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Southampton FC will not lose points over parent company's impending administration (From This is Hampshire)
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Southampton FC will not lose points over parent company's impending administration
9:39am Wednesday 1st April 2009
SAINTS will not be deducted ten points, even if the club's parent company goes into administration.
The Daily Echo contacted the Football League this morning to confirm whether or not the club would be hit by a points penalty.
And a spokesman confirmed that the club would not be docked points if SLH went into administration, as is widely expected.
He said: “Let’s be very clear, if the club goes into administration the club will be deducted 10 points.
“But if the holding company goes into administration then they won’t be.”
“The league rules are very specific, it has to be the club which goes into administration for points to be deducted.
“At the end of the day the Football League applies it’s rules and they specifically state it is the club that has to go into administration before points are deducted.”
Derby County provided the precedent which has seen Saints avoid a 10-point deduction for their parent company going into administration.
Back in October 2003, when ex-Saints boss George Burley was in charge at Pride Park, the Rams' parent company Derby County PLC were taken into receivership by the Co-op bank with debts of around £30m.
But Derby County Football Club, a seperate organisation under the umbrella of the Derby County PLC company, were not taken into administration and had no points deduction.
Within minutes of Derby County Ltd going into receivership, a consortium took over from them and that company ceased to exist.
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Your Say YourHampshire
Treas, Sholing says...
10:01am Wed 1 Apr 09
Charlie George's Lawnmower, Soton says...
10:05am Wed 1 Apr 09
So how can the club pay wages or bills because I bet all the bank accounts are in the name of Southampton Leisure Holdings.
I fully expect the above statement from the Football League to change when they've looked into the detail.
For a start, if Saints get away with this, all the clubs who have had points deducted will probably threaten the FL with legal action etc.
I'm pretty sure Luton town were owned by a "holding company" and it didn't stop them getting points taken off.
San Marco, says...
10:13am Wed 1 Apr 09
By the way - no one has told the official site that all this is going on...
(security word: plus-bank - ha ha ha ha ha...)
St.Yorkie, Pocklington says...
10:17am Wed 1 Apr 09
Perhaps now it's time for all those STs to stump up next years money to save the club - without Rupert Lowe?
Breaking news later today..."I came back and saved your club" Rupert's mantra for the fans.
S*d off Rupert and leave us alone to do a Luton!
Martin Orford, Bishops Waltham says...
10:22am Wed 1 Apr 09
Saints since '57, Nursling says...
10:30am Wed 1 Apr 09
Major Sir Jerry Pending, Ward 10 says...
10:33am Wed 1 Apr 09
Solent Saint, Lee on the Solent says...
10:33am Wed 1 Apr 09
saint Compo, Winchester says...
10:36am Wed 1 Apr 09
Unfortunately, it's not going to be easy to find either in such difficult economic times.
All those who have withheld their support of the club in the last year (by not going to games at St Mary's) should be ashamed of themselves. They are the main problem, not Lowe who has tried hard to retrieve a dreadful financial deficit situation created in the 2 years he was no longer Chairman of the PLC. This is notwithstanding his errors in the previous couple of years, especially the comings and goings of so many managers.
If our football club goes to the wall, the disaffected fans carry a huge part of the blame.
Those of you still gloating in the club's demise because you hate Lowe are fools - real fools, not just April ones.
COYR
St.Yorkie, Pocklington says...
10:37am Wed 1 Apr 09
Football is a working class sport hijacked by the midle classes to exploit the "poor working class man". I don't class my self at all - just get on with it to the best of my ability. When did Rupes last do a fair days work?
martin van tuyl, poole says...
10:50am Wed 1 Apr 09
saint Compo, Winchester says...
10:56am Wed 1 Apr 09
St.Yorkie wrote:So sad you have a chip on both shoulders!
Class - the man wouldn't know class if it smacked him in the face. Having class is more than living in Gloucester and wearing tweed, and having chums in The City! Football is a working class sport hijacked by the midle classes to exploit the "poor working class man". I don't class my self at all - just get on with it to the best of my ability. When did Rupes last do a fair days work?
Mr Melrose, hemingford abbots says...
11:06am Wed 1 Apr 09
unting-rugby-loving-
idiot he will have had enough 'people' around him to ensure that going into admin now rather than last week is not going to harm (or spell the end of) the football club - possible because I cant see a long list of buyers in these times. The possible ten points next season in div 1 may be the final nail to anyone comming forward with investment.
SaintPaul, says...
11:13am Wed 1 Apr 09
Mr Melrose wrote:Rupes is an intelligent businessman, your regular football loving director would not have been able to put this well executed plan together, I expect Lowe will set up a new company in a new name and buy Southampton Football Club back.
How Bright is Rupert? Hopefully, although a dyed-in the-wool-tory-duck-h unting-rugby-loving- idiot he will have had enough 'people' around him to ensure that going into admin now rather than last week is not going to harm (or spell the end of) the football club - possible because I cant see a long list of buyers in these times. The possible ten points next season in div 1 may be the final nail to anyone comming forward with investment.
You won't get rid of Lowe that easily!
San Marco, says...
11:32am Wed 1 Apr 09
saint Compo wrote:No blame at all attached to Rupert then - all the fans' fault.
If the PLC (parent company) goes into administration, it will be the aim of its Administrator (an insolvency specilaist) to find new funding for the PLC or a buyer for the club (subsidiary company).
Unfortunately, it's not going to be easy to find either in such difficult economic times.
All those who have withheld their support of the club in the last year (by not going to games at St Mary's) should be ashamed of themselves. They are the main problem, not Lowe who has tried hard to retrieve a dreadful financial deficit situation created in the 2 years he was no longer Chairman of the PLC. This is notwithstanding his errors in the previous couple of years, especially the comings and goings of so many managers.
If our football club goes to the wall, the disaffected fans carry a huge part of the blame.
Those of you still gloating in the club's demise because you hate Lowe are fools - real fools, not just April ones.
COYR
So it was the fans who made all the footballing and financial/administra
tive/management decisions over the past few months - I DIDN'T know that.
When we woke up to the news of the 'Total Football Revolution' last June we should have been blaming OURSELVES for it - I DIDN'T know that.
We, the fans, signed Pulis, I DIDN'T know that.
Lowe Luvvies will try anything to shift blame from their beloved hero - I DID know that...
Charlie George's Lawnmower, Soton says...
11:45am Wed 1 Apr 09
He'd have total control and those love luvvies can chant is name all match every match.
Trouble is, their crowds would number about 25 maximum.
But they would have many more internet fans who defend their lord and master on every forum going, but never went to games.
St.Yorkie, Pocklington says...
11:55am Wed 1 Apr 09
saint Compo wrote:Yes I liked to be balanced with my views and thoughts. It's a shame we don't all put as much time into cheering the lads on at SMS - no matter what happened the Itchen Corner was always up for a fight! Not been this year true to my word - but been to away games instead. It's not pretty but unlike some I don't need the fix every week. Love football, love the Saints, but detest what one man has done to our club. Did anyone mention Delgado lately?
St.Yorkie wrote: Class - the man wouldn't know class if it smacked him in the face. Having class is more than living in Gloucester and wearing tweed, and having chums in The City! Football is a working class sport hijacked by the midle classes to exploit the "poor working class man". I don't class my self at all - just get on with it to the best of my ability. When did Rupes last do a fair days work?So sad you have a chip on both shoulders!
worried of e sussex, says...
11:58am Wed 1 Apr 09
cut & paste, this reporting lark is easy!
Stafford Saint, Southampton says...
12:03pm Wed 1 Apr 09
I just would rather that people recognise that if you don't go for long enough you kind of lose the right to define yourself as a fan.
SaintPaul, says...
12:12pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Any takers?
Wayne Bridge has got a few quid maybe he will buy it?
AndyAndrews, West End says...
12:23pm Wed 1 Apr 09
San Marco, says...
12:23pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Stafford Saint wrote:Who has been 'in charge' for the last few months? Who has made all the decisions? The fans or Rupert Lowe?
Players have wages. Stadium has a debt to be financed. If the club wishes to remain professional and in the top half dozen or so divisions then that is fine. The club isn't the play thing of Lowe. He should not be expected to finance it himself. THE FANS DO HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE. The club needs to try to find a financial balance. It is a shame that more people don't want to pay to watch. Ergo those that don't go ARE responsible. But don't worry you are in good company - there are half a million near here that don't go! And don't worry: this type of 'responsibility' doesn't come with a punishment. Those stayaways that shy away from their degree of responsibility act defensively as if they think there are going to be put in the stocks for it! I did not punish you for Zavvi or Woolworths or that greengrocer in Woolston closing!
I just would rather that people recognise that if you don't go for long enough you kind of lose the right to define yourself as a fan.
Supporters don't have 'rights' or 'responsibilities' beyond the ones they have as citizens and human beings. Supporters have never 'run' or made any executive decisions in relation to the club, the supporters are not paid a large salary by the club. The only actual investment that (some)supporters have in the club (other than the emotional one of course) is the owning of shares - and look how much they are worth now.
Please stop blaming everyone but your beloved hero for this...
Berkshire Saint, Wokingham says...
12:43pm Wed 1 Apr 09
DinkDankDoo, Lordswood says...
12:45pm Wed 1 Apr 09
tastyted, winchester says...
12:58pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Saints since '57, Nursling says...
12:58pm Wed 1 Apr 09
In the meantime its business as usaul - see you all there on Saturday?
c0rsa28, Southampton says...
1:04pm Wed 1 Apr 09
The Grinch, Marchwood says...
1:07pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Some bad decisions seem to have been made at various points, but which one is the main cause? Or have they all combined to cause this mess?
It is a sad state of affairs altogether and whilst I personally see the turning point for this club's failings to be the non-reappointment of Glenn Hoddle after Strachan, who should be blamed for that? Should we blame the fans for bitterly objecting to the idea or should we blame the board for not having the testicles to make the reappointment of Hoddle despite the fans' objections? I firmly believe we would not have been relegated had Hoddle returned at that time - just look at the disasters of managers that came after Strachan. Of course we will never know whether Hoddle would have maintained our Premiership status and even if so, for how long.
Generally, it is unfair to blame 'stay away' fans because whether one is a fan or not, why should people pay good money continually (not to mention high prices) to see rubbish? Football is equally an entertainment industry as much as it is an endless passion. Fans can exist in either camp and often both. It is also worth considering that for some it is too painful to watch your team and club disintegrating in front of you. For others they simply cannot afford it.
Finally, I think we need to recognise that football has changed beyond all recognition since the 1980s and we were blessed with the services of a world class player - Matt Le Tissier - throughout the 90s and the quality and excitement he brought to the club. We were spoilt by this luxury for such a long time that once he has gone, and not replaced, a spark is missing from the club. That spark invokes passion, interest and magic - the things that bring people in - fans, other players and decent managers.
I believe there is a balance - and that is where this club has fallen down over the last few years.
St Retford, Manchester says...
1:16pm Wed 1 Apr 09
It just might also convince someone other than Lowe to take a punt on us - after all, we're going to be in the spotlight over the next couple of weeks and it's a chance for us (the fans) to shine. Who knows, there might even be some billionaire with a penchant for yachts who'd be willing to take a punt on a football club close to where he parks his boat.
Saint, says...
1:47pm Wed 1 Apr 09
The only good which might come out of all of this, would be if a big buyer takes this chance to get a deal.
Solent Saint, Lee on the Solent says...
1:48pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Charlie George's Lawnmower, Soton says...
1:51pm Wed 1 Apr 09
They went into Admin in October 2003.
But the rules on points deductions didn't come into effect until the start of the 2004/05 season.
Ciaran, Southampton says...
2:40pm Wed 1 Apr 09
The Football League (who impose the penalties) have said TODAY that they will not be imposing a points deduction on Saints if SLH goes into administration. The League spokesman even explains the rules.
This isn't the Echo making this up - it's the Football League telling the Echo what they do in these circumstances.
The Derby thing simply explains the precedent.
End of.
Charlie George's Lawnmower, Soton says...
2:51pm Wed 1 Apr 09
For a start, the FL have given Luton a points deduction and they are owned by a holding company... who weren't even involved at the club when the problems there happened!
I do expect more to be said on this point if we(when) we go into Admin.
The BBC are already reporting the FL have dispensation to award points deductions if they feel a club is manipulating the rules to avoid points deductions!
Ciaran, Southampton says...
3:41pm Wed 1 Apr 09
In Saints situation, it looks like the club will not go into administration - just the holding company. At Luton, Leeds et al it was both the club AND the holding company hence the points deduction.
SLH is going into administration, not SFC. The Football League rules only concern the club going into administration.
SW11_Saint, London says...
6:31pm Wed 1 Apr 09
c0rsa28, Southampton says...
6:53pm Wed 1 Apr 09
St Retford wrote:spot on i will definetly be there SFC4LIFE
Too right you'll see me on Saturday. The most important thing is that the players don't lose focus because of this, and the best way to stop them doing that is by turning up and supporting in such numbers that all they can think about is putting in an almighty footballing performance for us. It just might also convince someone other than Lowe to take a punt on us - after all, we're going to be in the spotlight over the next couple of weeks and it's a chance for us (the fans) to shine. Who knows, there might even be some billionaire with a penchant for yachts who'd be willing to take a punt on a football club close to where he parks his boat.
TottonScrutineer, Totton says...
9:07pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Treas wrote:Lowe? Acumen?Where was his acumen when Strachan wanted to tkake the clubforward?Where was it when he failed to invest in a decent striker .Where was his acumen when he got his hands on the profit from players and failed to pay off the clubs debt?
Well played Rupert Lowe! Another piece of inventive business acumen.Eat your hearts out ant-Lowe brigade!
TottonScrutineer, Totton says...
9:29pm Wed 1 Apr 09
saint Compo wrote:Actually I aggree with much of the above.I though do blame the directors as whole for not having to vision and puttimg Lowe back in.Lowe has the clubs best interests at heart but has predictably become a hate figure.(wrongly in my opinion)The facts are that he was on a hiding to nothing.I agree that the stay away fans need to take a long hard look at themselves.But then the rubbish dished up for most of the season and the divisive affect of Lowe and Wilde has made them feel what is the point.Speaking as someone who has supported SFC since boyhood and I am now retired I feel we have been let down by too many takers and not enough givers at board level.But I like many others have loyally gone to SMS and paid good money only to be let down by the various boards who acted who with selfish disregard to the real fans of SFC
If the PLC (parent company) goes into administration, it will be the aim of its Administrator (an insolvency specilaist) to find new funding for the PLC or a buyer for the club (subsidiary company). Unfortunately, it's not going to be easy to find either in such difficult economic times. All those who have withheld their support of the club in the last year (by not going to games at St Mary's) should be ashamed of themselves. They are the main problem, not Lowe who has tried hard to retrieve a dreadful financial deficit situation created in the 2 years he was no longer Chairman of the PLC. This is notwithstanding his errors in the previous couple of years, especially the comings and goings of so many managers. If our football club goes to the wall, the disaffected fans carry a huge part of the blame. Those of you still gloating in the club's demise because you hate Lowe are fools - real fools, not just April ones. COYR
drfcdavid, shanklin says...
10:47pm Wed 1 Apr 09
However, now everyone has to put that behind them, and pull together.
Otherwise, set the satnav for Rochdale and Yeovil
soton3009, Eastleigh says...
11:05pm Wed 1 Apr 09
iness.timesonline.co
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SF76, says...
10:08pm Thu 2 Apr 09
Now that the dark era of Lowe is finally at an end the future is looking a lot brighter.
We will find a buyer and hopefully we win our case at the FA to have the points deduction waived. I really do believe these events will have a positive effect on the field and we will stay up if 10 points aren't deducted.
Football League says Saints will not be deducted points
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chip eater, fair pak says...
10:00am Wed 1 Apr 09
please leave my club so i and thousands of others can go back.