With recent events, I felt I had to put some thoughts down. A friend of mine is a Saints fan. They of course have just heard that their holding company being placed in Administration.
The Saints are one of those sides I have a soft spot for, I remember that lovely May day in 1976 when the unfancied team from the old second division took on Man Utd. Admittedly Utd weren’t the same side as they are now, but still had a number of top players, such as Alex Stepney, Steve Coppell, Sammy McIlroy and Lou Macari.
Lawrie McMenemy took his side to Wembley and we witnessed a famous victory with a Bobby Stokes goal with just 7 minutes to go. Great day. (My friend was there!)
Since then the Saints became one of the clubs that everyone just automatically included in the top flight. Since they were relegated, they have struggled. New owners, a new ground and to be fair a new side. This season must have been very frustrating for them, and as I write this they only have Watford below them.
Todays news must be a killer. There are a number of sides who are basically for sale who, (with the greatest respect to Saints fans), are probably more likely to find buyers – and THEY seem to be struggling to find them.
I have talked to friends about the whole situation of football and money and the real world and money. SOMETHING will HAVE to give eventually. A high profile club WILL go under, it’s just a matter of time.
There is too much greed by the players, by the custodians of the game, of the media and to a certain extent by some boards. The only people who don’t appear to be greedy is the poor old fans, lets face it – the ONLY consistent associated to a football club.
The one possible saving grace for Southampton, is that it is the holding company and not the club. I understand Derby escaped the points deduction on this basis previously.
Whatever happens, unfortunately, I think this will continue to be a difficult time for Southampton and their fans. I’d like to offer my support to you and I hope things work out and that you are playing in the Championship next year with new owners.
Keep marching on guys.
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