wigman
Well-known member
Published Date: 01 July 2009
Back in April, 1912, they said the Titanic was unsinkable when it left Southampton on its maiden voyage and now 97 years later some say that it's unthinkable that Southampton Football Club will go out of business this Friday.
Back in 1912 women didn't even have the right to vote, so the prospect of one day having a woman prime minister was unthinkable, possibly the same with a black president of the USA, but as we all know times change.
Our domestic football clubs in this country have almost been a protected species over the years.
But that was then and this is now, and unfortunately the now is far more realistic.
I have never made any secret of the fact that, in my opinion, the Albion are potentially a far bigger club than either Portsmouth or Southampton. But I take no delight in seeing the goings on down at St Mary's.
The bottom line is that you can have the best facilities on offer but ultimately it's about the product and what happens on the pitch.
Would Southampton have these current problems if they were still in the Premiership?
But does 11 different managers in 10 years tell part of the story as to why they are not?
Excuse the pun, but returning to the Titanic analogy, could the Southampton situation be just the tip of the iceberg?
Sir Brian Mawhinney, the chairman of the Football League, has set down markers which clearly indicate there is little sympathy for any club who, through financial mismanagement gets into trouble, just ask the supporters of Luton Town.
Matt Le Tissier said on local TV this week that the current conditions laid down by the League regarding Southampton makes it virtually impossible for any consortium to want to take control of the club.
If Southampton goes to the wall tomorrow then will that be the start of a domino effect?
How many other clubs don't match up to Mawhinney's criteria?
Worrying times for not only Saints fans but a large number of football supporters up and down the country.
So thankfully by way of an antidote, something positive to mull over.
Albion director Derek Chapman travelled to Belfast the other week and was the first person to stand on one of the concrete terraces for Falmer.
Before all the fans of standing at football matches get excited, of course, there will be a plush seat bolted to the concrete.
Only a piece of concrete cynics might say, but to me another indication that Falmer is a reality.
My thanks to Alan Winton and all at Scottish and Newcastle Breweries who treated me to a cracking day out at Hove last Thursday, to see Sussex taking on the touring Aussies.
During the tea interval, our talk in the marquee turned to tennis and specifically Andy Murray.
It's clear he has well and truly split the country, as there still appears to be an undercurrent of people who see him as a Scot and don't want him to win.
I'm certainly not in that camp, far from it in fact. I was willing him on well past 10pm on Monday night, in a situation that I feel had Tim Henman been in he would have wilted under the pressure.
At time of going to press, he is still in the tournament. Let's hope he still is on Sunday and that the whole nation relents and gets behind him.
Back in April, 1912, they said the Titanic was unsinkable when it left Southampton on its maiden voyage and now 97 years later some say that it's unthinkable that Southampton Football Club will go out of business this Friday.
Back in 1912 women didn't even have the right to vote, so the prospect of one day having a woman prime minister was unthinkable, possibly the same with a black president of the USA, but as we all know times change.
Our domestic football clubs in this country have almost been a protected species over the years.
But that was then and this is now, and unfortunately the now is far more realistic.
I have never made any secret of the fact that, in my opinion, the Albion are potentially a far bigger club than either Portsmouth or Southampton. But I take no delight in seeing the goings on down at St Mary's.
The bottom line is that you can have the best facilities on offer but ultimately it's about the product and what happens on the pitch.
Would Southampton have these current problems if they were still in the Premiership?
But does 11 different managers in 10 years tell part of the story as to why they are not?
Excuse the pun, but returning to the Titanic analogy, could the Southampton situation be just the tip of the iceberg?
Sir Brian Mawhinney, the chairman of the Football League, has set down markers which clearly indicate there is little sympathy for any club who, through financial mismanagement gets into trouble, just ask the supporters of Luton Town.
Matt Le Tissier said on local TV this week that the current conditions laid down by the League regarding Southampton makes it virtually impossible for any consortium to want to take control of the club.
If Southampton goes to the wall tomorrow then will that be the start of a domino effect?
How many other clubs don't match up to Mawhinney's criteria?
Worrying times for not only Saints fans but a large number of football supporters up and down the country.
So thankfully by way of an antidote, something positive to mull over.
Albion director Derek Chapman travelled to Belfast the other week and was the first person to stand on one of the concrete terraces for Falmer.
Before all the fans of standing at football matches get excited, of course, there will be a plush seat bolted to the concrete.
Only a piece of concrete cynics might say, but to me another indication that Falmer is a reality.
My thanks to Alan Winton and all at Scottish and Newcastle Breweries who treated me to a cracking day out at Hove last Thursday, to see Sussex taking on the touring Aussies.
During the tea interval, our talk in the marquee turned to tennis and specifically Andy Murray.
It's clear he has well and truly split the country, as there still appears to be an undercurrent of people who see him as a Scot and don't want him to win.
I'm certainly not in that camp, far from it in fact. I was willing him on well past 10pm on Monday night, in a situation that I feel had Tim Henman been in he would have wilted under the pressure.
At time of going to press, he is still in the tournament. Let's hope he still is on Sunday and that the whole nation relents and gets behind him.
well said
