Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won't see it's benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won't be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won't want rediculous wages to do it. I'm not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You're like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Realist wrote:

Phil wrote: I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

Utter rubbish !!!!!!! most Saints fans with a memory dont WANT Lowe anywhere near this club. Please explain how we can push for promotion when Lowe is explaining that huge cuts will have to be made. Get back to cheering the Skates on tomorrow

Realist wrote:

Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

Utter rubbish !!!!!!! most Saints fans with a memory dont WANT Lowe anywhere near this club. Please explain how we can push for promotion when Lowe is explaining that huge cuts will have to be made.

Get back to cheering the Skates on tomorrow

Andrew wrote:
I agree with the more cerebral Saints fans who appreciate the sound business & financial common sense that Rupert Lowe will bring. He gave us a great new stadium, and tries to promote from within - Good Luck!!

Andrew wrote:
I agree with the more cerebral Saints fans who appreciate the sound business & financial common sense that Rupert Lowe will bring. He gave us a great new stadium, and tries to promote from within - Good Luck!!

thedelldays wrote:
im glad lowe is back too (queue the PR plant responses) as look where it got us to get rid of him..

people slate him for penny pinching, then blame him for the debts...which one is it....

we could have spent mega bucks in the prem, not have half wages relegation clause and probably not have a club now..

what is it people actually want..

my guess is they have no idea..

poor show

Captain Swing wrote:

Phil wrote: I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

I'm glad Rupert's back too, but I think a push for promotion, "sensible" or otherwise, is being widely optamistic. The target for next season remains having a Club to support at the end of it.

Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

Simon Templar wrote:

thedelldays wrote: im glad lowe is back too (queue the PR plant responses) as look where it got us to get rid of him.. people slate him for penny pinching, then blame him for the debts...which one is it.... we could have spent mega bucks in the prem, not have half wages relegation clause and probably not have a club now.. what is it people actually want.. my guess is they have no idea.. poor show

Actually, I know you aren't a plant with a made up name, you are one of the very few I've seen to be DELLuded from the very start by Lowe and his crooked smile. You get what you derserve - seems you want to this ship to sink DD?

Sinking Ship wrote:
"personally, i could not give a flying who is in charge, I just support the team" If that's the case, how come you pop up on every single Saints forum endlessly talking about who is in charge?

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won't see it's benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won't be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won't want rediculous wages to do it. I'm not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You're like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won't see it's benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won't be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won't want rediculous wages to do it. I'm not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You're like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Roger wrote:
I have said it before - never in my 50 years of following the Saints has the Club been in such a bad state. Lowe must take some responsibility for the current position. Just think all the managers he paid off in his years in charge. IMO I think most "thinking" fans DO NOT want him back in charge. Please can we have a "White Knight" to rescue the Club from this mess!

Andrew wrote:
I agree with the more cerebral Saints fans who appreciate the sound business & financial common sense that Rupert Lowe will bring. He gave us a great new stadium, and tries to promote from within - Good Luck!!

Barnacle Bill wrote:
I pushed a woman in the river and then jumped in to save her. Am I a hero? My best mate seems to think so.

Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

John B wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won't see it's benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won't be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won't want rediculous wages to do it. I'm not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You're like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

I am sorry but I disagree with you Wazza. I don’t think it is a good idea getting in old professionals because they wont hack it in the Premiership anyway We need to build a team from our Academy or other young players and hope they do not want to jump ship and join the bigger clubs. Of course we need to get in a couple of really classy players I was in Portsmouth in the week and noticed in a window a picture of their recent promotion team with Paul Merson and Steve Stone. But I expect cannot afford high wages at present so that type of player is out of the question. It is going to take some time to get back to the Premiership and to stay there. About fifteen years ago I met someone at work who supported Hull City they were currently in Div 2 he was despondent but he had visited all but two clubs in the Football League. His time may come next weekend so why cannot we just be patient and wait because one day our day will come and we will return to the Premiership.

Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

Andrew wrote:
I agree with the more cerebral Saints fans who appreciate the sound business & financial common sense that Rupert Lowe will bring. He gave us a great new stadium, and tries to promote from within - Good Luck!!

Gordon Mockles wrote:
The fact Askham, above Lowe in the 'most despised man in Southampton history' stakes, is commenting says it all. Lowe knows this. Wilde knows this. These f*ckin w*nkers are here to destroy our club and nothing else. Why release comments from this man? The Echo, itself, has a lot to answer for. PR war, sniping and power stuggles and the season hasn't even started yet. Next season will be even worse, maybe they plan to take us down for some business plan, who knows with such devious snakes. Look at their track record, and business accumen *coughs* Be afraid, be very afraid. Sorry to say, hoardes of people are now not going next season and I, personally, think boycotting the club would be the only way to make these idiots realise. They are NOT welcome!!

Gordon Mockles wrote:
The fact Askham, above Lowe in the 'most despised man in Southampton history' stakes, is commenting says it all. Lowe knows this. Wilde knows this. These f*ckin w*nkers are here to destroy our club and nothing else. Why release comments from this man? The Echo, itself, has a lot to answer for. PR war, sniping and power stuggles and the season hasn't even started yet. Next season will be even worse, maybe they plan to take us down for some business plan, who knows with such devious snakes. Look at their track record, and business accumen *coughs*

Be afraid, be very afraid. Sorry to say, hoardes of people are now not going next season and I, personally, think boycotting the club would be the only way to make these idiots realise. They are NOT welcome!!

Simon Templar wrote:
'We need you' they cry - of course they do, they need us more than we need them - how else they gonna earn their inflated salaries by conning the people of Southampton that they are it this as fans of football. Lowe only supports his wallet, and that's a full time job which doesn't let sentiment or good will get in the way. Well Mr Lowe, we are not ignorant bumpkins here to feed your ego, and we will stay away to make a protest against the regime. Yeah, its hard but necessary if we really want the club rid of this tyrant.

saints forever wrote:

Gordon Mockles wrote:
The fact Askham, above Lowe in the \'most despised man in Southampton history\' stakes, is commenting says it all. Lowe knows this. Wilde knows this. These f*ckin w*nkers are here to destroy our club and nothing else. Why release comments from this man? The Echo, itself, has a lot to answer for. PR war, sniping and power stuggles and the season hasn\'t even started yet. Next season will be even worse, maybe they plan to take us down for some business plan, who knows with such devious snakes. Look at their track record, and business accumen *coughs*

Be afraid, be very afraid. Sorry to say, hoardes of people are now not going next season and I, personally, think boycotting the club would be the only way to make these idiots realise. They are NOT welcome!!

well **** OFF and dont come back...you are not a real fan but one of those ignorant people who have ruined this club. Lowe was forced out by the minority and that is what you are. SISA and Northam end yobs are NOT welcome. leave Saints to those of us that are real fans

COYR

Kevin wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won\\\'t see it\\\'s benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won\\\'t be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won\\\'t want rediculous wages to do it. I\\\'m not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You\\\'re like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

I disagree Wazza. The academy is the foundation that the team has to be rebuilt on. With the little money available, what would the quality of the players be at the price we could afford? About the same, or less, than the ones we were moaning about last season. Good quality players have been produced by the Academy in the past, only to be sold for some other club to reap the benefit. If we produce quality players, and more importantly, keep those players, we could reap dividends in the long-term. Spend money on second-raters now, they last a season, maybe two, and we are back in the same hole again. Give youth a chance! Academy products are more loyal to the club than those bought in the transfer window!

John MacDonald wrote:

Kevin wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t see it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t want rediculous wages to do it. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'re like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

I disagree Wazza. The academy is the foundation that the team has to be rebuilt on. With the little money available, what would the quality of the players be at the price we could afford? About the same, or less, than the ones we were moaning about last season. Good quality players have been produced by the Academy in the past, only to be sold for some other club to reap the benefit. If we produce quality players, and more importantly, keep those players, we could reap dividends in the long-term. Spend money on second-raters now, they last a season, maybe two, and we are back in the same hole again. Give youth a chance! Academy products are more loyal to the club than those bought in the transfer window!

Couldn\\\\\\\'t agree more - especially as at this moment in time we have some very, very good young players. Thomson, White, Paterson, Hatch, Mills, James and Baseya are all committed to the club. Lets get them involved next season.

COYR

Simon Templar wrote:

saints forever wrote:

Gordon Mockles wrote: The fact Askham, above Lowe in the \'most despised man in Southampton history\' stakes, is commenting says it all. Lowe knows this. Wilde knows this. These f*ckin w*nkers are here to destroy our club and nothing else. Why release comments from this man? The Echo, itself, has a lot to answer for. PR war, sniping and power stuggles and the season hasn\'t even started yet. Next season will be even worse, maybe they plan to take us down for some business plan, who knows with such devious snakes. Look at their track record, and business accumen *coughs* Be afraid, be very afraid. Sorry to say, hoardes of people are now not going next season and I, personally, think boycotting the club would be the only way to make these idiots realise. They are NOT welcome!!

well **** OFF and dont come back...you are not a real fan but one of those ignorant people who have ruined this club. Lowe was forced out by the minority and that is what you are. SISA and Northam end yobs are NOT welcome. leave Saints to those of us that are real fans COYR

Forced out but the 'minority' - my furry derriere. Since when has Lowe been in awe of the little people, he was ousted by 2 groups, the fans singing in united disgust at his atempts to placate with years of under funding and then some people with clout buying stock. The SISA members and Northam yobs are the ones that would stand in the rain in the Milton and the Archers keeping the passion alive on cold January nights in 1987, so don't sit in your cushioned seats and belittle the hard core fan base sunshine.

Simon Templar wrote:

saints forever wrote:

Gordon Mockles wrote:
The fact Askham, above Lowe in the \'most despised man in Southampton history\' stakes, is commenting says it all. Lowe knows this. Wilde knows this. These f*ckin w*nkers are here to destroy our club and nothing else. Why release comments from this man? The Echo, itself, has a lot to answer for. PR war, sniping and power stuggles and the season hasn\'t even started yet. Next season will be even worse, maybe they plan to take us down for some business plan, who knows with such devious snakes. Look at their track record, and business accumen *coughs*

Be afraid, be very afraid. Sorry to say, hoardes of people are now not going next season and I, personally, think boycotting the club would be the only way to make these idiots realise. They are NOT welcome!!

well **** OFF and dont come back...you are not a real fan but one of those ignorant people who have ruined this club. Lowe was forced out by the minority and that is what you are. SISA and Northam end yobs are NOT welcome. leave Saints to those of us that are real fans

COYR

Forced out but the 'minority' - my furry derriere. Since when has Lowe been in awe of the little people, he was ousted by 2 groups, the fans singing in united disgust at his atempts to placate with years of under funding and then some people with clout buying stock.

The SISA members and Northam yobs are the ones that would stand in the rain in the Milton and the Archers keeping the passion alive on cold January nights in 1987, so don't sit in your cushioned seats and belittle the hard core fan base sunshine.

Overtonsaint wrote:
This is more entertaining and less like real life than Monty Python!! What has become of our once great club??

Stu wrote:

Overtonsaint wrote: This is more entertaining and less like real life than Monty Python!! What has become of our once great club??

By the way, If it was a minority that wanted Lowe out he would not have gone, surely even you have to agree with that. Do you honestly think Lowe would have left the club being ousted by a minority??? FYG a majority is 51%, on this basis surely Mssrs Crouch et al have been ousted by a majority also (Lowe and Wilde only accounted for around 40 odd percent of the shares!) PLEASE, get with the programme

Stu wrote:

Simon Templar wrote:

saints forever wrote:

Gordon Mockles wrote: The fact Askham, above Lowe in the \\\'most despised man in Southampton history\\\' stakes, is commenting says it all. Lowe knows this. Wilde knows this. These f*ckin w*nkers are here to destroy our club and nothing else. Why release comments from this man? The Echo, itself, has a lot to answer for. PR war, sniping and power stuggles and the season hasn\\\'t even started yet. Next season will be even worse, maybe they plan to take us down for some business plan, who knows with such devious snakes. Look at their track record, and business accumen *coughs* Be afraid, be very afraid. Sorry to say, hoardes of people are now not going next season and I, personally, think boycotting the club would be the only way to make these idiots realise. They are NOT welcome!!

well **** OFF and dont come back...you are not a real fan but one of those ignorant people who have ruined this club. Lowe was forced out by the minority and that is what you are. SISA and Northam end yobs are NOT welcome. leave Saints to those of us that are real fans COYR

Forced out but the \'minority\' - my furry derriere. Since when has Lowe been in awe of the little people, he was ousted by 2 groups, the fans singing in united disgust at his atempts to placate with years of under funding and then some people with clout buying stock. The SISA members and Northam yobs are the ones that would stand in the rain in the Milton and the Archers keeping the passion alive on cold January nights in 1987, so don\'t sit in your cushioned seats and belittle the hard core fan base sunshine.

Hey buddy, Can you please advise me what you mean by the term\'real fan?\' I\'m not sure quite how to interpret this.

Is a \'real fan\' someone that spends a certain amount of hard earned cash on games? Someone that goes home and away yet slates whoever runs the club?? What about a teenager that doesn\'t earn much yet still wears the shirt with pride - is he a real fan??
Would Mr Lowe be classed as a \'real fan\' cos he owns shares in the club???

What exactly?? Cos with statements like that you appear to be some kind of fool.....perhaps \'real fans\' all support Man Utd???

Andrew wrote:
I agree with the more cerebral Saints fans who appreciate the sound business & financial common sense that Rupert Lowe will bring. He gave us a great new stadium, and tries to promote from within - Good Luck!!

Graham Claridge-Hunt wrote:
I am beginning to despair of the \\\"supporters\\\" with the long memories and the slightly smaller grasps on realism in 2008. I have been following the Saints for many years and have watched them/us plumb the depths of despair in May 2008.

I don\\\'t actually care who did what to whom in the past and I suspect that most of the individuals who write to this sort sort of site with such authority don\\\'t have the remotest idea of WHY and how things happened in the past.

We all have but 2 simple and stark choices. You either support th Saints or you walk away.

I would say good luck and good bye to those who choose to walk away - that\\\'s your right.

To those who stay, the next big decision is do we keep on fighting the battles of the past or do we move forward to support the team in a more positive way.

I hate to see all the negativity being generated at the moment.

It produces nothing but poison.

I think the expression is either put up or shut up. Alternatively, if you can\\\'t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

All I mean is support YOUR team with enthusiasm and the warmth they deserve or walk away.


Graham

Friday 13 Jun 1997

Southampton's new chairman Rupert Lowe has distanced himself from claims in a national newspaper that the club's former board acted improperly in the purchase of shares.

A national newspaper has claimed that members of the old board at the Dell tried to buy the holdings of deceased shareholders at a cheaper price than their actual value.

Former chiarman Guy Askham has been accused of attempting to buy shares from the relatives of the dead shareholders, while ex-director of football Lawrie McMenemy has been caught up in the allegations.

According to the reports Askham and other directors of the club allegedly approached the families claiming there was a gentleman's agreement that the club could buy them back for £1 each - around 100 times less than their true value.

The Southampton Independent Supporters Association claim they have evidence of share transactions involving Askham - and say they are willing to turn them over to the police.

The club could now be investigated by the police after Southampton MP Alan Whitehead wrote to Hampshire Chief Constable John Hodinott about the allegations.

Whitehead said: "I have asked the police about the allegations of potential fraud and what course they plan for their inquiries into this serious matter."

The allegations have come just a couple of weeks since Rupert Lowe officially took up his role as chairman, with Askham stepping to a position on the board.

A spokesman for Lowe said: "The new management cannot comment on events prior to their involvment with the club."

Graham Claridge-Hunt wrote:
I am beginning to despair of the "supporters" with the long memories and the slightly smaller grasps on realism in 2008. I have been following the Saints for many years and have watched them/us plumb the depths of despair in May 2008. I don't actually care who did what to whom in the past and I suspect that most of the individuals who write to this sort sort of site with such authority don't have the remotest idea of WHY and how things happened in the past. We all have but 2 simple and stark choices. You either support th Saints or you walk away. I would say good luck and good bye to those who choose to walk away - that's your right. To those who stay, the next big decision is do we keep on fighting the battles of the past or do we move forward to support the team in a more positive way. I hate to see all the negativity being generated at the moment. It produces nothing but poison. I think the expression is either put up or shut up. Alternatively, if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. All I mean is support YOUR team with enthusiasm and the warmth they deserve or walk away. Graham

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won't see it's benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won't be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won't want rediculous wages to do it. I'm not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You're like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Tracey wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won't see it's benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won't be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won't want rediculous wages to do it. I'm not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You're like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Wazza,

What money should be given to NP? There maybe very little money, not even enough for a single player in which case what little there is would be better spent developing income streams that will benefit the club in the future.

When we got relegated Lowe cut his salary as well so I can't see that he will pay himself mega bucks especially as he seems to think there is not much money in the bank.

Simon Templar wrote:

Tracey wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won\'t see it\'s benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won\'t be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won\'t want rediculous wages to do it. I\'m not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You\'re like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Wazza, What money should be given to NP? There maybe very little money, not even enough for a single player in which case what little there is would be better spent developing income streams that will benefit the club in the future. When we got relegated Lowe cut his salary as well so I can\'t see that he will pay himself mega bucks especially as he seems to think there is not much money in the bank.

Oh pul-leeze. Typical shareholder speak - its all so transparent these days. Terrace fans dont speak like this. Stop fobbing the PLC sob story - Lowe got us here, people like you will keep us here. We can\'t move on til you and him move on.

Tracey wrote:

Simon Templar wrote:

Tracey wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won\\\'t see it\\\'s benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won\\\'t be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won\\\'t want rediculous wages to do it. I\\\'m not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You\\\'re like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Wazza, What money should be given to NP? There maybe very little money, not even enough for a single player in which case what little there is would be better spent developing income streams that will benefit the club in the future. When we got relegated Lowe cut his salary as well so I can\\\'t see that he will pay himself mega bucks especially as he seems to think there is not much money in the bank.

Oh pul-leeze. Typical shareholder speak - its all so transparent these days. Terrace fans dont speak like this. Stop fobbing the PLC sob story - Lowe got us here, people like you will keep us here. We can\\\'t move on til you and him move on.

Simon, How can th club move on when there is no money in the kitty? Costs have to be cut and revenues increased then there will be some money to spend. \"Terrace fans dont speak like this.\" I credit terrace fans as having the common sense to see you can\'t spend money that you don\'t have. It wasn\'t Lowe that allowed expences to rise and allowed the club to lose £1 million per month - that was Crouch\'s doing along with his people.

Graham Claridge-Hunt wrote:
I am beginning to despair of the "supporters" with the long memories and the slightly smaller grasps on realism in 2008. I have been following the Saints for many years and have watched them/us plumb the depths of despair in May 2008. I don't actually care who did what to whom in the past and I suspect that most of the individuals who write to this sort sort of site with such authority don't have the remotest idea of WHY and how things happened in the past. We all have but 2 simple and stark choices. You either support th Saints or you walk away. I would say good luck and good bye to those who choose to walk away - that's your right. To those who stay, the next big decision is do we keep on fighting the battles of the past or do we move forward to support the team in a more positive way. I hate to see all the negativity being generated at the moment. It produces nothing but poison. I think the expression is either put up or shut up. Alternatively, if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. All I mean is support YOUR team with enthusiasm and the warmth they deserve or walk away. Graham

sc wrote:
Is it me or does Ruperts lack of a supportive statement about Nigel Pearson make it look like he's gonna get rid of him? Surelly if he was impressed with what he's done the first thing he would have said on returning is congratulations on his achievements at the end of the season and that he has his backing.

saints forever wrote:

Gordon Mockles wrote: The fact Askham, above Lowe in the \\\'most despised man in Southampton history\\\' stakes, is commenting says it all. Lowe knows this. Wilde knows this. These f*ckin w*nkers are here to destroy our club and nothing else. Why release comments from this man? The Echo, itself, has a lot to answer for. PR war, sniping and power stuggles and the season hasn\\\'t even started yet. Next season will be even worse, maybe they plan to take us down for some business plan, who knows with such devious snakes. Look at their track record, and business accumen *coughs* Be afraid, be very afraid. Sorry to say, hoardes of people are now not going next season and I, personally, think boycotting the club would be the only way to make these idiots realise. They are NOT welcome!!

well **** OFF and dont come back...you are not a real fan but one of those ignorant people who have ruined this club. Lowe was forced out by the minority and that is what you are. SISA and Northam end yobs are NOT welcome. leave Saints to those of us that are real fans COYR

Tracey wrote:

sc wrote:
Is it me or does Ruperts lack of a supportive statement about Nigel Pearson make it look like he's gonna get rid of him? Surelly if he was impressed with what he's done the first thing he would have said on returning is congratulations on his achievements at the end of the season and that he has his backing.

On South today it was recently said the Saints might not be able to afford to keep NP.

crusti wrote:
Of course Nigel Pearson will have to go, doesnt matter if NP can motivate a team or not, Wupe just doesnt like people with their own mind

Nigel wrote:

crusti wrote: Of course Nigel Pearson will have to go, doesnt matter if NP can motivate a team or not, Wupe just doesnt like people with their own mind

Thats very nice to know. So you know Mr Lowe well and he has told you of his intentions.

crusti wrote:

Nigel wrote:

crusti wrote: Of course Nigel Pearson will have to go, doesnt matter if NP can motivate a team or not, Wupe just doesnt like people with their own mind

Thats very nice to know. So you know Mr Lowe well and he has told you of his intentions.

no he aint told me that, its based in my observations and opinions of him

Simon Templar wrote:

John MacDonald wrote:

Kevin wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t see it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t want rediculous wages to do it. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'re like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

I disagree Wazza. The academy is the foundation that the team has to be rebuilt on. With the little money available, what would the quality of the players be at the price we could afford? About the same, or less, than the ones we were moaning about last season. Good quality players have been produced by the Academy in the past, only to be sold for some other club to reap the benefit. If we produce quality players, and more importantly, keep those players, we could reap dividends in the long-term. Spend money on second-raters now, they last a season, maybe two, and we are back in the same hole again. Give youth a chance! Academy products are more loyal to the club than those bought in the transfer window!

Couldn\\\\\\\'t agree more - especially as at this moment in time we have some very, very good young players. Thomson, White, Paterson, Hatch, Mills, James and Baseya are all committed to the club. Lets get them involved next season.

COYR

You mean some very, very good income possibilities. C'mon, cut the BS Lowe fan boys, we know your esteemed guru Rupert sees the academy for one thing only, a buy low, sell high business opportunity.

And c'mon PR guys, we know your mandate is to put either Saints in your name, that you are a committed season ticket holder in your comment, that Wupes has his faults in there as well and then end with the trite and overused COYR - I may be a bumpkin as has been noted, but I can smell you PR guys a country mile off.

crusti wrote:

Nigel wrote:

crusti wrote: Of course Nigel Pearson will have to go, doesnt matter if NP can motivate a team or not, Wupe just doesnt like people with their own mind

Thats very nice to know. So you know Mr Lowe well and he has told you of his intentions.

no he aint told me that, its based in my observations and opinions of him

Yorkie wrote:
There is an agenda here and on many of the forums. As a fan and paying customer I believe my money should be used to improve the footballing aspect of SLH. Fine build an academy, develop good youngsters but for the benefit of SFC - not as a feeder club. I know why RL & Co will be keen to do this as it keeps the club afloat and balances the books. What ever happened to the Walcott, Bale, Baird, Crouch, Jones money? Surely not on the wages of old has beens? It's my choice and I will go and watch football in the north of England far away from SMS. It will be a dark day before I set foot into SMS again. The money may have been squandered - but I have seen no dividend from being a shareholder so the plc isn't profitable either. I will always be a Saints fan - but it does not mean I have to financially line RL & Chums pockets.

A true saints fan and not wrote:
He cannot sell players because that is wrong as well although except for Terry Paine and Matt Le Tiss most of our better players over the years such Martin Chivers Mick Channon Steve Williams Alan Shearer Mark Wright Razor Ruddock the Wallace Brothers and Wayne Bridge were sold to balance the books. This is absolute nonsense. All of these players gave many years service to the club. They moved because they wanted to because they had ambition something our club has lacked over the last ten years. All of these players gave me many years of pleasure which is something none of us has had from Walcott and we know who sold him! The saddest day in this clubs long history was when fine men who cared such as Mr Woodford were no longer running the club and money grubbers such as Askham appeared on the scene and then sought to line his pocket even further by the reverse takeover. Not one penny of money from saints becoming part of a PLC benefitted our club. Finally I am really worried about the contributions to this site by people supporting Lowe\'s return as not one of the hundreds of fans with whom I am acquanted want the man anywhere near the club. As Barnacle bill said that if you push someone in the river and then jump in to rescue them that does not make you a people\'s hero it makes you a slime ball.

A true saints fan and not wrote:
He cannot sell players because that is wrong as well although except for Terry Paine and Matt Le Tiss most of our better players over the years such Martin Chivers Mick Channon Steve Williams Alan Shearer Mark Wright Razor Ruddock the Wallace Brothers and Wayne Bridge were sold to balance the books. This is absolute nonsense. All of these players gave many years service to the club. They moved because they wanted to because they had ambition something our club has lacked over the last ten years. All of these players gave me many years of pleasure which is something none of us has had from Walcott and we know who sold him! The saddest day in this clubs long history was when fine men who cared such as Mr Woodford were no longer running the club and money grubbers such as Askham appeared on the scene and then sought to line his pocket even further by the reverse takeover. Not one penny of money from saints becoming part of a PLC benefitted our club. Finally I am really worried about the contributions to this site by people supporting Lowe\'s return as not one of the hundreds of fans with whom I am acquanted want the man anywhere near the club. As Barnacle bill said that if you push someone in the river and then jump in to rescue them that does not make you a people\'s hero it makes you a slime ball.

Phil wrote:
I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

rational wrote:

A true saints fan and not wrote: He cannot sell players because that is wrong as well although except for Terry Paine and Matt Le Tiss most of our better players over the years such Martin Chivers Mick Channon Steve Williams Alan Shearer Mark Wright Razor Ruddock the Wallace Brothers and Wayne Bridge were sold to balance the books. This is absolute nonsense. All of these players gave many years service to the club. They moved because they wanted to because they had ambition something our club has lacked over the last ten years. All of these players gave me many years of pleasure which is something none of us has had from Walcott and we know who sold him! The saddest day in this clubs long history was when fine men who cared such as Mr Woodford were no longer running the club and money grubbers such as Askham appeared on the scene and then sought to line his pocket even further by the reverse takeover. Not one penny of money from saints becoming part of a PLC benefitted our club. Finally I am really worried about the contributions to this site by people supporting Lowe\'s return as not one of the hundreds of fans with whom I am acquanted want the man anywhere near the club. As Barnacle bill said that if you push someone in the river and then jump in to rescue them that does not make you a people\'s hero it makes you a slime ball.

Actually, Mark Wright was not sold because he had ambition but due to a falling out with a certain manager at the time. As a real fan , I am aware that, apart from Bridge, they all left more than 10 years ago. Therefore you suggested lack of ambition stretches back more like 30 years. So the sad days go back well before Lowe! Back in the real world, most successful players, here as with every small and medium sized club, will choose to move either for more money or to go to a perceived bigger club (or more likely both). It's a fact of life we have lived with for the 30+ years I have followed Saints. Get used to it, because unless we can find a rich sugar daddy, it will carry on.

thedelldays wrote:
im glad lowe is back too (queue the PR plant responses) as look where it got us to get rid of him.. people slate him for penny pinching, then blame him for the debts...which one is it.... we could have spent mega bucks in the prem, not have half wages relegation clause and probably not have a club now.. what is it people actually want.. my guess is they have no idea.. poor show

rational wrote:

Yorkie wrote: There is an agenda here and on many of the forums. As a fan and paying customer I believe my money should be used to improve the footballing aspect of SLH. Fine build an academy, develop good youngsters but for the benefit of SFC - not as a feeder club. I know why RL & Co will be keen to do this as it keeps the club afloat and balances the books. What ever happened to the Walcott, Bale, Baird, Crouch, Jones money? Surely not on the wages of old has beens? It's my choice and I will go and watch football in the north of England far away from SMS. It will be a dark day before I set foot into SMS again. The money may have been squandered - but I have seen no dividend from being a shareholder so the plc isn't profitable either. I will always be a Saints fan - but it does not mean I have to financially line RL & Chums pockets.

The money from Bale, Baird, Jones, plus Crainie, Best, Blackstock and most of the Walcott money all came into the club/Plc after Lowe left. No dividends were paid to shareholders at this time. Some was given to Burley for new players, but certainly not the £30m or so from the above. What the recent accounts and statement did show was that the directors salaries (after Lowe & co left) were higher than when we were in the Premiership. (Don't forget Lowe and co took a 50% pay cut on relegation, same as in players contracts). The last half of last year also showed a 25% increase in player salaries. That is despite our best players being sold and replaced with much lesser quality. In summary, we were losing £1m per month, only partly covered by the sale of the family silver. I know some people will still blame Lowe for decisions made when he was not there, but the way I see it, the money was not squandered by Lowe and he did not benefit from it. In fact, the worsening financial position and drop in share price, has only reduced his assets.

John B wrote:

A true saints fan and not wrote: He cannot sell players because that is wrong as well although except for Terry Paine and Matt Le Tiss most of our better players over the years such Martin Chivers Mick Channon Steve Williams Alan Shearer Mark Wright Razor Ruddock the Wallace Brothers and Wayne Bridge were sold to balance the books. This is absolute nonsense. All of these players gave many years service to the club. They moved because they wanted to because they had ambition something our club has lacked over the last ten years. All of these players gave me many years of pleasure which is something none of us has had from Walcott and we know who sold him! The saddest day in this clubs long history was when fine men who cared such as Mr Woodford were no longer running the club and money grubbers such as Askham appeared on the scene and then sought to line his pocket even further by the reverse takeover. Not one penny of money from saints becoming part of a PLC benefitted our club. Finally I am really worried about the contributions to this site by people supporting Lowe\\\\\\\'s return as not one of the hundreds of fans with whom I am acquanted want the man anywhere near the club. As Barnacle bill said that if you push someone in the river and then jump in to rescue them that does not make you a people\\\\\\\'s hero it makes you a slime ball.

You obviously are incapable of having a rational debate all I was saying we have been selling off players for years . These days there is so much money in football that Walcott Bale Baird Jones and Bridge also wanted to earn mega bucks elsewhere OK you hate Lowe I dont have any real opinion of him having had no dealings with him. He is here and the shareholders who own the company want him so that is that for the moment. It is not the total responsibility of the Chairman if the club is relegated it is usually the responsibility of the manager and the players.

Kevin wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won\'t see it\'s benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won\'t be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won\'t want rediculous wages to do it. I\'m not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You\'re like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

I disagree Wazza. The academy is the foundation that the team has to be rebuilt on. With the little money available, what would the quality of the players be at the price we could afford? About the same, or less, than the ones we were moaning about last season. Good quality players have been produced by the Academy in the past, only to be sold for some other club to reap the benefit. If we produce quality players, and more importantly, keep those players, we could reap dividends in the long-term. Spend money on second-raters now, they last a season, maybe two, and we are back in the same hole again. Give youth a chance! Academy products are more loyal to the club than those bought in the transfer window!

jesus_02 wrote:

rational wrote:

A true saints fan and not wrote: He cannot sell players because that is wrong as well although except for Terry Paine and Matt Le Tiss most of our better players over the years such Martin Chivers Mick Channon Steve Williams Alan Shearer Mark Wright Razor Ruddock the Wallace Brothers and Wayne Bridge were sold to balance the books. This is absolute nonsense. All of these players gave many years service to the club. They moved because they wanted to because they had ambition something our club has lacked over the last ten years. All of these players gave me many years of pleasure which is something none of us has had from Walcott and we know who sold him! The saddest day in this clubs long history was when fine men who cared such as Mr Woodford were no longer running the club and money grubbers such as Askham appeared on the scene and then sought to line his pocket even further by the reverse takeover. Not one penny of money from saints becoming part of a PLC benefitted our club. Finally I am really worried about the contributions to this site by people supporting Lowe\\\'s return as not one of the hundreds of fans with whom I am acquanted want the man anywhere near the club. As Barnacle bill said that if you push someone in the river and then jump in to rescue them that does not make you a people\\\'s hero it makes you a slime ball.

Actually, Mark Wright was not sold because he had ambition but due to a falling out with a certain manager at the time. As a real fan , I am aware that, apart from Bridge, they all left more than 10 years ago. Therefore you suggested lack of ambition stretches back more like 30 years. So the sad days go back well before Lowe! Back in the real world, most successful players, here as with every small and medium sized club, will choose to move either for more money or to go to a perceived bigger club (or more likely both). It\'s a fact of life we have lived with for the 30+ years I have followed Saints. Get used to it, because unless we can find a rich sugar daddy, it will carry on.

answer 1 question. If saints attendance is towards the top of the division and their wage bill is aroound the middle why do we have to reduce our wage bill? not all championship teams have a \"sugger daddy\"

Disillusioned fan wrote:
Whatever happened to that lovely friendly family club I used to support? You know the one. It always had great players and loyal fans and the team played top flight football punching well above its weight often giving top teams a fright. The club was renowned for its character and fighting spirit. Sadly it disappeared when a certain Rupert Lowe came along. What we have now is fans who are constantly bickering, a poisonous set of major shareholders, a team that changes constantly and frightens no-one, directors who are incompetent, good players sold before they have pulled on a first team shirt more than half a dozen times and managers who can't put up with mess and get out pdq. And just who is to blame for this. Well according to some it would seem a handful of fans who think Lowe is a snob. Get real have you not seen what this man and his mate Askham have done to this club. These Lowe supporters must be a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

pugwash wrote:

rational wrote:

Yorkie wrote: There is an agenda here and on many of the forums. As a fan and paying customer I believe my money should be used to improve the footballing aspect of SLH. Fine build an academy, develop good youngsters but for the benefit of SFC - not as a feeder club. I know why RL & Co will be keen to do this as it keeps the club afloat and balances the books. What ever happened to the Walcott, Bale, Baird, Crouch, Jones money? Surely not on the wages of old has beens? It\'s my choice and I will go and watch football in the north of England far away from SMS. It will be a dark day before I set foot into SMS again. The money may have been squandered - but I have seen no dividend from being a shareholder so the plc isn\'t profitable either. I will always be a Saints fan - but it does not mean I have to financially line RL & Chums pockets.

The money from Bale, Baird, Jones, plus Crainie, Best, Blackstock and most of the Walcott money all came into the club/Plc after Lowe left. No dividends were paid to shareholders at this time. Some was given to Burley for new players, but certainly not the £30m or so from the above. What the recent accounts and statement did show was that the directors salaries (after Lowe & co left) were higher than when we were in the Premiership. (Don\'t forget Lowe and co took a 50% pay cut on relegation, same as in players contracts). The last half of last year also showed a 25% increase in player salaries. That is despite our best players being sold and replaced with much lesser quality. In summary, we were losing £1m per month, only partly covered by the sale of the family silver. I know some people will still blame Lowe for decisions made when he was not there, but the way I see it, the money was not squandered by Lowe and he did not benefit from it. In fact, the worsening financial position and drop in share price, has only reduced his assets.

GOOD TO READ SOME COMMON SENSE!RATIONAL.SO MUCH RUBBISH WRITTEN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SIDE WHEN MOST WOULD\'N\'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AN INTANGIBLE ASSET IS!

pugwash wrote:

rational wrote:

Yorkie wrote: There is an agenda here and on many of the forums. As a fan and paying customer I believe my money should be used to improve the footballing aspect of SLH. Fine build an academy, develop good youngsters but for the benefit of SFC - not as a feeder club. I know why RL & Co will be keen to do this as it keeps the club afloat and balances the books. What ever happened to the Walcott, Bale, Baird, Crouch, Jones money? Surely not on the wages of old has beens? It\'s my choice and I will go and watch football in the north of England far away from SMS. It will be a dark day before I set foot into SMS again. The money may have been squandered - but I have seen no dividend from being a shareholder so the plc isn\'t profitable either. I will always be a Saints fan - but it does not mean I have to financially line RL & Chums pockets.

The money from Bale, Baird, Jones, plus Crainie, Best, Blackstock and most of the Walcott money all came into the club/Plc after Lowe left. No dividends were paid to shareholders at this time. Some was given to Burley for new players, but certainly not the £30m or so from the above. What the recent accounts and statement did show was that the directors salaries (after Lowe & co left) were higher than when we were in the Premiership. (Don\'t forget Lowe and co took a 50% pay cut on relegation, same as in players contracts). The last half of last year also showed a 25% increase in player salaries. That is despite our best players being sold and replaced with much lesser quality. In summary, we were losing £1m per month, only partly covered by the sale of the family silver. I know some people will still blame Lowe for decisions made when he was not there, but the way I see it, the money was not squandered by Lowe and he did not benefit from it. In fact, the worsening financial position and drop in share price, has only reduced his assets.

GOOD TO READ SOME COMMON SENSE!RATIONAL.SO MUCH RUBBISH WRITTEN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SIDE WHEN MOST WOULD\'N\'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AN INTANGIBLE ASSET IS!

edwardo wrote:

Phil wrote: I think most thinking Saints supporters are glad Lowe is back to steady the ship.I think we can now a sensible push for promotion next season.

Push for promotion - while reducing the wage bill ??? - mate you are in cuckoo land.... I\'ll just be happy for the club to survive !!!

billybeerbelly wrote:

pugwash wrote:

rational wrote:

Yorkie wrote: There is an agenda here and on many of the forums. As a fan and paying customer I believe my money should be used to improve the footballing aspect of SLH. Fine build an academy, develop good youngsters but for the benefit of SFC - not as a feeder club. I know why RL & Co will be keen to do this as it keeps the club afloat and balances the books. What ever happened to the Walcott, Bale, Baird, Crouch, Jones money? Surely not on the wages of old has beens? It\'s my choice and I will go and watch football in the north of England far away from SMS. It will be a dark day before I set foot into SMS again. The money may have been squandered - but I have seen no dividend from being a shareholder so the plc isn\'t profitable either. I will always be a Saints fan - but it does not mean I have to financially line RL & Chums pockets.

The money from Bale, Baird, Jones, plus Crainie, Best, Blackstock and most of the Walcott money all came into the club/Plc after Lowe left. No dividends were paid to shareholders at this time. Some was given to Burley for new players, but certainly not the £30m or so from the above. What the recent accounts and statement did show was that the directors salaries (after Lowe & co left) were higher than when we were in the Premiership. (Don\'t forget Lowe and co took a 50% pay cut on relegation, same as in players contracts). The last half of last year also showed a 25% increase in player salaries. That is despite our best players being sold and replaced with much lesser quality. In summary, we were losing £1m per month, only partly covered by the sale of the family silver. I know some people will still blame Lowe for decisions made when he was not there, but the way I see it, the money was not squandered by Lowe and he did not benefit from it. In fact, the worsening financial position and drop in share price, has only reduced his assets.

GOOD TO READ SOME COMMON SENSE!RATIONAL.SO MUCH RUBBISH WRITTEN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SIDE WHEN MOST WOULD\'N\'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AN INTANGIBLE ASSET IS!

Intangible assets are defined as those non-monetary assets that cannot be seen, touched or physically measured and which are created through time and/or effort. There are two primary forms of intangibles - legal intangibles (such as trade secrets (e.g., customer lists), copyrights, patents, trademarks, and goodwill) and competitive intangibles (such as knowledge activities (know-how, knowledge), collaboration activities, leverage activities, and structural activities). Legal intangibles generate legal property rights defensible in a court of law. Competitive intangibles, whilst legally non-ownable, directly impact effectiveness, productivity, wastage, and opportunity costs within an organization - and therefore costs, revenues, customer service, satisfaction, market value, and share price. Human capital is the primary source of competitive intangibles for organizations today. Competitive intangibles are the source from which competitive advantage flows, or is destroyed. The area of finance that deals with intangible assets is known as Intangible Asset Finance. I think that just about cover it.

billybeerbelly wrote:

pugwash wrote:

rational wrote:

Yorkie wrote: There is an agenda here and on many of the forums. As a fan and paying customer I believe my money should be used to improve the footballing aspect of SLH. Fine build an academy, develop good youngsters but for the benefit of SFC - not as a feeder club. I know why RL & Co will be keen to do this as it keeps the club afloat and balances the books. What ever happened to the Walcott, Bale, Baird, Crouch, Jones money? Surely not on the wages of old has beens? It\\\'s my choice and I will go and watch football in the north of England far away from SMS. It will be a dark day before I set foot into SMS again. The money may have been squandered - but I have seen no dividend from being a shareholder so the plc isn\\\'t profitable either. I will always be a Saints fan - but it does not mean I have to financially line RL & Chums pockets.

The money from Bale, Baird, Jones, plus Crainie, Best, Blackstock and most of the Walcott money all came into the club/Plc after Lowe left. No dividends were paid to shareholders at this time. Some was given to Burley for new players, but certainly not the £30m or so from the above. What the recent accounts and statement did show was that the directors salaries (after Lowe & co left) were higher than when we were in the Premiership. (Don\\\'t forget Lowe and co took a 50% pay cut on relegation, same as in players contracts). The last half of last year also showed a 25% increase in player salaries. That is despite our best players being sold and replaced with much lesser quality. In summary, we were losing £1m per month, only partly covered by the sale of the family silver. I know some people will still blame Lowe for decisions made when he was not there, but the way I see it, the money was not squandered by Lowe and he did not benefit from it. In fact, the worsening financial position and drop in share price, has only reduced his assets.

GOOD TO READ SOME COMMON SENSE!RATIONAL.SO MUCH RUBBISH WRITTEN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SIDE WHEN MOST WOULD\\\'N\\\'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AN INTANGIBLE ASSET IS!

Intangible assets are defined as those non-monetary assets that cannot be seen, touched or physically measured and which are created through time and/or effort. There are two primary forms of intangibles - legal intangibles (such as trade secrets (e.g., customer lists), copyrights, patents, trademarks, and goodwill) and competitive intangibles (such as knowledge activities (know-how, knowledge), collaboration activities, leverage activities, and structural activities). Legal intangibles generate legal property rights defensible in a court of law. Competitive intangibles, whilst legally non-ownable, directly impact effectiveness, productivity, wastage, and opportunity costs within an organization - and therefore costs, revenues, customer service, satisfaction, market value, and share price. Human capital is the primary source of competitive intangibles for organizations today. Competitive intangibles are the source from which competitive advantage flows, or is destroyed. The area of finance that deals with intangible assets is known as Intangible Asset Finance. I think that just about cover it.

pugwash wrote:

Disillusioned fan wrote: Whatever happened to that lovely friendly family club I used to support? You know the one. It always had great players and loyal fans and the team played top flight football punching well above its weight often giving top teams a fright. The club was renowned for its character and fighting spirit. Sadly it disappeared when a certain Rupert Lowe came along. What we have now is fans who are constantly bickering, a poisonous set of major shareholders, a team that changes constantly and frightens no-one, directors who are incompetent, good players sold before they have pulled on a first team shirt more than half a dozen times and managers who can't put up with mess and get out pdq. And just who is to blame for this. Well according to some it would seem a handful of fans who think Lowe is a snob. Get real have you not seen what this man and his mate Askham have done to this club. These Lowe supporters must be a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

SADLY IT DISAPPEARED WHEN CLUBS STARTED GETTING SUGAR DADDIES TO GET THEM IN THE PREMIERSHIP.THE LIST IS LONG...MIDDLEBRO',WI GAN,FULHAM,BIRMINGHA M,BLACKBURN,PORTSMOU TH,NEWCASTLE,CHELSEA ,READING,AND MORE.THIS THEN MADE LIFE FAR MORE DIFFICULT FOR WELL RUN CLUBS LIKE THE SAINTS AND CHARLTON TO SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN.IF THE CLUB HAD'N'T BECOME A PLC,WE WOULD STILL BE AT THE DELL AS NO BANK WOULD LEND £40M. TO A SMALL UNQUOTED BUSINESS LIKE THE SAINTS WERE,AND NO DOUBT DOWN IN DIV.2 BY NOW.AT THE POINT WHEN LOWE LOST CONTROL TO THE ANTI HODDLE FACTION,THE CLUB HAD PROGRESSED FROM £15M.TURNOVER MINNOW SURVIVING IN THE PREMIERSHIP TO A £50M. TURNOVER CLUB BIGGER THAN EVERTON AND VILLA IN 2004.TO ME IT SPOKE VOLUMES THAT WHEN LOWE RESIGNED,THE CREAM OF THE ACADEMY STAFF ALL LEFT SHORTLY AFTER KNOWING WHERE THIS 'ONCE GREAT CLUB'WAS NOW GOING TO GO.

billy2baps wrote:

John B wrote:

A true saints fan and not wrote: He cannot sell players because that is wrong as well although except for Terry Paine and Matt Le Tiss most of our better players over the years such Martin Chivers Mick Channon Steve Williams Alan Shearer Mark Wright Razor Ruddock the Wallace Brothers and Wayne Bridge were sold to balance the books. This is absolute nonsense. All of these players gave many years service to the club. They moved because they wanted to because they had ambition something our club has lacked over the last ten years. All of these players gave me many years of pleasure which is something none of us has had from Walcott and we know who sold him! The saddest day in this clubs long history was when fine men who cared such as Mr Woodford were no longer running the club and money grubbers such as Askham appeared on the scene and then sought to line his pocket even further by the reverse takeover. Not one penny of money from saints becoming part of a PLC benefitted our club. Finally I am really worried about the contributions to this site by people supporting Lowe\\\\\\\'s return as not one of the hundreds of fans with whom I am acquanted want the man anywhere near the club. As Barnacle bill said that if you push someone in the river and then jump in to rescue them that does not make you a people\\\\\\\'s hero it makes you a slime ball.

You obviously are incapable of having a rational debate all I was saying we have been selling off players for years . These days there is so much money in football that Walcott Bale Baird Jones and Bridge also wanted to earn mega bucks elsewhere OK you hate Lowe I dont have any real opinion of him having had no dealings with him. He is here and the shareholders who own the company want him so that is that for the moment. It is not the total responsibility of the Chairman if the club is relegated it is usually the responsibility of the manager and the players.

Ok so if a company goes bust, its down to the workers and middle management. Stupid me, i would if thought it would be down to the Chairman & top execs and their bad planning.Funny when things go well these same people take all the credit. PS i can have a rational debate, ask my staff.

I don’t think it is a good idea getting in old professionals because they wont hack it in the Premiership anyway

We need to build a team from our Academy or other young players and hope they do not want to jump ship and join the bigger clubs.

Tracey wrote:

Simon Templar wrote:

Tracey wrote:

Wazza wrote:

reducing the wage bill of the first team squad, though they are keen to put cash into the academy.

Reduce the wage Bill yes (including the directors wages) Push money into the academy NO!!! Now is not the time. If we push what little money we have into the academy we won\'t see it\'s benefits for years to come. We need to rebuild now in the hope that we won\'t be scrapping it out again next year. Give money to Pearson who I believe can make sensible Championship signings i.e. hungry, prehaps older professionals that know what is needed at this level and won\'t want rediculous wages to do it. I\'m not happy with Lowes return, please get something right Lowe. You\'re like a broken record harping on about our academy. Yes the products of our academy have kept us solvent since going down but who was a large factor in us going down? Rupert Lowe!!!

Wazza, What money should be given to NP? There maybe very little money, not even enough for a single player in which case what little there is would be better spent developing income streams that will benefit the club in the future. When we got relegated Lowe cut his salary as well so I can\'t see that he will pay himself mega bucks especially as he seems to think there is not much money in the bank.

Oh pul-leeze. Typical shareholder speak - its all so transparent these days. Terrace fans dont speak like this. Stop fobbing the PLC sob story - Lowe got us here, people like you will keep us here. We can\'t move on til you and him move on.

Simon, How can th club move on when there is no money in the kitty? Costs have to be cut and revenues increased then there will be some money to spend. "Terrace fans dont speak like this." I credit terrace fans as having the common sense to see you can't spend money that you don't have. It wasn't Lowe that allowed expences to rise and allowed the club to lose £1 million per month - that was Crouch's doing along with his people.