THE remaining directors on Southampton Football Club's PLC board have this morning resigned, completely clearing the path for Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde to return to St Mary's.
Leon Crouch, Patrick Trant and Keith Wiseman confirmed to the Stock Exchange at 10am they had stepped down from their posts.
They follow chief executive Lee Hoos out of the door at St Mary's, after he officially resigned on Tuesday.
Crouch has also quit his post on the football club board.
Today's announcement means the EGM, which was scheduled for tomorrow, will no longer be required, with Lowe and Wilde free to take power today.
Wiseman, who had served on the board for 21 years, this morning issued a statement, on behalf of himself, Crouch and Trant.
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It said: "On behalf of Leon Crouch, Patrick Trant and myself I confirm that as at 10am on Thursday the 15th May 2008 we have resigned from the Board of Southampton Leisure Holdings and in Leon's case from the Football Club Board as well.
"I particularly regret that Leon and Patrick have by force of circumstance had a relatively limited period of involvement at board level although they have both very much made their mark and have been a pleasure to work with.
Leon Crouch
"Lee Hoos of course resigned on Tuesday from his executive position on the board and I would like to thank him for his hard and ultimately successful work this season in very difficult circumstances.
"Real success will hopefully return for the club sooner rather than later.
"From a personal point of view I have had the great privilege of board membership for the last twenty one years and it is now over fifty years since I first started to support the club.
"The club has been through difficult times in recent years, a situation created almost entirely by the loss of premiership revenue and the failure to return immediately to the top division.
"The effort made in the season before last brought us agonisingly close but the complete absence of parachute payments during this last year has placed enormous constraints upon what we have been able to deliver.
"The form of the team fell away alarmingly in the early weeks of 2008 and I would like to pay heartfelt tribute to Nigel Pearson for his sterling work in the last period of the season that saw us finally into a safe position after the memorable last match against Sheffield United. He deserves every opportunity to remain with us.
"The board came under pressure from Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde to resign long before the end of the season; we resisted that pressure because although they hold significant shareholdings we did not believe that any further disruption at the club before the end of the season could possibly be to the benefit of the team.
"We now feel therefore that our approach in that respect was entirely justified.
"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club.
"We have remained in office right up to the day before the Extraordinary General Meeting because we felt that negotiations were going well and it would have been a great pleasure to have been able to place the club into the care of those who hopefully will have the financial muscle to return us again to the Premiership place that the club is geared up for in so many ways particularly our magnificent ground.
"As far as we are aware neither Rupert Lowe nor Michael Wilde have financial resources that can be used to benefit the club and we are well aware that the vast proportion of the shareholding they can at present command is in the hands of a very few close friends and does not in any way reflect the views of most of the fans of the club.
"However in legal terms we have no choice but to stand down.
"We sincerely hope that the period in office of the incoming board will be very short; not so much because of our personal views but because that would mean that significant resources were being made available to take the club forward.
"We shall of course remain devoted on a personal basis to the best interests of the club and will continue our lifelong support of the team."
Log onto the Daily Echo website at 10.30am for a full statement from Leon Crouch.
Posted by: Saints Fan, Soton on 10:11am Thu 15 May 08
[quote]"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club.[/quote]
You shouldn't believe everything you read on internet message boards.
Close the door on your way out, Leon.
"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club.
You shouldn't believe everything you read on internet message boards.
A sad day for the club. Leon Crouch and co did there best for us but people who hold their own ego's in higher esteem than the club hav taken over and will drive this club in2 the ground. [bold]SFC RIP[/bold]
A sad day for the club. Leon Crouch and co did there best for us but people who hold their own ego's in higher esteem than the club hav taken over and will drive this club in2 the ground. SFC RIP
Posted by: sparky wilts, here on 10:17am Thu 15 May 08
Great statement from Wiesman, just a shame these views were not given months ago. Now Lowe has to deliver success to our club, but first the fans will I feel want to know how he is to achieve this. Lets start with total honesty and transparency Mr Lowe. Good Luck I feel you may need it by the bucket load
Great statement from Wiesman, just a shame these views were not given months ago. Now Lowe has to deliver success to our club, but first the fans will I feel want to know how he is to achieve this. Lets start with total honesty and transparency Mr Lowe. Good Luck I feel you may need it by the bucket load
Posted by: Portswood Pete on 10:17am Thu 15 May 08
[bold]"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club[/bold]
More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.
"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club
More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.
Posted by: SouthwaterSaintMC, Southwater West Sussex on 10:18am Thu 15 May 08
OK Lowe you've thrown your weight around and finally removed a hard working bunch of directors. Now lets see you back it up and get some real investment into this club. Support Nigel Pearson - you know he's the right man for the job - and get him some funds to rebuild the squad.
[italic]Why do I get the feeling that comments like mine will fall on deaf ears. Oh yes, because last time you were in charge you failed to listen to the real football fans and look what mess that got us in to.[/italic]
So you,ve got a second chance make sure you don't louse it up this time.
COYR
OK Lowe you've thrown your weight around and finally removed a hard working bunch of directors. Now lets see you back it up and get some real investment into this club. Support Nigel Pearson - you know he's the right man for the job - and get him some funds to rebuild the squad.
Why do I get the feeling that comments like mine will fall on deaf ears. Oh yes, because last time you were in charge you failed to listen to the real football fans and look what mess that got us in to.
So you,ve got a second chance make sure you don't louse it up this time.
Posted by: George, Weston-super-Mare on 10:23am Thu 15 May 08
Continuing my doggerel of a few weeks ago......
So finally Wupert is back,
Though one hopes on a far diff'rent twack
From two thousand and six,
When his management twicks
Made most fans want to give him the sack.[bold]bold[/bold]
Continuing my doggerel of a few weeks ago......
So finally Wupert is back,
Though one hopes on a far diff'rent twack
From two thousand and six,
When his management twicks
Made most fans want to give him the sack.
Posted by: Duh, Southampton on 10:26am Thu 15 May 08
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.
Right, lets see what happens before we all go on protests about lowe...He is coming back and there is nothing we can do about it..lets just see what happens before we start calling him a posh tw@t...
i doubt many fans are are to do that and will once again play their part in making another summer a painful one...
Right, lets see what happens before we all go on protests about lowe...He is coming back and there is nothing we can do about it..lets just see what happens before we start calling him a posh tw@t...
i doubt many fans are are to do that and will once again play their part in making another summer a painful one...
Posted by: Soon to be Ex-ST holder, LOWE OUT on 10:55am Thu 15 May 08
A sad day for our once great Football club.
Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here.
NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the "Greed and Self-Interest" man knows.
A sad day for our once great Football club.
Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here.
NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the "Greed and Self-Interest" man knows.
Posted by: thedelldays, plymouth on 11:02am Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Soon to be Ex-ST holder[/bold] wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the \"Greed and Self-Interest\" man knows. [/quote] this is exactly the thing we should not do...fans have done enough damage over recent years and it is time to sit back and see what happens before we go into militant style protests...
jesus...support the team and ignore those off it....why is it so hard for saints fans to do
Soon to be Ex-ST holder wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the \"Greed and Self-Interest\" man knows.
this is exactly the thing we should not do...fans have done enough damage over recent years and it is time to sit back and see what happens before we go into militant style protests...
jesus...support the team and ignore those off it....why is it so hard for saints fans to do
You can't just not go to the Magnificent St Mary's Stadium because you don't like/respect/want the board of directors surely? If you don't go, the board aren't affected, just the team. Ask Villa fans. They endured years of Deadly Doug Ellis and staying away from the games had no effect at all on his stewardship of the club. Of course if you feel you have no other avenue for your frustrations, I look forward to seeing you at the reserve's games.
You can't just not go to the Magnificent St Mary's Stadium because you don't like/respect/want the board of directors surely? If you don't go, the board aren't affected, just the team. Ask Villa fans. They endured years of Deadly Doug Ellis and staying away from the games had no effect at all on his stewardship of the club. Of course if you feel you have no other avenue for your frustrations, I look forward to seeing you at the reserve's games.
Posted by: thedelldays, plymouth on 11:07am Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Soon to be Ex-ST holder[/bold] wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the "Greed and Self-Interest" man knows. [/quote] this is exactly what we should NOT do...saints fans have done alot of damage exerting their influence in recent years...lets see what happens before we all go nuts for once..
god, maybe we could just support the players on the field rather than focus attention to those off it..
boring
Soon to be Ex-ST holder wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the "Greed and Self-Interest" man knows.
this is exactly what we should NOT do...saints fans have done alot of damage exerting their influence in recent years...lets see what happens before we all go nuts for once..
god, maybe we could just support the players on the field rather than focus attention to those off it..
Posted by: Portswood Pete on 11:09am Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Soon to be Ex-ST holder[/bold] wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the \"Greed and Self-Interest\" man knows. [/quote] Yes that's the way, force the club out of business because you don't like one person. That would hurt true fans like me, not Lowe. Nitwit!
Soon to be Ex-ST holder wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the \"Greed and Self-Interest\" man knows.
Yes that's the way, force the club out of business because you don't like one person. That would hurt true fans like me, not Lowe. Nitwit!
[quote][bold]Soon to be Ex-ST holder[/bold] wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the "Greed and Self-Interest" man knows. [/quote] Thats saints fans your talking about
you little sh1t
Soon to be Ex-ST holder wrote:
A sad day for our once great Football club. Now it is up to the fans to show lowe he is NOT welcome here. NO new shirts, NO ST renewals..., money is the only thing the "Greed and Self-Interest" man knows.
Posted by: Dave, Eastleigh on 11:21am Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Duh[/bold] wrote:
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.[/quote] Tell you what Duh, as you don't like seeing all those red and white shirts on match days why don't you move to Pompey instead? Hopefully there will be a lot more red and white shirts next season because it will show that Saints are doing so much better and pushing for promotion.
Duh wrote:
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.
Tell you what Duh, as you don't like seeing all those red and white shirts on match days why don't you move to Pompey instead? Hopefully there will be a lot more red and white shirts next season because it will show that Saints are doing so much better and pushing for promotion.
Soon to be Ex-ST holder.. are you mental?!
That is literlly the worst thing we could do! The best thing we can do is to remain behind the club , and try and get us into a decent position again.. Lowe wont last forever.. but the club will.
Soon to be Ex-ST holder.. are you mental?!
That is literlly the worst thing we could do! The best thing we can do is to remain behind the club , and try and get us into a decent position again.. Lowe wont last forever.. but the club will.
Posted by: Jesus_02, Kingsland on 11:53am Thu 15 May 08
Pete,
I think you have answered you own question.
"Why try to curry favour" perhaps there is a grain of truth there after all.
Crouch has not made any false claims. The merry-go-round till Rupert makes a profit from the sale of the club.
Think about it this way. Crouch has come in purchased shares at 50p if the club is sold a market value 30p a share that represents a large loss. Add this to the money he has spent on the Ted Bates statue and you have the measure of his commitment to saints.
RL made around 6m on the day that Saints where floated on the stoke exchange that alone is just under a 3rd of the clubs present value. Lowe has more wealth than Crouch because he has made a good deal from Southampton FC.
The club will be sold under RL and Wilde as :
a) they have no interest in running saints long term
b) Leon Crouch will capitulate for the benefit of the Club
c) expect large bonuses to go the way of Wilde and RL when the club changes hands
The fact that should not be overlooked is that Keith Wiseman is leaving the club after 21years of service. Says it all really
Pete,
I think you have answered you own question.
"Why try to curry favour" perhaps there is a grain of truth there after all.
Crouch has not made any false claims. The merry-go-round till Rupert makes a profit from the sale of the club.
Think about it this way. Crouch has come in purchased shares at 50p if the club is sold a market value 30p a share that represents a large loss. Add this to the money he has spent on the Ted Bates statue and you have the measure of his commitment to saints.
RL made around 6m on the day that Saints where floated on the stoke exchange that alone is just under a 3rd of the clubs present value. Lowe has more wealth than Crouch because he has made a good deal from Southampton FC.
The club will be sold under RL and Wilde as :
a) they have no interest in running saints long term
b) Leon Crouch will capitulate for the benefit of the Club
c) expect large bonuses to go the way of Wilde and RL when the club changes hands
The fact that should not be overlooked is that Keith Wiseman is leaving the club after 21years of service. Says it all really
Posted by: Andy P, Bitterne on 12:00pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Portswood Pete[/bold] wrote:
[bold]"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club[/bold] More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.[/quote] You have to much to say Pete, most of it total rubbish.
How can anyone invest in SFC, if shares are not being offered,or in this case, delibrately witheld as a means of stopping investment.
Quite simple really,dont you think?
Portswood Pete wrote: "We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.
You have to much to say Pete, most of it total rubbish.
How can anyone invest in SFC, if shares are not being offered,or in this case, delibrately witheld as a means of stopping investment.
Posted by: Dave, Southampton on 12:04pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Duh[/bold] wrote:
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.[/quote] Ever considered moving your Caravan somewhere else?
Duh wrote:
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.
Ever considered moving your Caravan somewhere else?
Posted by: Barnacle Bill, somewhere on the high seas on 12:05pm Thu 15 May 08
Rupert Lowe is a most divisive influence on this club and its supporters as can be witnessed by the above comments. I disliked the man for the way he managed the club last time and was glad to see the back of him. I am sure things will be no different this time around. I have my season ticket and I shall cheer on the team as always but I will not spend any money on any merchandising, food etc which is what I did when I had had enough of the man last time. I also have my duck call whistle and will let Lowe know exactly how I feel when things go badly wrong as they no doubt will when he has replaced our current team with players of Div 1 standard. Finally I met just think he has changed his spots when he confirms Nigels as our manager.
Rupert Lowe is a most divisive influence on this club and its supporters as can be witnessed by the above comments. I disliked the man for the way he managed the club last time and was glad to see the back of him. I am sure things will be no different this time around. I have my season ticket and I shall cheer on the team as always but I will not spend any money on any merchandising, food etc which is what I did when I had had enough of the man last time. I also have my duck call whistle and will let Lowe know exactly how I feel when things go badly wrong as they no doubt will when he has replaced our current team with players of Div 1 standard. Finally I met just think he has changed his spots when he confirms Nigels as our manager.
Posted by: John B, Bitterne on 12:10pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Adam F[/bold] wrote:
A sad day for the club. Leon Crouch and co did there best for us but people who hold their own ego\\\'s in higher esteem than the club hav taken over and will drive this club in2 the ground. [bold]SFC RIP[/bold] [/quote] The former board led by Crouch has managed to nearly destroy the club both financially and on the field .
If Richard Wright had not made that save we would probably would be in Div 1 today.
Lets now look to the future with or without Pearson it does not matter if he stays or goes and support our team.
Adam F wrote:
A sad day for the club. Leon Crouch and co did there best for us but people who hold their own ego's in higher esteem than the club hav taken over and will drive this club in2 the ground. SFC RIP
The former board led by Crouch has managed to nearly destroy the club both financially and on the field .
If Richard Wright had not made that save we would probably would be in Div 1 today.
Lets now look to the future with or without Pearson it does not matter if he stays or goes and support our team.
Posted by: John B, Bitterne on 12:21pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Barnacle Bill[/bold] wrote:
Rupert Lowe is a most divisive influence on this club and its supporters as can be witnessed by the above comments. I disliked the man for the way he managed the club last time and was glad to see the back of him. I am sure things will be no different this time around. I have my season ticket and I shall cheer on the team as always but I will not spend any money on any merchandising, food etc which is what I did when I had had enough of the man last time. I also have my duck call whistle and will let Lowe know exactly how I feel when things go badly wrong as they no doubt will when he has replaced our current team with players of Div 1 standard. Finally I met just think he has changed his spots when he confirms Nigels as our manager.[/quote] It is not Rupert Lowe who is divisive it is some of the fans moaning and whingeing.
Someone has to run the club you dont have to like him.
This Obsession with Pearson is ridiculous his teams won three games and he led us into the relegation zone.
Look what happened with Sheff Utd and Crystal Palace with new managers they quickly moved up the table where did we go down.
Barnacle Bill wrote:
Rupert Lowe is a most divisive influence on this club and its supporters as can be witnessed by the above comments. I disliked the man for the way he managed the club last time and was glad to see the back of him. I am sure things will be no different this time around. I have my season ticket and I shall cheer on the team as always but I will not spend any money on any merchandising, food etc which is what I did when I had had enough of the man last time. I also have my duck call whistle and will let Lowe know exactly how I feel when things go badly wrong as they no doubt will when he has replaced our current team with players of Div 1 standard. Finally I met just think he has changed his spots when he confirms Nigels as our manager.
It is not Rupert Lowe who is divisive it is some of the fans moaning and whingeing.
Someone has to run the club you dont have to like him.
This Obsession with Pearson is ridiculous his teams won three games and he led us into the relegation zone.
Look what happened with Sheff Utd and Crystal Palace with new managers they quickly moved up the table where did we go down.
Posted by: sth for 30yrs, soton on 12:37pm Thu 15 May 08
Get off lowe`s back give him a chance to repair the damage this incompetent lot have achieved. A true fan will get behind the team no matter whos running or managing it.
Get off lowe`s back give him a chance to repair the damage this incompetent lot have achieved. A true fan will get behind the team no matter whos running or managing it.
Posted by: Portswood Pete on 12:42pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Andy P[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Portswood Pete[/bold] wrote: [bold]"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club[/bold] More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.[/quote] You have to much to say Pete, most of it total rubbish. How can anyone invest in SFC, if shares are not being offered,or in this case, delibrately witheld as a means of stopping investment. Quite simple really,dont you think?[/quote] Pots and Kettles Andy. If Sisu, or anyone else wants to buy the club there's nothing really that Lowe or anyone else can do, ask Man Utd shareholders. This talk of investors has been just that, talk, no substance whatsoever Just because you want to make Lowe the bad guy in all this doesn't make it so. The shareholder doesn't have to "offer" shares, there's got to be someone willing to buy the darn things.
Andy P wrote:
Portswood Pete wrote: "We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.
You have to much to say Pete, most of it total rubbish. How can anyone invest in SFC, if shares are not being offered,or in this case, delibrately witheld as a means of stopping investment. Quite simple really,dont you think?
Pots and Kettles Andy. If Sisu, or anyone else wants to buy the club there's nothing really that Lowe or anyone else can do, ask Man Utd shareholders. This talk of investors has been just that, talk, no substance whatsoever Just because you want to make Lowe the bad guy in all this doesn't make it so. The shareholder doesn't have to "offer" shares, there's got to be someone willing to buy the darn things.
[quote][bold]Marian[/bold] wrote:
Please tell me HOW Patrick Trant has "very much made his mark" on SFC ... haha biggest laugh ive had all day. [/quote] Probably by NOT putting any money into the club although he promised he would if Lowe walked but he still got his snout in the trough.
Marian wrote:
Please tell me HOW Patrick Trant has "very much made his mark" on SFC ... haha biggest laugh ive had all day.
Probably by NOT putting any money into the club although he promised he would if Lowe walked but he still got his snout in the trough.
Posted by: Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away on 1:08pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Dave[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Duh[/bold] wrote:
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.[/quote] Ever considered moving your Caravan somewhere else?[/quote] Hes right lets just give up go home and support Eastleigh
Dave wrote:
Duh wrote:
I bored of hearing about football. Move the Saints ground to Pompey and let Southampton be rid of it? I'm fed up every match day of seeing red & white pikey shirts out of my window, so get rid of the lot.
Ever considered moving your Caravan somewhere else?
Hes right lets just give up go home and support Eastleigh
Posted by: Layabout, Lordshill on 1:20pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]SouthwaterSaintMC[/bold] wrote:
OK Lowe you've thrown your weight around and finally removed a hard working bunch of directors. Now lets see you back it up and get some real investment into this club. Support Nigel Pearson - you know he's the right man for the job - and get him some funds to rebuild the squad. [italic]Why do I get the feeling that comments like mine will fall on deaf ears. Oh yes, because last time you were in charge you failed to listen to the real football fans and look what mess that got us in to.[/italic] So you,ve got a second chance make sure you don't louse it up this time. COYR [/quote] The directors that Rupert Lowe is replacing may have worked hard, but they were hopelessly out of their depth.
The investment that was promised, never materialised.
You ask why comments like your will fall on deaf ears, and claim he did not listen to 'real football fans' when he was in charge!
I wonder if you were one of the 'tiny minority' who had their chance to attend a meeting with Crouch's board members?
I doubt it!
The first priority for Rupert Lowe is to sort out the club's financial problems, and stop it leaking money.
How many 'real football fans' do you think would have the expertise to advise him on that subject?
You can bet your life, their main subject would be, 'reduce ticket prices and reduce cost of replica shirts', which would increase the financial problem rather than solve it!
SouthwaterSaintMC wrote:
OK Lowe you've thrown your weight around and finally removed a hard working bunch of directors. Now lets see you back it up and get some real investment into this club. Support Nigel Pearson - you know he's the right man for the job - and get him some funds to rebuild the squad. Why do I get the feeling that comments like mine will fall on deaf ears. Oh yes, because last time you were in charge you failed to listen to the real football fans and look what mess that got us in to. So you,ve got a second chance make sure you don't louse it up this time. COYR
The directors that Rupert Lowe is replacing may have worked hard, but they were hopelessly out of their depth.
The investment that was promised, never materialised.
You ask why comments like your will fall on deaf ears, and claim he did not listen to 'real football fans' when he was in charge!
I wonder if you were one of the 'tiny minority' who had their chance to attend a meeting with Crouch's board members?
I doubt it!
The first priority for Rupert Lowe is to sort out the club's financial problems, and stop it leaking money.
How many 'real football fans' do you think would have the expertise to advise him on that subject?
You can bet your life, their main subject would be, 'reduce ticket prices and reduce cost of replica shirts', which would increase the financial problem rather than solve it!
Posted by: Andy P, Bitterne on 2:08pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Portswood Pete[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Andy P[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Portswood Pete[/bold] wrote: [bold]"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club[/bold] More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.[/quote] You have to much to say Pete, most of it total rubbish. How can anyone invest in SFC, if shares are not being offered,or in this case, delibrately witheld as a means of stopping investment. Quite simple really,dont you think?[/quote] Pots and Kettles Andy. If Sisu, or anyone else wants to buy the club there's nothing really that Lowe or anyone else can do, ask Man Utd shareholders. This talk of investors has been just that, talk, no substance whatsoever Just because you want to make Lowe the bad guy in all this doesn't make it so. The shareholder doesn't have to "offer" shares, there's got to be someone willing to buy the darn things.[/quote] What part of my last post do you not understand.
If Lowe and Wilde refuse to sell there shares,HOW DO YOU SUGGEST INVESTORS,INVEST?
If a product is not for sale,how can you possibly buy that product.
Everyone knows why one individual would not sale,because he was and never would be MAN enough just to move on with his life.
Portswood Pete wrote:
Andy P wrote:
Portswood Pete wrote: "We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club More BS. They can now say "oh look, the investment we were bringing in isn't happening because of Lowe and Wilde" when, in reality, there is no investment, why they are trying to curry favour with a few gullible fans is beyond me.
You have to much to say Pete, most of it total rubbish. How can anyone invest in SFC, if shares are not being offered,or in this case, delibrately witheld as a means of stopping investment. Quite simple really,dont you think?
Pots and Kettles Andy. If Sisu, or anyone else wants to buy the club there's nothing really that Lowe or anyone else can do, ask Man Utd shareholders. This talk of investors has been just that, talk, no substance whatsoever Just because you want to make Lowe the bad guy in all this doesn't make it so. The shareholder doesn't have to "offer" shares, there's got to be someone willing to buy the darn things.
What part of my last post do you not understand.
If Lowe and Wilde refuse to sell there shares,HOW DO YOU SUGGEST INVESTORS,INVEST?
If a product is not for sale,how can you possibly buy that product.
Everyone knows why one individual would not sale,because he was and never would be MAN enough just to move on with his life.
[quote][bold]Saints Fan[/bold] wrote:
[quote]\"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club.[/quote] You shouldn\'t believe everything you read on internet message boards. Close the door on your way out, Leon.[/quote] Sometimes you can believe some things you read, such as the following quote from Wiseman's statement [italic]"The club has been through difficult times in recent years, a situation created almost entirely by the loss of premiership revenue and the failure to return immediately to the top division."[/italic]
As you clearly seem to be a Lowe supporter, you will need no telling that Lowe was chairman in the season we were relegated and also for the first season we were in the Championship, 2 seasons marked by lack of player investment. Being relegated was akin to dying, as a club, but failing to invest in the playing squad, in order to regain our position in the Premier League, immediately, was Lowe knocking the final nail in the SFC coffin.
Now we will see if Lowe knows anything about running a football club. Will he reduce the playing squad by getting rid of the players that are no good or by getting rid of the players that could actually push us towards the playoffs, but are being paid a higher wage than those who are cr*p? We saw in the Premier League that Lowe was very quick to sell our best players, only to replace them with players of lesser quality. The problem is he didn't cotton on to the fact that if you replace Premiership quality players with Championship quality players, then you will, inevitably be relegated, as we were. If he now follows the same track, we will see the better players, who are comfortable at this level, sold and either not replaced, or replaced by players from Div 1, which will set us up for another relegation. If he has learnt from his last spell in charge, he will keep a strong core of the squad, players such as Surman, John, Andrew Davies, Saganowski, Safri and even try to add Richard Wright. This will give a relatively strong spine to the team, around which other players can be brought in, to replace the others that will be released. Clearly we will be running on a vastly reduced squad, but again, if he has learnt anything over the last few months, he will see that NP is very capable at finding hard working and decent loan signings, should they be needed to cover injuries. How long do we need to wait to see what size wage he pays himself, now he is back? How long before he mutters his get out of jail sentence "If he doesn't want to stay here we cannot make him", before selling off the likes of Surman & John (both under contract) to the highest bidder, even though neither will have asked to go? Will the Lowe supporters still be happy with their "master" should SFC have another poor season, whilst he and the other shareholders pocket a dividend on their shares, at the end of the season? Only time will tell, but my hope is that Lowe does have something up his sleeve and will be selling up and p*ssing off asap. Cue responses from Ruperts pr team. I think he is trying to throw us off the scent by using to female posters at the moment.
Saints Fan wrote:
\"We have also been aware for many months that there has been the prospect of significant financial investment in the club.
You shouldn\'t believe everything you read on internet message boards. Close the door on your way out, Leon.
Sometimes you can believe some things you read, such as the following quote from Wiseman's statement "The club has been through difficult times in recent years, a situation created almost entirely by the loss of premiership revenue and the failure to return immediately to the top division."
As you clearly seem to be a Lowe supporter, you will need no telling that Lowe was chairman in the season we were relegated and also for the first season we were in the Championship, 2 seasons marked by lack of player investment. Being relegated was akin to dying, as a club, but failing to invest in the playing squad, in order to regain our position in the Premier League, immediately, was Lowe knocking the final nail in the SFC coffin.
Now we will see if Lowe knows anything about running a football club. Will he reduce the playing squad by getting rid of the players that are no good or by getting rid of the players that could actually push us towards the playoffs, but are being paid a higher wage than those who are cr*p? We saw in the Premier League that Lowe was very quick to sell our best players, only to replace them with players of lesser quality. The problem is he didn't cotton on to the fact that if you replace Premiership quality players with Championship quality players, then you will, inevitably be relegated, as we were. If he now follows the same track, we will see the better players, who are comfortable at this level, sold and either not replaced, or replaced by players from Div 1, which will set us up for another relegation. If he has learnt from his last spell in charge, he will keep a strong core of the squad, players such as Surman, John, Andrew Davies, Saganowski, Safri and even try to add Richard Wright. This will give a relatively strong spine to the team, around which other players can be brought in, to replace the others that will be released. Clearly we will be running on a vastly reduced squad, but again, if he has learnt anything over the last few months, he will see that NP is very capable at finding hard working and decent loan signings, should they be needed to cover injuries. How long do we need to wait to see what size wage he pays himself, now he is back? How long before he mutters his get out of jail sentence "If he doesn't want to stay here we cannot make him", before selling off the likes of Surman & John (both under contract) to the highest bidder, even though neither will have asked to go? Will the Lowe supporters still be happy with their "master" should SFC have another poor season, whilst he and the other shareholders pocket a dividend on their shares, at the end of the season? Only time will tell, but my hope is that Lowe does have something up his sleeve and will be selling up and p*ssing off asap. Cue responses from Ruperts pr team. I think he is trying to throw us off the scent by using to female posters at the moment.
Posted by: Rob, Winchester on 2:52pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Jesus_02[/bold] wrote:
Pete, I think you have answered you own question. "Why try to curry favour" perhaps there is a grain of truth there after all. Crouch has not made any false claims. The merry-go-round till Rupert makes a profit from the sale of the club. Think about it this way. Crouch has come in purchased shares at 50p if the club is sold a market value 30p a share that represents a large loss. Add this to the money he has spent on the Ted Bates statue and you have the measure of his commitment to saints. RL made around 6m on the day that Saints where floated on the stoke exchange that alone is just under a 3rd of the clubs present value. Lowe has more wealth than Crouch because he has made a good deal from Southampton FC. The club will be sold under RL and Wilde as : a) they have no interest in running saints long term b) Leon Crouch will capitulate for the benefit of the Club c) expect large bonuses to go the way of Wilde and RL when the club changes hands The fact that should not be overlooked is that Keith Wiseman is leaving the club after 21years of service. Says it all really [/quote] What do you mean "Crouch has not made any false claims"? Crouch rubbished reports that Saints needed money early from the Walcott deal, a few weeks later Crouch went to Arsenal cap in hand.
Crouch purchased his shares from existing shareholders so the club saw none of his money.
"The club will be sold under RL and Wilde"
Is that such a bad thing? If you want new investment then it will have to be sold.
I want to know what is so wonderful about a chairman that takes the club £12 million into debt like Crouch has done.
Jesus_02 wrote:
Pete, I think you have answered you own question. "Why try to curry favour" perhaps there is a grain of truth there after all. Crouch has not made any false claims. The merry-go-round till Rupert makes a profit from the sale of the club. Think about it this way. Crouch has come in purchased shares at 50p if the club is sold a market value 30p a share that represents a large loss. Add this to the money he has spent on the Ted Bates statue and you have the measure of his commitment to saints. RL made around 6m on the day that Saints where floated on the stoke exchange that alone is just under a 3rd of the clubs present value. Lowe has more wealth than Crouch because he has made a good deal from Southampton FC. The club will be sold under RL and Wilde as : a) they have no interest in running saints long term b) Leon Crouch will capitulate for the benefit of the Club c) expect large bonuses to go the way of Wilde and RL when the club changes hands The fact that should not be overlooked is that Keith Wiseman is leaving the club after 21years of service. Says it all really
What do you mean "Crouch has not made any false claims"? Crouch rubbished reports that Saints needed money early from the Walcott deal, a few weeks later Crouch went to Arsenal cap in hand.
Crouch purchased his shares from existing shareholders so the club saw none of his money.
"The club will be sold under RL and Wilde"
Is that such a bad thing? If you want new investment then it will have to be sold.
I want to know what is so wonderful about a chairman that takes the club £12 million into debt like Crouch has done.
Posted by: SouthwaterSaintMC on 4:30pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Layabout[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]SouthwaterSaintMC[/bold] wrote: OK Lowe you've thrown your weight around and finally removed a hard working bunch of directors. Now lets see you back it up and get some real investment into this club. Support Nigel Pearson - you know he's the right man for the job - and get him some funds to rebuild the squad. [italic]Why do I get the feeling that comments like mine will fall on deaf ears. Oh yes, because last time you were in charge you failed to listen to the real football fans and look what mess that got us in to.[/italic] So you,ve got a second chance make sure you don't louse it up this time. COYR [/quote] The directors that Rupert Lowe is replacing may have worked hard, but they were hopelessly out of their depth. The investment that was promised, never materialised. You ask why comments like your will fall on deaf ears, and claim he did not listen to 'real football fans' when he was in charge! I wonder if you were one of the 'tiny minority' who had their chance to attend a meeting with Crouch's board members? I doubt it! The first priority for Rupert Lowe is to sort out the club's financial problems, and stop it leaking money. How many 'real football fans' do you think would have the expertise to advise him on that subject? You can bet your life, their main subject would be, 'reduce ticket prices and reduce cost of replica shirts', which would increase the financial problem rather than solve it! [/quote] Had our earstwhile ex-chairman looked at the bigger picture whilst we were in the premiership we would not have these financial problems.
Your right on one thing though - reduction in ticket prices and cost of replica shirts is not the answer and I for one would not endorse that move. I would also encourage existing ST holders to renew because whoever is on the board the team still need our support.
I think your wrong about the first priority though - that should be to back Nigel Pearson and give him support in building next seasons team.
As it was when we were in the premiership the money will flow in if the end product is right and the end product will only be right if there is consistency in management - not chopping and changing because someone does not pander to the chairman's ego.
Layabout wrote:
SouthwaterSaintMC wrote: OK Lowe you've thrown your weight around and finally removed a hard working bunch of directors. Now lets see you back it up and get some real investment into this club. Support Nigel Pearson - you know he's the right man for the job - and get him some funds to rebuild the squad. Why do I get the feeling that comments like mine will fall on deaf ears. Oh yes, because last time you were in charge you failed to listen to the real football fans and look what mess that got us in to. So you,ve got a second chance make sure you don't louse it up this time. COYR
The directors that Rupert Lowe is replacing may have worked hard, but they were hopelessly out of their depth. The investment that was promised, never materialised. You ask why comments like your will fall on deaf ears, and claim he did not listen to 'real football fans' when he was in charge! I wonder if you were one of the 'tiny minority' who had their chance to attend a meeting with Crouch's board members? I doubt it! The first priority for Rupert Lowe is to sort out the club's financial problems, and stop it leaking money. How many 'real football fans' do you think would have the expertise to advise him on that subject? You can bet your life, their main subject would be, 'reduce ticket prices and reduce cost of replica shirts', which would increase the financial problem rather than solve it!
Had our earstwhile ex-chairman looked at the bigger picture whilst we were in the premiership we would not have these financial problems.
Your right on one thing though - reduction in ticket prices and cost of replica shirts is not the answer and I for one would not endorse that move. I would also encourage existing ST holders to renew because whoever is on the board the team still need our support.
I think your wrong about the first priority though - that should be to back Nigel Pearson and give him support in building next seasons team.
As it was when we were in the premiership the money will flow in if the end product is right and the end product will only be right if there is consistency in management - not chopping and changing because someone does not pander to the chairman's ego.
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