A PETITION has been launched to rename one of the stands at St Mary’s after Saints’ late owner, Markus Liebherr.

James Trinder is encouraging fellow supporters to back the idea to commemorate the man who saved the club from potential liquidation.

The petition was launched this week, on the five-year anniversary of Liebherr completing his purchase of Saints.

Trinder, 36, believes that the club’s current owner, Markus’ daughter, Katharina, may feel too uncomfortable proposing such an idea herself.

But he hopes that fans can encourage the club by showing their own strength of feeling.

“Something should be done to commemorate Markus’ memory,” said Trinder, a sales manager from Romsey.

“I just thought I would put it together and see if it gained traction.

“It would be lovely to think the board, and Katharina, might see it and to know there is some sincere feeling about such an idea.

“She probably feels it’s not her place to propose such a thing, so if they can see this is something that the fans hopefully want then they might not feel so embarrassed about moving forward with it.”

Liebherr completed his purchase of the club on July 8, 2009.

A little over 12 months after rescuing Saints, though, the German-born Swiss national passed away.

However, his legacy has lived on, with his takeover paving the way for the club’s rise from the depths of League One to the top half of the Premier League.

“In a nutshell, he was the saviour of the club,” said Trinder.

“We were in administration and on minus-ten points in League One, and he just allowed us to dream again.

“To see his genuine passion for the club was something that really touched the hearts of the fans.

“I absolutely believe this would be a fitting tribute, because there quite possibly wouldn’t be a club if it wasn’t for him.”

The petition can be found by searching for ‘Markus Liebherr’ at change.org