A great statue.

Let's hope that this is the beginning of an upturn in Saints fortunes.

As you say, a fiiting tribute to Ted. Let's hope we get a fitting performance this afternoon and result to match.

Brilliant! How the sculptor has managed to capture the movement of the body is amazing, It really looks like a snapshot of a very happy and proud man walking with a spring in his step! Very clever indeed.

Phew! A great likeness and a fitting tribute to a true legend of SFC

Let up hope the team and the fans can now do his memory proud today. Its all about bringing in the 3 points we so badly need to save all the energy and effort spent by Ted in his prime potentially being wasted by the current lack of unity and pride at our great club.

SFC forever COYR!!

Excellent job by the sculpture. A fitting tribute to Ted. Well done to all involved. Just a shame this statue won't get the coverage in the media the first one did, but oh well, the main thing its for Saints fans first and foremost, as well as Ted's family of course.

Better than I thought it would be. A great friendly pose that gives life to the sculpture. I will be taking my camera down today.

Brilliant, like the walking pose, very clever!

Is it me or dose it look like he is saying, "Hi everyone. Everything is going to be alright!"?

Brilliant, like the walking pose, very clever!

Is it me or dose it look like he is saying, "Hi everyone. Everything is going to be alright!"?

when you see them together like that can see how bad the first one was like this one tho

Thank God for that!! The new statue is brilliant, especially when you have a look at the original statue below!! It really did look more like Milan Mandaric! There really is no comparison.

The new statue is almost a photographic likeness of the late great Mr Bates. The walking wave pose is great, and I agree with the previous post - there is a certain "everything will be fine" look about it.

I now feel even more sorry for Ian Brennan, the original sculptor. It just shows how poor the original was. I'm not imagining for a minute that it can be easy to do, but after seeing this new sculpture and comparing the two, it won't do him any favours for getting new work!!

Oh well - at least we now have a fitting tribute.
Come on you reds - a good win against Coventry will have us on our way.

"last one to leave , switch the lights out" ?

Am I the only one who likes the first one better?

Looking at the first statue its just dawned on me where Lynx Deodourants got the inspiration for the smiley chocolate man in their tv adverts...i'm surprised that nobody drove past the first Ted statue and pulled its arm off!!!!

Excellent! A fitting tribute to a first class gentleman and sportsman!
I hope to see it for myself later in the year.

Thank you Leon Crouch! At last you have got something right!

Excellent ! well done Mr Crouch for making the right choice with the artist used.

unveiling attended by the great and the good of southampton ! Lawrie Mac i expected he charged an appearance fee and i am sure how he will tell eveyone this statue is down to him - get rid of him

Mint wrote:
unveiling attended by the great and the good of southampton ! Lawrie Mac i expected he charged an appearance fee and i am sure how he will tell eveyone this statue is down to him - get rid of him

Shut up you div, l doubt you even know who Ted Bates is.
There should be a statue of Lawrie Mac erected as well.

Rupert Lowe, the pig farmer wrote:

Mint wrote: unveiling attended by the great and the good of southampton ! Lawrie Mac i expected he charged an appearance fee and i am sure how he will tell eveyone this statue is down to him - get rid of him

Shut up you div, l doubt you even know who Ted Bates is. There should be a statue of Lawrie Mac erected as well.

If there was a statue of BIG MAC, you would have to melt down the original 'Ted Bates' statue to use for his head!
Then, it would be a case of where to erect it!
Sunderland perhaps!

Just wondering what happened to the last one somebody said Leicster had it!

It looks very good from the pictures on the saints web site, can't wait to go down and see
it for real. well done Leon Crouch for organising this to be made for a great servant to the club.

Nice to see a decent statue of a great East Midlands man. Statues of R.J.Mitchell and Laurie Mac. should be erected as well - both great Northerners.

A huge improvement - well done Leon Crouch.....

sailor sam wrote:

Rupert Lowe, the pig farmer wrote:

Mint wrote: unveiling attended by the great and the good of southampton ! Lawrie Mac i expected he charged an appearance fee and i am sure how he will tell eveyone this statue is down to him - get rid of him

Shut up you div, l doubt you even know who Ted Bates is. There should be a statue of Lawrie Mac erected as well.

If there was a statue of BIG MAC, you would have to melt down the original 'Ted Bates' statue to use for his head! Then, it would be a case of where to erect it! Sunderland perhaps!

I am suprised there is no plans to erect a statue of old wax-0face rednapp.
Thet would have to put a spring on his wobbly head, not forgetting the HANDCUFFS.
Not long now spam.

THE STATUE OF TED BATES LOOKS GREAT ! I WAS AT ST. MARYS TODAY AND WENT TO VIEW THE STATUE BEFORE THE MATCH. WELL DONE TO THE MEN WHO MADE IT .
ALSO IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE PLAYERS OF OLD ON THE PITCH AT HALF TIME , ESPECIALY MIKE CHANNON. ALTHOUGH IT WAS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE TELEVISION CREW COULD NOT FILM IT AND PUT IT UP ON THE BIG SCREEN. I SIT IN KINGSLAND STAND AND ONLY SAW THE BACK OF THESE MEN.

THE STATUE OF TED BATES LOOKS GREAT ! I WAS AT ST. MARYS TODAY AND WENT TO VIEW THE STATUE BEFORE THE MATCH. WELL DONE TO THE MEN WHO MADE IT .
ALSO IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE PLAYERS OF OLD ON THE PITCH AT HALF TIME , ESPECIALY MIKE CHANNON. ALTHOUGH IT WAS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE TELEVISION CREW COULD NOT FILM IT AND PUT IT UP ON THE BIG SCREEN. I SIT IN KINGSLAND STAND AND ONLY SAW THE BACK OF THESE MEN.

Well worth the wait. This statue is a fitting tribute to Ted Bates and Southampton Football Club. Well done to all involved.
Let's just hope the current shambles at St Mary's can rise from the ashes and make us proud again too.
I live in eternal hope!

Aircraft Frank wrote:

sailor sam wrote:

Rupert Lowe, the pig farmer wrote:

Mint wrote: unveiling attended by the great and the good of southampton ! Lawrie Mac i expected he charged an appearance fee and i am sure how he will tell eveyone this statue is down to him - get rid of him

Shut up you div, l doubt you even know who Ted Bates is. There should be a statue of Lawrie Mac erected as well.

If there was a statue of BIG MAC, you would have to melt down the original 'Ted Bates' statue to use for his head! Then, it would be a case of where to erect it! Sunderland perhaps!

I am suprised there is no plans to erect a statue of old wax-0face rednapp. Thet would have to put a spring on his wobbly head, not forgetting the HANDCUFFS. Not long now spam.

Well, if it's not old Aircraft Frank again!
On his 10th Kamikaze mission!
He can't even do that efficiently!
Par for the course for someone from his neck of the woods!
Have a Smashing time Frank!
But sorry, No statue!

A TREMENDOUS TRIBUTE TO TED,MAGNIFICENT.A TRUE GENTLEMAN AND I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE SEEN HIS TEAMS PLAY SO OFTEN.FOREVER SADLY MISSED.I CAN'T EVER REMEMBER HIM SAYING ANYTHING BAD ABOUT ANYONE IN ALL THOSE YEARS,WHAT WE'D GIVE TO HAVE HIM AROUND NOW!

sailor sam wrote:

Aircraft Frank wrote:

sailor sam wrote:

Rupert Lowe, the pig farmer wrote:

Mint wrote: unveiling attended by the great and the good of southampton ! Lawrie Mac i expected he charged an appearance fee and i am sure how he will tell eveyone this statue is down to him - get rid of him

Shut up you div, l doubt you even know who Ted Bates is. There should be a statue of Lawrie Mac erected as well.

If there was a statue of BIG MAC, you would have to melt down the original \'Ted Bates\' statue to use for his head! Then, it would be a case of where to erect it! Sunderland perhaps!

I am suprised there is no plans to erect a statue of old wax-0face rednapp. Thet would have to put a spring on his wobbly head, not forgetting the HANDCUFFS. Not long now spam.

Well, if it\'s not old Aircraft Frank again!
On his 10th Kamikaze mission!
He can\'t even do that efficiently!
Par for the course for someone from his neck of the woods!
Have a Smashing time Frank!
But sorry, No statue!

sam,why cant you just show a lil respect for a dead man...its the least he deserves...i dont think even YOU are that bad are you?

Why dont they contact Jimmy Crankie and ask him if he wants to buy the old statue at a knock down price? Might ease saints current financial position by a few hundred Quid. Much as I love the club, and Ted Bates was a great man, There are far more urgent issues at hand. Hopefully Saints can now put the slide that has been hapening since the 3-0 and 4-0 wins over Tottenham behind them and start going forward and indeed uphill again.

Micky wrote:
Just wondering what happened to the last one somebody said Leicster had it!

Went in the smelter mate!

Great statue...Well done Mr Crouch and other's involved.

Very impressive and much better than the appalling initial effort.

I would however like to see a Matthew Le Tisser statue. For me, he is a hero and we should honour this guy in any way we can. We will not see the likes of him again and shouldn't have to wait till he is gone to recognise this.

Ed wrote:
Very impressive and much better than the appalling initial effort. I would however like to see a Matthew Le Tisser statue. For me, he is a hero and we should honour this guy in any way we can. We will not see the likes of him again and shouldn't have to wait till he is gone to recognise this.

Think on it Ed!
LeTissier may have been an excellent footballer, but what has he done, since he hung up his boots, to assist the club? Has he got a coaching badge, and been involved in coaching? Has he been around, while the club has been in financial difficulties, to help encourage investment? If he has been involved in either way, it has certainly not been reported in any paper that I have read!
Nice bloke, good footballer, but just another former employee!

I think Matt has done more than enough for the club already Sam. He has chosen, quite rightly in my opinion, to persue a media career as this fits well with his flamboyant nature.

I wouldn't be a fan of him becoming a coach. Firstly, Matt had a talent beyond that of most individuals. You can't teach kids how to score goals like he did and you can't teach kids how to remain loyal to one club for your ENTIRE career.

Oh and I really dislike the term employee when we talk about footballers. The bond between players and fans is more akin to a relationship would you not think (some good some bad of course)?

My point is Saints must start celebrating our past more and we must make our nice (but rather generic) stadium more individual.

Ed wrote:
I think Matt has done more than enough for the club already Sam. He has chosen, quite rightly in my opinion, to persue a media career as this fits well with his flamboyant nature. I wouldn't be a fan of him becoming a coach. Firstly, Matt had a talent beyond that of most individuals. You can't teach kids how to score goals like he did and you can't teach kids how to remain loyal to one club for your ENTIRE career. Oh and I really dislike the term employee when we talk about footballers. The bond between players and fans is more akin to a relationship would you not think (some good some bad of course)? My point is Saints must start celebrating our past more and we must make our nice (but rather generic) stadium more individual.

I think that you are letting sentiment cloud your thoughts! LeTissier was an excellent player, but so was Mick Channon! What about Terrt Paine! Alf Ramsey started at SFC and went on to lead England to the World Cup!
To warrant a statue, I would think that a person should do something exceptional, which is why Ted Bates has his statue.
Matt was 'a big fish in a small pond' if you will excuse the expression! He was content to stay at SFC rather than push himself to achieve even one International Cap.
He had talent, admitted, which he could not teach, but youngsters would try their hardest to emulate! If you see someone perform a fancy trick during a match on TV, then go and watch kids playing a few days later, and they will be trying the trick themselves.
Matt had the skills and tricks, that he could not Teach, but they would try and Copy!
Loyalty! Was it Loyalty, or the convenience of being next door to an airport with a regular service to the Channel Islands? Once he hung up his boots he has not helped at the club has he?
So you don't like the term 'employee'! So, when a player is transferred you are evicting someone that you feel you have a relationship with? Where is that 'relationship' with Theo now? I have read the columns on here to know the 'relationship' customers have with BWP and Dyer, and the reception given to the Best yesterday! Happy Families! Thou speakest in Jest!
Celebrating your past, is nice, but at the expense of facing the present?
Your club, whether or not you are relegated, is in a state of disunity from Board room downwards! There were more people turned up for the unveiling yesterday - celebrating the past - than turned up at the meeting, held to sort out today and the future!
To my mind, that adds to the club's problems rather than helps.
A few days ago your chairman was calling for unity, and yesterday was slagging off Lowe and Wilde!

That is the sort of problem that has to be addressed, not whether you need another statue!

Sorry, haven't got time to read all that but I get the drift.

I feel strongly that MLT should be used as a positive role model. His talent, loyalty and sense of humour made supporting Saints a pleasure for many years. I would happily donate a tenner for a statue of him.

Quite simply a Brilliant Likeness and a fitting tribute to the One & Only Mr Southampton FC Ted Bates.
Well done to the 2 Sculptors and a huge thankyou to Leon Crouch and the club at least we have something to be proud of just now!

Sailor Sam wrote

"To my mind, that adds to the club's problems rather than helps.
A few days ago your chairman was calling for unity, and yesterday was slagging off Lowe and Wilde!"

Some unity. Lawrie McMenemy could not resist the occassion to rant again about the Rupert Lowe and Wilde alliance, even ensuring it appeared in today's Mail on Sunday. He abandoned the club during Rupert's tenure and since his return has done nothing for it except promote his own interests. A suitable momento would be a sponge.

TrueFan 71 wrote:
Sailor Sam wrote

"To my mind, that adds to the club's problems rather than helps.
A few days ago your chairman was calling for unity, and yesterday was slagging off Lowe and Wilde!"

Some unity. Lawrie McMenemy could not resist the occassion to rant again about the Rupert Lowe and Wilde alliance, even ensuring it appeared in today's Mail on Sunday. He abandoned the club during Rupert's tenure and since his return has done nothing for it except promote his own interests. A suitable momento would be a sponge.

In business terms, what does Lawrie Mac actually contribute to this club?

I know all the normal historic stuff but what is he actually doing now?

I prefer the old statue, it was funny.

lawrie mcmenemy is a great man for the club, he has connections. we only got andrew davies because he delayed the deal at middlesborough because we had no money. and where would we be without davies recently?

joe wrote:
lawrie mcmenemy is a great man for the club, he has connections. we only got andrew davies because he delayed the deal at middlesborough because we had no money. and where would we be without davies recently?

So you want to know where you wold be without Davies Joe! Still in danger of being relegated!
McMenemy talks a good deal, but he jumped ship pretty quick a few seasons back, and what evidence is there that Davies was his brain-child?
If 'Big Mac' is there to give advice to the board, perhaps it is following his advice that the club finds itself 'up the creek without a paddle'!
I have yet to meet anyone that has as high opinion of Lawrie McMenemy as he has of himself!

THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

I have already made it clear that I have the highest regard for the late, great Ted Bates.
I am not responsible for what anyone else prints on here.
Jimmy Dickinson has been mentioned a couple of comments back. Ted may not have matched Jim's ability and acomplishments on the pitch, but as a sportsman and gentleman, who gave more to the game of football than he took from it, I reckon that they are on a par with each other.

The funny thing is, I had a chat with Ted, at The Dell, about ten years back, and he was asking me about various people he knew at Fratton Park. With people like Ted, they are above the Yah Boo stuff - they leave it to the likes of us that contribute to sites like this!!

You have just proved the mentality of Portsmouth fans.
I am a die hard Saints fan and wish nothing but defeat for Pompey, but to disrespect the dead is a new form of low for Pompeys dark fans history.

Ric Flair wrote:
THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

To an ignorant introvert, I suppose that would appear to be true!
To those with wider horizons, it just confirms what we have always thought!
You are a complete Pratt!

Skatehater wrote:
You have just proved the mentality of Portsmouth fans.
I am a die hard Saints fan and wish nothing but defeat for Pompey, but to disrespect the dead is a new form of low for Pompeys dark fans history.

you are a scummer hence low life. suggest you respect your betters and shut up. I bet youve only just got out of nappies you scum tw@t

it looks nothing like me. where are my long arms and short legs?

sailor sam wrote:

Ric Flair wrote: THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

To an ignorant introvert, I suppose that would appear to be true! To those with wider horizons, it just confirms what we have always thought! You are a complete Pratt!

sailor sham, i challenge you to a wresling match, but you cant use ur handbag as a weapon

or maybe you should stick to sailing
because i'll beat you too easily

sailor sam wrote:

Ric Flair wrote: THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

To an ignorant introvert, I suppose that would appear to be true! To those with wider horizons, it just confirms what we have always thought! You are a complete Pratt!

sailor sham, i challenge you to a wresling match, but you cant use ur handbag as a weapon

or maybe you should stick to sailing
because i'll beat you too easily

sailor sam wrote:

Ric Flair wrote: THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

To an ignorant introvert, I suppose that would appear to be true! To those with wider horizons, it just confirms what we have always thought! You are a complete Pratt!

sailor sham, i challenge you to a wresling match, but you cant use ur handbag as a weapon

or maybe you should stick to sailing
because i'll beat you too easily

sailor sam wrote:

Ric Flair wrote: THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

To an ignorant introvert, I suppose that would appear to be true! To those with wider horizons, it just confirms what we have always thought! You are a complete Pratt!

sailor sham, i challenge you to a wresling match, but you cant use ur handbag as a weapon

or maybe you should stick to sailing
because i'll beat you too easily

Sailor sam you massive bellend. You havent met anyone who thinks highly of lawrie mac? well 1 theres that joe guy, and 2 me. Lawrie mac is a great asset to the club. The club is only, what you like to call, 'up the creek without a paddle', because of rupert lowe. we are in this state because of him, no one else. And if you arent here to support lawrie and all the other directors to make sure lowe doesnt come back in, then you can seriously get bent. And do you want to know why Lawrie left a couple of years back? it is because he couldnt stand seein rupert lowe ruin the club that he loves. so remember that you next go and slag off lawrie mate, because to be honest, you know jack all.

Ric Flair wrote:

sailor sam wrote:

Ric Flair wrote: THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

To an ignorant introvert, I suppose that would appear to be true! To those with wider horizons, it just confirms what we have always thought! You are a complete Pratt!

sailor sham, i challenge you to a wresling match, but you cant use ur handbag as a weapon or maybe you should stick to sailing because i'll beat you too easily

The law was changed so that I would not be allowed to beat a child, so you would appear to be safe!
Anyway, although you talk tough, everyone knows that you only Smell Strong!

James wrote:
Sailor sam you massive bellend. You havent met anyone who thinks highly of lawrie mac? well 1 theres that joe guy, and 2 me. Lawrie mac is a great asset to the club. The club is only, what you like to call, 'up the creek without a paddle', because of rupert lowe. we are in this state because of him, no one else. And if you arent here to support lawrie and all the other directors to make sure lowe doesnt come back in, then you can seriously get bent. And do you want to know why Lawrie left a couple of years back? it is because he couldnt stand seein rupert lowe ruin the club that he loves. so remember that you next go and slag off lawrie mate, because to be honest, you know jack all.

Well James, if you and Joe believe that, then I guess you also believe in the tooth fairy, father christmas, the easter bunny and all the other stories that you baby-sitter has been telling you!
Carry on believing, if it makes you happy!
Of course, you could always let me know what 'Big Mac' has done for the club since his return!
I think that I would not be the only one that would be very interested to know!

sailor sam wrote:

James wrote: Sailor sam you massive bellend. You havent met anyone who thinks highly of lawrie mac? well 1 theres that joe guy, and 2 me. Lawrie mac is a great asset to the club. The club is only, what you like to call, 'up the creek without a paddle', because of rupert lowe. we are in this state because of him, no one else. And if you arent here to support lawrie and all the other directors to make sure lowe doesnt come back in, then you can seriously get bent. And do you want to know why Lawrie left a couple of years back? it is because he couldnt stand seein rupert lowe ruin the club that he loves. so remember that you next go and slag off lawrie mate, because to be honest, you know jack all.

Well James, if you and Joe believe that, then I guess you also believe in the tooth fairy, father christmas, the easter bunny and all the other stories that you baby-sitter has been telling you! Carry on believing, if it makes you happy! Of course, you could always let me know what 'Big Mac' has done for the club since his return! I think that I would not be the only one that would be very interested to know!

i would rather have big lawrie mac than fred dinage

sailor sam wrote:

Ric Flair wrote:

sailor sam wrote:

Ric Flair wrote: THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN HAMPSHIRE AND THATS SAINTS FC RESERVES

To an ignorant introvert, I suppose that would appear to be true! To those with wider horizons, it just confirms what we have always thought! You are a complete Pratt!

sailor sham, i challenge you to a wresling match, but you cant use ur handbag as a weapon or maybe you should stick to sailing because i'll beat you too easily

The law was changed so that I would not be allowed to beat a child, so you would appear to be safe! Anyway, although you talk tough, everyone knows that you only Smell Strong!

woooooooooooooooo

true saint wrote:

sailor sam wrote:

James wrote: Sailor sam you massive bellend. You havent met anyone who thinks highly of lawrie mac? well 1 theres that joe guy, and 2 me. Lawrie mac is a great asset to the club. The club is only, what you like to call, 'up the creek without a paddle', because of rupert lowe. we are in this state because of him, no one else. And if you arent here to support lawrie and all the other directors to make sure lowe doesnt come back in, then you can seriously get bent. And do you want to know why Lawrie left a couple of years back? it is because he couldnt stand seein rupert lowe ruin the club that he loves. so remember that you next go and slag off lawrie mate, because to be honest, you know jack all.

Well James, if you and Joe believe that, then I guess you also believe in the tooth fairy, father christmas, the easter bunny and all the other stories that you baby-sitter has been telling you! Carry on believing, if it makes you happy! Of course, you could always let me know what 'Big Mac' has done for the club since his return! I think that I would not be the only one that would be very interested to know!

i would rather have big lawrie mac than fred dinage

Whatever turns you on True Stain!
I don't care whether you would rather have Big Mac or Fred Dinenage!
Personally, I rather fancy Debbie Thrower!

Debbie Throwup you can't be serious! Do you need treatment Sam?

sfc have the best fans in the south coast as pompey fans are mouthy,