THE Southampton Independent Supporters Association has sent a letter to Saints chairman Rupert Lowe requesting that he takes a 12-month sabbatical, in the same way that former manager Dave Jones had to when he faced serious criminal charges five years ago.

It follows SISA's meeting at the Northam Social club on Tuesday night, when more than 200 fans voted for the formation of a shareholders trust to try and oust Lowe.

Five years ago, Jones faced child abuse allegations which he strenuously denied and the charges were later dropped.

And SISA has drawn a parallel with the libel actions against The Times and the Evening Standard that Lowe is intent on pursuing.

The three-page letter states: "Jones did not choose to bring a frenzied media glare upon Saints as a pawn of the legal system.

This unlike yourself, who we believe to be pursuing a nave, reckless and indeed grossly selfish course of litigation.

We are further angered by the fact that you are using the club's money for your action, when you are far richer than Dave Jones and did not finance his defence.

We formally request that you apply the same principals and logic that you imposed upon Mr Jones as a senior employee of the company.

We ask that you volunteer to undertake a sabbatical for twelve months, this to commence forthwith and to be announced by yourself or fellow board members promptly.

We suggest the benefits of this course to be twofold.

A) The club collectively can concentrate on the forthcoming season, with the court case being a significantly reduced factor.

B) By volunteering such an unselfish and honourably principled decision, your own personal reputation would be enormously endowed to a further degree than any minutiae legal victory could ever possible approach."