Super Saints storm to Premier League after 4-0 victory (From Daily Echo)

I hope other Bournemouth fans join me in offering Southampton sincere congratulations. You've been a credit to the Championship and you thoroughly deserve everything you've achieved - well done.

Brilliant!!!

YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS
!!!!!

i love you super saints

I'm glad I was proved wrong. Well done lads. May you continue to do so in the Premiership. As long as you can manage to score at the away matches you will be fine. What a good manager Nigel has now proved.

Yippeeeee....thank you Marcus, without your help we could not have started the journey back..danke

lymicherry wrote:
I hope other Bournemouth fans join me in offering Southampton sincere congratulations. You've been a credit to the Championship and you thoroughly deserve everything you've achieved - well done.

Many thanks lymicherry, the friendship and banter we had between our two clubs has had an incredibly good relationship, I do hope you guys have a good season next year! PROMOTION WOULD BE GREAT FOR YOUR CITY.
NOW AS FOR THE SAINTS!
T H A N K Y O U
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON WE'RE PREMIER LEAGUE..... x

Marcus, wherever you are, bless you and thank you.

Oh dear

The toothless & unwashed chavos will be out spending their giros tonight in celebration - PLASTIC PINTPOTS ONLY PLEASE!

Thank you Marcus , thank you Nigel and SOUTHAMPTON FOOTBALL CLUB , all and 1 . YOU MADE MY YEAR COMPLETE xx

Well done Saints. It has been an awesome two years, with some masterful football at St Mary's. I can't wait to see Saints back on the world stage!

OUR GREATEST EVER ACHIEVEMENT !!!!!!!!
To me this has eclipsed 1976.
2 back to back promotions after being on the brink of extinction.

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!

saintperth wrote:

lymicherry wrote:
I hope other Bournemouth fans join me in offering Southampton sincere congratulations. You've been a credit to the Championship and you thoroughly deserve everything you've achieved - well done.

Many thanks lymicherry, the friendship and banter we had between our two clubs has had an incredibly good relationship, I do hope you guys have a good season next year! PROMOTION WOULD BE GREAT FOR YOUR CITY.
NOW AS FOR THE SAINTS!
T H A N K Y O U
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON WE'RE PREMIER LEAGUE..... x

Cheers Lymicherry. The friendship between our clubs goes way back. We're in your corner as you prepare for a 2012-2013 promotion push!

Top top day for SFC. We are back where we belong because we have worked so hard.
Never make it easy for ourselves but that's why we love the Saints.
Well done to everyone at SMS, you have made it a dream come true.Champions League next year COYR!!!!!!

Super super saints
Well done Nigel great season now back where we belong.
Hope your watching from heaven dad that ones for you mate.
When the saints go marching on.
Fantastic just fantastic.

So so happy now time for the celebration!!!!!

City Saint wrote:

saintperth wrote:

lymicherry wrote:
I hope other Bournemouth fans join me in offering Southampton sincere congratulations. You've been a credit to the Championship and you thoroughly deserve everything you've achieved - well done.

Many thanks lymicherry, the friendship and banter we had between our two clubs has had an incredibly good relationship, I do hope you guys have a good season next year! PROMOTION WOULD BE GREAT FOR YOUR CITY.
NOW AS FOR THE SAINTS!
T H A N K Y O U
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON WE'RE PREMIER LEAGUE..... x

Cheers Lymicherry. The friendship between our clubs goes way back. We're in your corner as you prepare for a 2012-2013 promotion push!

You pair LUV each other!

J.P.M wrote:
Oh dear

The toothless & unwashed chavos will be out spending their giros tonight in celebration - PLASTIC PINTPOTS ONLY PLEASE!

yes iam sure portsmouth will be a busy little city tonight ! ! well who would blame them div 1 next season if not go out of biz !!

so your right drown the sorrows

well done to southampton FC !! money in the bank too :) coys !!

J.P.M wrote:

City Saint wrote:

saintperth wrote:

lymicherry wrote:
I hope other Bournemouth fans join me in offering Southampton sincere congratulations. You've been a credit to the Championship and you thoroughly deserve everything you've achieved - well done.

Many thanks lymicherry, the friendship and banter we had between our two clubs has had an incredibly good relationship, I do hope you guys have a good season next year! PROMOTION WOULD BE GREAT FOR YOUR CITY.
NOW AS FOR THE SAINTS!
T H A N K Y O U
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON WE'RE PREMIER LEAGUE..... x

Cheers Lymicherry. The friendship between our clubs goes way back. We're in your corner as you prepare for a 2012-2013 promotion push!

You pair LUV each other!

Get a room you 2 hehehe

Been watching online down in Auckland NZ.......Fantastic result!!...so proud to be a Saints fan!!...so proud of the team, manager and the fans!
We are Premier League say we are Premier League!!....get your excuses ready Fergie...we're coming!!

Thankyou Saints!

One very happy expat here at nearly 2am Sunday morning, my Kiwi missus has gone to bed, I'm sat here on my own drinking champagne with a great big smile on my face!

What more is there to say, more coherent thoughts will follow tomorrow.

WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!!

Thankyou Markus.

Thankyou the Liebherr family.

Thankyou Nicola Cortese.

Thankyou Nigel Adkins.

Thankyou to the whole squad & everyone at Southampton Football Club.

COYR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Should be a good year...until they inevitably get relegated again.

HELL YEAH!

Feeling good right about now :D

Portswoodfoke wrote:
Should be a good year...until they inevitably get relegated again.

Yes, as inevitable as Swansea and Norwich getting relegated this season from the prem.... Pr*ck

Even after spending half me life on the other side of the world, a big part of me heart has and always will be with The Saints. (Merry Oak after Glasgow orig.) Living here in Thailand, the name 'Southampton' (or as the Thais say "South") has blasting from every news channel in the country for the past two hours.

So well done lads. Brings back memories of the mid 80s hey-days at secondary.

Yes, the name "Southampton" will be captivating the Asian media already. The Premiership is Huge in Asia.

A leap like this to the Premiership, puts "South" on the World map once more.

Stephen Cleary (Journo)

J.P.M wrote:

City Saint wrote:

saintperth wrote:

lymicherry wrote:
I hope other Bournemouth fans join me in offering Southampton sincere congratulations. You've been a credit to the Championship and you thoroughly deserve everything you've achieved - well done.

Many thanks lymicherry, the friendship and banter we had between our two clubs has had an incredibly good relationship, I do hope you guys have a good season next year! PROMOTION WOULD BE GREAT FOR YOUR CITY.
NOW AS FOR THE SAINTS!
T H A N K Y O U
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON WE'RE PREMIER LEAGUE..... x

Cheers Lymicherry. The friendship between our clubs goes way back. We're in your corner as you prepare for a 2012-2013 promotion push!

You pair LUV each other!

It's nice that the city to the west of us are the opposite side of the spectrum to the city/town to the east.
Money can't buy you love, however, if it did you'll still be in the championship.
GOODBYE PORTSCUM, thanks cherries.
I JUST LOVE THE SAINTS, thanks Frank R.I.P mate. x

Get in. Premiership footy right on my doorstep. Saints have played fantastically entertaining football all season, and have their just deserts. Well done, keep it up.

Back home and I can't hear a thing - my ears a ringing thanks to the volume of the crowd - every moment wonderful.

I still think the first goal was Lallana's even after seeing the replay.

What a manager, four promotions in six years in the job. Now we'll see how far up the PL he can push us. What a team - the same core has now won two divisions. Onwards and upwards!

(Sorry to see that Pompey fans are on here trying to get some satisfaction about what they think might happen next year. If I were them I'd be trying to save my own club . Coming on here trying to paint this as anything but a result for Southampton is just a bit, well, pathetic. I mean that in it's correct usage, i.e. it makes me feel pity for them.)

We are Premier League, we are Premier League!

J.P.M wrote:

City Saint wrote:

saintperth wrote:

lymicherry wrote:
I hope other Bournemouth fans join me in offering Southampton sincere congratulations. You've been a credit to the Championship and you thoroughly deserve everything you've achieved - well done.

Many thanks lymicherry, the friendship and banter we had between our two clubs has had an incredibly good relationship, I do hope you guys have a good season next year! PROMOTION WOULD BE GREAT FOR YOUR CITY.
NOW AS FOR THE SAINTS!
T H A N K Y O U
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON WE'RE PREMIER LEAGUE..... x

Cheers Lymicherry. The friendship between our clubs goes way back. We're in your corner as you prepare for a 2012-2013 promotion push!

You pair LUV each other!

NO IT'S YOUR LOT THAT'S THE INBREDS.
IT'S JUST THEY BOTH HAVE A CLUB WORTH SUPPORTING.
COYREDS ..PFOAD.

We are Southampton.....We are Premier League.....Great Day! Still Buzzing!
A little mention for the Coventry Fans who turned out in reasonable numbers despite being relegated AND stayed behind at the end to applaud our promotion...great fans, Coventry should be proud...they deserve better!
Can't wait for Premier League Football next season!

what a fantastic day and result -we are premier league - yes - we are premier league
well done to everyone at southampton football club - you have made lots of people very happy

Well done Saints,back to where we belong.So proud,dont stop Nige,keep up the good work and break some more club records in the top flight.The future's bright the future's red n white.

Congratulations Southampton - back to back promotions is a great achievement and I must say with all that's going on at Pompey at the moment I'm a very jealous man this evening! I can only hope we can do the same (if we still have a club!). Best of luck back in the big time.

Ahhh, it's a game. Calm down. Have you all forgotten that its the wettest April since time began and that we are in a double dip rescission? On second thoughts, enjoy it lol.

J.P.M wrote:
Oh dear

The toothless & unwashed chavos will be out spending their giros tonight in celebration - PLASTIC PINTPOTS ONLY PLEASE!

Why ?? What have p*mp*y got to celebrate?

PFCPaul wrote:
Congratulations Southampton - back to back promotions is a great achievement and I must say with all that's going on at Pompey at the moment I'm a very jealous man this evening! I can only hope we can do the same (if we still have a club!). Best of luck back in the big time.

Thank you PFCPaul. To all the sensible Pompey fans I also hope you get yourself sorted, we need those derby's! I also have a lot of Pompey fans and know some who are very close to their club! However I would also like to say, thank you Markus and your family, well done Nigel and the team! What a great day!!

Absolutely fecking brilliant..after 7 years in the wilderness we are back where we belong and without ambition no one goes anywhere. Congrats to all at SFC!!

Big applause to SkyBlues turnout and fans and I also hope the neighbours get a break, Appleton is their best hope, he comes across as a genuine football man unlike some of the shiesters who have wrecked that club.

Can I just ask the echo not to put reports up when the game is live as you did last week and they lost nothing this week and they win hint

Paul TS wrote:

PFCPaul wrote:
Congratulations Southampton - back to back promotions is a great achievement and I must say with all that's going on at Pompey at the moment I'm a very jealous man this evening! I can only hope we can do the same (if we still have a club!). Best of luck back in the big time.

Thank you PFCPaul. To all the sensible Pompey fans I also hope you get yourself sorted, we need those derby's! I also have a lot of Pompey fans and know some who are very close to their club! However I would also like to say, thank you Markus and your family, well done Nigel and the team! What a great day!!

THIS is what you call Sportsmanship!!!!!

Not a fan of football, but well done Southampton!

INTERVIEW OF MR N CORTESE (NC) WITH WELSHSAINT (WS)

(WS): Congratulations Mr Cortese and I would like to thank you and the late Mr Liebherr for everything you have done for Southampton FC.
(NC): You are very welcome. However, I would like to make one thing clear immediately. Please do not thank me, thank the family from the manager, players support staff to the stewards and yourselves - the supporters.
(WS): From the very start you and Mr Liebherr have always appeared to use the term family as opposed to business. Any particular reason?
(NC): I am from a family business and it has worked so why should Southampton FC be any different? A family sticks together and we trust each other. Of course, if a family member threatens the stability of the business then they should find their own way in the world. Irrespective of their position.
(WS): Would this include a successful manager for example?
(NC) (The smile on the face of Mr Cortese thins slightly): I believe you have a saying in your country"Never wash your dirty linen in public" Shall we move on?
(WS) (Taking the hint): You appear to have been a little, shall we say innovative, in your start to football ownership and ruffled a few feathers. For example the press and former respected members of the club who contributed to the Clubs history. Any particular reason?
(NC): Every decision made is for a reason. You mention the press. A lot of people make a lot of money from football. A lot of people will buy a particular newspaper because of the quality of their sports coverage. Is there a reason why a newspaper should not contribute to the football clubs who they write about and increase their circulation? The television companys do.
(WS): And previous members of SFC?
(NC):Marcus was ready to buy the club five weeks earlier but, as is well documented there was another potential buyer. We always do our research properly and we knew they were not a viable proposition. That lost us a valuable five pre-season weeks. Treatment? Mr Liebherr and I were buying a club that was on the brink of liquidation due to bad finances, we had to put an immediate halt to money, for example free tickets or hospitality, not going back into the club.
(Mr Cortese pauses to take a drink of tea)
(NC): I would like to take this opportunity to clarify one point. I understand that there is a lot of bitterness about the previous Directors/Owners from the supporters understandably. However, do you you think that we would have purchased the club if it did not include the ground, the training ground basically the solid foundation of what could be a successful football club? I think not. All that was in situ, the skeleton shall we say. We are able to put the flesh on the bones.
(WS): Some people say that we bought our promotions, how do you feel about that?
(NC) (Smiling) When we bought the club, as I have just said, it was down to the bare bones. Yes, initially we did spend money but we bought players not only to get us promoted from Leagus One but who could hold their own in the Championship. Consider this, ask any Manager how much he would pay for a striker who will score in excess of twenty goals a season? How much did we pay for Mr Lambert? (NC grins)
Mr Cortese suggests a break for refreshment. Interview to be continued shortly

Great result. Congrats to everyone concerned. My nerves have been shattered this past week. Now I can have a relaxed summer ready for next season. Don't do this to me again !!!
Glad to see Middlesborough failed to get into the playoffs.
Hope the ref for that game sees his cheating didn't do them any good. He was well named Master Bates. That was a special time to call the ref a **** "

Promotion was the easy bit. Staying up will be the difficult bit, and the way Coventry took the initiative in the first 15 minutes shows that a few million will need to be spent if the stay in the Premier League is not to be very brief.

The best and most consistent team all season get what they deserve, well done Saints from a Pompey fan - in genuine peace. Enjoy your night, lads and lasses ;D

This has been a remarkable achivement for everyone involved with the club and i am so proud but also very drunk . . . but please, please please, could we stop using Come on You Reds. We play in red and white, we are saints, we play in red and white, COME ON YOU SAINTS. Liverpool are the reds. Nigel Adkins red and white army. We should be very proud to use the name saints, its our name . . . please guys make an old fella happy and only use COME ON YOU SAINTS . . . moan over. Great day, great day, great fans. COYS

This has been a remarkable achivement for everyone involved with the club and i am so proud but also very drunk . . . but please, please please, could we stop using Come on You Reds. We play in red and white, we are saints, we play in red and white, COME ON YOU SAINTS. Liverpool are the reds. Nigel Adkins red and white army. We should be very proud to use the name saints, its our name . . . please guys make an old fella happy and only use COME ON YOU SAINTS . . . moan over. Great day, great day, great fans. COYS

TimCan wrote:
This has been a remarkable achivement for everyone involved with the club and i am so proud but also very drunk . . . but please, please please, could we stop using Come on You Reds. We play in red and white, we are saints, we play in red and white, COME ON YOU SAINTS. Liverpool are the reds. Nigel Adkins red and white army. We should be very proud to use the name saints, its our name . . . please guys make an old fella happy and only use COME ON YOU SAINTS . . . moan over. Great day, great day, great fans. COYS

If you add didi in front of COYS what do you get?

oh jesus christ, please protect me from right wing fascist **** . . . its about football love. Please dont spoil the day.

so now they can hike the ticket prices for their one and only season in the Premiership...... then they can keep charging the over inflated pricses when they crash back down to the Championship next year....

INTERVIEW WITH MR CORTESE RESUMES

(WS): I understand that this is a very emotional day for you but I must ask you about your great friend Mr Liebherr. Obviously he is held in the highest esteem and all supporters were saddened by his passing away.
(NC):(Interrupting) The purchase of Southampton FC enabled Marcus to attend the world famous Wembley and watch his team win a Cup. Is there a greater feeling for any football supporter? Irrespective of the Trophy title, we won a cup at Wembley. How many supporters can say that? Only losers belittle a cup win at Wembley! You have to earn the right by beating other clubs to get there. To belittle any competition is to belittle every football club, every supporter and every player who kicks a ball irrespective of whether that ball is kicked in the local park or the worlds finest stadiums. I apologise, it is not very often that I get vociferous but I am passionate in my own way.
(WS): Passionate? Could that be translated as dictatorial, it has been implied in the press that you can be a 'My way or no way' type of person. One or two names have been mentioned, for example Pardew and Puncheon.
(NC): Earlier you said my approach was innovative. Treating a club, staff and supporters as a family appears to be innovative in football. The Liebherr Memorial is an example. How many clubs give their supporters a day of sport and entertainment for free, a way of saying Thank You. If you are causing problems within the family and are being divisive then ..... That is not being dictatorial, as you say, it is safe guarding the family and we have a big family. The press can be a little narrow minded when confronted by something they do not understand. Marcus and I are taking a fresh approach to English football. Some ideas may not work, but, and I do not mean to crow (A slight chuckle) but we have taken a skeleton from the cupboard of League One to the world stage of the Premiership in three years. Suffice to say, we are on the right road.
(WS): You have just mentioned three years, your initial plan was five years. Is it possible that the 'family' could be a victim of its own success?
(NC):(Considers his response for a few seconds) In one way, definetely. Everyone knows my views on youth policy, football in its current financial position is not sustainable. That is not just my view, the way forward is through youth policy. We have very good players coming on, so if for example they were fifteen or sixteen three years ago by the time we achieved the Premiership they would be twenty one and ready. So yes there is a slight effect, understandably.
(WS): Are you indirectly saying that there will be a big spending spree this summer. Big names?
(NC): (Shaking his head slightly) Do you honestly think, after three years, that is our way? What is the point, (Pauses) I think you have the phrase 'journeymen', coming into the team just to earn money? IYou hav seen with your own eyes how our players re-act when a goal is scored or the keeper makes a brilliant save, how they fight for each other on the field of play. You saw the reaction of Mr Adkins to-day when interviewed live on BBC after the game. They are the people we want in the family. They are the people we will get and they will take us forward to the Champion League. The family has no room for a mercenary.
(WS): Ticket prices. Will there be an increase?
(NC): Will there be an increase in player wages? (NC smiles)
(WS): Yes but there is a wealth of new income from TV etc. (I smile back)
(NC): I have always said that this is a family business and must be self-sustaining. Forget the past. The money generated is for the improvement of the Club not the owners bank balance. I know supporters refer to Club history, and rightly so in some ways. But please do not allow history to compare our current situation with the situation of a few years ago. To me, to-day is Southampton FC, it has been in existence, to me, for three years when Marcus bought the club. Our history started that day. We have broken old club records buried them with the ashes. Our history is back to back promotions, a winning trip to Wembley, a respected youth policy, innovative fitness programmes involving Southampton University, an admired playing style with good attacking style. That is our history now. From the ashes the Phoenix has risen. Actually I almost changed the club name to Southampton Phoenix FC, but I would prefer to be called a Saint.
(WS): Well, Mr Cortese, thank you very much for the interview and your frankness
(NC) You are most welcome
(WS) Just two last questions, if you would not mind. (Mr Cortese sits back slightly, looks at the ceiling and wryly nods) First. Do you ever read the supporters comments in the echo website?
(NC): Of course, I do, as well as the players. It is impossible to ask thirty thousand people individually for their opinion. Before you ask, in all honesty a large amount are of no use at all but the more knowledgeable supporters do make comments that we consider and discuss at family meetings. In fact, some we have actually implemented in one way or another.
(WS): Final question. How do you see next season fittinf into the 'five year' plan?
(NC): We will look at the previous three seasons, look at one area which did not work, look at three which did. Draw a line line underneath and move on.
Both Mr Cortese and I laughed at those all to familiar words.
END OF INTERVIEW

Gainer T Gopher wrote:
so now they can hike the ticket prices for their one and only season in the Premiership...... then they can keep charging the over inflated pricses when they crash back down to the Championship next year....

I do love positive people! I'm no football fan, but can understand this win is great for our City.

What with a new museum, some great changes to our City in the past couple of years and now International coverage, things are looking good!

Let's open our arms and welcome visitors to a great City!

I got up at 4:30am here in California just to be a part of this day of days. The team has been superb for the last 2 seasons, Nigel Adkins deserves huge credit for creating a magnificent team and taking them up in back-to-back seasons. But we must not forget Marcus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese who saw the potential of the club and its fans during our dark days, financed it and put a plan in place to take us back to the top and make sure we were prepared to compete when we arrived. Marcus, you are the godfather of the modern Saints era and you will never be forgotten.

Gainer T Gopher wrote:
so now they can hike the ticket prices for their one and only season in the Premiership...... then they can keep charging the over inflated pricses when they crash back down to the Championship next year....

Do I smell a skate on here??very brave seeing as the 15 point deduction is not far away if you make it that is.

Tick tock tick tock!!
Super super saints !!!

Saints down under wrote:

Gainer T Gopher wrote:
so now they can hike the ticket prices for their one and only season in the Premiership...... then they can keep charging the over inflated pricses when they crash back down to the Championship next year....

Do I smell a skate on here??very brave seeing as the 15 point deduction is not far away if you make it that is.

Tick tock tick tock!!
Super super saints !!!

You sir, let our proud City down!

As a City we should welcome any visitor, wether they support Portsmouth, Soton etc.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
YYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSS - Just watched the replay of the Saints game and we won that 4-0 as well :-) In the words of Mr Adkins - drink the drinkables. OH WHEN THE SAINTS..............
....................

Tesco have reported an increase in toilet tissue sales.

Iron lady you should go and do some knitting or cook some food for your husband (?) . . . but stay away from a sports related thread . . . oh and learn to spell.

IronLady2010 wrote:
Tesco have reported an increase in toilet tissue sales.

?

Just seen a lorry loaded with 2,000 Tesco trolleys being driven towards Fr*tt*n P*rk. I wonder what is going on?

rob the saint in NZ wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Tesco have reported an increase in toilet tissue sales.

?

Gin sodden old trout, me thinks

Nail biting, more tense than the word "tense", finish to the Season!!!!

Fabulous result today. Well deserved promotion.

A pleasure to read supporter's passionate and effervescent comments.

Especially those excited comments from Ex Pats who have supported the team through thick and thin, from many thousand miles away and time difference of seven hours or more.

Also pleasing that the usual numbskull, numbnut , embarrassingly so-called supporters, are absent in posting their usual inarticulate drivel.
Maybe they cannot take their beer and right now are pi$$ing up a lamppost or some strangers front door, or sitting on the bog after a wickedly over-ambitious Vindaloo and, cross-eyed, contemplating the meaning of the Universe?

Another poster made a wise and prophetic observation that promotion back to the Premier is only the start --- some serious money now needs to be spent to strengthen the team for next Season and to ensure return to the Premier is long lasting.

WelshSaint012 wrote:
INTERVIEW OF MR N CORTESE (NC) WITH WELSHSAINT (WS)

(WS): Congratulations Mr Cortese and I would like to thank you and the late Mr Liebherr for everything you have done for Southampton FC.
(NC): You are very welcome. However, I would like to make one thing clear immediately. Please do not thank me, thank the family from the manager, players support staff to the stewards and yourselves - the supporters.
(WS): From the very start you and Mr Liebherr have always appeared to use the term family as opposed to business. Any particular reason?
(NC): I am from a family business and it has worked so why should Southampton FC be any different? A family sticks together and we trust each other. Of course, if a family member threatens the stability of the business then they should find their own way in the world. Irrespective of their position.
(WS): Would this include a successful manager for example?
(NC) (The smile on the face of Mr Cortese thins slightly): I believe you have a saying in your country"Never wash your dirty linen in public" Shall we move on?
(WS) (Taking the hint): You appear to have been a little, shall we say innovative, in your start to football ownership and ruffled a few feathers. For example the press and former respected members of the club who contributed to the Clubs history. Any particular reason?
(NC): Every decision made is for a reason. You mention the press. A lot of people make a lot of money from football. A lot of people will buy a particular newspaper because of the quality of their sports coverage. Is there a reason why a newspaper should not contribute to the football clubs who they write about and increase their circulation? The television companys do.
(WS): And previous members of SFC?
(NC):Marcus was ready to buy the club five weeks earlier but, as is well documented there was another potential buyer. We always do our research properly and we knew they were not a viable proposition. That lost us a valuable five pre-season weeks. Treatment? Mr Liebherr and I were buying a club that was on the brink of liquidation due to bad finances, we had to put an immediate halt to money, for example free tickets or hospitality, not going back into the club.
(Mr Cortese pauses to take a drink of tea)
(NC): I would like to take this opportunity to clarify one point. I understand that there is a lot of bitterness about the previous Directors/Owners from the supporters understandably. However, do you you think that we would have purchased the club if it did not include the ground, the training ground basically the solid foundation of what could be a successful football club? I think not. All that was in situ, the skeleton shall we say. We are able to put the flesh on the bones.
(WS): Some people say that we bought our promotions, how do you feel about that?
(NC) (Smiling) When we bought the club, as I have just said, it was down to the bare bones. Yes, initially we did spend money but we bought players not only to get us promoted from Leagus One but who could hold their own in the Championship. Consider this, ask any Manager how much he would pay for a striker who will score in excess of twenty goals a season? How much did we pay for Mr Lambert? (NC grins)
Mr Cortese suggests a break for refreshment. Interview to be continued shortly

Well the next time you talk make sure you dont write MARKUS with a C he was swiss and they spell it with a K.

IronLady2010 wrote:
Tesco have reported an increase in toilet tissue sales.

Well not in poopey because they use grass!!!

IronLady2010 wrote:

TimCan wrote:
This has been a remarkable achivement for everyone involved with the club and i am so proud but also very drunk . . . but please, please please, could we stop using Come on You Reds. We play in red and white, we are saints, we play in red and white, COME ON YOU SAINTS. Liverpool are the reds. Nigel Adkins red and white army. We should be very proud to use the name saints, its our name . . . please guys make an old fella happy and only use COME ON YOU SAINTS . . . moan over. Great day, great day, great fans. COYS

If you add didi in front of COYS what do you get?

Someone who dont like football but thinks she knows what is best .Why do you bother?,we have enough of the blue few on here talking through their arse!!

IronLady2010 wrote:
Tesco have reported an increase in toilet tissue sales.

Irrespective of wether you support football in particular or sports in general, today's promotion by the local team is a fabulous outcome and worth celebrating by ALL in the local community.

Your one-line juvenile attempts at disparaging genuine football supporters says a lot about you.

What a small-minded, bitter and twisted, shallow-minded individual you must be.

You should be thoroughly ashamed of your spiteful and ungracious comments.

Reach for a bottle of your preferred regular plonk and enter temporary oblivion and escape from the World of graciousness and adult commentary.

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHEN THE SAINTS :-) I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOO DRUNK :-) WE ARE GOING UP SAY WE ARE GOING UP :-)

Congratulations, you deserved it. I believe we were one of 4 teams that you didn't beat, although we did of course win on away goals.

TimCan wrote:
oh jesus christ, please protect me from right wing fascist **** . . . its about football love. Please dont spoil the day.

Well said Timcan

IronLady2010 wrote:

TimCan wrote:
This has been a remarkable achivement for everyone involved with the club and i am so proud but also very drunk . . . but please, please please, could we stop using Come on You Reds. We play in red and white, we are saints, we play in red and white, COME ON YOU SAINTS. Liverpool are the reds. Nigel Adkins red and white army. We should be very proud to use the name saints, its our name . . . please guys make an old fella happy and only use COME ON YOU SAINTS . . . moan over. Great day, great day, great fans. COYS

If you add didi in front of COYS what do you get?

and if you add tw in front of at what do you get.
you get you
now just f@ck off

sounds like Iron Lady needs to be melted down into scrap metal and used as a drain cover

We're walkin' on sunshine, and don't it feel good?! Well done Saints! A GREAT achievement! Take that, Alf Garnett and co!:-)

SAINTS ARE GOUNG UP. You're all in for some luvin. The mood I'm in, perhaps I should, lol.

Hedgeend Bob. What he says may sound a bit mental, but it's actually not that bad as some sort of commentary. Picking holes in fellow Saint Fans posts is not Saintly :')

Thoroughly well deserved, the family effect is obviously working, cheers to all involved - next season will be expensive given that I'm now in Scotland, but Saints are my blood and I'm not going to give them up for anything :-)

IronLady2010 wrote:

Saints down under wrote:

Gainer T Gopher wrote:
so now they can hike the ticket prices for their one and only season in the Premiership...... then they can keep charging the over inflated pricses when they crash back down to the Championship next year....

Do I smell a skate on here??very brave seeing as the 15 point deduction is not far away if you make it that is.

Tick tock tick tock!!
Super super saints !!!

You sir, let our proud City down!

As a City we should welcome any visitor, wether they support Portsmouth, Soton etc.

Lady

Please not today they are Portsmouth we are Southampton why ever happens they don't go together ever.
Anyway good luck at the museum!!

Now let's all have another party.

So who we going to sign I fancy a couple of midfield players a left back and another stricker to challenge our front two.

Oh and a top six finish would be fantastic.
Still on a high all day now super saints we are premier league.

COYS

Saints down under wrote:
So who we going to sign I fancy a couple of midfield players a left back and another stricker to challenge our front two. Oh and a top six finish would be fantastic. Still on a high all day now super saints we are premier league. COYS

We need - 1) a Danny Murphy type midfielder who can use his head and calm a game down 2) a decent goalkeeper to add a bit of competition for places and provide cover 3) an experienced/decent PL level defender (Upson?) 4) a pacy forward who can shake teams up (Danny Wallace type) 5) eleven unproven paint pot trophy players to send on loan to aid p*mp*y in their quest for league two football. All of those with the team spirit we have now could make for an enjoyable return to the top flight.

I hope i am wrong but the lukewarm reception NA received from NC during the after match celebrations, coupled with NA´s extended refference to "parting of the ways# makes me worried that all is not well behind closed doors at SMS. Do we have another AP situation?

leosaint wrote:
I hope i am wrong but the lukewarm reception NA received from NC during the after match celebrations, coupled with NA´s extended refference to "parting of the ways# makes me worried that all is not well behind closed doors at SMS. Do we have another AP situation?

Yesterday I "felt it in my waters" that it would be 4-0 to Saints (£110 thank you very much!). What a great day!
Today.....I'm sensing that NA has achieved what he was put in place to do....and it's time to move on? I so hope I've simply got a urine infection and I'm wrong!

leosaint wrote:
I hope i am wrong but the lukewarm reception NA received from NC during the after match celebrations, coupled with NA´s extended refference to "parting of the ways# makes me worried that all is not well behind closed doors at SMS. Do we have another AP situation?

Have to say that was the way I read it so you're not alone in that thought - perish it!!

totally awesome well done boys onwards and upwards :)

MajorM0t0k0 wrote:
totally awesome well done boys onwards and upwards :)

What about the admin girls? You only mention boys!

I also note the Manager has lots of praise but yet he didn't play.

Therefore, I give credit to all the shareholders who played very well and earned a fortune. Well done!!!

IronLady2010 wrote:

MajorM0t0k0 wrote: totally awesome well done boys onwards and upwards :)

What about the admin girls? You only mention boys! I also note the Manager has lots of praise but yet he didn't play. Therefore, I give credit to all the shareholders who played very well and earned a fortune. Well done!!!

It's time to retire yourself from any comments on football related threads as your comments are in the main inane, childish & disparaging.

You come across as mean spirited, unhappy & unwilling to accept that people have different opinions to your own & may find enjoyment in something that you don't.

Live & let live please & let a lot of happy people this weekend be happy!

Simples!

clausentum wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Tesco have reported an increase in toilet tissue sales.

Irrespective of wether you support football in particular or sports in general, today's promotion by the local team is a fabulous outcome and worth celebrating by ALL in the local community.

Your one-line juvenile attempts at disparaging genuine football supporters says a lot about you.

What a small-minded, bitter and twisted, shallow-minded individual you must be.

You should be thoroughly ashamed of your spiteful and ungracious comments.

Reach for a bottle of your preferred regular plonk and enter temporary oblivion and escape from the World of graciousness and adult commentary.

Well, well ! Something very odd here......

In both posts, your choice of words, sentence construction.......i
t all sounds exactly like a child trying to mimmick an intelligent adult. Not up to your usual standard.

And yet again, everybody ignores you.

Except me, the troll hunter !

WelshSaint012 wrote:
INTERVIEW WITH MR CORTESE RESUMES

(WS): I understand that this is a very emotional day for you but I must ask you about your great friend Mr Liebherr. Obviously he is held in the highest esteem and all supporters were saddened by his passing away.
(NC):(Interrupting) The purchase of Southampton FC enabled Marcus to attend the world famous Wembley and watch his team win a Cup. Is there a greater feeling for any football supporter? Irrespective of the Trophy title, we won a cup at Wembley. How many supporters can say that? Only losers belittle a cup win at Wembley! You have to earn the right by beating other clubs to get there. To belittle any competition is to belittle every football club, every supporter and every player who kicks a ball irrespective of whether that ball is kicked in the local park or the worlds finest stadiums. I apologise, it is not very often that I get vociferous but I am passionate in my own way.
(WS): Passionate? Could that be translated as dictatorial, it has been implied in the press that you can be a 'My way or no way' type of person. One or two names have been mentioned, for example Pardew and Puncheon.
(NC): Earlier you said my approach was innovative. Treating a club, staff and supporters as a family appears to be innovative in football. The Liebherr Memorial is an example. How many clubs give their supporters a day of sport and entertainment for free, a way of saying Thank You. If you are causing problems within the family and are being divisive then ..... That is not being dictatorial, as you say, it is safe guarding the family and we have a big family. The press can be a little narrow minded when confronted by something they do not understand. Marcus and I are taking a fresh approach to English football. Some ideas may not work, but, and I do not mean to crow (A slight chuckle) but we have taken a skeleton from the cupboard of League One to the world stage of the Premiership in three years. Suffice to say, we are on the right road.
(WS): You have just mentioned three years, your initial plan was five years. Is it possible that the 'family' could be a victim of its own success?
(NC):(Considers his response for a few seconds) In one way, definetely. Everyone knows my views on youth policy, football in its current financial position is not sustainable. That is not just my view, the way forward is through youth policy. We have very good players coming on, so if for example they were fifteen or sixteen three years ago by the time we achieved the Premiership they would be twenty one and ready. So yes there is a slight effect, understandably.
(WS): Are you indirectly saying that there will be a big spending spree this summer. Big names?
(NC): (Shaking his head slightly) Do you honestly think, after three years, that is our way? What is the point, (Pauses) I think you have the phrase 'journeymen', coming into the team just to earn money? IYou hav seen with your own eyes how our players re-act when a goal is scored or the keeper makes a brilliant save, how they fight for each other on the field of play. You saw the reaction of Mr Adkins to-day when interviewed live on BBC after the game. They are the people we want in the family. They are the people we will get and they will take us forward to the Champion League. The family has no room for a mercenary.
(WS): Ticket prices. Will there be an increase?
(NC): Will there be an increase in player wages? (NC smiles)
(WS): Yes but there is a wealth of new income from TV etc. (I smile back)
(NC): I have always said that this is a family business and must be self-sustaining. Forget the past. The money generated is for the improvement of the Club not the owners bank balance. I know supporters refer to Club history, and rightly so in some ways. But please do not allow history to compare our current situation with the situation of a few years ago. To me, to-day is Southampton FC, it has been in existence, to me, for three years when Marcus bought the club. Our history started that day. We have broken old club records buried them with the ashes. Our history is back to back promotions, a winning trip to Wembley, a respected youth policy, innovative fitness programmes involving Southampton University, an admired playing style with good attacking style. That is our history now. From the ashes the Phoenix has risen. Actually I almost changed the club name to Southampton Phoenix FC, but I would prefer to be called a Saint.
(WS): Well, Mr Cortese, thank you very much for the interview and your frankness
(NC) You are most welcome
(WS) Just two last questions, if you would not mind. (Mr Cortese sits back slightly, looks at the ceiling and wryly nods) First. Do you ever read the supporters comments in the echo website?
(NC): Of course, I do, as well as the players. It is impossible to ask thirty thousand people individually for their opinion. Before you ask, in all honesty a large amount are of no use at all but the more knowledgeable supporters do make comments that we consider and discuss at family meetings. In fact, some we have actually implemented in one way or another.
(WS): Final question. How do you see next season fittinf into the 'five year' plan?
(NC): We will look at the previous three seasons, look at one area which did not work, look at three which did. Draw a line line underneath and move on.
Both Mr Cortese and I laughed at those all to familiar words.
END OF INTERVIEW

Good post-with more than a ring of truth.

IronLady2010 wrote:

Paul TS wrote:

PFCPaul wrote:
Congratulations Southampton - back to back promotions is a great achievement and I must say with all that's going on at Pompey at the moment I'm a very jealous man this evening! I can only hope we can do the same (if we still have a club!). Best of luck back in the big time.

Thank you PFCPaul. To all the sensible Pompey fans I also hope you get yourself sorted, we need those derby's! I also have a lot of Pompey fans and know some who are very close to their club! However I would also like to say, thank you Markus and your family, well done Nigel and the team! What a great day!!

THIS is what you call Sportsmanship!!!!!

Not a fan of football, but well done Southampton!

...and you madam, with your blue rinse, are obviously two people, as witness your latter comment (on the same article), so please get some treatment.

20east wrote:
Congratulations, you deserved it. I believe we were one of 4 teams that you didn't beat, although we did of course win on away goals.

I hope it keeps you warm at night. About 12 West for what it's worth?