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    Lowe back in power
    Rupert Lowe
    Rupert Lowe

    FORMER chairman Rupert Lowe is today back in power at St Mary's, along with another previous Saints supremo, Michael Wilde.

    The club confirmed to the Stock Exchange this morning that directors Leon Crouch, Patrick Trant and Keith Wiseman had resigned.

    As a result, the EGM scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled, while Lowe, Wilde and Andrew Cowen were appointed directors with immediate effect.


    Click here to read Lowe's statement

    The trio are understood to be holding their first board meeting today, along with finance director David Jones.

    The first job is thought to be receiving a full briefing on the financial status of the club from Jones, before holding a scheduled meeting with the club's bank, Barclays.

    As time wears on, the focus is expected to turn to the football side of things, while the full role of the four directors will also be thrashed out.

    12:10pm Thursday 15th May 2008

    Print   Email this   Comment
    Posted by: thedelldays, plymouth on 12:55pm Thu 15 May 08
    Welcome back Mr Lowe..please act as if you have learned your lessons from last time and sort the mess out that is SFC (that you partly created)...dont listen to fans fury, you will get called names etc but we all know yu are too thick skinned to worry about that..

    I should imagine on various web sites (thesaintsforum) many, who I can guess are trying to plot your downfall at the club...dont listen and just get the job that needs doing DONE..

    hope it works out..

    Posted by: Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away on 12:57pm Thu 15 May 08
    Hal - a - loo - lar

    Welcome back

    Now bring back Steve Wigley as manager to make the dream team complete
    Posted by: George, Weston-super-Mare on 12:58pm Thu 15 May 08
    I repeat from earlier:-
    So finally Wupert is back
    Tho one hopes on a diff'rent twack
    From two thousand and six
    When his management tricks
    Made most fans want to give him the sack.
    Posted by: Stu, New Forest on 1:00pm Thu 15 May 08
    Hallelujiah, all our problems are now a distant memory as the saviour returns!!! Wonder what sort of salary they will draw?
    Posted by: Richie, Iraq on 1:02pm Thu 15 May 08
    Good luck Mr Lowe - don't expect me to turn up whilst you are chairman though. No doubt your supporters will say I am a terrible example of a fan but spending thousands travelling from Germany might suggest otherwise. I am a Saints fan for life but will not have anything to do with a club run by this idiot.
    Posted by: Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away on 1:05pm Thu 15 May 08
    BOW DOWN TO THE RUPERT AND RAISE A GLASS OF BORDEAUX 1969 WINE TO THIS GREAT MAN

    PS bring back wigley, if not him merrington
    Posted by: vegasaint, HATING SKATES on 1:08pm Thu 15 May 08
    SOUTHAMPTON FOOTBALL CLUB R.I.P
    Posted by: Dave, Southampton on 1:11pm Thu 15 May 08
    15th May 2008 - SFC's darkest day.
    Posted by: Life long saints fan..., Southampton on 1:15pm Thu 15 May 08
    Mr Lowe

    Please do what is RIGHT FOR THE CLUB, get down off your high horse, swallow your pride and forget about your ego.

    Remember...you dont own this club, the city of Southampton owns this club....in spirit and in heart...prove to us that you do too!

    With great anticipation, we await your future plans.

    Yours
    A Lifelong Saints Fan
    Posted by: Fan first, Shareholder second, New Forest on 1:15pm Thu 15 May 08
    So at long last the inevitable has happened.

    Let's hope that the new Lowe regime will bring some stability off the pitch and that Pearson can continue to stabilise on the pitch.

    I expect there to be some cost cutting, anyone out of contract in June can't expect an automatic rollover. There will be sales to bring in revenue, probably Surman and Dyer, and some low cost strategic signings.

    I expect next season to be one of consolidation - certainly don't expect automatic promotion - play offs will be a mixed blessing as they were in 2007.

    There doesn't seem to be any serious investment on the horizon so building from within will be the key. The academy will again become a seed bed for future revenue generation.

    Before anyone says it I'm not welcoming Lowe back with open arms. I am however prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. I hope he has learnt from the last two years and will do things differently this time. At present he and Cowen are the only options, Wilde is a distraction.
    Posted by: Dave, Southampton on 1:17pm Thu 15 May 08
    Echo removed this so I will repost
    15 May 2008 - SFC's darkest day
    Posted by: Big Saints Fan, Soton on 1:19pm Thu 15 May 08
    I bet Graham Hiley regrets that article he posted on the official site on the day of Lowe's departure. Clear your desk, Hiley :)
    Posted by: Oh dear on 1:19pm Thu 15 May 08
    "The first job is thought to be receiving a full briefing on the financial status of the club from Jones"

    Yeah right, as if Rupert's old chum wasn't giving him confidential company information all the time anyway. Amazing how those boardroom leaks kept happening eh?
    Posted by: peter, SFC The South Coasts Oldest Club on 1:19pm Thu 15 May 08
    I don't care what Lowe is like as a person, what I care about is if he can do the job. And relegation, lack of investment and the endlest list of cheep managerials appointments set against the appopintment of a Rugby coach at vaste expense, tells me he can't do the job.
    Posted by: redarmy, Southampton on 1:22pm Thu 15 May 08
    i renewed my ST to support the TEAM...

    but Lowe will NEVER get my support.parasite!!
    Posted by: Not a Lowe PR agent, just a fan with an opinion, Southampton on 1:24pm Thu 15 May 08
    33 years a Saints fan and a pocketful of shares to assist the coffers too. I continue to laugh out loud at the copious amounts of slagging that Lowe gets and the amount of people who are apparently Lowe PR agents just because they are pro Lowe - ridiculous.

    Yes he made some errors previously, but he also did a lot of good for the club. Think about it. Does anyone actually expect he will be coming back just to get lots of verbal from the fans?? Nobody in their right minds would want to go through that, however thick skinned you are.

    I can only assume there are plans affot to bring in investment and therefore sure up the amount he and Wilde will get when selling their shares.

    Whatever happens, with similar scenes of "Lowe Out" as per 2006, you can bet your bottom dollar that the players wont be too motivated to play at their best - lets get behind the players regardless and show what a great support this club has and has always had. COYR
    Posted by: Kevin, Maybush on 1:26pm Thu 15 May 08
    Welcome home Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde.
    I feel certain that if you can get a good working relationship going with Nick Illingsworth and SISA, you will have a good channel of communication with the true fans.
    Posted by: mick, aldershot on 1:27pm Thu 15 May 08
    Not that I was a lover of lowe but surely he cant do worse then this last lot of idiots.I cant believe my beloved club has been in such turmoil.I pray that it all gets turned around so come on mr lowe youve got a second chance dont mess it up.Meanwhile enjoy tonight with the happy memories we were used to.
    Posted by: Matt, Southampton on 1:29pm Thu 15 May 08
    For a few days, it has been sunny. Today, the rain comes back and grey clouds are overhead.

    Symbolic or what!

    Let the turmoil begin...
    Posted by: The_Shotster, Southampton on 1:37pm Thu 15 May 08
    Not a Lowe PR agent, just a fan with an opinion wrote:
    33 years a Saints fan and a pocketful of shares to assist the coffers too. I continue to laugh out loud at the copious amounts of slagging that Lowe gets and the amount of people who are apparently Lowe PR agents just because they are pro Lowe - ridiculous. Yes he made some errors previously, but he also did a lot of good for the club. Think about it. Does anyone actually expect he will be coming back just to get lots of verbal from the fans?? Nobody in their right minds would want to go through that, however thick skinned you are. I can only assume there are plans affot to bring in investment and therefore sure up the amount he and Wilde will get when selling their shares. Whatever happens, with similar scenes of "Lowe Out" as per 2006, you can bet your bottom dollar that the players wont be too motivated to play at their best - lets get behind the players regardless and show what a great support this club has and has always had. COYR
    Well said that man!!!!
    I am looking forward to all you doubters eating humble pie! Let's see you praising Lowe when the problems have been sorted out! The doubters haven't got the first idea about the running of the club! You are driven by media stories. I expect you all believed that Elvis worked in Tesco! tut tut
    Posted by: Kevin, M aybush on 1:38pm Thu 15 May 08
    Matt wrote:
    For a few days, it has been sunny. Today, the rain comes back and grey clouds are overhead. Symbolic or what! Let the turmoil begin...
    I think that today's rain could well be symbolic Matt!

    A sign that the dust that has settled on an inactive and ineffective boardroom is being washed away, and hopefully, the cr@p that has been liberally spread around the pitch at St Mary's this season, will produce an even better pitch for the start of a more successful season in August!

    Turmoil? I think that I would rather have a bit of turmoil to replace the period of inactivity!
    Posted by: Robert J, London on 1:39pm Thu 15 May 08
    Didn't Rupert Low bring in the waste of space called Sir Clive Woodward as technical watsit?!? Big expense he was on the wage bill.
    Posted by: Graham Hepburn, Chandler's Ford on 1:47pm Thu 15 May 08
    Rupert, where's the money gone? I think I'll ask now, it will save time later.
    Even though the Echo poll in March showed 80 pct of fans do not want him back, we have to have this divisive man back.
    And please don't tell me he is a good businessman. Any half decent businessman knows you either 'invest or die'. He failed to invest in Strachan and his team, and since then the club has been dying. He oversaw relegation and Pompey's annual £23m loss is now as big as our turnover! All because of Rupert Lowe. I boycotted my club once to get rid of Lowe, do I have to do it again now to get rid of him? Or failing that, and without ending up in jail, how do we get rid of him?
    Posted by: Andy P, Bitterne on 1:47pm Thu 15 May 08
    Big Saints Fan wrote:
    I bet Graham Hiley regrets that article he posted on the official site on the day of Lowe's departure. Clear your desk, Hiley :)
    Why should anyone clear their desk,for merely stating the obvious facts that everyone knew anyway.

    Lowe failed,and theres nothing to suggest that he will not FAIL again,infact its a dead cert.

    For goodness sake stop burrying your heads in the sand.
    Posted by: John B, Bitterne on 1:49pm Thu 15 May 08
    Robert J wrote:
    Didn't Rupert Low bring in the waste of space called Sir Clive Woodward as technical watsit?!? Big expense he was on the wage bill.
    I think you are probably a waste of Space.

    Sir Clive another well educated man has been England's most successful coach and manager in the last forty years.

    Although his background is in Rugby he is well versed in Football and his skills would have assisted us greatly
    Posted by: Numpty Basher on 2:01pm Thu 15 May 08
    Dave wrote:
    Echo removed this so I will repost 15 May 2008 - SFC\'s darkest day
    No they didn't - you just wanted to post it twice.

    Numpty.
    Posted by: mrbrown, Shirley on 2:07pm Thu 15 May 08
    What fantastic news, I can't wait to return to St. Mary's as soon as possible.

    Bon Jovi are really good live.

    Anybody picking up on the sarcasm??

    Up the Bluebirds for Saturday!
    Posted by: lowe and behold, st marys hotseat on 2:17pm Thu 15 May 08
    HELLO MY FREINDS HELLO!
    THE MESSIAH IS BACK PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS AS A MARK OF RESPECT AND HOLD A MINUTE SILENCE
    Posted by: ex so'ton, Abingdon on 2:23pm Thu 15 May 08
    Same old stuff as it was before, business first football second. Welcome to another season fighting relegation, the same as it ever was!
    Posted by: SJ on 2:23pm Thu 15 May 08
    Robert J wrote:
    Didn\'t Rupert Low bring in the waste of space called Sir Clive Woodward as technical watsit?!? Big expense he was on the wage bill.
    Your use of 'watsit' means that you are the waste of space.

    Sir Clive Woodward transformed England Rugby with a 5 year plan culminating in them becoming World Champions. During the 18 months priort to winning the World Cup they were unbeaten, winning in New Zealand and Australia before the tournament started. He was not frightened to go to other sports and see what training methods could be brought across to rugby. Shame that the dinosauars and blinkered idiots who call themselves football people could not welcome him like other sports did.
    Posted by: sailor sam, portsmouth on 2:33pm Thu 15 May 08
    mrbrown wrote:
    What fantastic news, I can't wait to return to St. Mary's as soon as possible. Bon Jovi are really good live. Anybody picking up on the sarcasm?? Up the Bluebirds for Saturday!
    Nope!
    But the stupidity came through, loud and clear!
    Posted by: sailor sam, portsmouth on 2:33pm Thu 15 May 08
    mrbrown wrote:
    What fantastic news, I can't wait to return to St. Mary's as soon as possible. Bon Jovi are really good live. Anybody picking up on the sarcasm?? Up the Bluebirds for Saturday!
    Nope!
    But the stupidity came through, loud and clear!
    Posted by: Mr Lowe get it right this time, or else! on 2:35pm Thu 15 May 08
    I am not sure about Lowe's return and I am keeping an open mind although I suspect it is going to be pretty dreadful for a while. I am not a Woking Class Warrior who loathes him nor am I am an @rse licking Lowe luvvy. I am a fan who wants the best for the team and for it to be successful. I don't care about shareholders or dividends or chairmen or boards I care about Saints playing good football with spirit and our return to the Premiership. I have had enough of this championship dross.
    Posted by: by any means necessary, south oxon on 2:37pm Thu 15 May 08
    Time to stop the slagging off. It will get us nowhere. We might not like Wupes but at the moment he's all we've got. Let's look to the future!
    Let's see if he can support NP or a decent alternative
    Let's see if he assett strips
    Let's see if he brings in the investment
    If it doesnt happen then we can call for his head.
    But what we surely need to do as a group of genuine supporters is to get behind our club and push them back into the Premier League.
    Let's start to show a united front. COYR
    Posted by: Roger Peck, North Hampshire on 2:37pm Thu 15 May 08
    This is a very sad day for Southampton FC. It was the lack of funds provided when Lowe was in charge before which led to the Club being in this predicament. I recall that it was Lowe who started the sale of players like Walcott and others and then did not replace them. So what happened to all the money?

    I cannot say how bad I feel but as a follower of Saints for morew than 50 years I hope an investor comes along to save the Club from Lowe!
    Posted by: Realist on 2:37pm Thu 15 May 08
    SJ wrote:
    Robert J wrote: Didn\'t Rupert Low bring in the waste of space called Sir Clive Woodward as technical watsit?!? Big expense he was on the wage bill.
    Your use of 'watsit' means that you are the waste of space. Sir Clive Woodward transformed England Rugby with a 5 year plan culminating in them becoming World Champions. During the 18 months priort to winning the World Cup they were unbeaten, winning in New Zealand and Australia before the tournament started. He was not frightened to go to other sports and see what training methods could be brought across to rugby. Shame that the dinosauars and blinkered idiots who call themselves football people could not welcome him like other sports did.
    Also Sir Clive was first and foremost a football fan and only got into Rugby when he was at a Pro-Rugby Uni.
    I remember many people saying "What would a Rugby man know about football?" one of them was Mick Channon, who once said "Football is just a hobby, 'orses are my game"
    Luckily Mick was given a chance to prove himself and lets face it neither of them did too badly at their hobbies.

    I personally say welcome back Mr Lowe, I just hope you get a chance to bring your plans to fruition.
    Posted by: Simon Templar, Woolston on 2:44pm Thu 15 May 08
    by any means necessary wrote:
    Time to stop the slagging off. It will get us nowhere. We might not like Wupes but at the moment he's all we've got. Let's look to the future!
    Let's see if he can support NP or a decent alternative
    Let's see if he assett strips
    Let's see if he brings in the investment
    If it doesnt happen then we can call for his head.
    But what we surely need to do as a group of genuine supporters is to get behind our club and push them back into the Premier League.
    Let's start to show a united front. COYR
    Typical blurb from the PR company. Back Lowe while putting in a few little friendly 'jibes' to make it out that you arent being paid by him. Calling him Wupes, suggesting if he doesnt deliver you wil call for his head, COYR signature - yawn, yawn, yawn. Go earn your money somewhere else, or report on what really happened during his 10 year reign here. Bunch of leeches.
    Posted by: Numpty Basher on 2:48pm Thu 15 May 08
    Simon Templar wrote:
    by any means necessary wrote: Time to stop the slagging off. It will get us nowhere. We might not like Wupes but at the moment he's all we've got. Let's look to the future! Let's see if he can support NP or a decent alternative Let's see if he assett strips Let's see if he brings in the investment If it doesnt happen then we can call for his head. But what we surely need to do as a group of genuine supporters is to get behind our club and push them back into the Premier League. Let's start to show a united front. COYR
    Typical blurb from the PR company. Back Lowe while putting in a few little friendly 'jibes' to make it out that you arent being paid by him. Calling him Wupes, suggesting if he doesnt deliver you wil call for his head, COYR signature - yawn, yawn, yawn. Go earn your money somewhere else, or report on what really happened during his 10 year reign here. Bunch of leeches.
    Perhaps - just perhaps - he's a Saints fan with a different view to you?
    Posted by: James, london on 2:57pm Thu 15 May 08
    ultimately our club is a business and needs to be run by a business man Rupert is a business man. The football side of the club will improve if the club has finacial stability - that is the bottom line.
    he may not be popular, hhowever he will create and consolidate the finacial stability required to move forward.
    We will always be fans and have passion and opinions, however the club cannot be fun by fans you need to have seperation and the correct acumin whatever anyone says Rupert is the best option. Crouch may have tried his hardest but lets be honest he was out of his depth and never had the experience required to run the business side of the club.
    tough reality but true.
    give rupert a chance hr has it all to do and im sure he knows the majority of fickle fans are against him!
    Posted by: sotonbloke, soton on 3:11pm Thu 15 May 08
    i dont like lowe at all - but honestly he cant do any worse that the last lot of monkeys! i just hope for a buy out
    Posted by: rachel, eastleigh on 3:12pm Thu 15 May 08
    GLEN HODDLE HAS JUST BEEN SEEN DRIVING INTO ST MARYS. ITS STARTED ALREADY.
    Posted by: saintorsinner, Fareham on 3:18pm Thu 15 May 08
    To all of those supporting Rupert Mugabe-Lowe, wake up and smell the coffee. The club is now irretrievably split as evidenced by this website and nothing good will come of it untl Lowe departs!! It's back to the bad old days.
    Posted by: MikeC, Southampton on 3:19pm Thu 15 May 08
    rachel wrote:
    GLEN HODDLE HAS JUST BEEN SEEN DRIVING INTO ST MARYS. ITS STARTED ALREADY.
    Now that would be good news.
    Posted by: Robert J on 3:41pm Thu 15 May 08
    SJ wrote:
    Robert J wrote: Didn\'t Rupert Low bring in the waste of space called Sir Clive Woodward as technical watsit?!? Big expense he was on the wage bill.
    Your use of 'watsit' means that you are the waste of space. Sir Clive Woodward transformed England Rugby with a 5 year plan culminating in them becoming World Champions. During the 18 months priort to winning the World Cup they were unbeaten, winning in New Zealand and Australia before the tournament started. He was not frightened to go to other sports and see what training methods could be brought across to rugby. Shame that the dinosauars and blinkered idiots who call themselves football people could not welcome him like other sports did.
    The only thing I will agree on is Rupert's managment of the books. I do not agree on his judgement on the sporting side. Please prove me wrong SJ.

    No doubt his achievements for English rugby were great and at the time I thought it was a great idea to employ him. In hindsight a mistake I think.
    Posted by: Benny Fitt, Thornhill on 4:00pm Thu 15 May 08
    Mr Lowe get it right this time wrote:
    I am not sure about Lowe's return and I am keeping an open mind although I suspect it is going to be pretty dreadful for a while. I am not a Woking Class Warrior who loathes him nor am I am an @rse licking Lowe luvvy. I am a fan who wants the best for the team and for it to be successful. I don't care about shareholders or dividends or chairmen or boards I care about Saints playing good football with spirit and our return to the Premiership. I have had enough of this championship dross.
    May I advise you that Woking is a classy area!
    Don't knock it!
    Posted by: Kevin, Maybush on 4:05pm Thu 15 May 08
    MikeC wrote:
    rachel wrote: GLEN HODDLE HAS JUST BEEN SEEN DRIVING INTO ST MARYS. ITS STARTED ALREADY.
    Now that would be good news.
    It might be good new for Hoddle, who has not managed a team in ages, but not good news for us!
    Posted by: jas, southampton on 4:27pm Thu 15 May 08
    Although it pains me that Lowe is back and that he has the worst record possible in hiring managers, he did keep the finaces resonably sound. I just hope he gives Pearson a fair crack of the whip. Pearson has the making of a good manager, Lowe must give himself time to prove it.
    Posted by: SunnySaint, Essex on 5:02pm Thu 15 May 08
    This is a Dark day for Southampton FC. I think that I will have to change my name as I can no longer continue to be "Sunny" :-(
    Posted by: crusti, shirley on 5:06pm Thu 15 May 08
    Lowes sound mind for buisness, does anyone think hes not responible for how we are at the moment, too many people being overpaid for not playing football, players not being payed enough, decent players being sold, board having very good bonus's, lack of money for bringing in decent players
    Then theres the management merry-go-round, so most of them officily walked but why?

    We could have had a better stadium at Stoneham (with parking), as i recall Eastliegh council, Hampshire council were close to an aggrement for it, until Lowe unveiled plans for a cinema, shopping and leisure complex.

    IMO Souness was the only manager to walk and tell the truth, was it 1.5 million for his next years player bugdet (which Lowe publicly admitted). Lowe really doesnt want to fund a team, he just wants the prestige of 'owning' a football club

    ps. who else had posts go missing from here?
    Posted by: Arrybluearmy, Poole on 5:26pm Thu 15 May 08
    Dave wrote:
    Echo removed this so I will repost 15 May 2008 - SFC's darkest day
    May 17th PFC's brightest day! PUP!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Posted by: threestands, Bournemouth on 5:33pm Thu 15 May 08
    Simon Templar wrote:
    by any means necessary wrote: Time to stop the slagging off. It will get us nowhere. We might not like Wupes but at the moment he\'s all we\'ve got. Let\'s look to the future! Let\'s see if he can support NP or a decent alternative Let\'s see if he assett strips Let\'s see if he brings in the investment If it doesnt happen then we can call for his head. But what we surely need to do as a group of genuine supporters is to get behind our club and push them back into the Premier League. Let\'s start to show a united front. COYR
    Typical blurb from the PR company. Back Lowe while putting in a few little friendly \'jibes\' to make it out that you arent being paid by him. Calling him Wupes, suggesting if he doesnt deliver you wil call for his head, COYR signature - yawn, yawn, yawn. Go earn your money somewhere else, or report on what really happened during his 10 year reign here. Bunch of leeches.
    Are you a Care in the Community patient ? Have you suffered from learning difficulties. Do you find it a struggle to concentrate.

    Your stupidity is breathtaking.
    Posted by: KINGSLAND SAINTS FAN on 5:35pm Thu 15 May 08
    HOW CAN WE TRUST WILDE WHEN HE HELPS TO OUST LOWE THEN JOINS HIM TO GET RID OF LEON CROUCH ??????????????????? I HAVE ALREADY RENEWED MY SEASON TICKET BUT THAT IS THE ONLY THING I PAY FOR UNTIL THESE TWO HAVE GONE. HAS LOWE COME BACK TO FINISH WHAT HE STARTED AND FINALLY DESTROY OUR BELOVED CLUB FOREVER?????????????
    ??
    Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 5:54pm Thu 15 May 08
    to all those who want to spread doom and gloom about Lowe remember that without him there would have been no SMS. OK, he has his faults and the comparisons with Doug Ellis are fair but RL's a pragmatist. Look at the job Mandaric's done at Leicester- and he didn't build a stadium for them.

    We need to clear out the big wage earners. Out have to go Rasiak, Skacel, Viafara, Licka, Idiakez, Ostlund, Wright-Phillips, Dyer, Thomas, Powell, Wright, Saganowski and Davis.

    We need to look at mixing up the young with free transfers and improve our scouting network to pluck good players from the lower leagues.

    Time to get back to basics Saints fans.
    Posted by: across the pond, slc on 6:15pm Thu 15 May 08
    now we wait to see,if he starts to sell players and lets NP go, there is no chance of us even staying in the champions league,let alone finding someone to buy the club, if Lowe has come back to protect his shares then he should be making every effort to secure a buyer, which Crouch says is in the works, i am waiting with baited breath, i suspect the Fulthorp consortium were just waiting for Lowe to come back lets hope this is the case COYR
    Posted by: Steve, Cambridge on 6:25pm Thu 15 May 08
    A loyal fan for nearly 50 years, all I want to see is passion in the game, stability and the Saints back in the Premiership.

    Let Lowe sort the finances and the business but not rush into footballing decisions. If we lose the first few games next season do not sack Pearson, give him a sound opportunity with the new team. If half way through the season we are in the bottom quarter of the league then look for a replacement who can keep us up next season, don't expect automatic promotion.
    Posted by: Richard, Brittany France on 8:45pm Thu 15 May 08
    I think we should all give Rupert Lowe a chance to show what he can do to turn things around at St Mary`s. I know he is 100% behind the club and will be looking to find the funds to invest in its future. This, I hope is a turning point and things can only get better.I hope he does`nt sack Pearson but you never know. There may already be someone waiting in the wings. It is so frustrating being a life long fan seeing Pompey doing so well an us at the other side of the spectrum! I have seen it before and it will be our turn again but the club must have stability on and off the pitch. Remember Lowe would not be interested in Southampton FC if he thought it was a dead duck and his heart was not in it. I remain very positive and looking forward to the team reaching the play offs next season.
    Posted by: Peter on 8:57pm Thu 15 May 08
    What SFC needs, above all else now, is a firm hand on the finances, if it is to avoid going bust. The previous management, who ousted Rupert Lowe, promised all manner of things, but spectacularly failed to deliver. Good riddens, and not a moment too soon.

    Rupert Lowe knows the club, is a successful businessman, and I believe is an honourable man. He represents the best chance Saints have, if they are not to go the way of Leeds, Leicester, etc.

    Wake up those Saints 'fans' who seem to have a problem with Rupert - get real!
    Posted by: saintorsinner, Fareham on 9:59pm Thu 15 May 08
    I am getting bored with all of those who claim that Lowe is a successful businesman. A successful businesman needs a good understanding of the industry domain he is working in, in order to make the correct strategic decisions. Lowe knows nothing about football, his decision making regaring managemnt of the football team were poor and as a result Southampton were relegated. The resultant financial implications were disastrous.
    Posted by: Atster, Romsey on 10:16pm Thu 15 May 08
    I cannot beleive that any true supporter can welcome the return of Lowe to our beloved club,it was his miss management and huge ego that got us in the dire situation we are now and now he has come back to finish us off!!
    Posted by: Leicestersaint, Norris Hill on 10:40pm Thu 15 May 08
    It's the cricket season!
    Posted by: David Crook, Yorkshire on 10:49pm Thu 15 May 08
    Great news,welcome back Rupert and Mr.Wilde.
    one piece to go to make the professional team complete and thats Mr.Hoddle.
    At long long last the club can move forward now.
    David Crook
    Posted by: Simon Templar, Woolston on 10:52pm Thu 15 May 08
    David Crook wrote:
    Great news,welcome back Rupert and Mr.Wilde.
    one piece to go to make the professional team complete and thats Mr.Hoddle.
    At long long last the club can move forward now.
    David Crook
    PR shenanigans. That is all.
    Posted by: Woe and woe again, and thrice woe on 10:56pm Thu 15 May 08
    Woe is me. An evil darkness and gloom has settled upon the land. The hopes and aspirations of many good people have been left in tatters. Will the evil one see the erorr of his ways or will he continue on his course of destruction? Will anyone challenge and destoy Darph Vader or will he destroy the empire that is SFC. Watch this space and be prepared to witness the carnage and slaughter of a once great football club. We will all be very sorry that we ever set eyes upon the most evil of evil ones. Anticipate the return of the Duck Hunter with dread my friends. He is after us all! We are doomed!
    Posted by: Wigeon Teal, on a village pond on 11:00pm Thu 15 May 08
    Woe and woe again wrote:
    Woe is me. An evil darkness and gloom has settled upon the land. The hopes and aspirations of many good people have been left in tatters. Will the evil one see the erorr of his ways or will he continue on his course of destruction? Will anyone challenge and destoy Darph Vader or will he destroy the empire that is SFC. Watch this space and be prepared to witness the carnage and slaughter of a once great football club. We will all be very sorry that we ever set eyes upon the most evil of evil ones. Anticipate the return of the Duck Hunter with dread my friends. He is after us all! We are doomed!
    Right on we are destined for the old 3rd Division now this clown is in charge. Only a demented fool would welcome his return. God help for we will need all the help he can bring.
    Posted by: Mr Mallard, on the village pond on 11:07pm Thu 15 May 08
    Wigeon Teal wrote:
    Woe and woe again wrote: Woe is me. An evil darkness and gloom has settled upon the land. The hopes and aspirations of many good people have been left in tatters. Will the evil one see the erorr of his ways or will he continue on his course of destruction? Will anyone challenge and destoy Darph Vader or will he destroy the empire that is SFC. Watch this space and be prepared to witness the carnage and slaughter of a once great football club. We will all be very sorry that we ever set eyes upon the most evil of evil ones. Anticipate the return of the Duck Hunter with dread my friends. He is after us all! We are doomed!
    Right on we are destined for the old 3rd Division now this clown is in charge. Only a demented fool would welcome his return. God help for we will need all the help he can bring.
    Help. We are done for.
    Posted by: David Crook, Yorkshire on 11:10pm Thu 15 May 08
    Woe and woe again wrote:
    Woe is me. An evil darkness and gloom has settled upon the land. The hopes and aspirations of many good people have been left in tatters. Will the evil one see the erorr of his ways or will he continue on his course of destruction? Will anyone challenge and destoy Darph Vader or will he destroy the empire that is SFC. Watch this space and be prepared to witness the carnage and slaughter of a once great football club. We will all be very sorry that we ever set eyes upon the most evil of evil ones. Anticipate the return of the Duck Hunter with dread my friends. He is after us all! We are doomed!
    We don't need you guys as saints supporters for next season,for if you two had any sense,
    you would forgive what happened in the past,and get well behind Lowe and Wilde and push saints forward to greater things.
    David Crook
    Posted by: Grovelling PR person, at RL's favourite agency on 11:15pm Thu 15 May 08
    Mr Mallard wrote:
    Wigeon Teal wrote:
    Woe and woe again wrote: Woe is me. An evil darkness and gloom has settled upon the land. The hopes and aspirations of many good people have been left in tatters. Will the evil one see the erorr of his ways or will he continue on his course of destruction? Will anyone challenge and destoy Darph Vader or will he destroy the empire that is SFC. Watch this space and be prepared to witness the carnage and slaughter of a once great football club. We will all be very sorry that we ever set eyes upon the most evil of evil ones. Anticipate the return of the Duck Hunter with dread my friends. He is after us all! We are doomed!
    Right on we are destined for the old 3rd Division now this clown is in charge. Only a demented fool would welcome his return. God help for we will need all the help he can bring.
    Help. We are done for.
    Stop being silly don't you know that Mr Superman Lowe is going to be even greater than he was the last time he ruined (oops sorry I meant to say saved) your club. Just be grateful he is prepared to return and give up his valuable time and extensive abilities to work very hard for SFC and it's unappreciative fans. PS Don't worry he will not shoot you. Well at least not yet anyway.
    Posted by: Simon Templar, Woolston on 11:23pm Thu 15 May 08
    David Crook wrote:
    Woe and woe again wrote:
    Woe is me. An evil darkness and gloom has settled upon the land. The hopes and aspirations of many good people have been left in tatters. Will the evil one see the erorr of his ways or will he continue on his course of destruction? Will anyone challenge and destoy Darph Vader or will he destroy the empire that is SFC. Watch this space and be prepared to witness the carnage and slaughter of a once great football club. We will all be very sorry that we ever set eyes upon the most evil of evil ones. Anticipate the return of the Duck Hunter with dread my friends. He is after us all! We are doomed!
    We don't need you guys as saints supporters for next season,for if you two had any sense,
    you would forgive what happened in the past,and get well behind Lowe and Wilde and push saints forward to greater things.
    David Crook
    Of course you will get behind Lowe, you have some sort of vested interest in him. Any person conveying a 'Lowe is good for Saints' ethic has links higher up in the big scheme of things than us mere terrace monkies who can see him for what he is, a self serving dictator with no passion for Southampton or its people.

    I'd suggest your surname is passed down from a long line of Crooks.
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