The reason why the spirit of Southampton has disappeared is because people like Chris are staying away! I remember my uncle saying back in the 60's after Saints got promoted that he now prefered to go and watch local amateur games because they were more enjoyable. The fact is that every generation says this and it's just a relection of how both the game and the fans change over time.

I don't trust or like Rupert Lowe but anyone who thinks that another chairman would not take exactly the same steps to save money is living in cloud cuckoo land. There are only two alternatives to what Rupert Lowe & Co are currently doing: (i) Bankruptcy and Admisitration and (ii) a takeover by someone with mega bucks to invest. That means that in the absence of (ii) there is no real alternative!

So Saints fans - get down to St Mary's and support the team (not Rupert Lowe)for 90 minutes and see how they respond. The second half against Wolves showed just what a difference the full vocal support of the fans can make to a team's performance!! 45 minutes of the best football played by a Saints team since the days of WGS so get down there and do your bit!

spot on chris Im sorry to say mrlowe&chums have a lot to answer for I lay the blame at their feet they have bled the club dry& turned us into a laughing stock

And the first say on this story is a dismissive comment. So typical. I think that the point being made by Chris is that out of the many factors that are keeping fans away, one major factor stands out time and again......which is responsible for keeping a large % of the 14,000 stay away fans away.
There was no mention that people are staying away becuase of the League we are playing in, or the position within the league. Its down to one main reason. Now I know Chris cant speak for everyone and I'm sure some people will suggest that Chris is not the authority BUT time and time again most stay away fans that comment on these threads are not saying that they stay away because of the league we are in or the position we are in but becuase of One Man. If this one man left then I wonder what the gates would be????

Great story Chris and very reflective of the current situation at SFC and the stay away fans feelings.

Thanks Jerry. I agree with almost all you say. Its very sad that Chris has lost interest in Saints, but that's up to him. Its more sad that he chooses to slag off other people who continue to support our club, although I agree that we who still have the faith have no right to tell those that have lost it what to do. What I find most depressing, though (as I've posted at length on another post, and don't propose to repeat in detail here) is that being negative about the club, whether its the players, the coach or the Board, WILL impact on the confidence of the players. Jerry is right in saying that we are where we are, not where we might dream of being, and the only realistic survival propect is in the hands, or feet, of the current young, promising but sometimes naive team. They WILL improve, but only if they have the confidence in their ability to do so, which obviously JP is pretty good at instilling. So anything that undermines that confidence is only going to make the fate that the doom-mongers seems to relish more likely to happen. Stay away if you must, but PLEASE don't undermine those - players, coaches and fans - who want the club to succeed. Incidentally, that's a request - I'm not trying to TELL anyone to do it.

The spirit of Southampton will only return when the dark lord is gone from our club.
Keep up the boycott everyone.
Lowe Out !

Well said Chris Newman !

The majority of dissullioned fans think the same as you. Lowe is strangling this club to death. He has stopped the alternative and now is running the club into the ground. Fans who have had season tickets for decades are now walking away.

Dirty Judas Michael Wilde is to blame as well for his personal interests rather than the clubs. Scared to death his share value will go up in smoke.

The Daily Echo newspaper are also to blame for sucking Wildes plums way above the norm.

Lowe is now facing less slack from the bank due to his arrogant personal interest. Mr Banker was happier with Leon Crouch and others in charge. 100% FACT

Just ask Mr Fry at Barclays in Reading :)

UTS wrote:
Well said Chris Newman ! The majority of dissullioned fans think the same as you. Lowe is strangling this club to death. He has stopped the alternative and now is running the club into the ground. Fans who have had season tickets for decades are now walking away. Dirty Judas Michael Wilde is to blame as well for his personal interests rather than the clubs. Scared to death his share value will go up in smoke. The Daily Echo newspaper are also to blame for sucking Wildes plums way above the norm. Lowe is now facing less slack from the bank due to his arrogant personal interest. Mr Banker was happier with Leon Crouch and others in charge. 100% FACT Just ask Mr Fry at Barclays in Reading :)

And I'm to blame as well then - cos I'm going to keep going and keep supporting.

Nice artcle by Chris justifying his own decision - but he always was more intested in the sound of his own opinions than the issues he was writing about.

I have been going since 1954. It appears that people like to support a winning team or in the case of the Premier, watch the opposition.

This present team would see off Eastleigh any day of the week. But then they win a few games.

Those that don't want to go, fine, don't go. But I wish they would stop banging on about their boycott.

I wish the devisive Rupert Lowe would disappear,it isn't going to happen soon.

If everybody who is boycotting did something about it, like demonstrating just once outside SMS at 3.30 on a Game day It would demonstrate the numbers or possibly the lack of numbers of those boycotting. It won't happen.

pompeydave wrote:
Just typical of your so called suporters, blimy if Pompey supporters had the same fragile attitude you we would have folded years ago !

I wouldn't say too much otherwise we will start to talk about the 2,731 who turned up for a 1st team fixture at FP in Sept 2000.

With lowe in charge we may match your TWO THOUSAND attendance in a year or so, but until then please save your comments about our boycott of LOWE F.C.

derry wrote:
I have been going since 1954. It appears that people like to support a winning team or in the case of the Premier, watch the opposition. This present team would see off Eastleigh any day of the week. But then they win a few games. Those that don't want to go, fine, don't go. But I wish they would stop banging on about their boycott. I wish the devisive Rupert Lowe would disappear,it isn't going to happen soon. If everybody who is boycotting did something about it, like demonstrating just once outside SMS at 3.30 on a Game day It would demonstrate the numbers or possibly the lack of numbers of those boycotting. It won't happen.

You are right we should stop banging on about our boycott.......the 14,000 or so empty seats each home game is statement enough. Oh and of course I stay away fans cant even be blamed for the boo'ing that happens at the games.....because we aren't even there. Could it be that the "true fans" are possibly having a negative affect on the players. Of course not that would be a
preposterous thing to say. So the blame must lay at the door of teh stay away fans. Sadly though I think most fans already know that any demonstration would just fall on deaf ears. It takes a particular arrogance to ignore 14,000 or so empty seats and believe it has nothing to do with ones return. Especially when a few months earlier on the last and most critical game of our CCC status SMS was fully packed out, under the old regime. I dont think the fans were divided then. I dont think the fans were divided when we looked almost certain to be relegated prior to that game.

Well done The echo for printing such a story.

When will everyone involved with the club realise there is more than one side to every story.

OK you know me - anti-Lowe, and prepared to call everyone who goes to SMS a Luvvie, but there is Chris's side too. Perhaps it's a generation think - I know plenty of 55+ year olds who have had enough. Lowe isn't to blame for that directly but the players he employed/hired as mercenaries.

Never mind the boycott - Mr Lowe do the honourable thing - you are failing!

AH boohoo! So what! A lot of fans feel cr@p about the situation. He has decided to turn his back on it. Thats his choice. Why take the time to write in if you've turned your back on it? When print it? Easy way for the Echo to fill column space without actually doing any work!

Good luck against Reading! I'll be cheering for you!

COYR

Why are the Echo giving this bloke his own article. Always has loved the sound of his own voice and if he has given up the faith so what. Does that warrant his own piece. Saints are my team full stop always will be and I could never watch another team with the same passion that I have for Saints. I don't care that he has given up on Saints. Can I have an article posted saying "I haven't given up on Saints"?

What a sactimonious idiot ! Some fan he is ! With "fans" like that who needs enemies.
And why does The Echo fell the need to give the fool a column to publicise his demneted rantings ?

Whether you are boycotting SMS or attending, every single fan should be concerned as to why supporters like Chris Newman are turning their back on the club.

I personally have had feedback from young supporters who get no enjoyment from seeing Saints loose every home to season ticket holders who have been attending for decades, now boycotting SMS in protest of intensely held beliefs about decisions Lowe has taken in the past, who is to blame for our current predicament and importantly, whether they have faith in our future under these guardians.

Nothing is being done by the club to address this exodus of their fanbase.

We are in a downward spiral and matters will only continue in this direction unless change happens.

We all know Lowe is a good business man. You only have to look at the 16 other companies Lowe is registered as a director of to realise that this man knows his way around the business market.

But in my opinion, he doesnt know the difference between a good football or business decision.

I ask myself, surely as a business man, he must realise that his and Wildes mear presence is costing the club money in lost revenue from fans and commercial opportunties.

Does Lowe really think he is the only man capable to run SFC? Is Lowe acting in the best interests of the club by remaining in charge, to the dismay of thousand of previously loyal supporters?

I am not asking for fans to boycott SMS but if you are, please drop me an email indicating how many adults and children are not attending as a direct result of Lowes involvement.

Blah blah blah if you're not interested any more why even bother with this. Fair enough if you don't want to spend your money on watching the saints thats up to you but let those of us who are trying to support this (once) great club continue to do so without all this "the spirit has died" ****. In football as in life things go up and down and you never know what's round the corner, but obviously if you're not interested and not enjoying it any more then fair enough, leave it at that. Why the need for this justification?

All the best, Chris.

COYR!!

MikeC wrote:

UTS wrote: Well said Chris Newman ! The majority of dissullioned fans think the same as you. Lowe is strangling this club to death. He has stopped the alternative and now is running the club into the ground. Fans who have had season tickets for decades are now walking away. Dirty Judas Michael Wilde is to blame as well for his personal interests rather than the clubs. Scared to death his share value will go up in smoke. The Daily Echo newspaper are also to blame for sucking Wildes plums way above the norm. Lowe is now facing less slack from the bank due to his arrogant personal interest. Mr Banker was happier with Leon Crouch and others in charge. 100% FACT Just ask Mr Fry at Barclays in Reading :)

And I'm to blame as well then - cos I'm going to keep going and keep supporting. Nice artcle by Chris justifying his own decision - but he always was more intested in the sound of his own opinions than the issues he was writing about.

Well if you reckon to blame then thats your issue.

His voice echoes many Saints fans so accept it.

Well if your going to write artciles i cannot see the point unless your writing your own thoughts ! LOL

Trying out in the night
I am ready to start a fight
Hear the winds blowing through
Through my mind and I am waiting for you

Fallen saint, Fallen saint, Fallen saint – Fallen!

The carpet on the floor
Drunk in blood next to the door
Reminds me of the day
A fallen warrior had to lay

Fallen saint, Fallen saint, Fallen saint – Fallen!

Crying out in the dead of the night
We will meet in the morning light
What is your name?

Hold my weapons strong in hand
Soon I will rule, control this land
What is your name?

The sun is shining on your back
The saint is waiting for next attack
Make my day and try your best
God decides over this test

Clouds of war fill the sky
The exe upon your head is it a lie
See the fear in your eyes
Without a scream the saint dies

Fallen saint, now I know your name
The land is mine, no more pain
It is over now, the saint is dead
Deadly visions in my head

Fallen saint, Fallen saint, Fallen saint – Fallen!

So Rupert has ruined this "once great club" Chris? Sorry where, in our history, has the word great ever been applicable? We've always been a little club in a small city, we were lucky enough to stay in the prem so long thanks to one man, MLT, if he had shown an ounce of ambition we would have been right in the doo-doo. Stay away if you like, it just proves you're not a fan of the club, big deal, there's over 60 million people in the country who aren't as well! I am a fan, have been since the 2nd division days in the 60's and will continue to be. Do what you like mate, but don't pretend we've ever been great.

Very profound, saint paul.

We are the Northam
We are the Northam
We are the Northam over 'ere!

And well said, Pete, that's a good point. I don't understand this article at all, he is basically saying 'I'm bored of saints, it's not the same as the old days so I'm not interested any more and neither should you be.' Thanks for that.

The Itchen North responds from Block 1:
We're The Itchen
We're The Itchen
We're The Itchen over 'ere.

Or I would do if it was open and my boycott was holding firm!

Just seen password - "iron-club" more like ceramic or plastic!

What will RL think when he see's and hears 4,000 of us making a hell of a noise @ 15:00 tomorrow???? "Ha ha The peasents are not revolting" He ne laughing his hockey socks off! Hope at some time he gets some stick!!! COYR. Fair play to Chris N spending time to write a book about the Saints.

rupert lowe has to go,a greedy swine who took whats mine,the love of a club,now in the tub,and disapearing,relegati
on nearing.

You're quite right Yorkie, the sight of an empty block 1 is heartbreaking but we have to make the best of a bad situation. You have to ask yourself: Is St Marys half empty, or half full? ;-)

Chapel, give us a song
Chapel, Chapel give us a song!

"Yes indeed, a much bigger crowd was at St Mary’s than of late, but that was boosted by a Wolves following that has always throughout my 48 years following professional football been of the more fanatical variety."

Dear Mr Newman

Are you sure you went to SMS and not to West Quay by mistake? Fanatical my rear end!!!
Church mice more like, only Pomp*y were quieter than them.
I am amused at this column headed Where has the fabled spirit of Southampton gone.
My answer is nowhere, I and 14K other still have the spirit and we will give it our all to support our young boys. They did not ask to be in the position they find themselves but are giving 110% + to get out of it.
Your club is in your heart you just can`t give it up, or am I a bit more passionate about the Saints than some.
My conclusion is that if you wish to stay away please do not come back.
FAIR WEATHER FAN

Ted Stripes
Rant Over.

Chris Newman - in modern day football parlance - who the f*****g hell are you. So, you fell out of love with SFC, who cares - get over it. I was not able to attend last week's match, will that get me a column in the Echo. If you don't want to go - don't go. What is the song and dance about.

I have fallen out of love with this team on numerous occasions, and not liked the way things had been going, but I did not run around squinnying and blaming people and withdrawing my support. I certainly did not go running to the Echo, into where it appears you have a hotline.

I would not dream of telling you where to spend your money, but please decide why you are not spending it - broke or won't support your team.

How bloody dare you refer to the people who WISH to carry on supporting their team as "blinkered zealots" - what gives you that right.

You continually bleat on about this missing 14,000 staying away because of Lowe, and thereby commit the same mistake as your allies - you assume/guess/specula
te. Have you taken a poll (perhaps you could persuade your friends at the Echo so we would all stop guessing)or canvassed all of these people yourself. Does it not occur to you that there could well be other mitigating circumstamces like the credit crunch, the smoking ban, the low position we have, the fact we are out of the Premiership, the standard/style of the football we currently play.

"In your own humble view" Indeed? Anyone who has listened/read your numerous series of drivelling articles with antagonistic views over the past God knows how many years, will know you have never had a humble view in your life. Yet again that common failure of you and the rest of your anti Lowe Brigade is to demean those who do not share your stance. "Pontificating" and "misguided loyalty" - how denegrating are those arrogant comments - and you all accuse Lowe of that quality. In your book then, we should all support a team until they no longer are doing well, and then like you we leave, and oh by the way if we can mmount some nasty aggressive protest on the way so much the better. That my friend is not what a supporter does.

There happens to be a core of support out there who have no interest in the politics of this club, or what you have to say, they just want to keep supporting their club. I applaud those people and believe that core is building daily. Funnily enough, some of that returning support is actually down to you and your cohorts, because we are now beginning to see through your whinging and entirely pointless (not to mention damaging|) campaign.

You surprise me with your return to SMS through work, as I would have thought your principle would never have allowed you to step inside that vipers pit ever again. You also sadden me greatly in that your extreme hatred of a man like Lowe could prevent you from attending the testimonial of such a great Saints stalwart. Pathetic, and shame on you.

Yes Wolves did have a fair contingent, but don't lets skate over this big crowd. Take away the official figures for the away fans and that still leaves a big crowd for a televised match being played by a crap team of kids who are managed by a lousy manager under the auspices of a demon Chairman.

Why keep delving into the unknown to justify your rant. If we had not sold Stern John - if it wasn't for Kelvin Davis. John has gone (what has he done since) and we do not know how much he would have influenced things this season, and Kelvin Davis IS here and did what he is paid to do. We are not bottom, and many believe we are now on the up. Please just check our league position and the number of games left this season, then check who was in or around our position this time last year and where they finished up.

Why feel sorry for Jan? he is not complaining, and he knew exactly what he was coming in to. Lowe did not make a secret of the fact that he would be selling all the high earners to keep afloat, and for the same reason he would not be bringing in any new players. Jan has got what he has got to work with, and is happy. He is also blending a fine team of young players into what should be a force to be reckoned with next season. Anyone who had any misconceptions at the start of the season about possibly going up this season must have been mad. It will take at least two seasons to get ourselves into a challenging position and this may well have to be done with some of the better players going in January. Sad fact of football is that clubs in our position will always get picked off by the bigger clubs, and we have to accept it because it keeps us afloat financially.

So you now follow Eastleigh - well good for you and I am pleased you have finally found a team playing decent football and are doing well. Perhaps I will come back to you if they start to struggle and are not doing well, or you happen to find a bit of dirt about their chairman. You say that non league is much like the pro league used to be. Could it be then that you have actually just fallen out of love with pro football rather than with Saints specifically.

Sorry mate you are badly informed - the spirit of Southampton has not died. It is alive and kicking inside the fans who still support, and will go on forever. Just because we are not currently filling the staduium week in week out and entertaining all the superstars of the Premiership, does not mean that spirit is not here.

You watch when we get back (and at some time I think we will) - that spirit will be shown by most of the stay away objectors when they come flooding back through the turnstiles. For whatever reason they are now staying away, and I am not about to speculate why that is, they will return.

You have evry right to your view and opinion and to become a non supporter if you wish, but quite why we have to have all these damaging views from a non supporter beats me.

We have had bad times before mny friend and survived and we will do it again this time, and quite honestly we dont need your help.

Think your ego might get a bit dented if you read all the posts on this site - just for the comments mnade about you. Interesting to note also that so far there are 11 posters against you and only 7 for you, that is if you discount 2 posters who wrote in twice.

Chris do us all a favour and enjoy your Saturdays at the Eastleigh matches, leave the club you do not support anymore, and please don't keep going to your friends at the Echo.

Perhaps next week we can look forward to the views of a Fratton Park stalwart

It's slightly sad when someone decides to go and support another team; but it's that's up to him. I won't ever stop supporting Saints.

UTS wrote:
Well said Chris Newman ! The majority of dissullioned fans think the same as you. Lowe is strangling this club to death. He has stopped the alternative and now is running the club into the ground. Fans who have had season tickets for decades are now walking away. Dirty Judas Michael Wilde is to blame as well for his personal interests rather than the clubs. Scared to death his share value will go up in smoke. The Daily Echo newspaper are also to blame for sucking Wildes plums way above the norm. Lowe is now facing less slack from the bank due to his arrogant personal interest. Mr Banker was happier with Leon Crouch and others in charge. 100% FACT Just ask Mr Fry at Barclays in Reading :)

I am very concerned you are quoting names from a Bank, MP

TedStripes wrote:
"Yes indeed, a much bigger crowd was at St Mary’s than of late, but that was boosted by a Wolves following that has always throughout my 48 years following professional football been of the more fanatical variety." Dear Mr Newman Are you sure you went to SMS and not to West Quay by mistake? Fanatical my rear end!!! Church mice more like, only Pomp*y were quieter than them. I am amused at this column headed Where has the fabled spirit of Southampton gone. My answer is nowhere, I and 14K other still have the spirit and we will give it our all to support our young boys. They did not ask to be in the position they find themselves but are giving 110% + to get out of it. Your club is in your heart you just can`t give it up, or am I a bit more passionate about the Saints than some. My conclusion is that if you wish to stay away please do not come back. FAIR WEATHER FAN Ted Stripes Rant Over.

Well said that man. I have watched more of Saints in the past few seasons at St.Marys than I did when we were in the prem, the reason? I follow Saints. I cannot wait to see the back of L*** and hate what he has done to our club but I follow Southampton Football Club. The last time I looked it was still called this and not called R***** L*** Football Club. Get behind the lads and no more articles about self opionated wind bags who want nothing else but to see themselves in the local rag

Mr Newman is obviosly bored with saints but doesnt mean everyone has to be! He is right on a few points but is almost running the clubs supporters down , when have wolves had better support than Saints? Ive been to watch wolves a few times and the support is not as good as saints!! Looking forward to Reading!!

Well said Derek of Holbury.
Come on lads 3 points tomorrow.
COYR's

TedStripes wrote:
Oops fair weather fan you say ?

Season ticket for 30+ Years !

Plenty of lows in tha period.

Chris is as hardcore as you get towards SFC. He like many have become disillusioned about the club. The main catalyst of this is Rupert Lowe.

Hell even when Lowe was not in the boardroom from 2006 he was rocking the ship out of spite.Refusing to sell his shares and stopping investment.

Just watch next March when season tickets reach a massive 20 year low.

I used to speak to Chris on the number 8 coming home from matches, if he's not happy then the club is in a sorry state.

For me the spirit died when Jason Dodd was forced out by Redkrapp. he was the last of the generation of Saints greats like Flowers, Benali, the Wallaces and of course Le Tissier.

This so called "fan" is not "hardcore" or he would still be going to support Saints.
Supporters follow thier club through thick and thin.You dont drop your club if they are going through a bad patch.
If he really has supported Saints for 30 years it shows his brain is going if he thinks this our worst times.Typical old **** that looks at the past through rose tinted spectacles.
Never mind Chris you can spend your free time sitting on a bar stool drinking by yourself and talking about the good old days.
Loser.

Does anyone really care about this guy's views? I've supported the team since the late 60's and I'll always support them no matter what. End of story.

Strasser wrote:
This so called "fan" is not "hardcore" or he would still be going to support Saints. Supporters follow thier club through thick and thin.You dont drop your club if they are going through a bad patch. If he really has supported Saints for 30 years it shows his brain is going if he thinks this our worst times.Typical old **** that looks at the past through rose tinted spectacles. Never mind Chris you can spend your free time sitting on a bar stool drinking by yourself and talking about the good old days. Loser.

The only 'loser' around here is you with comments like that.

UTS wrote:
TedStripes wrote: Oops fair weather fan you say ? Season ticket for 30+ Years ! Plenty of lows in tha period. Chris is as hardcore as you get towards SFC. He like many have become disillusioned about the club. The main catalyst of this is Rupert Lowe. Hell even when Lowe was not in the boardroom from 2006 he was rocking the ship out of spite.Refusing to sell his shares and stopping investment. Just watch next March when season tickets reach a massive 20 year low.Wow only 30+ years!!!!
I`ve also seen many highs and lows, but as a fan I will give my 100% backing. When we lose it hurts, I have been dissillusioned as well, but I never walk away from a fight. This is a fight for our survival, some of us have the bottle for the challenge others cry off, that is the way it is. I am not a Lowe lover but without the tough decisions he has made we would now be on -3 Points. It maybe that we are relegated but I will still be there in the belief that I can make a difference.
Why can`t you just be positive.
This team will become very good, we are only 2-3 players away from a very good side. Give them your support and f**k Rupert Lowe, they deserve it.

Now I know where the 1 came from in Eastleigh's attendances ie 301 , 501 and 701. It is Mr Newman.

Im not for or against Lowe, but all I know is we were losing £1,000,000
a month when we beat Sheff utd last season to stay up .In hind sight what we should have done is invested our parachute payments in keeping our best players and got back into the prem at the 1st attempt .Just like Reading are doing.There nothing wrong with investing in the youth as long as we dont sell the youth in January .
We are a great club with great fans
but there must be light at the end of the tunnel and if Mr Lowe sees
it fit to sell our young stars January that
light will have gone out ...
A Saint through think and thin

TedStripes..........
......
Your last comment spot-on

been a steward for 3 years , been a season ticket holder for 3 years were not going any where and as soon as any 0ne shows any potential mr lowe will sell i think this is going to be my last season

Derek of Holbury, Holbury says...

1:22pm Thu 20 Nov 08
Would like to ask all posters if they can put aside personal grievances and viewpoints about how the Lowe regime may or may not be dividing the fans, and answer one question for me.

Is Derek on this forum so frequently and at all hours of the day because:-

a) He is totally obsessed with seeing his name on here?
b) He has an addictive personality and cannot stop himself from visting the site?
c) He enjoys winding people up?
d) He is single?
e) If he's not single he's not allowed to have an opinion at home?
f) He is being paid to be on here?
g) He has too much spare time?
h) He's unemployed?
i) If he's not unemployed he should be as he spends so much time on here he wouldn't be worth employing?
j) He actually thinks anyone else cares about his frequently overstated opinions?
k) He's a tw@t?
l) All the above?
m) Other?

Feel free to add any others as you see fit.

ps Is John of Bassett his brother?

Hi Baz - nice to hear from you. If your arguments are weak, resort to abuse? Good plan. Helpful. Constructive. Likely to unite the fan-base. Likely to help the team. Keep up the good work.

TedStripes wrote:
UTS wrote: TedStripes wrote: Oops fair weather fan you say ? Season ticket for 30+ Years ! Plenty of lows in tha period. Chris is as hardcore as you get towards SFC. He like many have become disillusioned about the club. The main catalyst of this is Rupert Lowe. Hell even when Lowe was not in the boardroom from 2006 he was rocking the ship out of spite.Refusing to sell his shares and stopping investment. Just watch next March when season tickets reach a massive 20 year low.Wow only 30+ years!!!! I`ve also seen many highs and lows, but as a fan I will give my 100% backing. When we lose it hurts, I have been dissillusioned as well, but I never walk away from a fight. This is a fight for our survival, some of us have the bottle for the challenge others cry off, that is the way it is. I am not a Lowe lover but without the tough decisions he has made we would now be on -3 Points. It maybe that we are relegated but I will still be there in the belief that I can make a difference. Why can`t you just be positive. This team will become very good, we are only 2-3 players away from a very good side. Give them your support and f**k Rupert Lowe, they deserve it.Dear oh dear i do no think you get it !

"cry off" !! LOL

Lowe has been a total disaster in less than six months.

Why would we now be on -3 points then ? Dont tell me your gullible and believe all the rubbish about admin etc ?

Are you aware that the bank where happier with the previous board ?

This is the problem we have now that gullible fans are believing all the rubbish printed in the Echo.

So what 'tough decisions' has Lowe made then ?? Im thinking zzzzzzz

Wanted his own patsy coach so went for a complete no mark who hasnt got a clue. Good for Lowe though as he can dictate the show. Install himself as director of football and again screw around like he did with Gray and Wigley.

Lowe is now bringing in the players ! FFS

Several loans come in that are total garbage. Thousands wasted on wages. No obvious fix pre season of the backline.

I have been a regular for 25 years and seen many lows and bleak times. How i managed five months without a win in 89 is anyones guess.

So your know 'hero' actually paying for Lowe to kill of the club further.

Lies and spin thats Lowe down to a tee and certain fans still do not get what makes him tick.

For all the "super fans" who support Lowe FC:-

I think we all know that something like £4,500,000 has been taken from the Football Club since we moved to the new ground for the benefit of the Shareholders (£3M in Dividends and £1.5M in Share Buybacks).

Here are a couple of examples of how the FAMILY Football Club has been grossly mismanaged while lowe has been in charge :-
(1) In 2004, RL has just purchased shares (approx 20% of his total) at 39p; Share Price hiked (IMO) to 50p and then 4 weeks after appointing Steve Wigley they pay a 3p dividend (£856,000).
Result Share price drops to 44p because (IMO) "not enough money spent on the core business".
So what do they do? give SW all the money to strengthen the team, NO they use (IMO) the money from 450 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS as a Share Buyback trying to get it back up to 50p.
This is 6 months before we are relegated !!!! and they are p*ssing about trying to strengthen the Share Price.

(2) After we are relegated in May 2005, they then pay £140,000 on dividends in Sept 2005 and how much was spent on Football players at that time - £90,000 (Fuller).
Apart from London Bankers, who would expect a bonus (dividend) after they have just overseen relegation and then pay £50k less trying to correct THEIR mistake on the Football side.

These are just two examples of where the priorities of the dark lord are.
I for one will NOT be putting any more money into LOWE FC.

For the "real Saints supporters" who read this :-
Ignore the PR plants from lowe fc on here they do not have their Season Ticket money spent on whims of a FAILED chairman, it is YOUR money that is removed from the Football Club.

Keep up the boycott.
LOWE OUT

Saint John, Mr Newman likes to call us a "once great club", which I've already pointed out is simply not true, now you are perpetuating this myth that we were a "family" club and now are no longer. Can you tell me what made us a "family" club? You can take your family to SMS any time you like, there's plenty of room. We know it's more expensive now but don't blame Lowe for that, that's the unhappy way football is today.

And can people please stop spreading this rubbish about the £90,000 spent on Fuller, you know, I know, Lowe knows and Redknapp knows he had more at his disposal but Harry chose not to spend. Why? You'd have to ask Harry that one, we know he doesn't take bungs so it couldn't be that could it. For the record, I thought Fuller was a brilliant bit of business, it's such a shame that the poor bloke was booed before he even kicked a ball by the Northern numpties.

Who is this Newman geezer??
If he isnt interested anymore so what???
I enjoy watching Saints regardless of their league position but like many others there have been times when ive lost interest.
One thing i wouldnt do though is spout off to the Echo about it.
Im sure not many of these stay away supporters would admit it,but reading what he said you cant help but feel because they have decided not to go any more,they secretly enjoy our demise.It says something about a crap part of human nature,which is to enjoy the downfall of others.....total tosser.

Its no wonder were not winning these home games with these so called "stay away fans",not coming they were quite happy to come when times were good ie fa cup prem football etc.So we have Rupert in charge,it looks like were stuck with him .So at the end of the day your either a saints supporter or not ,if half of those fairweathers came, back maybe we could create some of the atmosphere that was present against wolves second half.If your not going to come please dont even comment on saints as you are being negative without any visible signs of support.Fair enough if youve been week in and out,at least were contributing ,just remember this when if saints ever make it back to the prem ."watch the 32000 come back then,all true fans obviously LOL".

Its no wonder were not winning these home games with these so called "stay away fans",not coming they were quite happy to come when times were good ie fa cup prem football etc.So we have Rupert in charge,it looks like were stuck with him .So at the end of the day your either a saints supporter or not ,if half of those fairweathers came, back maybe we could create some of the atmosphere that was present against wolves second half.If your not going to come please dont even comment on saints as you are being negative without any visible signs of support.Fair enough if youve been week in and out,at least were contributing ,just remember this when if saints ever make it back to the prem ."watch the 32000 come back then,all true fans obviously LOL".

the third hardest man in sholing wrote:
Who is this Newman geezer?? If he isnt interested anymore so what??? I enjoy watching Saints regardless of their league position but like many others there have been times when ive lost interest. One thing i wouldnt do though is spout off to the Echo about it. Im sure not many of these stay away supporters would admit it,but reading what he said you cant help but feel because they have decided not to go any more,they secretly enjoy our demise.It says something about a crap part of human nature,which is to enjoy the downfall of others.....total tosser.

Yes 45 yrs of watching Saints which will include a number of relegations and last saviours.

He is a total 'tosser' for that etc

Which makes you ?

davet1 wrote:
Its no wonder were not winning these home games with these so called "stay away fans",not coming they were quite happy to come when times were good ie fa cup prem football etc.So we have Rupert in charge,it looks like were stuck with him .So at the end of the day your either a saints supporter or not ,if half of those fairweathers came, back maybe we could create some of the atmosphere that was present against wolves second half.If your not going to come please dont even comment on saints as you are being negative without any visible signs of support.Fair enough if youve been week in and out,at least were contributing ,just remember this when if saints ever make it back to the prem ."watch the 32000 come back then,all true fans obviously LOL".

Stay aways ???
Not read Newmans article then !

Rather than slagging him off for no reason. Lets talk about why after 45 yrs its come to this ? Many like him thats for sure. One single reason why as well.

Maybe these fans are staying away as they have the brains to realise they are not going to fund Rupert Lowe wages to screw the club up further.

He's doing a stunning job so far in just six months ! 'Incompetence' must be his middle name. Or 'narcisstic dictator', 'megalomaniac' etc etc

Lets face it, its because of fans like you who continue to bankroll Lowe that the club are heading towards League 1. Even when Lowe relegated Saints in 2005 i imagine many of the clueless just ignored it.

I think we should remain the club 'Rupert Lowe FC'. As it has nothing to do with Saints these days. Lowe is the director of football bringing in players with his patsy amateur dutch coach. Being dictated too and accepting being used like a puppet.

John of Bassett wrote:
Hi Baz - nice to hear from you. If your arguments are weak, resort to abuse? Good plan. Helpful. Constructive. Likely to unite the fan-base. Likely to help the team. Keep up the good work.

If you're a frequent visitor to this site you will realise the abuse was an unusual slip for me, and not my proudest moment, but it's been said and I stand by it.

It just annoys me when hypocrites use this forum to criticise others for their beliefs and for speculating, yet are more guilty of the crimes than those they attack.

I don't think my comments are likely to split the supporters or help the team anymore than your or anyone else's comments, although even a blind man should be able to see, by the responses, that Derek's frequent postings offend many and do cause division, something he seems proud of.

You didn't say if you were his brother though:-)

I've just realised. Is it the inference that you might be his brother the thing that is offending you?

Saints beat Reading away but Mr Newmans beloved Eastliegh lose at home, hope they played well though Chris.

Derek from Holbury- You are a legend! Keep up the great work, and take no notice of the idi*ts on here.

Great to see so much positivity. Let the others go off to Fratton. Cow sheds for stands, and all going well - For now!!!

Great result at Reading today lads. Thank you and well done. COYR.

Costa Baz wrote:
Derek of Holbury, Holbury says... 1:22pm Thu 20 Nov 08 Would like to ask all posters if they can put aside personal grievances and viewpoints about how the Lowe regime may or may not be dividing the fans, and answer one question for me. Is Derek on this forum so frequently and at all hours of the day because:- a) He is totally obsessed with seeing his name on here? b) He has an addictive personality and cannot stop himself from visting the site? c) He enjoys winding people up? d) He is single? e) If he's not single he's not allowed to have an opinion at home? f) He is being paid to be on here? g) He has too much spare time? h) He's unemployed? i) If he's not unemployed he should be as he spends so much time on here he wouldn't be worth employing? j) He actually thinks anyone else cares about his frequently overstated opinions? k) He's a tw@t? l) All the above? m) Other? Feel free to add any others as you see fit. ps Is John of Bassett his brother?

Is Costa Baz posting this cr@p for any of tyhe following reasons

a) He is totally obsessed with seeing his name on here?
b) He has an addictive personality and cannot stop himself from visting the site?
c) He enjoys winding people up?
d) He is single?
e) If he's not single he's not allowed to have an opinion at home?
f) He is being paid to be on here?
g) He has too much spare time?
h) He's unemployed?
i) If he's not unemployed he should be as he spends so much time on here he wouldn't be worth employing?
j) He actually thinks anyone else cares about his frequently overstated opinions?
k) He's a tw@t?
l) All the above?
m) Other?

In your case Baz "k" springs to mind. As to Derek of Holbury, he probably posts because he cares, because he is a supporter. Remember, to support is to sustain.

I'm sorry. If this guy doesn't want to go, then that's his perogative, but there's a team that clearly plays much, much better when they get the sort of support they got at the Wolves game and pretty well every away match. If you've gone off of Southampton and want to watch a premiership side, then good riddance. However, you're missing great talent and a chance to boo Rupert Lowe !

UTS wrote:

the third hardest man in sholing wrote: Who is this Newman geezer?? If he isnt interested anymore so what??? I enjoy watching Saints regardless of their league position but like many others there have been times when ive lost interest. One thing i wouldnt do though is spout off to the Echo about it. Im sure not many of these stay away supporters would admit it,but reading what he said you cant help but feel because they have decided not to go any more,they secretly enjoy our demise.It says something about a crap part of human nature,which is to enjoy the downfall of others.....total tosser.

Yes 45 yrs of watching Saints which will include a number of relegations and last saviours. He is a total 'tosser' for that etc Which makes you ?

A PROPER SAINTS FAN WHO`S JUST SUNG HIS HEART OUT AT THE READING GAME YOU STUPID BACKSTABBING WEASLEBURGER

I wont give Costa Baz the joy of seeing me responding in an aggressive way, because that is what his sort thrive on. I think he is a nasty little piece of work who is in need of help. I also believe he is the kind of person who is guilty of acts of road rage because he would be able to be aggressive in the comparitive safety of his car, just as he is able to dish out the same sort of stuff as a faceless wonder on this site. No doubt (if you were even around then) you would have folowed the Milton boot boys and done what the big boys did without ever once questioning why you did it.

He perpetually condemns me for criticising others for their comments, again I ask him to show me where I do this. I believed this site was for people to make comments and give views on SFC so that other like minded folk could respond with their opinions and views. This way hopefully a debate could be set up with reasonable minded fans to discuss their various viewpoints. I did not know people other than Lowe haters would not be welcome.

How this man would have us believe his last post was a slip and he is never normally abusive is beyond me.

Listen mate, the aggression, lack of feeling and sheer distase displayed in that post was a disgrace and you should be ashamed.

I will answer only the questions that I feel are worth wasting my time on, and the remaining ones are so deplorable (even by your standards) to make me suggest you have now sunk to an alltime low. You are beneath contempt.

a) - Seeing my name on this site does not give me any buzz. As I said - When I see fit I will make an observation or comment and I then enjoy the banter with other fans. I will also on occasions challenge anyone who I feel is talking rubbish or makes statements they can not substanciate with cold hard facts. This is why we have crossed swords so often (and I have to add that you also appear with some frequency on this site)and I still await answers to the questions I have asked you several times. Every time I mention this, rather than simply just answering me, you come back with some aggression, and then accuse me of not answering your questions. A bit childish isn't it.

b) - An addictive personality ?? I think you will find is that if I do have an addictive personality it means that people are addicted to my personaility, and I cannot believe that is what you really mean is it. I think what you do mean is that you feel I am addicted to this site. Absolutely rubbish. I very much enjoy the swapping of views/information and tales with other fans - is that a problem for you? The only time I do not enjoy it is when I have people slagging me off for no real reason or making accusations about me without foundation.

c) - My intention is not to wind people up although it does seem easy to do it to you. All I have to do apparently is just write anything on this site, and you will find something to slate me for.

d) - no I am not single - sadly I am recently widowed. Feel good?

The rest of the rubbish is obviously the product of a warped mind and does not deserve any response.

Well done, because you will now see the end of me. I will not get drawn again into your black world of grief and misunderstanding.

No doubt you will have a field day now as the the reality sinks in, and mark this up as a personal victory. So be it. I do however expect your usual post with some old tosh about being the poor little soul who has been offened so often by me.

I will not respond to any more of your poisoned rants little man, but my conscience is clear. Do you even have one ??

derek fo holbury wrote:
I wont give Costa Baz the joy of seeing me responding in an aggressive way, because that is what his sort thrive on. I think he is a nasty little piece of work who is in need of help. I also believe he is the kind of person who is guilty of acts of road rage because he would be able to be aggressive in the comparitive safety of his car, just as he is able to dish out the same sort of stuff as a faceless wonder on this site. No doubt (if you were even around then) you would have folowed the Milton boot boys and done what the big boys did without ever once questioning why you did it. He perpetually condemns me for criticising others for their comments, again I ask him to show me where I do this. I believed this site was for people to make comments and give views on SFC so that other like minded folk could respond with their opinions and views. This way hopefully a debate could be set up with reasonable minded fans to discuss their various viewpoints. I did not know people other than Lowe haters would not be welcome. How this man would have us believe his last post was a slip and he is never normally abusive is beyond me. Listen mate, the aggression, lack of feeling and sheer distase displayed in that post was a disgrace and you should be ashamed. I will answer only the questions that I feel are worth wasting my time on, and the remaining ones are so deplorable (even by your standards) to make me suggest you have now sunk to an alltime low. You are beneath contempt. a) - Seeing my name on this site does not give me any buzz. As I said - When I see fit I will make an observation or comment and I then enjoy the banter with other fans. I will also on occasions challenge anyone who I feel is talking rubbish or makes statements they can not substanciate with cold hard facts. This is why we have crossed swords so often (and I have to add that you also appear with some frequency on this site)and I still await answers to the questions I have asked you several times. Every time I mention this, rather than simply just answering me, you come back with some aggression, and then accuse me of not answering your questions. A bit childish isn't it. b) - An addictive personality ?? I think you will find is that if I do have an addictive personality it means that people are addicted to my personaility, and I cannot believe that is what you really mean is it. I think what you do mean is that you feel I am addicted to this site. Absolutely rubbish. I very much enjoy the swapping of views/information and tales with other fans - is that a problem for you? The only time I do not enjoy it is when I have people slagging me off for no real reason or making accusations about me without foundation. c) - My intention is not to wind people up although it does seem easy to do it to you. All I have to do apparently is just write anything on this site, and you will find something to slate me for. d) - no I am not single - sadly I am recently widowed. Feel good? The rest of the rubbish is obviously the product of a warped mind and does not deserve any response. Well done, because you will now see the end of me. I will not get drawn again into your black world of grief and misunderstanding. No doubt you will have a field day now as the the reality sinks in, and mark this up as a personal victory. So be it. I do however expect your usual post with some old tosh about being the poor little soul who has been offened so often by me. I will not respond to any more of your poisoned rants little man, but my conscience is clear. Do you even have one ??

fair play to you Derek mate,you are a true supporter,dont let the weasles get you down.

Spirit of Southampton? wasn't that an old P&O car ferry that sank in the Far East?

As for the "stay-aways"; let them stop away. Despite loosing to Wolves they missed a treat. We're down to the real Saints supporters not the class ridden and ill-informed "We want Rupert out" bigots and ranters".

the third hardest man in sholing wrote:

derek fo holbury wrote: I wont give Costa Baz the joy of seeing me responding in an aggressive way, because that is what his sort thrive on. I think he is a nasty little piece of work who is in need of help. I also believe he is the kind of person who is guilty of acts of road rage because he would be able to be aggressive in the comparitive safety of his car, just as he is able to dish out the same sort of stuff as a faceless wonder on this site. No doubt (if you were even around then) you would have folowed the Milton boot boys and done what the big boys did without ever once questioning why you did it. He perpetually condemns me for criticising others for their comments, again I ask him to show me where I do this. I believed this site was for people to make comments and give views on SFC so that other like minded folk could respond with their opinions and views. This way hopefully a debate could be set up with reasonable minded fans to discuss their various viewpoints. I did not know people other than Lowe haters would not be welcome. How this man would have us believe his last post was a slip and he is never normally abusive is beyond me. Listen mate, the aggression, lack of feeling and sheer distase displayed in that post was a disgrace and you should be ashamed. I will answer only the questions that I feel are worth wasting my time on, and the remaining ones are so deplorable (even by your standards) to make me suggest you have now sunk to an alltime low. You are beneath contempt. a) - Seeing my name on this site does not give me any buzz. As I said - When I see fit I will make an observation or comment and I then enjoy the banter with other fans. I will also on occasions challenge anyone who I feel is talking rubbish or makes statements they can not substanciate with cold hard facts. This is why we have crossed swords so often (and I have to add that you also appear with some frequency on this site)and I still await answers to the questions I have asked you several times. Every time I mention this, rather than simply just answering me, you come back with some aggression, and then accuse me of not answering your questions. A bit childish isn't it. b) - An addictive personality ?? I think you will find is that if I do have an addictive personality it means that people are addicted to my personaility, and I cannot believe that is what you really mean is it. I think what you do mean is that you feel I am addicted to this site. Absolutely rubbish. I very much enjoy the swapping of views/information and tales with other fans - is that a problem for you? The only time I do not enjoy it is when I have people slagging me off for no real reason or making accusations about me without foundation. c) - My intention is not to wind people up although it does seem easy to do it to you. All I have to do apparently is just write anything on this site, and you will find something to slate me for. d) - no I am not single - sadly I am recently widowed. Feel good? The rest of the rubbish is obviously the product of a warped mind and does not deserve any response. Well done, because you will now see the end of me. I will not get drawn again into your black world of grief and misunderstanding. No doubt you will have a field day now as the the reality sinks in, and mark this up as a personal victory. So be it. I do however expect your usual post with some old tosh about being the poor little soul who has been offened so often by me. I will not respond to any more of your poisoned rants little man, but my conscience is clear. Do you even have one ??

fair play to you Derek mate,you are a true supporter,dont let the weasles get you down.

As I said, hypocrite. "I wont give Costa Baz the joy of seeing me responding in an aggressive way" followed by aggressive speculative comments, that lack foundation and truth.

To THIRDHARDEST, MILTONARCHERS and IANRRR I say thank you for your good words and support.

I think we know wht this site is for and use it accordingly, and right now all Iwant to do is support the boys in red and white, and come onto this site to do just that.

I just happen to think we have a big enough battle without all the infighting amongst ourselves. Said it before, but what a pity all this aggression and effort could not be seen at SMS by those who CHOOSE not to attend.

The positive feeling though is growing by the second, and it can be seen on this site and in the increasing attendances.

Keep on keeping the faith