k, in fact in 2003-2004, 18 of the 19 matches at St Marys were sell outs. I remember there being talk then of expanding the capacity to 40k, but as relegation soon followed, it never got off the ground. Needless to say, if the club were back in the top flight (which is more than possible by 2018 given the resources we now have available), ticket sales for the big games could reasonably be expected to hit close to 40k regularly, so expansion is viable whether or not England wins the bid. We're getting 23k in the 3rd division already!
As for the FA , it has its faults but it would be utterly and completely insane to rule out Southampton just because it missed the December 16th deadline (as someone mentioned above), London aside (which itself will only be permitted 2 venues), there are literally no stadiums south of Birmingham with anything like the capability of hosting such an event. Bristol City and Plymouth are light years behind us with their infrastructure. Soton on the other hand has already hosted 2 full internationals and several (sold out) U21 matches successfully, and by 2015 will have hosted the Rugby World Cup. The FA must surely realise this and build in a contingency. FIFA wouldn't be able to complain about a little rule-bending- last year they threatened to move the whole of next year's tournament out of South Africa to a more suitable venue because of construction delays.
All we need is to be hopeful that SCC fully get behind this project, if not then someone there needs to get SACKED. It will be a massive boost for the city. And the FA need to get the bid back on track because it seems to me that we've lost some momentum.

Dog wrote:

When Saints were in the Premier League (not too long ago), avarege attendances were consistently above 30k, in fact in 2003-2004, 18 of the 19 matches at St Marys were sell outs. I remember there being talk then of expanding the capacity to 40k, but as relegation soon followed, it never got off the ground. Needless to say, if the club were back in the top flight (which is more than possible by 2018 given the resources we now have available), ticket sales for the big games could reasonably be expected to hit close to 40k regularly, so expansion is viable whether or not England wins the bid. We're getting 23k in the 3rd division already!
As for the FA , it has its faults but it would be utterly and completely insane to rule out Southampton just because it missed the December 16th deadline (as someone mentioned above), London aside (which itself will only be permitted 2 venues), there are literally no stadiums south of Birmingham with anything like the capability of hosting such an event. Bristol City and Plymouth are light years behind us with their infrastructure. Soton on the other hand has already hosted 2 full internationals and several (sold out) U21 matches successfully, and by 2015 will have hosted the Rugby World Cup. The FA must surely realise this and build in a contingency. FIFA wouldn't be able to complain about a little rule-bending- last year they threatened to move the whole of next year's tournament out of South Africa to a more suitable venue because of construction delays.
All we need is to be hopeful that SCC fully get behind this project, if not then someone there needs to get SACKED. It will be a massive boost for the city. And the FA need to get the bid back on track because it seems to me that we've lost some momentum.

Dell days were great years ago but no being able to get into the game is sad. I didn't realise on my last return at Christmas 2000. Half way around the world and couldn't get a ticket for the Dell. SMS was just a site then.
When I get back my tickets will be certain... and I must say I can't wait for away trips too.

The prospect of 2015 Rugby WC at SMS is cool. I wonder who will be the lucky team that gets SMS as host. (All Blacks? never.. more likely Uruguay (with the worlds best looking rugby fans) or Botswana haha)

EAGLESAINT wrote:

Zeo wrote:
could set up a temp train station next door to st marys for speical football trains

railtrack wanted £4 million to to put a station there when sms was built, probably double that now

rail Track wanted nothing like 4m. As i remember it it wasn't the initial cost that was prohibitive it was RL's reluctance to commit to staffing the thing.

The potential is still there

Saints and Southampton City Council, just go for it.

LET US OR THE ECHO NOT FORGET WHO HAD THE GREAT FORESIGHT TO BUILD ST MARYS TO A UEFA CATEGORY 4 STANDARD,THUS ENABLING THE STADIUM TO CATER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS,RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES,AND POSSIBLY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS.I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT WAS.ALL ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SUGAR DADDY TOO! WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE WHAT HE DID FOR THE CLUB AND THE ESTEEM THE CITY HAS GAINED.

pugwash wrote:
LET US OR THE ECHO NOT FORGET WHO HAD THE GREAT FORESIGHT TO BUILD ST MARYS TO A UEFA CATEGORY 4 STANDARD,THUS ENABLING THE STADIUM TO CATER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS,RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES,AND POSSIBLY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS.I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT WAS.ALL ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SUGAR DADDY TOO! WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE WHAT HE DID FOR THE CLUB AND THE ESTEEM THE CITY HAS GAINED.

are you for real ????
i'm speechless !

Hogwash - Achieved at the expense of administration and a crippling minus ten points, and there is no need to shout. There was always a need for a Stadium to replace the Dell, it was only the Stoneham Fiasco that resulted in Southampton City Council sorting out St. Marys, without their help it would have died a death.

pugwash wrote:
LET US OR THE ECHO NOT FORGET WHO HAD THE GREAT FORESIGHT TO BUILD ST MARYS TO A UEFA CATEGORY 4 STANDARD,THUS ENABLING THE STADIUM TO CATER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS,RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES,AND POSSIBLY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS.I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT WAS.ALL ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SUGAR DADDY TOO! WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE WHAT HE DID FOR THE CLUB AND THE ESTEEM THE CITY HAS GAINED.

You are spot on Pugwash (although I could live without the CAPS). What made Saints such a fabulous bargain for Markus Liebherr was the stadium, Staplewood (which was, by 2006, among the top three or four training grounds in the country), and a first-rate accadmay set-up,
Rupert's biggest crime was was trying to keep Saints in the Premiership in the time honoured Saints' tradition of not paying stupid wages the club couldn't afford.
Still, the theory was, if Rupert went we'd soon be a "catamite club"; and, later rather than sooner, that's what we now are.
Mind you, I'm enjoying the footer.

Captain Swing wrote:

pugwash wrote:
LET US OR THE ECHO NOT FORGET WHO HAD THE GREAT FORESIGHT TO BUILD ST MARYS TO A UEFA CATEGORY 4 STANDARD,THUS ENABLING THE STADIUM TO CATER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS,RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES,AND POSSIBLY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS.I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT WAS.ALL ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SUGAR DADDY TOO! WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE WHAT HE DID FOR THE CLUB AND THE ESTEEM THE CITY HAS GAINED.

You are spot on Pugwash (although I could live without the CAPS). What made Saints such a fabulous bargain for Markus Liebherr was the stadium, Staplewood (which was, by 2006, among the top three or four training grounds in the country), and a first-rate accadmay set-up,
Rupert's biggest crime was was trying to keep Saints in the Premiership in the time honoured Saints' tradition of not paying stupid wages the club couldn't afford.
Still, the theory was, if Rupert went we'd soon be a "catamite club"; and, later rather than sooner, that's what we now are.
Mind you, I'm enjoying the footer.

Just to be sure here that you aren't mistaken in context... this reads as if you believe Marcus Liebherr is out to royally shaft the boyish club from behind?

Herr Liebherr is a highly reputable business man who is obviously finding joy in the club. Alleging that our benefactor has Saints as a catamite recipient is at best a disgusting analogy.

His right hand man is the driving force behind the progress and it is his responsibility to take us to the Premiership within five years. Nicola is passionate and totally professional in everything he does.

The blame game for the past will continue and the name of Lowe won't be welcome within Saints unless the forgiveness comes with words, amends and time.

Great days are here.. get with the programme. COYR

Good to see Stern John has made the right decision. So pleased it is all working out for him lol
Ipswich have signed striker Stern John on a month's loan from Championship rivals Crystal Palace.
The 33-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international is available to face Cardiff on Sunday and will stay with Town until 29 December.
John has made seven appearances for the Eagles in a campaign disrupted by a dislocated elbow which sidelined him for three months.
He has won 96 Trinidad caps and joined Palace from Southampton in July.
Ipswich sign Crystal Palace striker Stern John on loan

Captain Swing wrote:

pugwash wrote: LET US OR THE ECHO NOT FORGET WHO HAD THE GREAT FORESIGHT TO BUILD ST MARYS TO A UEFA CATEGORY 4 STANDARD,THUS ENABLING THE STADIUM TO CATER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS,RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES,AND POSSIBLY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS.I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT WAS.ALL ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SUGAR DADDY TOO! WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE WHAT HE DID FOR THE CLUB AND THE ESTEEM THE CITY HAS GAINED.

You are spot on Pugwash (although I could live without the CAPS). What made Saints such a fabulous bargain for Markus Liebherr was the stadium, Staplewood (which was, by 2006, among the top three or four training grounds in the country), and a first-rate accadmay set-up, Rupert's biggest crime was was trying to keep Saints in the Premiership in the time honoured Saints' tradition of not paying stupid wages the club couldn't afford. Still, the theory was, if Rupert went we'd soon be a "catamite club"; and, later rather than sooner, that's what we now are. Mind you, I'm enjoying the footer.

Goldfish spring to mind!!! How anyone other than a skate in disguise can possibly defend the duck hunter on here is unbelievable. The academy & Staplewood were long established way before he came along, and we all know SMS was a rebound from the Stoneham debacle(duck hunter's **** up because of the retail park) and luckily Soton Council stepped in, Lowe was ready to ditch the idea. So good wind up lads, and seaman pugwash(balders perhaps??) please dont shout, thanks!

If any one interested the F.A. has said no second chance. The no answer was release at 6pm last night.

MrGMan wrote:
We already have world cup rugby so let's get the football too.

gman you know has well has i do, southampton had no chance in getting the world cup matches played here, there are to many other football grounds that can take a lot more people. roy smith is only using this has a publicity stunt for the next general election.

Tye-Dye wrote:

Captain Swing wrote:

pugwash wrote: LET US OR THE ECHO NOT FORGET WHO HAD THE GREAT FORESIGHT TO BUILD ST MARYS TO A UEFA CATEGORY 4 STANDARD,THUS ENABLING THE STADIUM TO CATER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS,RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES,AND POSSIBLY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS.I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT WAS.ALL ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SUGAR DADDY TOO! WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE WHAT HE DID FOR THE CLUB AND THE ESTEEM THE CITY HAS GAINED.

You are spot on Pugwash (although I could live without the CAPS). What made Saints such a fabulous bargain for Markus Liebherr was the stadium, Staplewood (which was, by 2006, among the top three or four training grounds in the country), and a first-rate accadmay set-up, Rupert's biggest crime was was trying to keep Saints in the Premiership in the time honoured Saints' tradition of not paying stupid wages the club couldn't afford. Still, the theory was, if Rupert went we'd soon be a "catamite club"; and, later rather than sooner, that's what we now are. Mind you, I'm enjoying the footer.

Goldfish spring to mind!!! How anyone other than a skate in disguise can possibly defend the duck hunter on here is unbelievable. The academy & Staplewood were long established way before he came along, and we all know SMS was a rebound from the Stoneham debacle(duck hunter's **** up because of the retail park) and luckily Soton Council stepped in, Lowe was ready to ditch the idea. So good wind up lads, and seaman pugwash(balders perhaps??) please dont shout, thanks!

I've neither the time or inclination to regester anything but withering contempt for your ignorance.
But in brief: You can pick up on the development of Staplewood (formerly a Wessex League football ground with a practice pitch - you should see it now!) by reading "In That Number".
Lawrie and Souness actually left The Dell because Rupert wanted less spent on big wages and more on youth development (ask Lawrie).
The Council found the land, Rupert found the money, kept up the payments on the mortgage and kept the Club solvent.
We went into financial melt-down less than six months after he left.
With fans like you Tie-Dye, we don't need Skates taking the mick out of us on this site.

I don't see how Southampton FC could be considered as a venue. The organisers need 8 years to plan everything.

Only in this country!!

Tye-Dye wrote:

Red Duster wrote: Deluded fools, there is no chance the World Cup will come to Southampton. This is just a PR stunt

Deluded, maybe not RD, the only stadium west of London and south of the midlands capable of handling 40,000+ if required, perfectly feasible I think, and its not for another 9 years, where will we be by then? It could be already our capacity?

It would appear that you have not gone to any away games and visited Reading - just an hour up the road! Their stadium could also be extended.
Brighton's stadium, currently under construction, could also be amended to cope with 40,000.
Bristol City would also argue that they could also cope.

Let's have the lot!
Promotions over the next few years, World Cup and ground capacity increased ready for the big time again.
Chuck in a couple of good cup runs or even a couple of visits to Wembley on the way and of course beating the skates again.
When we're back in the PL we'll need the bigger ground anyway so we could add to it as we progress up through the leagues
COYR

I could not agree more with your morning post, Dan, Rupert Lowe did nothing positive with the football club, he only used and abused it, he has left a stain on the club which will take a very long time to remove, I still have vivid memories of his absolute distain he showed at last years AGM, the man was a complete and arrogant disaster for the club. The sooner the man is forgotten the better

Captain Swing wrote:

Tye-Dye wrote:

Captain Swing wrote:

pugwash wrote: LET US OR THE ECHO NOT FORGET WHO HAD THE GREAT FORESIGHT TO BUILD ST MARYS TO A UEFA CATEGORY 4 STANDARD,THUS ENABLING THE STADIUM TO CATER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONALS,RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES,AND POSSIBLY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS.I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT WAS.ALL ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SUGAR DADDY TOO! WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE WHAT HE DID FOR THE CLUB AND THE ESTEEM THE CITY HAS GAINED.

You are spot on Pugwash (although I could live without the CAPS). What made Saints such a fabulous bargain for Markus Liebherr was the stadium, Staplewood (which was, by 2006, among the top three or four training grounds in the country), and a first-rate accadmay set-up, Rupert's biggest crime was was trying to keep Saints in the Premiership in the time honoured Saints' tradition of not paying stupid wages the club couldn't afford. Still, the theory was, if Rupert went we'd soon be a "catamite club"; and, later rather than sooner, that's what we now are. Mind you, I'm enjoying the footer.

Goldfish spring to mind!!! How anyone other than a skate in disguise can possibly defend the duck hunter on here is unbelievable. The academy & Staplewood were long established way before he came along, and we all know SMS was a rebound from the Stoneham debacle(duck hunter's **** up because of the retail park) and luckily Soton Council stepped in, Lowe was ready to ditch the idea. So good wind up lads, and seaman pugwash(balders perhaps??) please dont shout, thanks!

I've neither the time or inclination to regester anything but withering contempt for your ignorance.
But in brief: You can pick up on the development of Staplewood (formerly a Wessex League football ground with a practice pitch - you should see it now!) by reading "In That Number".
Lawrie and Souness actually left The Dell because Rupert wanted less spent on big wages and more on youth development (ask Lawrie).
The Council found the land, Rupert found the money, kept up the payments on the mortgage and kept the Club solvent.
We went into financial melt-down less than six months after he left.
With fans like you Tie-Dye, we don't need Skates taking the mick out of us on this site.

True swinger as you do a good enough job all by yourself. Your love for the duck hunter is obvious for all to see, would you rather he was still in charge??? As for staplewood no need to read that rag thanks, I'm down Marchwood every day, but thanks for the duck hunter love fest, really made me laugh.

Invidia wrote:
I could not agree more with your morning post, Dan, Rupert Lowe did nothing positive with the football club, he only used and abused it, he has left a stain on the club which will take a very long time to remove, I still have vivid memories of his absolute distain he showed at last years AGM, the man was a complete and arrogant disaster for the club. The sooner the man is forgotten the better

Not according to Captain Swing though Invidia, it appears we all should be eternally grateful?! So, the vast majority of us who would rather see him lynched from the Bargate for the most incompetent piece of Chairmanship in our clubs 124yr history are obviously wrong???

Linesman wrote:

Tye-Dye wrote:

Red Duster wrote: Deluded fools, there is no chance the World Cup will come to Southampton. This is just a PR stunt

Deluded, maybe not RD, the only stadium west of London and south of the midlands capable of handling 40,000+ if required, perfectly feasible I think, and its not for another 9 years, where will we be by then? It could be already our capacity?

It would appear that you have not gone to any away games and visited Reading - just an hour up the road! Their stadium could also be extended.
Brighton's stadium, currently under construction, could also be amended to cope with 40,000.
Bristol City would also argue that they could also cope.

Pray tell me then old timer why said City's have not shown any inclination at all to register a interest in staging the matches? Though I agree with you that hypothetically they could, I stand corrected.

Tye-Dye wrote:

Invidia wrote: I could not agree more with your morning post, Dan, Rupert Lowe did nothing positive with the football club, he only used and abused it, he has left a stain on the club which will take a very long time to remove, I still have vivid memories of his absolute distain he showed at last years AGM, the man was a complete and arrogant disaster for the club. The sooner the man is forgotten the better

Not according to Captain Swing though Invidia, it appears we all should be eternally grateful?! So, the vast majority of us who would rather see him lynched from the Bargate for the most incompetent piece of Chairmanship in our clubs 124yr history are obviously wrong???

You two have really got it sussed. No pulling the wool over your eyes Invidia and Tye-Dye.
I look forward to reading your book on the last dozen years or so: "How Rupert Ruined the Saints: the tragic tale of a football club getting crowds of 15,000, that found itself struggling to cope with 31,000 gates".
Are you going to include the 2003 FA Cup run?
Nah, it would only confuse you and your readers.
Time for your lie down.

Lie down CS, are you joking, how on earth could we reply to your strange take on the complete farce of your hero's reign?? Please read some of the above posts if you believe it is just Invid & I, back to a previous question of mine and please answer, do you think we would be better off having him back as Chairman? I kept the question as simple as I could, thanks.

Tye-Dye wrote:
Lie down CS, are you joking, how on earth could we reply to your strange take on the complete farce of your hero's reign?? Please read some of the above posts if you believe it is just Invid & I, back to a previous question of mine and please answer, do you think we would be better off having him back as Chairman? I kept the question as simple as I could, thanks.

Since you ask: at present, no! I would not have Rupert back as chairman.
Neither was Rupert my hero. I wasn't keen on his political attitudes, and I didn't agree with a lot of his decisions. Then again, I can't think of a CEO at any other football club I'm in sympathy with either.
On the other hand, his footballing philosophy was spot on; it was obvious to anybody with half a brain that for all the good intentions the Wilde take over was going to be a disaster; and I'm sure Crouch meant well too, but he was a bigger disaster than Wilde.

As for Markus and co. They've certainly got my backing, but then I'm the loyal type.
But what are the chances of you, Invidia and your ilk being on this forum telling them to sling their collective hooks in 18-months time (with a little added xenophobia perhaps) because their spending doesn't come up to your ambitions? High I imagine.

Captain Swing wrote:

Tye-Dye wrote: Lie down CS, are you joking, how on earth could we reply to your strange take on the complete farce of your hero's reign?? Please read some of the above posts if you believe it is just Invid & I, back to a previous question of mine and please answer, do you think we would be better off having him back as Chairman? I kept the question as simple as I could, thanks.

Since you ask: at present, no! I would not have Rupert back as chairman. Neither was Rupert my hero. I wasn't keen on his political attitudes, and I didn't agree with a lot of his decisions. Then again, I can't think of a CEO at any other football club I'm in sympathy with either. On the other hand, his footballing philosophy was spot on; it was obvious to anybody with half a brain that for all the good intentions the Wilde take over was going to be a disaster; and I'm sure Crouch meant well too, but he was a bigger disaster than Wilde. As for Markus and co. They've certainly got my backing, but then I'm the loyal type. But what are the chances of you, Invidia and your ilk being on this forum telling them to sling their collective hooks in 18-months time (with a little added xenophobia perhaps) because their spending doesn't come up to your ambitions? High I imagine.

Assuming anothers opinions by what you mis-interpret on here is your failing CS, also believing your the loyal type and everyone with a difference of opinion to yours in reference to the Lowe era is narrow minded to say the least. Our club is in very safe hands now, much safer and competent hands than in the entire Lowe era, and will be in 18 months and beyond with ML and NC at the helm, so assuming there will be xenophobic comments is extremely hard to believe, another figment perhaps?? Going up tomorrow to prove the loyalty comment? I am and would really like to have a sensible and respectful natter with you, without any barbed comments thrown in as can be done on here. If you are let me know and a meet up can easily be arranged, it aint that big a ground with due respect to N'hampton.

Tye-Dye, even somebody as simple as minded as yourself would have to agree that suggesting that I am narrow minded, having accused me of being a Skate because you took exception to my support of Pugwash, is more than somewhat idiotic.
As for Liebherr and co: are you sure they are that good? Bearing in mind that that their PR is being oversen by David Bick of Square 1 Public Relations - the bloke who told you Michael Wilde was the solution to all Saints' problems (i.e. Lowe).
Admit it, he was wrong wasn't he? Then again, he was being paid £120,000 a year to tell all you "real supporters" what a brilliant job the Wilde-Crouch-Vantis allience was doing.
So, in short, he's made you look a fool. How can you be sure he's not doing so again?
Come on, I answered your question.

So Captain Swing you are so well informed that you can even suggest that Tye-dye and myself, will tell the owner and the chaiman, in eighteen months time, to collectively sling their hooks, your foresight is as about spot on as Rupert Lowe's footballing philosophy, anyone with half a brain can see that!!

Invidia wrote:
So Captain Swing you are so well informed that you can even suggest that Tye-dye and myself, will tell the owner and the chaiman, in eighteen months time, to collectively sling their hooks, your foresight is as about spot on as Rupert Lowe's footballing philosophy, anyone with half a brain can see that!!

Wrong! You haven't got half a brain.

Surely, two negatives make a positive? Lol

Captain Swing wrote:

Invidia wrote:
So Captain Swing you are so well informed that you can even suggest that Tye-dye and myself, will tell the owner and the chaiman, in eighteen months time, to collectively sling their hooks, your foresight is as about spot on as Rupert Lowe's footballing philosophy, anyone with half a brain can see that!!

Wrong! You haven't got half a brain.

The respectful avenue was tried, but your so far up Lowes @rse you can't see daylight. Take it your also not going today then oh "loyal" one? Invidia some tw@ts cant have reasoned discussion's without resorting to their actual base level, this boys a perfect example.

Captain Swing wrote:
Tye-Dye, even somebody as simple as minded as yourself would have to agree that suggesting that I am narrow minded, having accused me of being a Skate because you took exception to my support of Pugwash, is more than somewhat idiotic.
As for Liebherr and co: are you sure they are that good? Bearing in mind that that their PR is being oversen by David Bick of Square 1 Public Relations - the bloke who told you Michael Wilde was the solution to all Saints' problems (i.e. Lowe).
Admit it, he was wrong wasn't he? Then again, he was being paid £120,000 a year to tell all you "real supporters" what a brilliant job the Wilde-Crouch-Vantis allience was doing.
So, in short, he's made you look a fool. How can you be sure he's not doing so again?
Come on, I answered your question.

And after re-reading this it occured to me you only refer to occurences in the singular, i.e "so, in short he's made 'YOU' look a fool" shouldn't that read 'US'???? And the spelling is bad, and you didn't eleborate on today, so good luck watching Manure tank at least 6 past James, I was right first time!