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Saints confirm St Mary's cuts
8:00am Friday 13th June 2008
Comments (143) Have your say »
Saints have announced a raft of cost cutting measures that include closing three corners of their St Mary's ground, axing subsided bus transport for fans and opening the stadium later on matchdays in a bid to save £250,000 a year.
Football board chairman Michael Wilde has confirmed the plans and admits they may not prove popular but says they are necessary as the club looks to scale back costs and live within its means.
Around 700 season ticket holders will have to be moved as blocks 1-3, 12-14 and 36-39 are closed leaving the Chapel/Kinglsand which houses the JSaints and family sections as the only corner of the ground open unless there is a big demand for tickets.
The club are also set to asks the City Council for their approval to suspend the inclusion of subsidised bus travel in the club's transport plan.
Saints say this was originally included on the basis of anticipated gates of 30,000, but is no longer justified either on transport or cost grounds at the current gate levels. The dedicated shuttle bus service linking the stadium with central station and the ferry terminals will also be reduced for the same reasons.
The stadium is also set to open at 1.45pm on matchdays with a 3pm kick-off rather than 1.30pm.
Michael Wilde said: "We deeply regret having to take these measures but unfortunately they have been forced upon us by the financial situation we find ourselves in.
"That means we now have to take some unpleasant and unpalatable actions to get the finances back on track and to retain the support of our funders.
"We know this will impact on supporter amenity. There is no point trying to pretend otherwise and we do apologise to all those fans that are affected - particularly to those having to switch seats.
"Around 700 supporters have renewed in those corner sections, and they will be able to swap their seats for any other available seats in the stadium. If we have a fixture that looks to exceed the revised capacity of the ground, say a big Cup game, then we will re-open the quadrants for that fixture.
"If that happens then displaced season ticket holders will have first choice of going back to their original seat for that game.
"Everyone affected was written to yesterday to try and explain the situation and we ask for their understanding.
"Similarly we apologise to all those who might be inconvenienced by the proposal to suspend subsidised bus travel which, at present, is a large and unaffordable expense to the club."
He added: "It is not something we have done lightly but these measures will provide a significant and vital saving.
"Hopefully, supporters will understand the need for such measures at the present time and will support our endeavours to create a financially sustainable club.
"This is, without doubt, a crucial period for us, and it is important that we all do whatever we can to guide our football club through its present difficulties.
"If we deliver the quality of football that everyone wants and gates improve, then all of these changes can be reversed in the future. We will therefore be keeping these measures under constant review throughout the coming season."
Your Say YourThis is Hampshire
Billy 2 Baps, says...
8:13am Fri 13 Jun 08
I know I will come across as unpopular by saying this, but I can see why these costs have to be made. The company is losing money and something needs to be done. We dont have big investment coming in; the most important thing is to safeguard the future of the club. However painful these hopefully short term cuts are. Id heard cuts were being discussed at the end of last season, so it comes as no real surprise to me.
Billy 2 Baps Block 36
Billy 2 Baps Block 36
Billy 2 Baps, says...
8:18am Fri 13 Jun 08
One last thing, if they are looking at areas where savings can be made of just 250k pa. We are in deep do do. But all these saving hopefully will add up, to where the club can become stable.
John B, Bitterne says...
8:19am Fri 13 Jun 08
Billy 2 Baps wrote:I dont see why you would be unpopular you seem very sensible to me.
I know I will come across as unpopular by saying this, but I can see why these costs have to be made. The company is losing money and something needs to be done. We dont have big investment coming in; the most important thing is to safeguard the future of the club. However painful these hopefully short term cuts are. Id heard cuts were being discussed at the end of last season, so it comes as no real surprise to me. Billy 2 Baps Block 36
Unfortunately we are no longer a Premiership Club which can fill St Mary's .
Ciaran, says...
8:23am Fri 13 Jun 08
The bus service can't have been envisaged on gates of around 30,000 as I distinctly remember the club being surprised we were consistently getting gates that high when we first moved to St Mary's.
In fact I remember Rupert Lowe and Andrew Cowen saying at th4 last fan's forum held at The Dell that they expected an average gate of around 25-27,000.
In fact I remember Rupert Lowe and Andrew Cowen saying at th4 last fan's forum held at The Dell that they expected an average gate of around 25-27,000.
Ed, Taunton says...
8:40am Fri 13 Jun 08
These are sorry times.
Let's just hope the new manager can inspire what is left of our playing staff.
Good football = good gates.
Let's just hope the new manager can inspire what is left of our playing staff.
Good football = good gates.
Condor Man, Southampton says...
8:41am Fri 13 Jun 08
I enjoyed the free bus tickets but sadly if they can no longer be afforded then I'll have to walk to matches instead.
It's time to be realistic, it's easy to lambast Lowe but if they money ain't there it's either this or administration.
It's time to be realistic, it's easy to lambast Lowe but if they money ain't there it's either this or administration.
Robbie, Fareham says...
8:44am Fri 13 Jun 08
Although I don't like the way that this board operate, I can see that costs need to be cut. Obviously the savings will be on staff numbers (stewards/ catering) and wages (another 15 minutes wages x 23 games x smaller number of staff)will be large, but I find it odd that the corners are being hit, when it always seems to be the chapel stand that is nearly empty.
I also agree with Martin (above) There are those who say that the board shouldn't do it for free, and ask if we would do the same. As I only have one source of income, No I wouldn't do it for the love of the club, but if I had a regular substantial income from other sources, then I probably would (note the word probably) especially if the club was in the sticky stuff as much as this one (more likely to be definitely).
I also agree with Martin (above) There are those who say that the board shouldn't do it for free, and ask if we would do the same. As I only have one source of income, No I wouldn't do it for the love of the club, but if I had a regular substantial income from other sources, then I probably would (note the word probably) especially if the club was in the sticky stuff as much as this one (more likely to be definitely).
sainthog7, here&now says...
8:49am Fri 13 Jun 08
so mr lowe&chums are not too contfident about there dream of total football still as long as their not out of pocket HATE the board support the SAINTS
Robbie, Fareham says...
8:49am Fri 13 Jun 08
Billy 2 Baps Block 36
Not any more matey.....
Not any more matey.....
redarmy, Southampton says...
8:53am Fri 13 Jun 08
I heard about these changes last season,so no shock to me...only one end of the stadium actually sing anyhow- Northam/Itchen Corner...
imo,be better to close Chapel and ask those fans to move into Kingsland or Itchen.
time to really pull together id say.
imo,be better to close Chapel and ask those fans to move into Kingsland or Itchen.
time to really pull together id say.
Bill, thornhill says...
8:59am Fri 13 Jun 08
ive renewed my season ticket which i thought included the bus travel guess i got that wrong....does this mean we whre mislead when we renewed thinking that we where paying for the same as we did last year.. it cost £2 return from my house to the stadium so that is an additional £42 for the season thanks!!
Billy 2 Baps, says...
9:00am Fri 13 Jun 08
redarmy wrote:I'd like to add the corner of Kingsland to Itchen & Northam that sing. Along with those 3 blokes in the Chapel, who sit in row L
I heard about these changes last season,so no shock to me...only one end of the stadium actually sing anyhow- Northam/Itchen Corner... imo,be better to close Chapel and ask those fans to move into Kingsland or Itchen. time to really pull together id say.
Chapel Ender, says...
9:01am Fri 13 Jun 08
redarmy wrote:Thing is, more fans probably sit in The Chapel than the Northam....
I heard about these changes last season,so no shock to me...only one end of the stadium actually sing anyhow- Northam/Itchen Corner... imo,be better to close Chapel and ask those fans to move into Kingsland or Itchen. time to really pull together id say.
Don't forget, only about two or three blocks in the Northam are open - and it's very seldom that you get more than 1,000 away fans meaning you get about two whole blocks completely empty between the Northam fans and the segregation.
James, Soton says...
9:04am Fri 13 Jun 08
Cut the chairman's wages, it seems like it's only the fans investing in the club and we're affected byt the cuts. Why are the board not being affected. It's a joke. But hey what say do we have.
BIGB, New Milton says...
9:21am Fri 13 Jun 08
Whilst I appreciate the need to cost cut for the financial situation we find ourselves in. But where has all the money gone, just look at the players we have sold and the money received. The question needs to be asked as to Why did the club not take action earlier to address this situation. The hole thing goes back to the last time Lowe and his clan were here. Bad management !
dave, millbrook says...
9:21am Fri 13 Jun 08
What a stupid move closing the Itchen North.Does Lowe want to turn St.Marys into a morgue? I suppose being a rugger loving toff he doesn't want proper football fans there.
I know one way of saving some money KICK LOWE OUT NOW!
I know one way of saving some money KICK LOWE OUT NOW!
Robbie, Fareham says...
9:23am Fri 13 Jun 08
Thing is, more fans probably sit in The Chapel than the Northam....
Every time I go, the chapel looks deserted. I wasn't there for the Sheff Utd match, when the ground finally sold out, but I've been to a fair few games, and from the Northam end it looks very poorly occupied.
One example was a lad behind me who was on his mobile to a friend in the Chapel stand, and when his mate waved, we could all see him. he had about 30 seats to himself.
On the subject of the buses, this will add over £100 this season to the days out. Those who were dithering ove whether to buy season tickets this year may be put off.
Every time I go, the chapel looks deserted. I wasn't there for the Sheff Utd match, when the ground finally sold out, but I've been to a fair few games, and from the Northam end it looks very poorly occupied.
One example was a lad behind me who was on his mobile to a friend in the Chapel stand, and when his mate waved, we could all see him. he had about 30 seats to himself.
On the subject of the buses, this will add over £100 this season to the days out. Those who were dithering ove whether to buy season tickets this year may be put off.
mullingar, says...
9:37am Fri 13 Jun 08
Ed wrote:And if we get good crowds, the club will open the corners to house them!
These are sorry times. Let's just hope the new manager can inspire what is left of our playing staff. Good football = good gates.
This is a good decision made during difficult times with the club's interst at heart.
Many seasons now the corners have been empty, even the Itchen/Kingsland corner and you have to ask why this decision was not made a few seasons ago!
Difficult times require dificult decisions and if this helps in anyway to keep our club afloat, then so be it.
As supporters, we have to support the club through the good times and the bad times, whinging about everything does nothing to improve things!
wateratt, Redhill says...
9:41am Fri 13 Jun 08
I thought the cost of tickets was so high to cover the cost of the subsidised bus travel!
Itchen to Reply, Southampton says...
10:00am Fri 13 Jun 08
I had also been told that the closure of the corners was decided before the end of last season. What I would like to ask though, is will those supporters be asked to pay the surplus amount on the price of the ticket? Tickets for the corners are cheaper and whilst it would be unfair to them to have to pay it , it is also unfair to the others who have payed to sit in the wings, and have payed the full amount to sit in that area.
Bitterne Park Tim, Bitterne Park says...
10:05am Fri 13 Jun 08
It sounds to me like a step towards administration.... I did hear, from a reasonable source that the club was preparing to go into administration sooner rather than later (My Barber, he knows everything!). I hope that is not the case, but I suspect it is. 10 points down before we start!
Costa Baz, says...
10:08am Fri 13 Jun 08
I'll be interested to see the price we get for players that leave, when it happens. All this talk about how bad our finances are must be devaluing the price of our players on a daily basis.
In the past Lowe got some pretty good deals by claiming we were not a selling club, and by playing hardball, but he will not be able to use that ploy anymore, as he has revealed his hand to all and sundry. Our financial state means we ARE now a selling club.
Our only hope of getting good prices for players will rest, in all probability, on a bidding war between two or more clubs.
If only one team, for example, made an offer for Surman, would our finances allow us to turn down a derisory offer?
In the past Lowe got some pretty good deals by claiming we were not a selling club, and by playing hardball, but he will not be able to use that ploy anymore, as he has revealed his hand to all and sundry. Our financial state means we ARE now a selling club.
Our only hope of getting good prices for players will rest, in all probability, on a bidding war between two or more clubs.
If only one team, for example, made an offer for Surman, would our finances allow us to turn down a derisory offer?
Steve, says...
10:09am Fri 13 Jun 08
Robbie wrote:And from the Chapel you can see that there are only two blocks of the Northam in use.
Thing is, more fans probably sit in The Chapel than the Northam.... Every time I go, the chapel looks deserted. I wasn\'t there for the Sheff Utd match, when the ground finally sold out, but I\'ve been to a fair few games, and from the Northam end it looks very poorly occupied. One example was a lad behind me who was on his mobile to a friend in the Chapel stand, and when his mate waved, we could all see him. he had about 30 seats to himself. On the subject of the buses, this will add over £100 this season to the days out. Those who were dithering ove whether to buy season tickets this year may be put off.
It may look 'packed' in the Northam to you but you are all crammed in a much smaller space.
I wish fans in the Northam would just leave the rest of us alone, instead of trying to convince us they are better fans than the rest of us because they sing a few songs about Pompey. Besides, the Itchen North was always louder than the Northam last season, so closing that is a major blow, if you ask me.
Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
10:22am Fri 13 Jun 08
If all those 'dedicated Saints fans' who said they were not going to renew their season tickets, did not renew, then they have helped bring about these cost cutting measures.
Subsidised bus fares to go to watch your team? When some people make a round trip of more than 100 miles to watch Saints, and do so on a regular basis, I think that subsidising the locals is a luxury they can do without. Pensioners will use their bus pass anyway.
Subsidised bus fares to go to watch your team? When some people make a round trip of more than 100 miles to watch Saints, and do so on a regular basis, I think that subsidising the locals is a luxury they can do without. Pensioners will use their bus pass anyway.
Scummer, says...
10:25am Fri 13 Jun 08
What a disgrace!! Encouraged to go for the early bird ticket, and fill their coffers! Yes re-newed mine, before the end of the Season even though we were facing Relegation!! I stand in Block 39, and have done for years, and I have never seen it empty? What an earth are they thinking about? They could close the whole of the Chapel, and no-one would notice!! You can count the people without moving them! I really thought the club was moving forward,was even willing to give Lowe another chance, his pure greed astounds me, without us committed fans he would not be in the position he has, Im gutted and considering my support in the future!
not a rocket scientist......, Southampton says...
10:27am Fri 13 Jun 08
oi rupert.......
speculate to accumulate.......
get the cheque book out.....
get some decent players.....
get the team playing well.....
team starts climbing league.....
this in turn attracts decent size crowds.....
meaning more fans turn up to see the team.....
and therefore more revenue is generated.....
blah...blah...blah..
.
speculate to accumulate.......
get the cheque book out.....
get some decent players.....
get the team playing well.....
team starts climbing league.....
this in turn attracts decent size crowds.....
meaning more fans turn up to see the team.....
and therefore more revenue is generated.....
blah...blah...blah..
.
John B, Bitterne says...
10:33am Fri 13 Jun 08
Scummer wrote:Sorry I dont understand this post
What a disgrace!! Encouraged to go for the early bird ticket, and fill their coffers! Yes re-newed mine, before the end of the Season even though we were facing Relegation!! I stand in Block 39, and have done for years, and I have never seen it empty? What an earth are they thinking about? They could close the whole of the Chapel, and no-one would notice!! You can count the people without moving them! I really thought the club was moving forward,was even willing to give Lowe another chance, his pure greed astounds me, without us committed fans he would not be in the position he has, Im gutted and considering my support in the future!
Why is it a disgrace to try to save money in order for us not to go into Aministration.
Why is Rupert Lowe Greedy
Fed Up Still, Southampton says...
10:34am Fri 13 Jun 08
So here is more proof that Lowe got it wrong during his first stint in charge. Build a ground that holds a little over 32,000 fans. Put the club in debt for that 32,000 seat stadium but sleep easy at night knowing that premiership football will pay for the stadium. appoint 3 managers in one season (all cheap options) and get relegated. After more Cr*p decissions and making a very unpopular return to the club which is very much oppossed by real SFC fans Lowe now says that the gates dont justify keeping all of the stadium open. Where was the long term forward thinking planning and business sense you proclaim to have Lowe???
Nice touch too Lowe PR/Echo. have a dig at the fans for not coming to games to justify the closure of parts of the stadium. how about Lowe F'cks off, pearson is re-appointed and then maybe the fans will return. A note to all you other SFC fans, looks like Lowe is already Boo Hoo'ing about the lack of maoney ha can steal from our beloved club. Lowe its you or the club. Bye Bye.
Nice touch too Lowe PR/Echo. have a dig at the fans for not coming to games to justify the closure of parts of the stadium. how about Lowe F'cks off, pearson is re-appointed and then maybe the fans will return. A note to all you other SFC fans, looks like Lowe is already Boo Hoo'ing about the lack of maoney ha can steal from our beloved club. Lowe its you or the club. Bye Bye.
Kevin, Maybush says...
10:35am Fri 13 Jun 08
not a rocket scientist...... wrote:All the speculating that has been done at SFC during the last decade has accumulated is a mountain of debt.
oi rupert....... speculate to accumulate....... get the cheque book out..... get some decent players..... get the team playing well..... team starts climbing league..... this in turn attracts decent size crowds..... meaning more fans turn up to see the team..... and therefore more revenue is generated..... blah...blah...blah.. .
It is said that Faith can move mountains, so let's have a bit of faith in Rupert Lowe & Co to move this mountain of debt.
rob, Itchen Block 2 says...
10:42am Fri 13 Jun 08
There are 20 of us with season tickets in Block 2 in the itchen corner. GUESS WHAT LOWE WE AINT MOVING . The support in that part of the ground is great and full most games!
blue, Gosport says...
10:42am Fri 13 Jun 08
not a rocket scientist...... wrote:You are a funny man...you tried your strategy a couple of seasons ago and spent £7m trying to get promoted. That is why you are bankrupt.
oi rupert.......
speculate to accumulate.......
get the cheque book out.....
get some decent players.....
get the team playing well.....
team starts climbing league.....
this in turn attracts decent size crowds.....
meaning more fans turn up to see the team.....
and therefore more revenue is generated.....
blah...blah...blah..
.
You've just had to sack the kitman because you're broke, and you think the bank would authorise Woopert Von Duck writing a few multi-million quid cheques for players?
Easy Rider, Harley says...
10:44am Fri 13 Jun 08
Free buses!!! get off your backsides and walk to the ground like real fans. The ground's not at Hedge End but in the city, not too far from the station. You'll be wanting them to come and play in your lower field next.Hang on Rupert, sell the ground and play in a different oark each week, that'll save you a few bob. Where else would you get your transport thrown in free when you buy a ticket? Do those who travel from outside the region get their trainfare paid? do they heck. If you loved the club you'd walk miles to see them so stop whinging and get fit by walking a bit more.
Will they still be giving freebies to kids schools to get more seats filled or will this be stopped and create more empty spaces. If it cheers you up there's a team not far from you who pay £700 for a season ticket with less games and no free transport thrown in.
Will they still be giving freebies to kids schools to get more seats filled or will this be stopped and create more empty spaces. If it cheers you up there's a team not far from you who pay £700 for a season ticket with less games and no free transport thrown in.
Wilde and Rupes, SFC says...
10:45am Fri 13 Jun 08
Just to confirm, we have had to make these cuts as myself and Rupe's are simply not prepared to take cuts out of our salary's. SFC is high on the list of our priorities, but not higher than our own personnel needs or wants.
AFCB, says...
11:01am Fri 13 Jun 08
Shame about the Scummers, doo doo doo....
george, weston-super-mare says...
11:02am Fri 13 Jun 08
See 'Lady Windermere's Fan' Act 3.... "A MAN WHO KNOWS THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING AND THE VALUE OF NOTHING"
St Paul, Waltham Chase says...
11:03am Fri 13 Jun 08
Billy 2 Baps wrote:Well said Billy! Bring on the new season & let's all get behind the Saints in a positive way! COYR
I know I will come across as unpopular by saying this, but I can see why these costs have to be made. The company is losing money and something needs to be done. We dont have big investment coming in; the most important thing is to safeguard the future of the club. However painful these hopefully short term cuts are. Id heard cuts were being discussed at the end of last season, so it comes as no real surprise to me.
Billy 2 Baps Block 36
Lager Out, says...
11:08am Fri 13 Jun 08
rob wrote:All of you demand a refund !
There are 20 of us with season tickets in Block 2 in the itchen corner. GUESS WHAT LOWE WE AINT MOVING . The support in that part of the ground is great and full most games!
John Smith, Southampton says...
11:13am Fri 13 Jun 08
How much money does Lowe, Wilde etc take from the club a year, it would be interesting to know. I am sure it must be in the hundreds of thousands. I am sure they could afford to take a wage cut.
Ric, Totton says...
11:15am Fri 13 Jun 08
R.I.P Southampton FC 1885-2007,died due too a greedy tight fisted sxxt,will be missed by true Saints fans.
Final nail in that coffin.
Will be watching AFC Totton in the Southern Leauge this season as will many more ex season ticket holders in Totton/Waterside & the New Forest will be doing.
Final nail in that coffin.
Will be watching AFC Totton in the Southern Leauge this season as will many more ex season ticket holders in Totton/Waterside & the New Forest will be doing.
Rupert Lowe, St Marys says...
11:18am Fri 13 Jun 08
Look People, I just got my quote back from the builders and the set-up and maintenance of my new 66 bedroom mansion, means we need to make these cuts to fund this. I would rather not take money direct from you because I know you are planning on spending your hard earned money on my statue.
obvious, Southampton says...
11:19am Fri 13 Jun 08
not a rocket scientist...... wrote:
oi rupert....... speculate to accumulate....... get the cheque book out..... get some decent players..... get the team playing well..... team starts climbing league..... this in turn attracts decent size crowds..... meaning more fans turn up to see the team..... and therefore more revenue is generated..... blah...blah...blah.. .
Sorry for stating the obvious, but how are they going to 'speculate to accumulate' and buy decent players if they haven't got the cash?
Billy 2 Baps made a very good point at the start of this thread that if the club are having to scrape together savings of a mere £250,000, then things are obviously pretty dire.
One of the best financial moves is obviously to offload some of the older and 'more generously' paid players, bring the better youth players through in their place, and build the matchday support. Knowing the way Rupert works, I expect this is being done quite ruthlessly at present, which is why we haven't been told who is staying yet. They probably don't know 100% themselves!
Once Saints are attracting better gates, and maybe a bit of money by selling a couple of players (Skacel / Rasiak / Dyer etc) and let's be honest about this, it's going to happen) THEN get one or two good Championship players or Premiership benchwarmers on loan (in the mould of Richard Wright & Chris Perry last year) and we'll be on the road to recovery.
We could learn a thing or two from looking at how Harry got Pompey out of the Championship. Attract 1 or 2 older or experienced players from Premiership benches to St Mary's on loan, that can do a good job for a year to get the club back (in the same way that Tim Sherwood and Paul Merson did at Pompey) If they work well, then sign them if we get to the Premiership. If not, release them back to their clubs. They may also help to raise gate numbers.
I've recently started to run my own business, and when things get tight financially, cash flow is the major problem. The same is true with Saints' current situation.
There are often things that you have to save for. If Saints' spend money they haven't got on a few 'decent' signings, it isn't neccessarily going to bring better football. If that happens, the club will definitely go into administration, and potentially drop down a division as well.
From a financial point of view, Rupert coming back is probably a blessing in disguise, as he is tighter than a ducks butt-hole 10ft under water.
The previous board were allowing the club to bleed vast amounts of money every week, and if Rupert and co. can turn that around, we'll be on the way back.
I'm nervous about the future, but I think the Total Football gamble could pay off, not least because the players will be fitter than a lot of other clubs.
Let's try to keep positive, keep watching and supporting the club from whatever end of the ground our seats might be (Chapel, Northam - does it matter?) and with patience and a bit of belief our club will soon be back where it belongs.
Come on you reds!
John Smith, Southampton says...
11:25am Fri 13 Jun 08
Maybe Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs might be interested in a loan spell, they are good quality benchwarmers.
Seriously i agree with you wholeheartedly on your posting, these things need to happen, would we really miss Skacel and Rasiak, probably not. I did notice our results went downhill fast as soon as Dyer got injured last year, so could be worth keeping hold of, he seems to be the only player in the team with a bit of pace
Seriously i agree with you wholeheartedly on your posting, these things need to happen, would we really miss Skacel and Rasiak, probably not. I did notice our results went downhill fast as soon as Dyer got injured last year, so could be worth keeping hold of, he seems to be the only player in the team with a bit of pace
Confused, says...
11:28am Fri 13 Jun 08
AFCB wrote:Excuse me? Bournemouth? Eh?
Shame about the Scummers, doo doo doo....
Do you think we're rivals or something?
Ciaran, says...
11:34am Fri 13 Jun 08
Artful Dodger wrote:It's designed to stop people driving to the stadium as there's no parking in the immediate vicinty.
If all those \\\'dedicated Saints fans\\\' who said they were not going to renew their season tickets, did not renew, then they have helped bring about these cost cutting measures. Subsidised bus fares to go to watch your team? When some people make a round trip of more than 100 miles to watch Saints, and do so on a regular basis, I think that subsidising the locals is a luxury they can do without. Pensioners will use their bus pass anyway.
But I'm sure you knew that already, Sailor Sam.
Scummer, Southampton says...
11:38am Fri 13 Jun 08
To John B, Bitterne - I dont wnat Saints to go into Administration anymore than anyone else, however I dont suppose this move on Seats effects you? Hence your stupid comment, The seats in the Chapel cost more, and it is rarely filled, and I feel when I spend my money on something I want, and then it is replaced, after the money has been spent is a Disgrace....Tell you what, your probably one of those Bleak shadows dotted around in the Chapel, Will give you a wave this Season!! If of course you go at all!!
Robbie, Fareham says...
11:49am Fri 13 Jun 08
Let's try to keep positive, keep watching and supporting the club from whatever end of the ground our seats might be (Chapel, Northam - does it matter?)
I'm sorry, I've always tried to think that everyone is entitled to their own view, and mainly tried to stay rational on most arguments, but the last statement just blew it wide open for me.
What it matters is that since the stadium opened, fans have got used to a favourite part of the stadium. Saturday afternoon is about more than just the goings on on the pitch. It's about being with your mates, exchanging views and opinions. Enjoying the highs and lows as a group. I enjoy the Northam, others don't.
rob wrote:
There are 20 of us with season tickets in Block 2 in the itchen corner. GUESS WHAT LOWE WE AINT MOVING . The support in that part of the ground is great and full most games!
I fully sympasthise with those who are being moved, and I see how upset people are going to be with the move. If this WAS on the cards, why was there no warning? Are the club now in breach of contract by offering season tickets in an area, then taking that area away? Probably not. There'll be a lawyer who has seen to that (hopefully not the one who oversaw the contract dealings for the crazy Dutchman) If they now offer the current corner holders more expensive tickets at the lower price, how are the rest of us supposed to feel? Lowe is known through the English football league for his attitude. Consultation is not his style, and this is one of the reasons he is so disliked in these posts. He has obviously looked at the figures, but not considered fans opinions.
I take it OBVIOUS that your seat is in a safe block. My familys tickets are in 41, so I'm pleased they get to keep their seats. They enjoy that part of the ground. I wouldn't be so off the cuff about anyone else's seats though, unless they were the directors. Mind you the directors seats are safe because they pay so much for them, or do they?
For a working class man, in a working class family, this club takes up a large part of my earnings. The addition of the busses is icing onhte cake. We drive from Fareham to Bitterne every home match. We park in Bitterne because the parking and the bus down were free. To add this to the cost of the day out isn't the end of the world, but it is annoying. Keep adding little annoying factors and pretty sooon they become major annoyances. Keep adding and it becomes a major sticking point. Keep adding and I'll start shouting Lowe Out ( I won't shout Wilde out, he isn't worth the energy. Chances are he'll change sides again. could be some italian blood in him). With SFC, it seems to be one thing after another at teh moment.
I'm sorry, I've always tried to think that everyone is entitled to their own view, and mainly tried to stay rational on most arguments, but the last statement just blew it wide open for me.
What it matters is that since the stadium opened, fans have got used to a favourite part of the stadium. Saturday afternoon is about more than just the goings on on the pitch. It's about being with your mates, exchanging views and opinions. Enjoying the highs and lows as a group. I enjoy the Northam, others don't.
rob wrote:
There are 20 of us with season tickets in Block 2 in the itchen corner. GUESS WHAT LOWE WE AINT MOVING . The support in that part of the ground is great and full most games!
I fully sympasthise with those who are being moved, and I see how upset people are going to be with the move. If this WAS on the cards, why was there no warning? Are the club now in breach of contract by offering season tickets in an area, then taking that area away? Probably not. There'll be a lawyer who has seen to that (hopefully not the one who oversaw the contract dealings for the crazy Dutchman) If they now offer the current corner holders more expensive tickets at the lower price, how are the rest of us supposed to feel? Lowe is known through the English football league for his attitude. Consultation is not his style, and this is one of the reasons he is so disliked in these posts. He has obviously looked at the figures, but not considered fans opinions.
I take it OBVIOUS that your seat is in a safe block. My familys tickets are in 41, so I'm pleased they get to keep their seats. They enjoy that part of the ground. I wouldn't be so off the cuff about anyone else's seats though, unless they were the directors. Mind you the directors seats are safe because they pay so much for them, or do they?
For a working class man, in a working class family, this club takes up a large part of my earnings. The addition of the busses is icing onhte cake. We drive from Fareham to Bitterne every home match. We park in Bitterne because the parking and the bus down were free. To add this to the cost of the day out isn't the end of the world, but it is annoying. Keep adding little annoying factors and pretty sooon they become major annoyances. Keep adding and it becomes a major sticking point. Keep adding and I'll start shouting Lowe Out ( I won't shout Wilde out, he isn't worth the energy. Chances are he'll change sides again. could be some italian blood in him). With SFC, it seems to be one thing after another at teh moment.
blue, Gosport says...
11:55am Fri 13 Jun 08
Harry spent £14m on getting us promoted. And that was without Boro paying two thirds of Festas wages, Villa paying us most of what it cost to get Merson and Stone and so on.
On the last day of the season we had a team of;
Hislop, Primus, Festa, de Zeeuw, Foxe, Quashie, Sherwood, Stone, Merson, Todorov, Yakubu.
A 'few old heads'? Try an expensively assembled premier league team.
On the last day of the season we had a team of;
Hislop, Primus, Festa, de Zeeuw, Foxe, Quashie, Sherwood, Stone, Merson, Todorov, Yakubu.
A 'few old heads'? Try an expensively assembled premier league team.
Robbie, Fareham says...
12:03pm Fri 13 Jun 08
It's designed to stop people driving to the stadium as there's no parking in the immediate vicinty.
There is parking in the area, but it's controlled by the club, isn't it? Still if you want to pay a fiver to park your car...think of the revenue for the club!!!!
Restricted areas to park when you have travelled to see your club is one of the downsides of St Marys. This was always offset by the bus tickets. Minor erosions can end up as major points.
Will those who took season tickets in the corners now be offered a refund, if they don't want to move to another part of the ground? The more I think about this, the more p1ssed off I am. This should have been announced before the club took money off 700 loyal fans.
Perhaps there are blind folllowers of everything the board does that feel nobody has a right to be angry. After all the club have announced that there is no money. What are the belt tightening measures that the board have imposed upon themselves? A reduction in waiting staff in the Directors bar? Didn't think so. Maybe they'll go 'performance related' in their wages and bonuses? Probably not. Put up the prices of the food & drink until it would be cheaper to go for the hospitality? Makes excellent sense.....
There is parking in the area, but it's controlled by the club, isn't it? Still if you want to pay a fiver to park your car...think of the revenue for the club!!!!
Restricted areas to park when you have travelled to see your club is one of the downsides of St Marys. This was always offset by the bus tickets. Minor erosions can end up as major points.
Will those who took season tickets in the corners now be offered a refund, if they don't want to move to another part of the ground? The more I think about this, the more p1ssed off I am. This should have been announced before the club took money off 700 loyal fans.
Perhaps there are blind folllowers of everything the board does that feel nobody has a right to be angry. After all the club have announced that there is no money. What are the belt tightening measures that the board have imposed upon themselves? A reduction in waiting staff in the Directors bar? Didn't think so. Maybe they'll go 'performance related' in their wages and bonuses? Probably not. Put up the prices of the food & drink until it would be cheaper to go for the hospitality? Makes excellent sense.....
Sutton Saint, Carshalton says...
12:07pm Fri 13 Jun 08
It is time to put the visiting supporters at the opposite end, fill the Northam end with Saints fans. We need our own 'Kop' like the original Milton road, eventually moving to 'The Archers'. We lose so much atmosphere under the present arrangements.
The cuts had to come and we are not surprised. Any company loosing money must make some painful cut-backs. Whether we like it or not, St Marys still lives, we are still in existance and we should be grateful that changes have had to be made NOW rather than later. What is better, cuts or bankruptcy.
The sooner we stop arguing amongst ourselves and face reality, then we are doomed. Every spectator we get through the turnstiles, is a payment nearer solvency.
The ground was buzzing for the Sheff Utd game, so why shouldn't it be again? Let us support the new Coach and his team, the youngsters who have got to step into the limelight and our club. Face facts... changes have been made and nothing, but a sugar-daddy can change anything else. Come on you REDS.
The cuts had to come and we are not surprised. Any company loosing money must make some painful cut-backs. Whether we like it or not, St Marys still lives, we are still in existance and we should be grateful that changes have had to be made NOW rather than later. What is better, cuts or bankruptcy.
The sooner we stop arguing amongst ourselves and face reality, then we are doomed. Every spectator we get through the turnstiles, is a payment nearer solvency.
The ground was buzzing for the Sheff Utd game, so why shouldn't it be again? Let us support the new Coach and his team, the youngsters who have got to step into the limelight and our club. Face facts... changes have been made and nothing, but a sugar-daddy can change anything else. Come on you REDS.
saint deej, ftown says...
12:11pm Fri 13 Jun 08
what a load of bull*hit, lets close the ground so that we have even less fans coming to see us, we'll turn out like nottingham forest or some other washed up team and start having gates of around 1500 - 3000 people a match, their next idea is to not actually field a team and take all the money themselves
mullingar, says...
12:11pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Ric wrote:You are an ex-season ticket holder!
R.I.P Southampton FC 1885-2007,died due too a greedy tight fisted sxxt,will be missed by true Saints fans. Final nail in that coffin. Will be watching AFC Totton in the Southern Leauge this season as will many more ex season ticket holders in Totton/Waterside & the New Forest will be doing.
Great to hear you are not coming back, the true supporters left, don't want you!
Lager Out, says...
12:17pm Fri 13 Jun 08
So what was the point in Lowe and Wilde returning ? They havent got any money to help the situation. Their presence will just make it worse. Look at the botched manager appointment !
LOWE & WILDE OUT
LOWE & WILDE OUT
Robbie, Fareham says...
12:23pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Great to hear you are not coming back, the true supporters left, don't want you!
A simple lesson in maths. 1 annoyed fan not coming back = £ 450 season ticket, 1 x new shirt = £40, 2 pints and a burger and a programme = £10 per game = £230. Even a rough calculation says that £720 is money that SFC lose. Now imagine that 2,000 fans stay away, and don't support the club. Can you afford to be so offhand about people grumbling? Now work out 5,000 fans staying away. In today's current sticky situation, can you really afford to just fill the stadium with your so-called true fans? Maybe I should take my money elsewhere.
If I want to criticise the board, my hard earned money going over your counters gives me the right....
Oh, and there'll be no shirts or merchandise bought until we see how this dutch combination works. I believe that's called caution. I'm sure all clever business men would advise me to do that.
A simple lesson in maths. 1 annoyed fan not coming back = £ 450 season ticket, 1 x new shirt = £40, 2 pints and a burger and a programme = £10 per game = £230. Even a rough calculation says that £720 is money that SFC lose. Now imagine that 2,000 fans stay away, and don't support the club. Can you afford to be so offhand about people grumbling? Now work out 5,000 fans staying away. In today's current sticky situation, can you really afford to just fill the stadium with your so-called true fans? Maybe I should take my money elsewhere.
If I want to criticise the board, my hard earned money going over your counters gives me the right....
Oh, and there'll be no shirts or merchandise bought until we see how this dutch combination works. I believe that's called caution. I'm sure all clever business men would advise me to do that.
Sniper, says...
12:35pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Wilde said "to retain the support of our funders"
Your funders, Mr Wilde, are the loyal supporters of Southampton FC
All they've done is make it more expensive and more difficult to attend matches.
They have shown utter contempt for many fans and I fully expect the next piece of news will be the increase in matchday ticket prices. Backed up by yet more emotional blackmail.
Lowe and Wilde are ruining our club.
Wilde is utterly distrustful. A man who was going around two years ago telling everyone in earshot what a crook and nasty piece of work Rupert Lowe is, and now he's working for him! (because it's Lowe pulling his strings).
Attendances at St Mary's are going to suffer badly, making all these cut backs an utter waste of time as the base line income from matchdays is going to drop through the floor.
But Lowe and Wilde in their ivory tower are sat there laughing at fans, because they think we are all thick and will swallow whatever rubbish they come up with and still turn up handing over our hard earned money to a couple of failed business men who are only interested in TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE CLUB.
Your funders, Mr Wilde, are the loyal supporters of Southampton FC
All they've done is make it more expensive and more difficult to attend matches.
They have shown utter contempt for many fans and I fully expect the next piece of news will be the increase in matchday ticket prices. Backed up by yet more emotional blackmail.
Lowe and Wilde are ruining our club.
Wilde is utterly distrustful. A man who was going around two years ago telling everyone in earshot what a crook and nasty piece of work Rupert Lowe is, and now he's working for him! (because it's Lowe pulling his strings).
Attendances at St Mary's are going to suffer badly, making all these cut backs an utter waste of time as the base line income from matchdays is going to drop through the floor.
But Lowe and Wilde in their ivory tower are sat there laughing at fans, because they think we are all thick and will swallow whatever rubbish they come up with and still turn up handing over our hard earned money to a couple of failed business men who are only interested in TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE CLUB.
Matt Terrell, Hamble says...
12:46pm Fri 13 Jun 08
This is yet another nail in the coffin of our once proud club. Why close Itchen Blocks 1-3 or the Kingsland / Northam corners of the ground, when facts are, that outside of the Northam Stand faithful these fans create atmosphere & back to team. If they want to make staff cost cutting measures, close the bloody Chapel Stand, let them find a new home, after all its a graveyard down there, they might as well have their noises put out by this because they dont seem to be very passionate about much else !!. Dont get me wrong this is not really about my thoughts on supporters in other areas of the stadium I dont wish to sit in. Its about Mr Lowe & Wilde not understanding the support at this club. I quite agree with comment made on this site earlier, its time to put the away support at the other end of the ground . Then if required we can close the corners or part if the Itchen / Chapel or Kingsland / Chapel corner. This way we will fill the whole of the Northam Stand with passionate Saints supporters.
Rocker268, Hampshire says...
12:54pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Although I feel sorry for those that are now losing the bus rides to the ground these cuts are essential 250k is a large amount of money for our club at the current time, if we have a sell out game then those areas will be re opened they are not going to demolish them but it makes sense why have a hundred or so sitting in one area when they can be moved to somewhere else.
Those whinging about £2 a trip to the stadium are lucky its an hour to Southampton and then an hour back driving for me so doing that with current petrol prices is far more expensive than a bus across the city and if your that bothered then walk where I park its a 30 minute walk to the stadium to avoid the traffic.
Those whinging about £2 a trip to the stadium are lucky its an hour to Southampton and then an hour back driving for me so doing that with current petrol prices is far more expensive than a bus across the city and if your that bothered then walk where I park its a 30 minute walk to the stadium to avoid the traffic.
Dutch Courage, Pub says...
12:55pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Well at least the new coach will feel more at home with small crowds. Make him feel at home
Dan Lowe, Soton says...
1:10pm Fri 13 Jun 08
blue wrote:O.K. then. let's spend no money, therefore we get no decent new players leaving us with the same squad which almost got us relegated last season (but probably minus a few players!) and once again we're in a relegation scrap.
not a rocket scientist...... wrote: oi rupert....... speculate to accumulate....... get the cheque book out..... get some decent players..... get the team playing well..... team starts climbing league..... this in turn attracts decent size crowds..... meaning more fans turn up to see the team..... and therefore more revenue is generated..... blah...blah...blah.. .You are a funny man...you tried your strategy a couple of seasons ago and spent £7m trying to get promoted. That is why you are bankrupt. You've just had to sack the kitman because you're broke, and you think the bank would authorise Woopert Von Duck writing a few multi-million quid cheques for players?
I don't think the initial post was expecting Rupert lowe to spend millions, but maybe if we did buy just a few players who would improve the side then what he suggests might happen.
Better players = better perormances, which should = better league position and that should get more fans in the ground making more money.
So I agree with 'not a rocklet scientist'....
Fuming, Southampton says...
1:12pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Last Saturday after lots of consideration I renewed my season ticket for block 3 this Saturday I will be asking for a full refund - are they really trying to kill any atmosphere left at the ground Itchen North has always kept the banter going now I will pick and choose what games to attend if any!! 10 years of being a season ticket holder - they are a pair of prats!!
Richie, Germany says...
1:20pm Fri 13 Jun 08
I am lucky enough to watch Borussia Monchengladbach now i live in Germany. I still see Saints when i come home but here in Germany the fans are valued and treated well by the club and as a result come back week after week however the team is doing. Perhaps the club would do better to stop treating the fans like crap then there would be no need to close any parts of the ground. Simple idea i know but it might just work Mr Lowe.
SaintTW, Southampton says...
1:21pm Fri 13 Jun 08
rob wrote:Errrr... have you read the article? You are moving.
There are 20 of us with season tickets in Block 2 in the itchen corner. GUESS WHAT LOWE WE AINT MOVING . The support in that part of the ground is great and full most games!
Saint Ken, Bristol says...
1:39pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Over the years I have sat in every stand and corner except the Chapel/Kingsland corner and am dismayed at the decision to close the Northam/Kingsland corner, which has a great atmosphere. (No offence Chapel lovers, we're all Saints fans together but the Northam end IS louder.)
So if results under the new management team go badly and attendances tail off, what then? Close some more blocks?
So if results under the new management team go badly and attendances tail off, what then? Close some more blocks?
Kendog, St. Marys says...
2:10pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Ed wrote:Also Ed, SFC - Lowe = more fans.
These are sorry times. Let's just hope the new manager can inspire what is left of our playing staff. Good football = good gates.
I for one will not set foot in the stadium (except Claus`s testimonal game) whilst this twit is in charge. He started our downward spiral with p1ss poor decision making.
Lowe out, Lowe out
Robbie Robertson, Fareham says...
2:11pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Great to hear you are not coming back, the true supporters left, don't want you!
Maths lesson (I sent this from work, but it seems to have been mislaid!)
1 irate fan doesn't renew his season ticket. He also refuses to support the club. £450 for the ticket. £40 for the new shirt (assume he only buys one) No food drink programme revenue from him (at say a tenner a game (programme, burger, 2 pints), £230 over a season, not allowing for cup matches/ testimonials)The club has £720 less income. Same number of Stewards employed, needing to be paid. Same wages to backroom staff. Same wages to players. You lose one fan, it isn't the end of the world. Now add up 2,000 fans not renewing. Make it 5,000 fans and you 'proper fans' are in the kack.
If the 700 loyal fans who bought their tickets in their preferred areas all ask for a refund (admittedly slightly cheaper) somebody with a calculator add up how much the club loses.
Now tell me that you can do without the support of 'everyone'. I pay enough over the tills and bars at your club to be entitled to be disgruntled if decisions like this are made.
I initially had my doubts about Lowe & Wilde coming back, as I felt that things like this might happen. The Pro-Lowe lobby sit there and say to be positive, and to give the new coach a chance. Only, he isn't your coach yet, is he? He has a year left to run at Helmond.
You couldn't make it up....
Maths lesson (I sent this from work, but it seems to have been mislaid!)
1 irate fan doesn't renew his season ticket. He also refuses to support the club. £450 for the ticket. £40 for the new shirt (assume he only buys one) No food drink programme revenue from him (at say a tenner a game (programme, burger, 2 pints), £230 over a season, not allowing for cup matches/ testimonials)The club has £720 less income. Same number of Stewards employed, needing to be paid. Same wages to backroom staff. Same wages to players. You lose one fan, it isn't the end of the world. Now add up 2,000 fans not renewing. Make it 5,000 fans and you 'proper fans' are in the kack.
If the 700 loyal fans who bought their tickets in their preferred areas all ask for a refund (admittedly slightly cheaper) somebody with a calculator add up how much the club loses.
Now tell me that you can do without the support of 'everyone'. I pay enough over the tills and bars at your club to be entitled to be disgruntled if decisions like this are made.
I initially had my doubts about Lowe & Wilde coming back, as I felt that things like this might happen. The Pro-Lowe lobby sit there and say to be positive, and to give the new coach a chance. Only, he isn't your coach yet, is he? He has a year left to run at Helmond.
You couldn't make it up....
Graham, Herts says...
2:19pm Fri 13 Jun 08
I had to smile when I heard about subsidised bus fares. To drive for Hertfordshire (North of Watford) is a round trip of 214 miles - approx 7 gallons of petrol for my biggish car. Cost of petrol thus typically £40 £50 each time I watch Saints play at home - and I'm just recently retired.
A fan or a fool? I won't tell you what my wife thinks.
Graham
Ouch!!
A fan or a fool? I won't tell you what my wife thinks.
Graham
Ouch!!
Ric, Totton says...
2:28pm Fri 13 Jun 08
mullingar wrote:Yes I was,15 years at the dell & up until end of last season at st Marys.Wills always be Saints,there were 18 that would meet in totton before a match,out of the 18 only 5 have renewed there season tickets.
Ric wrote: R.I.P Southampton FC 1885-2007,died due too a greedy tight fisted sxxt,will be missed by true Saints fans. Final nail in that coffin. Will be watching AFC Totton in the Southern Leauge this season as will many more ex season ticket holders in Totton/Waterside & the New Forest will be doing.You are an ex-season ticket holder! Great to hear you are not coming back, the true supporters left, don\'t want you!
Why is it great to hear me not coming back ?
Are going to follow AFC Totton this season .Think your find that there 35% down on last year season ticket sales.
Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
2:58pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Ciaran wrote:I am well aware of why the subsidised bus fares were introduced, but also know it is a luxury, and luxuries are the things that are cut back on when you are looking to save money. It could be argued that both Saints and the City Council had a lack of foresight in not trying to find a site for a multi-story carpark in the vicinity. The stadium is not just used on match days, and adequate parking would have made St Mary's a more attractive venue.
Artful Dodger wrote: If all those \\\\\\\'dedicated Saints fans\\\\\\\' who said they were not going to renew their season tickets, did not renew, then they have helped bring about these cost cutting measures. Subsidised bus fares to go to watch your team? When some people make a round trip of more than 100 miles to watch Saints, and do so on a regular basis, I think that subsidising the locals is a luxury they can do without. Pensioners will use their bus pass anyway.It\'s designed to stop people driving to the stadium as there\'s no parking in the immediate vicinty. But I\'m sure you knew that already, Sailor Sam.
Blackfield Bob, says...
3:42pm Fri 13 Jun 08
If you want to make singnificant savings close the Directors Box. And to those fans who say, "What can we do about Rupert etc etc?" Just remember we are now Lowe's only meaningful source of income, collectively we have much more power than you realise.
David Brown, Lee on Solent says...
3:47pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Well said Fed up Still. The reason the club is in the current financial situation it is in,is due to the fact we were relegated during the reign of Rupert Lowe.
He completely messed up then and now he has returned to the club and is blaming all and sundry for the financial collapse.
I dont think it will be long before we will become the Leeds of the South Coast.
Make sure all the doors are locked and the lights are turned out Rupert before you hand the keys back to the Bank.
He completely messed up then and now he has returned to the club and is blaming all and sundry for the financial collapse.
I dont think it will be long before we will become the Leeds of the South Coast.
Make sure all the doors are locked and the lights are turned out Rupert before you hand the keys back to the Bank.
mullingar, says...
3:49pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Robbie wrote:I do buy the season ticket, the new shirts, the pints, burger, programmes etc etc and I will do so whoever is in charge of this club and whoever manages the Saints - I have done so for many, many years and I will continue to do so - I have every right to call myself a true fan.
Great to hear you are not coming back, the true supporters left, don't want you! A simple lesson in maths. 1 annoyed fan not coming back = £ 450 season ticket, 1 x new shirt = £40, 2 pints and a burger and a programme = £10 per game = £230. Even a rough calculation says that £720 is money that SFC lose. Now imagine that 2,000 fans stay away, and don't support the club. Can you afford to be so offhand about people grumbling? Now work out 5,000 fans staying away. In today's current sticky situation, can you really afford to just fill the stadium with your so-called true fans? Maybe I should take my money elsewhere. If I want to criticise the board, my hard earned money going over your counters gives me the right.... Oh, and there'll be no shirts or merchandise bought until we see how this dutch combination works. I believe that's called caution. I'm sure all clever business men would advise me to do that.
If you do not wish to invest your time or money supporting the club, fair enough but go away and stop grumbling about it, no one really wants to hear it!
mullingar, says...
3:51pm Fri 13 Jun 08
David Brown wrote:What and sink the club into administration?
Well said Fed up Still. The reason the club is in the current financial situation it is in,is due to the fact we were relegated during the reign of Rupert Lowe. He completely messed up then and now he has returned to the club and is blaming all and sundry for the financial collapse. I dont think it will be long before we will become the Leeds of the South Coast. Make sure all the doors are locked and the lights are turned out Rupert before you hand the keys back to the Bank.
Get real and get lost!
Mmmmm, here, there, everwhere says...
3:54pm Fri 13 Jun 08
This is so typical of everything at the moment. There is so much hatred for Lowe that everything the club does is criticised even if what they are doing makes a lot of sense in our current financial situation.
Believe me I can't stand Lowe and I don't trust Wilde but since we A) can't fill the stadium at the moment and B) have no money and have the banks closely monitoring our finances this seems like an eminently sensible solution.
There are three benefits:
1) we save quite a bit of money
2) Barclays can see we are taking the situation seriously and are taking steps to keep our finances in check - buying us a bit of breathing space
3) when you have less than capacity crowds it makes sense to keep the fans you do have grouped together to improve the atmosphere, rather than having 20,000 people spread across 32,500 seats you can have 20,000 people spread across quite a few less (I'd guess at maybe 25,000 seats for instance).
I think people need to stand back, take a breath and count to 10 SLOWLY before posting on here.
Believe me I can't stand Lowe and I don't trust Wilde but since we A) can't fill the stadium at the moment and B) have no money and have the banks closely monitoring our finances this seems like an eminently sensible solution.
There are three benefits:
1) we save quite a bit of money
2) Barclays can see we are taking the situation seriously and are taking steps to keep our finances in check - buying us a bit of breathing space
3) when you have less than capacity crowds it makes sense to keep the fans you do have grouped together to improve the atmosphere, rather than having 20,000 people spread across 32,500 seats you can have 20,000 people spread across quite a few less (I'd guess at maybe 25,000 seats for instance).
I think people need to stand back, take a breath and count to 10 SLOWLY before posting on here.
mullingar, says...
3:57pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Ric wrote:Because all we get on these forums is whingers - moaning on about this and that and complaining about everything!
mullingar wrote:Yes I was,15 years at the dell & up until end of last season at st Marys.Wills always be Saints,there were 18 that would meet in totton before a match,out of the 18 only 5 have renewed there season tickets. Why is it great to hear me not coming back ? Are going to follow AFC Totton this season .Think your find that there 35% down on last year season ticket sales.Ric wrote: R.I.P Southampton FC 1885-2007,died due too a greedy tight fisted sxxt,will be missed by true Saints fans. Final nail in that coffin. Will be watching AFC Totton in the Southern Leauge this season as will many more ex season ticket holders in Totton/Waterside & the New Forest will be doing.You are an ex-season ticket holder! Great to hear you are not coming back, the true supporters left, don\'t want you!
At this critical time in the history of this great club, when every supporter present and past is needed to help get this club off its knees you drift off and commit to watch The Stags!
Sorry but IMO that behaviour does not constitute a true supporter!
With regards to Totton, I do watch them wherever possible if Saints are not at home, I have some friends at Testwood Park and wish them all the best for nest season.
mullingar, says...
4:02pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Mmmmm wrote:Totally agree - well said.
This is so typical of everything at the moment. There is so much hatred for Lowe that everything the club does is criticised even if what they are doing makes a lot of sense in our current financial situation. Believe me I can't stand Lowe and I don't trust Wilde but since we A) can't fill the stadium at the moment and B) have no money and have the banks closely monitoring our finances this seems like an eminently sensible solution. There are three benefits: 1) we save quite a bit of money 2) Barclays can see we are taking the situation seriously and are taking steps to keep our finances in check - buying us a bit of breathing space 3) when you have less than capacity crowds it makes sense to keep the fans you do have grouped together to improve the atmosphere, rather than having 20,000 people spread across 32,500 seats you can have 20,000 people spread across quite a few less (I'd guess at maybe 25,000 seats for instance). I think people need to stand back, take a breath and count to 10 SLOWLY before posting on here.
saint al gosport, gosport says...
4:02pm Fri 13 Jun 08
sainthog7 wrote:i know a few cuts ...... lowe and pals of the board, why dont you on the day of the home games use one car , mr lowe pick up all ya mates in one car, and before you all say they dont live in the same area tough ..pick them up . and sell a few of ya cars ,and one other thing lets sell the car park to pikeys, he he just a joke, no lowe i mean it was a joke
so mr lowe&chums are not too contfident about there dream of total football still as long as their not out of pocket HATE the board support the SAINTS
Robhythe, says...
4:08pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Billy 2 Baps wrote:Seems that people that sing in the kingsland northam corner and itchen northam corner make quite abit of noise so is the atmosphere going to be worse? Where will these people sit now ?can they all sit together in the Chapel end to make alot of noise there???? where are you going to sit Billy 2 Baps?
redarmy wrote: I heard about these changes last season,so no shock to me...only one end of the stadium actually sing anyhow- Northam/Itchen Corner... imo,be better to close Chapel and ask those fans to move into Kingsland or Itchen. time to really pull together id say.I'd like to add the corner of Kingsland to Itchen & Northam that sing. Along with those 3 blokes in the Chapel, who sit in row L
robhythe, Hythe says...
4:15pm Fri 13 Jun 08
rob wrote:Good on yer, your support is great! what can they do if you refuse to move?
There are 20 of us with season tickets in Block 2 in the itchen corner. GUESS WHAT LOWE WE AINT MOVING . The support in that part of the ground is great and full most games!
saint al, hants says...
4:16pm Fri 13 Jun 08
rob wrote:your right mate he can not make you move seats that have already been sold, its what i have found out is ..... he has mis sold you a ticket, or put it this way its called fraud, if you go into a shop and buy a red shirt you dont, expect a blue one do .....see my point you have been mis-sold, i havent seen the letter you all got but i bet you never got the option to have your mony back ....
There are 20 of us with season tickets in Block 2 in the itchen corner. GUESS WHAT LOWE WE AINT MOVING . The support in that part of the ground is great and full most games!
robhythe, Hythe says...
4:26pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Matt Terrell wrote:Totaly agree, there are alot who make a noise in these corners , not just the Northam who i think are great also!
This is yet another nail in the coffin of our once proud club. Why close Itchen Blocks 1-3 or the Kingsland / Northam corners of the ground, when facts are, that outside of the Northam Stand faithful these fans create atmosphere & back to team. If they want to make staff cost cutting measures, close the bloody Chapel Stand, let them find a new home, after all its a graveyard down there, they might as well have their noises put out by this because they dont seem to be very passionate about much else !!. Dont get me wrong this is not really about my thoughts on supporters in other areas of the stadium I dont wish to sit in. Its about Mr Lowe & Wilde not understanding the support at this club. I quite agree with comment made on this site earlier, its time to put the away support at the other end of the ground . Then if required we can close the corners or part if the Itchen / Chapel or Kingsland / Chapel corner. This way we will fill the whole of the Northam Stand with passionate Saints supporters.
Lyn, Hythe says...
4:51pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Don't you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority!
This is just a joke. I've been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don't have a clue!!
One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where's all that money? It wasn't hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!!
As much as I love the Saints and always will I can't help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation.
Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary's but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there's the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100.
Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I'm not knocking it because I'm involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing!
I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!
This is just a joke. I've been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don't have a clue!!
One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where's all that money? It wasn't hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!!
As much as I love the Saints and always will I can't help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation.
Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary's but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there's the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100.
Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I'm not knocking it because I'm involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing!
I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!
dai, west side says...
5:42pm Fri 13 Jun 08
robhythe wrote:at last a sensible idea, make him chairman!!!
Matt Terrell wrote: This is yet another nail in the coffin of our once proud club. Why close Itchen Blocks 1-3 or the Kingsland / Northam corners of the ground, when facts are, that outside of the Northam Stand faithful these fans create atmosphere & back to team. If they want to make staff cost cutting measures, close the bloody Chapel Stand, let them find a new home, after all its a graveyard down there, they might as well have their noises put out by this because they dont seem to be very passionate about much else !!. Dont get me wrong this is not really about my thoughts on supporters in other areas of the stadium I dont wish to sit in. Its about Mr Lowe & Wilde not understanding the support at this club. I quite agree with comment made on this site earlier, its time to put the away support at the other end of the ground . Then if required we can close the corners or part if the Itchen / Chapel or Kingsland / Chapel corner. This way we will fill the whole of the Northam Stand with passionate Saints supporters.Totaly agree, there are alot who make a noise in these corners , not just the Northam who i think are great also!
were the itchen, homeless says...
6:14pm Fri 13 Jun 08
robhythe i couldnt agree more.the itchen north is the the most passionate of st marys.they give fantastic support to the team and have fantastic banter with the away fans.rupert you are a knob of the highest order.shut the bloody chapel or give it to the away fans.better still shut the directors box and move the fukers to the car park.
LOWE OUT, EASTLEIGH says...
6:15pm Fri 13 Jun 08
I love saints and itchen north block 1 and so dose away fans FOCK OFF LOWE
billy 2 baps, Waiting for my whistle says...
6:15pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Robhythe wrote:I'm thinking Chapel, I might be able to add to the noise. Just think "Northam, give us a song Northam, Northam give us a song sshhhhhhhh"
Billy 2 Baps wrote:Seems that people that sing in the kingsland northam corner and itchen northam corner make quite abit of noise so is the atmosphere going to be worse? Where will these people sit now ?can they all sit together in the Chapel end to make alot of noise there???? where are you going to sit Billy 2 Baps?redarmy wrote: I heard about these changes last season,so no shock to me...only one end of the stadium actually sing anyhow- Northam/Itchen Corner... imo,be better to close Chapel and ask those fans to move into Kingsland or Itchen. time to really pull together id say.I'd like to add the corner of Kingsland to Itchen & Northam that sing. Along with those 3 blokes in the Chapel, who sit in row L
Tracey, Southampton says...
7:41pm Fri 13 Jun 08
John B wrote:I agree. Cost cuts are never popular but in the clubs current situation they are necessary.
Scummer wrote: What a disgrace!! Encouraged to go for the early bird ticket, and fill their coffers! Yes re-newed mine, before the end of the Season even though we were facing Relegation!! I stand in Block 39, and have done for years, and I have never seen it empty? What an earth are they thinking about? They could close the whole of the Chapel, and no-one would notice!! You can count the people without moving them! I really thought the club was moving forward,was even willing to give Lowe another chance, his pure greed astounds me, without us committed fans he would not be in the position he has, Im gutted and considering my support in the future!Sorry I dont understand this post Why is it a disgrace to try to save money in order for us not to go into Aministration. Why is Rupert Lowe Greedy
When the club is on a better financial footing I think we might then see some credible offers of investment.
Tracey, Southampton says...
7:46pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Lyn wrote:Lyn,
Don't you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I've been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don't have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where's all that money? It wasn't hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can't help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary's but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there's the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I'm not knocking it because I'm involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!
The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
chapelbackrow, Maybush says...
7:47pm Fri 13 Jun 08
The loss of the bus "perk" will increase my costs of going to a game by about 10%. Inflation rate ?? If we all take cars -- where do we park?? THE CITY COUNCIL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KICK OUT THE MOVE AWAY FROM PUBLIC TRANSPORT------ REMEMBER THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE ADDITIONAL CARS ALL CAUGHT IN THE THE CONGESTION IN THE CITY CENTRE, ------ ROLL ON BIG GAME //// IKEA OPEN /// 3 BIG CRUISE SHIPS IN ------- BETTER START TO COUNT THE CRACKS IN THE PAVEMENT ---- WE AIN'T GONNA BE MOVIN ANYWHERE>>>>>>>
Lyn, Hythe says...
8:53pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think...............
Lyn wrote: Don\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\'s all that money? It wasn\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\'m not knocking it because I\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
. Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I'm saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn't be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn't be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move!
The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.
Richie, Germany says...
9:07pm Fri 13 Jun 08
For all the ups and downs of following Saints i had to laugh when i saw the skates linked to yet another big money player - whilst we are worrying about closing part of our ground that could hold a further 10,000 fans yet the 'BIG TIME' boys down the road can't even fill their 20,000 ground at the moment. I can't help but think that the whole game is going completely bonkers.
davet, says...
9:12pm Fri 13 Jun 08
My season ticket was in block 36,the atmosphere was great,i think by closing it,and itchen some of the home advantage will be lost as the crowd will be disjointed all for a£100k a lot less than an average player is on ,i have now been offered a season ticket on the centre line kingsland for no extra cost, a better seat but i would have prefered to stay where i was .If we played good football the crowds would come back ,this is abackward step
John B, Bitterne says...
9:17pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Lyn wrote:You dont seem to be a very sensible person to me whingeing on and on.
Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think............... . Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I\'m saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn\'t be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn\'t be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move! The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.Lyn wrote: Don\\\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\\\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\\\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\\\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\\\'s all that money? It wasn\\\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\\\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\\\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\\\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\\\'m not knocking it because I\\\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
Does it really matter where people live.
SFC is in financial difficulties something has to be done that is what Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde are trying to do so we do not go into administration.
It is not uncommon for a team to be relegated from the Premiership it happens every year but lots of Saints fans are too arrogant to accept the fact we are now in the Championship and need to adjust to it.
Of course it is Mr Lowe's fault we were relegated as he did not invest with money he did not have.
tom mcloughlin, london says...
10:02pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Saints fans you must realise that Lowe Wilde and Cowan are paying themselves a cumulative total of over 750K per year whilst they make cuts.
As I said before, washed up businessmen with nothing to do before this.
Let's hope a cavalry come soon otherwise it is admin or worse.
As I said before, washed up businessmen with nothing to do before this.
Let's hope a cavalry come soon otherwise it is admin or worse.
tom mcloughlin, london says...
10:03pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Saints fans you must realise that Lowe Wilde and Cowan are paying themselves a cumulative total of over 750K per year whilst they make cuts.
As I said before, washed up businessmen with nothing to do before this.
Let's hope a cavalry come soon otherwise it is admin or worse.
As I said before, washed up businessmen with nothing to do before this.
Let's hope a cavalry come soon otherwise it is admin or worse.
Snitch!, Southampton says...
10:29pm Fri 13 Jun 08
tom mcloughlin wrote:If that's true why don't you inform the police that Southampton F.C. is being embezzled?
Saints fans you must realise that Lowe Wilde and Cowan are paying themselves a cumulative total of over 750K per year whilst they make cuts. As I said before, washed up businessmen with nothing to do before this. Let's hope a cavalry come soon otherwise it is admin or worse.
Costa Baz, says...
10:30pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Lyn wrote:Lyn, we can't lose the stewards as they'll be needed to throw out any supporter who stands up, as was the threat last time Lowe was in charge.
Don\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\'s all that money? It wasn\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\'m not knocking it because I\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!
Tracey, Southampton says...
10:45pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Lyn wrote:Lyn,
Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think............... . Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I'm saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn't be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn't be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move! The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.Lyn wrote: Don\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\'s all that money? It wasn\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\'m not knocking it because I\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
By previous boards I meant the time inbetween Lowes exit and his return. Yes we got relegated when Lowe was previously chairman and sure he made mistakes but he isn't responsible for how the boards inbetween run up debts by letting costs escalate out of control. If Crouch and his lot kept spending under control you can bet Lowe would not be back now.
Costa Baz, says...
10:45pm Fri 13 Jun 08
John B wrote:John you (and Tracey for that matter) use the same argument all the time, ref Lowe not being able to spend money he did not have.
Lyn wrote:You dont seem to be a very sensible person to me whingeing on and on. Does it really matter where people live. SFC is in financial difficulties something has to be done that is what Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde are trying to do so we do not go into administration. It is not uncommon for a team to be relegated from the Premiership it happens every year but lots of Saints fans are too arrogant to accept the fact we are now in the Championship and need to adjust to it. Of course it is Mr Lowe's fault we were relegated as he did not invest with money he did not have.Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think............... . Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I\'m saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn\'t be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn\'t be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move! The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.Lyn wrote: Don\\\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\\\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\\\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\\\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\\\'s all that money? It wasn\\\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\\\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\\\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\\\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\\\'m not knocking it because I\\\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
I recognise the chairman has a duty to keep the club solvent but surely he also has a duty to take "calculated" risks to ensure the solvency of his company?
At the time you state he had no money to invest, we were a Premier League club of long standing, with a multi million pound turnover and a good credit record, so don't you think, as chairman, Lowe should have moved heaven and earth to "borrow" a few million to invest in safeguarding his company's future, knowing that if everything still went pear shaped and relegation ensued, he could have repaid the loan out of the parachute payments?
Constantly repeating "he had no money to invest" when he was sat on a goldmine, is not an acceptable reason for taking no action. If he had no money to invest and made no attempt to obtain any, through a loan from the club's bank, it actually shows him up as an incompetent chairman.
One last point.
Do you think the club would be in such dire financial straits if it were still in the Premier League, and had NOT been relegated?
Costa Baz, says...
10:45pm Fri 13 Jun 08
John B wrote:John you (and Tracey for that matter) use the same argument all the time, ref Lowe not being able to spend money he did not have.
Lyn wrote:You dont seem to be a very sensible person to me whingeing on and on. Does it really matter where people live. SFC is in financial difficulties something has to be done that is what Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde are trying to do so we do not go into administration. It is not uncommon for a team to be relegated from the Premiership it happens every year but lots of Saints fans are too arrogant to accept the fact we are now in the Championship and need to adjust to it. Of course it is Mr Lowe's fault we were relegated as he did not invest with money he did not have.Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think............... . Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I\'m saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn\'t be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn\'t be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move! The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.Lyn wrote: Don\\\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\\\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\\\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\\\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\\\'s all that money? It wasn\\\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\\\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\\\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\\\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\\\'m not knocking it because I\\\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
I recognise the chairman has a duty to keep the club solvent but surely he also has a duty to take "calculated" risks to ensure the solvency of his company?
At the time you state he had no money to invest, we were a Premier League club of long standing, with a multi million pound turnover and a good credit record, so don't you think, as chairman, Lowe should have moved heaven and earth to "borrow" a few million to invest in safeguarding his company's future, knowing that if everything still went pear shaped and relegation ensued, he could have repaid the loan out of the parachute payments?
Constantly repeating "he had no money to invest" when he was sat on a goldmine, is not an acceptable reason for taking no action. If he had no money to invest and made no attempt to obtain any, through a loan from the club's bank, it actually shows him up as an incompetent chairman.
One last point.
Do you think the club would be in such dire financial straits if it were still in the Premier League, and had NOT been relegated?
Lyn, Hythe says...
11:04pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Costa Baz wrote:I am a sensible person but i am also guilty of supporting Saints and being a season ticket holder no matter what league we're in! I just don't like the way our club has been run over the years! And as a supporter I who has seen the decline of the club I love I feel I have the right to "whinge" especially when like every other supporter its our money thats being wasted.
John B wrote:John you (and Tracey for that matter) use the same argument all the time, ref Lowe not being able to spend money he did not have. I recognise the chairman has a duty to keep the club solvent but surely he also has a duty to take \"calculated\" risks to ensure the solvency of his company? At the time you state he had no money to invest, we were a Premier League club of long standing, with a multi million pound turnover and a good credit record, so don\'t you think, as chairman, Lowe should have moved heaven and earth to \"borrow\" a few million to invest in safeguarding his company\'s future, knowing that if everything still went pear shaped and relegation ensued, he could have repaid the loan out of the parachute payments? Constantly repeating \"he had no money to invest\" when he was sat on a goldmine, is not an acceptable reason for taking no action. If he had no money to invest and made no attempt to obtain any, through a loan from the club\'s bank, it actually shows him up as an incompetent chairman. One last point. Do you think the club would be in such dire financial straits if it were still in the Premier League, and had NOT been relegated?Lyn wrote:You dont seem to be a very sensible person to me whingeing on and on. Does it really matter where people live. SFC is in financial difficulties something has to be done that is what Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde are trying to do so we do not go into administration. It is not uncommon for a team to be relegated from the Premiership it happens every year but lots of Saints fans are too arrogant to accept the fact we are now in the Championship and need to adjust to it. Of course it is Mr Lowe\'s fault we were relegated as he did not invest with money he did not have.Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think............... . Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I\\\'m saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn\\\'t be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn\\\'t be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move! The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.Lyn wrote: Don\\\\\\\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\\\\\\\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\\\\\\\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\\\\\\\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\\\\\\\'s all that money? It wasn\\\\\\\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\\\\\\\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\\\\\\\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\\\\\\\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\\\\\\\'m not knocking it because I\\\\\\\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
David Crook, Yorkshire says...
11:15pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Thank god Lowe and Wilde are back,the club would have gone bust without them.It's forward
now as I am concerned.
Saints for ever
David Crook
now as I am concerned.
Saints for ever
David Crook
Tracey, Southampton says...
11:22pm Fri 13 Jun 08
Costa Baz wrote:Baz,
John B wrote:John you (and Tracey for that matter) use the same argument all the time, ref Lowe not being able to spend money he did not have. I recognise the chairman has a duty to keep the club solvent but surely he also has a duty to take "calculated" risks to ensure the solvency of his company? At the time you state he had no money to invest, we were a Premier League club of long standing, with a multi million pound turnover and a good credit record, so don't you think, as chairman, Lowe should have moved heaven and earth to "borrow" a few million to invest in safeguarding his company's future, knowing that if everything still went pear shaped and relegation ensued, he could have repaid the loan out of the parachute payments? Constantly repeating "he had no money to invest" when he was sat on a goldmine, is not an acceptable reason for taking no action. If he had no money to invest and made no attempt to obtain any, through a loan from the club's bank, it actually shows him up as an incompetent chairman. One last point. Do you think the club would be in such dire financial straits if it were still in the Premier League, and had NOT been relegated?Lyn wrote:You dont seem to be a very sensible person to me whingeing on and on. Does it really matter where people live. SFC is in financial difficulties something has to be done that is what Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde are trying to do so we do not go into administration. It is not uncommon for a team to be relegated from the Premiership it happens every year but lots of Saints fans are too arrogant to accept the fact we are now in the Championship and need to adjust to it. Of course it is Mr Lowe's fault we were relegated as he did not invest with money he did not have.Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think............... . Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I\'m saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn\'t be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn\'t be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move! The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.Lyn wrote: Don\\\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\\\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\\\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\\\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\\\'s all that money? It wasn\\\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\\\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\\\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\\\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\\\'m not knocking it because I\\\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
Had we not been relegated I believe the clubs finances would be much stronger because of the TV money.
I don't agree with you that Lowe should have borrowed anymore money when there is a big mortgage to pay off on the stadium, plus would a 'few million' be enough to have kept us in the premier league?
With the cuts that are being implemented hopefully the club will return to profit quickly and attract some credible offers of investment.
Jimmy Twizzle, Gosport says...
7:18am Sat 14 Jun 08
HAPPY CHAPPY wrote:LOVINIT etc...you work at McDonalds?
I dont know about closing 3 corners, they should close the whole blouddy lotits not as if there is anything worth watching at St Fairies anyway. Come to think of it there never has been. When Stains were in the Premier league it was always a case of avoiding relegation every year. They never actually won anything. Just as well SUPER POMPEY put you out of your misery when we beat you 4-1 and subsequently relegated you :-) LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT
Jimmy Twizzle, Gosport says...
8:41am Sat 14 Jun 08
What do you say to a Skate in a suit?
"Big Mac and chips"
"Big Mac and chips"
Ray, Eastleigh says...
9:04am Sat 14 Jun 08
All this penny pinching and last year we were only paying for 1 chairman, good bit of business that, look after the gravy train first this lot should be in politics
Mark, southampton says...
9:09am Sat 14 Jun 08
Its amazing how many skates were at the bon jovi gig! Personally you could get my fave band playing at nottarf krap, they could PAY ME to go watch them and i still wouldnt set foot in there! Any way that outta the way, i for one will be getting a season ticket this year as our team (not lowe or the turncoat) needs our support! Fan base is the most important income to any team! So instead of moaning about things we have no say over get ya wallets out get to the ticket office and put your money where your whining mouths are!
CitySaint, The City says...
9:24am Sat 14 Jun 08
I understand from someone in a position to know the finances of the club (not a bloke down the pub)that Lowe's package is well in excess of £400k. Presumably Wilde is not involved for free either, so these cuts should be no surprise.
Last year I had a chance to talk to a leading British businessman with strong links to football. He admitted that he had been approached to put money into SFC and declined. I asked him why he thought we were in such a seemingly dire financial position after years being told we were well run and of regular high value player sales. His words - clubs like So'ton can't afford to have board members taking £500k+ out of the club and that has been the case there for some time.
Last year I had a chance to talk to a leading British businessman with strong links to football. He admitted that he had been approached to put money into SFC and declined. I asked him why he thought we were in such a seemingly dire financial position after years being told we were well run and of regular high value player sales. His words - clubs like So'ton can't afford to have board members taking £500k+ out of the club and that has been the case there for some time.
robhythe, Hythe says...
9:55am Sat 14 Jun 08
So these cuts are supposed to save £250 grand! CRAP !!! If you put just 300 people off going to the home games at an average of £20 that would add up to around 138 grand a season not including programs drinks food etc that are bought in the ground, and renewed memberships ( im not renewing mine) !! And i think if saints stay in mid table then they would lose more support than that! The reason that alot of people go to St Marys is not just for the football but for the atmosphere ( making a noise etc) ! Blocks 1-3 get behind the team and also blocks 36-39 make alot of noise to add to the Northam! They must want to take the atmosphere awaqy from the stadium! I have only been going to saints for a few years and have enjoyed it because of the good banter etc!
John B, Bitterne says...
9:56am Sat 14 Jun 08
CitySaint wrote:Lowe Cowan Wilde etc will probably getting large salaries compared with you and me.
I understand from someone in a position to know the finances of the club (not a bloke down the pub)that Lowe's package is well in excess of £400k. Presumably Wilde is not involved for free either, so these cuts should be no surprise. Last year I had a chance to talk to a leading British businessman with strong links to football. He admitted that he had been approached to put money into SFC and declined. I asked him why he thought we were in such a seemingly dire financial position after years being told we were well run and of regular high value player sales. His words - clubs like So'ton can't afford to have board members taking £500k+ out of the club and that has been the case there for some time.
The Directors in Jim Hone era got well paid as well Lee Hoos will be getting well paid at Leicester that is what happens in business today.
I dont like it but we have to live with it.
Saintlygirl, Shirley, Southampton says...
11:24am Sat 14 Jun 08
I did not renew this season due having by daughter in January. That was my only reason (I will attend the odd match and be a member though). I am however quite glad in respect of the latest changes. I would not have been part of the move as I sat in Block 35 in Kingsland North, but would have missed the bus ticket though. I hate to say it but the amount of people that have not renewed this season that I know, it is a worrying situation for the club, but I do believe it is the fault of the Board. All recent decisions I have NOT agreed with - Lowe shouldn't have returned and Pearson should have stayed. Then, the seat moving and bus ticket removal may have been a softer blow to bear for those who have renewed and are being moved. I'll never stop supporting my club. I love SFC, I just don't like the Board.
crew657, new forest says...
11:44am Sat 14 Jun 08
Saintlygirl wrote:I do have a concern. Saintly girl sounds nice but i feel sorry that she has to bring a child up in that other cespit known as shirley which though not as bad as millbrook and sholing is not far off. There is a pub in shirley called the park inn which is full of yellow bellies and trannys...maybe thats why a lot of scum drinkl there
I did not renew this season due having by daughter in January. That was my only reason (I will attend the odd match and be a member though). I am however quite glad in respect of the latest changes. I would not have been part of the move as I sat in Block 35 in Kingsland North, but would have missed the bus ticket though. I hate to say it but the amount of people that have not renewed this season that I know, it is a worrying situation for the club, but I do believe it is the fault of the Board. All recent decisions I have NOT agreed with - Lowe shouldn't have returned and Pearson should have stayed. Then, the seat moving and bus ticket removal may have been a softer blow to bear for those who have renewed and are being moved. I'll never stop supporting my club. I love SFC, I just don't like the Board.
saintlygirl move out of shirley for your own sanity...and follow the true hampshire football team..super pompey
Trusupporta, Southampton says...
11:52am Sat 14 Jun 08
I think the most telling words in the quote from Michael Wilde were "we now have to take some unpleasant and unpalatable actions to get the finances back on track and to retain the support of our funders . "
I guess to a large extent Barclays are now calling the tune and require evidence of actions to save money.
I would also guess they will insist on sanctioning any expenditure such as tranfer fees or additional player wages. In fact it is very likely they will have fixed a cap on total player wages.
I guess to a large extent Barclays are now calling the tune and require evidence of actions to save money.
I would also guess they will insist on sanctioning any expenditure such as tranfer fees or additional player wages. In fact it is very likely they will have fixed a cap on total player wages.
rich, shirley says...
11:52am Sat 14 Jun 08
come saints fans lets try and sell the ground out they cant refuse our money and they will have to back track on this stupid idea
Graham, Herts says...
11:54am Sat 14 Jun 08
John B wrote:I have noticed that postings regarding money appear to disappear very quickly from the site. I have no idea what Lowe gets paid and it means nothing in "The Real World" as all football ££££'s seem bonkers to us ordinary mortals (Look at the latest transfer figures).
CitySaint wrote: I understand from someone in a position to know the finances of the club (not a bloke down the pub)that Lowe's package is well in excess of £400k. Presumably Wilde is not involved for free either, so these cuts should be no surprise. Last year I had a chance to talk to a leading British businessman with strong links to football. He admitted that he had been approached to put money into SFC and declined. I asked him why he thought we were in such a seemingly dire financial position after years being told we were well run and of regular high value player sales. His words - clubs like So'ton can't afford to have board members taking £500k+ out of the club and that has been the case there for some time.Lowe Cowan Wilde etc will probably getting large salaries compared with you and me. The Directors in Jim Hone era got well paid as well Lee Hoos will be getting well paid at Leicester that is what happens in business today. I dont like it but we have to live with it.
I saw someone asking what ordinary Championship players get paid and noticed that Posting disappeared within minutes. The point bI'm making iks you can't comment on Lowe's salary without looking at the broader picture in Football.
£400k may be a fortune or a pittance for tghe Championship.
Follow your own prejudice.
crew657, new forest says...
11:58am Sat 14 Jun 08
Graham wrote:400K is not a lot of money but to you scum it must be a lot comopared to your benefits or macdonalds pay packet
John B wrote:I have noticed that postings regarding money appear to disappear very quickly from the site. I have no idea what Lowe gets paid and it means nothing in "The Real World" as all football ££££'s seem bonkers to us ordinary mortals (Look at the latest transfer figures).
CitySaint wrote: I understand from someone in a position to know the finances of the club (not a bloke down the pub)that Lowe's package is well in excess of £400k. Presumably Wilde is not involved for free either, so these cuts should be no surprise. Last year I had a chance to talk to a leading British businessman with strong links to football. He admitted that he had been approached to put money into SFC and declined. I asked him why he thought we were in such a seemingly dire financial position after years being told we were well run and of regular high value player sales. His words - clubs like So'ton can't afford to have board members taking £500k+ out of the club and that has been the case there for some time.Lowe Cowan Wilde etc will probably getting large salaries compared with you and me. The Directors in Jim Hone era got well paid as well Lee Hoos will be getting well paid at Leicester that is what happens in business today. I dont like it but we have to live with it.
I saw someone asking what ordinary Championship players get paid and noticed that Posting disappeared within minutes. The point bI'm making iks you can't comment on Lowe's salary without looking at the broader picture in Football.
£400k may be a fortune or a pittance for tghe Championship.
Follow your own prejudice.
we had joy as pompey fans
when the millbrook scum all ran
Mark, southampton says...
12:08pm Sat 14 Jun 08
Crew657 come on your losing your touch that last bit never rhymed! I'd rather have 400k clean cash than some dodgy money launderers millions! Whats with the macdonalds stuff lately? Perhaps your a bit sore as they just sacked you for being too spotty! look forward to the usual reply of ooh stains are so chicken and all ran away.
crew657, new forest says...
12:18pm Sat 14 Jun 08
Mark wrote:ill be in the slug and lettuce 4pm but guess what..no scum would dare show...all yellow bellies
Crew657 come on your losing your touch that last bit never rhymed! I\\\\\\\'d rather have 400k clean cash than some dodgy money launderers millions! Whats with the macdonalds stuff lately? Perhaps your a bit sore as they just sacked you for being too spotty! look forward to the usual reply of ooh stains are so chicken and all ran away.
lala land, southampton says...
12:43pm Sat 14 Jun 08
Ive got a better plan. Goodbye Wright, goodbye Euel, goodbye Wright Phillips. Save the wages re-invest it in people who can actually play football.
Kdog, St. Marys says...
1:47pm Sat 14 Jun 08
crew657 wrote:How fitting you are going to the slug... you slimy low life. Crawl back under the fish stinking rock you came from pr1ck
Mark wrote: Crew657 come on your losing your touch that last bit never rhymed! I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'d rather have 400k clean cash than some dodgy money launderers millions! Whats with the macdonalds stuff lately? Perhaps your a bit sore as they just sacked you for being too spotty! look forward to the usual reply of ooh stains are so chicken and all ran away.ill be in the slug and lettuce 4pm but guess what..no scum would dare show...all yellow bellies
Graham, Herts says...
4:14pm Sat 14 Jun 08
crew657 wrote:nhappily for him, Crew 657 does not understand what we all know. Continuous threats of violence are almost always linked to impotence.
Mark wrote: Crew657 come on your losing your touch that last bit never rhymed! I\\\\\\\'d rather have 400k clean cash than some dodgy money launderers millions! Whats with the macdonalds stuff lately? Perhaps your a bit sore as they just sacked you for being too spotty! look forward to the usual reply of ooh stains are so chicken and all ran away.ill be in the slug and lettuce 4pm but guess what..no scum would dare show...all yellow bellies
Sorry, Crew657, I thought you shouldknow that we all crease up everytime you write in with a threst.
You are absolutely legend on a couple of the private sites
Graham, Hants says...
4:23pm Sat 14 Jun 08
For example, we all call you Gladys. It just seems to fit.
About 75% of your admirers think you're an Angry Millbrook boy - possibly Mansel Rd. who thought he was making the big time when he moved to the slums of Portsmouth or Havant
About 75% of your admirers think you're an Angry Millbrook boy - possibly Mansel Rd. who thought he was making the big time when he moved to the slums of Portsmouth or Havant
sailor sam, portsmouth says...
4:51pm Sat 14 Jun 08
lala land wrote:You really must be in lala land!
Ive got a better plan. Goodbye Wright, goodbye Euel, goodbye Wright Phillips. Save the wages re-invest it in people who can actually play football.
The reason they would be sold, or shown the door, is to SAVE cash. The cash that is saved, would help to pay off the debts/overdraft, not to spend it on more players. It is spending money that the club has not got, that has got the club into the hole it now finds itself.
If you are lucky, players will be sold, and free transfers will come in, on less wages than those that have left, leaving the club with a few bob to pay back to the bank.
Times are going to be tough at St Mary's.
Mark, southampton says...
6:09pm Sat 14 Jun 08
The defence rests your honour! crew657 come up with something original and get a life for your own sake! Even when trying reverse psychology can you come up with something original! your team is she ite your comments are she ite! Slug and lettuce? is that cockney rhyming slang for something? judging by your past rhymes could be anything?
Billy 2 Baps, says...
7:53pm Sat 14 Jun 08
I see the papers are saying Dyer to PFC, lets hope we get decent money for him. He'll go straight out on loan i.e. Cranie.
Mr P, Somerset says...
11:04pm Sat 14 Jun 08
A simple message to all saints fans - if we buy enough tickets the ground will not have any sections closed, plus this will get us out of debt and the team will gather more points. As much as others may have fuct this up and it does sicken us agreed, but it is up to us to get us out of this.
Get your **** down there, called ruuwpert what you like but fill the ground and support the team! I can't affort to go that often, but when I can I will.
I suggest everyone does the same!
Saints will have there time again...
Get your **** down there, called ruuwpert what you like but fill the ground and support the team! I can't affort to go that often, but when I can I will.
I suggest everyone does the same!
Saints will have there time again...
Ian Own, London says...
12:21am Sun 15 Jun 08
I don't comment much because I know that Portsmouth fans pee up this site and ruin us chatting to each other but I would like to say that even though it makes me unhappy that we are looking like a third weight team, we are getting it right financially and I don't know about anyone else but I was hating the fact that we were dreaming for a sugar daddy to come in and rescue us like our neighbours. I'm proud, but I can only hope we do well with the juniors. We all know they are good. But one more thing, lets not sell off perfectly good players for nothing. Just like we did we A. Svensson, he played awesme tonight. Go Saints. Ian
stripey, says...
10:26am Sun 15 Jun 08
Fed Up Still wrote:This is what I have been saying about Lowe for a long time. He is just a con-man with spin-artistry as his specialism. The stadium was all about the property deal. I remember him saying the stadium was needed so that we could compete in the top division and then when we get in the stadium he can't keep the good managers because he claims we cant afford to compete (i.e. buying the players they want) and appoints the cheap and/or C**p managers or those who just want a job and have to put up with him and his lack of ambition (some call it realism) and then these managers become the fall guys when results suffer because he can't or won't invest in the team. Now he has come up with this idea of playing youngsters and being a feeder club. He is slowly destroying us. Unfortuantely we are stuck with him until something better comes along. I just hope that either I am wrong and that he proves to be our saviour or someone with stacks of money comes along and replaces him before he really does take us into oblivion. The one thing I'll do is keep supprting the Saints but it gets harder every year with him around.
So here is more proof that Lowe got it wrong during his first stint in charge. Build a ground that holds a little over 32,000 fans. Put the club in debt for that 32,000 seat stadium but sleep easy at night knowing that premiership football will pay for the stadium. appoint 3 managers in one season (all cheap options) and get relegated. After more Cr*p decissions and making a very unpopular return to the club which is very much oppossed by real SFC fans Lowe now says that the gates dont justify keeping all of the stadium open. Where was the long term forward thinking planning and business sense you proclaim to have Lowe??? Nice touch too Lowe PR/Echo. have a dig at the fans for not coming to games to justify the closure of parts of the stadium. how about Lowe F'cks off, pearson is re-appointed and then maybe the fans will return. A note to all you other SFC fans, looks like Lowe is already Boo Hoo'ing about the lack of maoney ha can steal from our beloved club. Lowe its you or the club. Bye Bye.
saint al gosport, gosport says...
10:34am Sun 15 Jun 08
Lyn wrote:DO RUPS 2 SONS PAY FOR TICKETS I KNOW THEY GO EVERY TIME,
Tracey wrote:Yes and who has been on previous boards!!!! Let me think...............
Lyn wrote: Don\\\'t you think by closing these corners Mr Lowe might be thinking that he can get rid of the mindless minority! This is just a joke. I\\\'ve been a season ticket holder for 6 seasons now and have just worked out that I have given them in the region of £10,000! I know this isn\\\'t a lot in the grand scheme of things but it is to me and my family! I thought Mr Lowe was coming back in with investors! Where are they? Maybe instead of shutting down corners and taking away the free bus etc they should just get rid of the stewards! There seemed to be more of them than fans last season! For what! Most of them are rude and don\\\'t have a clue!! One last point How much did the Bon Jovi concert bring in? £3.50 a pint and £2.00 a bottle of pop! mmmmmm where\\\'s all that money? It wasn\\\'t hosted for free. Oh and £3.50 a hot dog!!! As much as I love the Saints and always will I can\\\'t help feeling embarrassed by this sorry situation. Mr Lowe - Where has all the money gone? I could understand if it was a cheap day out at St Mary\\\'s but its not, whether you have a season ticket or you buy per game, its not just the ticket there\\\'s the food & drink/programme something from the shop! An average family of 4 can kiss goodbye to at least £100. Whilst it has been successful letting local Football clubs have tickets for £2.00 each and 2 free adult tickets, and I\\\'m not knocking it because I\\\'m involved in grassroots football, there seems to be no limit on this, why not charge the adults £5 instead of nothing! I think the problem is that money has been spent in the wrong areas and not on whats important!Lyn, The previous couple of boards spent all the money and lots more, losses mounted to the tune of upto £1 million per month. That is why cuts are needed now.
. Rupert Lowe & Micheal Wilde!!!!! Even when not on the board they still had shares and taking money! What I\'m saying is 6 seasons ago we were in a strong position! FA Cup run Europe and good players, if the money had been spent and invested wisely at the time we wouldn\'t be in this position. We have let players go for nothing, players go at knock down prices and players go to bigger clubs with half the money up front and the rest being payed per play and never or rarely played! That was a really good business move by Mr Lowe. At the end of the day if Mr Lowe and his pals put their hands in their pockets and paid for tickets to the game would they go!!!! Do any of them live in a 3 bed semi! No. Are any of them really in touch with the fans? No We are showing signs of being desparate by shutting down stands which quite rightly shouldn\'t be done! If I was one of those 700 supporters I would be refusing to move!
The board have ducked up and its the supporters that suffer again.
mikel, cford says...
11:17am Sun 15 Jun 08
redarmy wrote:your lucky gonna cost me at least £8 a game for self and 10 year old son
I heard about these changes last season,so no shock to me...only one end of the stadium actually sing anyhow- Northam/Itchen Corner... imo,be better to close Chapel and ask those fans to move into Kingsland or Itchen. time to really pull together id say.
Robhythe, Hythe says...
1:01pm Sun 15 Jun 08
crew657 wrote:As i said i have been going to st marys for a few years now since i moved here and the reason i go there is for the good atmosphere etc! I have been to most grounds around the country and st marys can generate a really good atmosphere ! better than fratton park!!!!
robhythe wrote: So these cuts are supposed to save £250 grand! CRAP !!! If you put just 300 people off going to the home games at an average of £20 that would add up to around 138 grand a season not including programs drinks food etc that are bought in the ground, and renewed memberships ( im not renewing mine) !! And i think if saints stay in mid table then they would lose more support than that! The reason that alot of people go to St Marys is not just for the football but for the atmosphere ( making a noise etc) ! Blocks 1-3 get behind the team and also blocks 36-39 make alot of noise to add to the Northam! They must want to take the atmosphere awaqy from the stadium! I have only been going to saints for a few years and have enjoyed it because of the good banter etc!dont be pathetic..scum couldnt make a noise if they tried. Stain marys is known as a fickle stadium with no atmosphere because scum fans are plastic. please do stay away, that way you'll fold and get get kicked out of the league quicker ps...scum do shout sometimes, normally "help, run away and wheres my mummy" hahahahahah scum yellow bellies
fact
Benny Fitt, Thornhill says...
1:04pm Sun 15 Jun 08
robhythe wrote:What a dedicated supporter you are. Only been going to Saints for a few years, so now that the going is tough and your support is needed more than ever, you decide that you are not renewing, because you miss the atmosphere and the banter.
So these cuts are supposed to save £250 grand! CRAP !!! If you put just 300 people off going to the home games at an average of £20 that would add up to around 138 grand a season not including programs drinks food etc that are bought in the ground, and renewed memberships ( im not renewing mine) !! And i think if saints stay in mid table then they would lose more support than that! The reason that alot of people go to St Marys is not just for the football but for the atmosphere ( making a noise etc) ! Blocks 1-3 get behind the team and also blocks 36-39 make alot of noise to add to the Northam! They must want to take the atmosphere awaqy from the stadium! I have only been going to saints for a few years and have enjoyed it because of the good banter etc!
I guess that means that instead of being at St Mary on match day, you will be sat in front of your screen, having the much needed banter with the likes of Crew 657. Of course, you could always go and watch Hythe & Dibden, and enjoy the atmosphere there.
robhythe, Hythe says...
8:19pm Sun 15 Jun 08
Benny Fitt wrote:Im still going but not renewing membership! OK!!! I have carried on going even though i wasnt a supporter when they were in the prem !So are you saying i should go back to supporting another team where i used to live! I believe in supporting your local team
robhythe wrote: So these cuts are supposed to save £250 grand! CRAP !!! If you put just 300 people off going to the home games at an average of £20 that would add up to around 138 grand a season not including programs drinks food etc that are bought in the ground, and renewed memberships ( im not renewing mine) !! And i think if saints stay in mid table then they would lose more support than that! The reason that alot of people go to St Marys is not just for the football but for the atmosphere ( making a noise etc) ! Blocks 1-3 get behind the team and also blocks 36-39 make alot of noise to add to the Northam! They must want to take the atmosphere awaqy from the stadium! I have only been going to saints for a few years and have enjoyed it because of the good banter etc!What a dedicated supporter you are. Only been going to Saints for a few years, so now that the going is tough and your support is needed more than ever, you decide that you are not renewing, because you miss the atmosphere and the banter. I guess that means that instead of being at St Mary on match day, you will be sat in front of your screen, having the much needed banter with the likes of Crew 657. Of course, you could always go and watch Hythe & Dibden, and enjoy the atmosphere there.
Thankyou for your comment!
ria, southampton says...
9:08pm Sun 15 Jun 08
i really do not agree with this at all. corners are the most packed out parts of the stadium. they moan about money loss but they wont go without them selfs so they cause drama by closing parts.
well with anyw luck tey wont be closed for long if saints pull their socks and start playing real football like they did a few seasons back.
well with anyw luck tey wont be closed for long if saints pull their socks and start playing real football like they did a few seasons back.
Jason Flynn, says...
1:14pm Mon 16 Jun 08
I was talking to a friend this morning who sits in the Itchen block 3, his wife sits in block 4 & his mother in law sits in block 7. Obviously he's got to move but his wife & mother in law are ok. What i need help on is how closing block's 1, 2 & 3 save's the club money as block's 4, 5, 6 & 7 are serviced via Itchen North. They need to use our turnstiles our bar our food kiosk's our toilets, our betting counter etc etc. The only saving i can see is the stewards, but surely there is a legal ratio the club has to abide by ie for every 5 fans you must have 1 steward? If this is the case it makes no difference were you sit or which part of the ground is open as the same % of stewards to the attendance will be required! Close the family stand and move it into the chaple! The family stand has all its own bars, toilets & food kiosks, so by closing this stand you can save money by closing all their bars, where as you need to keep all the bars in the Itchen north open to service fans in said blocks. The family block relocating to the chaple is the easy and best option, you save money on staff, you increase the attendance in the chaple, all the bars are already in place in the chaple, seems ideal to me?
jason flynn, Southampton says...
2:37pm Mon 16 Jun 08
I was talking to a friend this morning who sits in the Itchen block 3, his wife sits in block 4 & his mother in law sits in block 7. Obviously he's got to move but his wife & mother in law are ok. What i need help on is how closing block's 1, 2 & 3 save's the club money as block's 4, 5, 6 & 7 are serviced via Itchen North. They need to use our turnstiles our bar our food kiosk's our toilets, our betting counter etc etc. The only saving i can see is the stewards, but surely there is a legal ratio the club has to abide by ie for every 5 fans you must have 1 steward? If this is the case it makes no difference were you sit or which part of the ground is open as the same % of stewards to the attendance will be required! Close the family stand and move it into the chaple! The family stand has all its own bars, toilets & food kiosks, so by closing this stand you can save money by closing all their bars, where as you need to keep all the bars in the Itchen north open to service fans in said blocks. The family block relocating to the chaple is the easy and best option, you save money on staff, you increase the attendance in the chaple, all the bars are already in place in the chaple, seems ideal to me?
Robbie Robertson, Fareham says...
6:35pm Mon 16 Jun 08
,i have now been offered a season ticket on the centre line kingsland for no extra cost, a better seat but i would have prefered to stay where i was
So how do the peoploe feel who paid a lot more for these seats? The club seems to be going about this cost cutting all the wrong way. The fans are up in arms about this. Yet more alienation
So how do the peoploe feel who paid a lot more for these seats? The club seems to be going about this cost cutting all the wrong way. The fans are up in arms about this. Yet more alienation
Robbie Robertson, says...
9:04pm Mon 16 Jun 08
Your boasts of taing onhte whole of Southampton are boring the t*ts off me pal.
Please read Your boasts of taking on the whole of Southampton are boring the t*ts off me pal.
Please read Your boasts of taking on the whole of Southampton are boring the t*ts off me pal.
crew 657., new forest says...
9:02am Tue 17 Jun 08
Robbie Robertson wrote:shut it ..all gob you scummers, never back up your words. also you mention your t*ts...are you a freak hahahahahahah
Your boasts of taing onhte whole of Southampton are boring the t*ts off me pal.
Please read Your boasts of taking on the whole of Southampton are boring the t*ts off me pal.
Robbie Robertson, Fareham says...
10:17am Tue 17 Jun 08
Back up my words? What words were they Crew? I said you were a sad no-lifer. I don't need to back that fact up, you're doing it well enough on your own.
Crew657 is a muppet, southampton says...
1:52pm Tue 17 Jun 08
your a complete muppet Crew657. I would love a meet with you so i can smash your stupid skate face in, these forums have nothing to do with you!!!
post your email address
post your email address
crew 657., new forest says...
3:15pm Tue 17 Jun 08
Crew657 is a muppet wrote:i have if you look at the other thread you pathetic scummer
your a complete muppet Crew657. I would love a meet with you so i can smash your stupid skate face in, these forums have nothing to do with you!!!
post your email address
and stop dreaming, scum are about as hard as andrex
Rocket, Southampton says...
4:26pm Tue 17 Jun 08
crew 657. wrote:Better being Hard as Andex than being Hard for your Sister or Mother.
Crew657 is a muppet wrote: your a complete muppet Crew657. I would love a meet with you so i can smash your stupid skate face in, these forums have nothing to do with you!!! post your email addressi have if you look at the other thread you pathetic scummer and stop dreaming, scum are about as hard as andrex
crew 657., new forest says...
4:58pm Tue 17 Jun 08
Rocket wrote:you'd know all about the latter. you scum are so predictable. I would say you also get hard for your dad but you probably dont know who he is
crew 657. wrote:Better being Hard as Andex than being Hard for your Sister or Mother.
Crew657 is a muppet wrote: your a complete muppet Crew657. I would love a meet with you so i can smash your stupid skate face in, these forums have nothing to do with you!!! post your email addressi have if you look at the other thread you pathetic scummer and stop dreaming, scum are about as hard as andrex
Also for the scummer wanting email its
andy.crew657@googlem
ail.com
Michael Wilde and Rupert Lowe
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Martin Betts, Suffolk says...
8:08am Fri 13 Jun 08
How much is that smug **** Lowe taking out of the club each year?