Crouch asks Lowe and Wilde to join him and put in £2m (From Daily Echo)

Leon Crouch may not be the best guy ever to have been at the helm of SFC. But he is a fan, who puts his own (significant) cash into the club and is willing to do so again to help save us. Pay attention now Rupes....

Rich, London wrote:
Leon Crouch may not be the best guy ever to have been at the helm of SFC. But he is a fan, who puts his own (significant) cash into the club and is willing to do so again to help save us. Pay attention now Rupes....

Quite how you can say 'Leon Crouch may not be the best guy ever at the helm' after just 16 weeks beggers belief ! If only we had that perfect or out rule years ago and got rid of Lowe !

The bank will force Lowe out at the end of the day. They didnt want him back as they know what was going to happen and it predictably did.

Wilde wants out i know that much.

I believe this article proves without a shadow of doubt, RL and MW are interested only in the money they can sqeeze out of the club and definitely not in Southampton Football club or the fans. Come on you real fans (Lowe Luvvies) work that out for your selves.

Yet another twist.
Where to now?

LOWE WILL ONLY EVER TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE CLUB HE HAS NEVER PUT IN ONE PENNY OF HIS OWN MONEY.AND AS FOR THE SCOUSE TAX AVOIDER . . .

Yes as the above shows Lowe and Wilde are only interested in money and not Southampton FC.

I presume Crouch would have to buy all their shares as well and double their current value.

Oh what a day.. what a delight..
News 5 days old..
not a mention in sight !!
We're kept in the dark on revelations like this..
An offer like this even Barclays can't miss.
Surely someone's out there with pot loads of dosh..
Someone who knows football... like Beckham (or Posh).
We could scour the market even in loony bins..
Or even go out with our hats and our tins.
Dig deep mates whoever you are..
spare a few bob.. sell your car
So Crouch made an offer... lets start there.
Here lies a bloke who seems to care.
Lets get behind him .. see where he goes.
It can't be any worse than this (who knows).
If some one is caring, someone who tries..
It may even work.. now ther's a surprise.!!

ray the turk wrote:
Oh what a day.. what a delight.. News 5 days old.. not a mention in sight !! We're kept in the dark on revelations like this.. An offer like this even Barclays can't miss. Surely someone's out there with pot loads of dosh.. Someone who knows football... like Beckham (or Posh). We could scour the market even in loony bins.. Or even go out with our hats and our tins. Dig deep mates whoever you are.. spare a few bob.. sell your car So Crouch made an offer... lets start there. Here lies a bloke who seems to care. Lets get behind him .. see where he goes. It can't be any worse than this (who knows). If some one is caring, someone who tries.. It may even work.. now ther's a surprise.!!

Ray, don't give up your day job, your verse is terrible

UTS wrote:
Yes as the above shows Lowe and Wilde are only interested in money and not Southampton FC. I presume Crouch would have to buy all their shares as well and double their current value.

I don't really see what problem it is for RL and WM to want to make money out of the club. After all, if that it was happens, it means the club is doing well. no? And we all work to make money don't we??

I guess what is wrong is when they'll do what's right for the themselves before they do what's right for the club.
Got it.

But, this £2m each sounds like a good compromise to me, now if only Crouch (or anyone with the financial/voting clout) could get them to agree to go and leave SFC and preferably the PLC too.

Ah well - the soap opera continues and I don't think it's going to end for a while so on with the game tonight and hopefully three points..............
.

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

Millbrook Dave wrote:
LOWE WILL ONLY EVER TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE CLUB HE HAS NEVER PUT IN ONE PENNY OF HIS OWN MONEY.AND AS FOR THE SCOUSE TAX AVOIDER . . .

When will you loonies ever learn? Rupert holds 6% of the club - that didn't come cheap when he invested all those year ago. He is a clever financial businessman and is THE ONLY route for this club to avoid administration. He has admitted that there have been mistakes - but don't forget that it was Mr "I'm a fan" Crouch that spent £11m that we didn't have and put us in this dire financial situation.

Last weeks terrible attempt to demonstrate ouutside SMS was a complete waste of time - for a start, Mr Lowe wasn't even there! It was interesting also that a large majority of the the protesters were all kids themselves - I didn't see many people over 18.

You and all you other 'so called fans' should stop posting negatives and stop filling this board with unfounded rubbish. "Real" fans support their club and stop public whinging.

Kate I think you are correct when you said right for themselves before they do right for the club, It is a well known fact that nobody makes real money out of running a football club, it is for the limelight and the glory, as suposedly businessmen they would have known this.

UTS wrote:

Rich, London wrote: Leon Crouch may not be the best guy ever to have been at the helm of SFC. But he is a fan, who puts his own (significant) cash into the club and is willing to do so again to help save us. Pay attention now Rupes....

Quite how you can say 'Leon Crouch may not be the best guy ever at the helm' after just 16 weeks beggers belief ! If only we had that perfect or out rule years ago and got rid of Lowe ! The bank will force Lowe out at the end of the day. They didnt want him back as they know what was going to happen and it predictably did. Wilde wants out i know that much.

"beggars belief"? Really?! chill out UTS - I dont see much wrong with what I said

BIg-Al wrote:

Millbrook Dave wrote: LOWE WILL ONLY EVER TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE CLUB HE HAS NEVER PUT IN ONE PENNY OF HIS OWN MONEY.AND AS FOR THE SCOUSE TAX AVOIDER . . .

When will you loonies ever learn? Rupert holds 6% of the club - that didn't come cheap when he invested all those year ago. He is a clever financial businessman and is THE ONLY route for this club to avoid administration. He has admitted that there have been mistakes - but don't forget that it was Mr "I'm a fan" Crouch that spent £11m that we didn't have and put us in this dire financial situation. Last weeks terrible attempt to demonstrate ouutside SMS was a complete waste of time - for a start, Mr Lowe wasn't even there! It was interesting also that a large majority of the the protesters were all kids themselves - I didn't see many people over 18. You and all you other 'so called fans' should stop posting negatives and stop filling this board with unfounded rubbish. "Real" fans support their club and stop public whinging.

Well big-Al RL shares came very cheap, he awarded them to himself instead of taking dividends

BIg-Al wrote:

Millbrook Dave wrote: LOWE WILL ONLY EVER TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE CLUB HE HAS NEVER PUT IN ONE PENNY OF HIS OWN MONEY.AND AS FOR THE SCOUSE TAX AVOIDER . . .

When will you loonies ever learn? Rupert holds 6% of the club - that didn't come cheap when he invested all those year ago. He is a clever financial businessman and is THE ONLY route for this club to avoid administration. He has admitted that there have been mistakes - but don't forget that it was Mr "I'm a fan" Crouch that spent £11m that we didn't have and put us in this dire financial situation. Last weeks terrible attempt to demonstrate ouutside SMS was a complete waste of time - for a start, Mr Lowe wasn't even there! It was interesting also that a large majority of the the protesters were all kids themselves - I didn't see many people over 18. You and all you other 'so called fans' should stop posting negatives and stop filling this board with unfounded rubbish. "Real" fans support their club and stop public whinging.

Load of total garbage.

Crouch spending £11m LOL

Our dire financial situation btw comes from RELEGATION. Thus no tv money less tickets being sold and empty hospitality.

Go and find some actual facts mush before printing your drivel on here.

6 million to run the club and clear the debts - ok, sounds okay and wilde, cowen and lowe resign - hooray. However, what is does not mention is about the shares that these 3 people hold. Whilst they remain shareholders, they will always object to a full takeover, so if youy had 6 million pounds - would you waste it and still let lowe have the upper hand - i think not.....

Kate, Andover wrote:

UTS wrote: Yes as the above shows Lowe and Wilde are only interested in money and not Southampton FC. I presume Crouch would have to buy all their shares as well and double their current value.

I don't really see what problem it is for RL and WM to want to make money out of the club. After all, if that it was happens, it means the club is doing well. no? And we all work to make money don't we?? I guess what is wrong is when they'll do what's right for the themselves before they do what's right for the club. Got it. But, this £2m each sounds like a good compromise to me, now if only Crouch (or anyone with the financial/voting clout) could get them to agree to go and leave SFC and preferably the PLC too. Ah well - the soap opera continues and I don't think it's going to end for a while so on with the game tonight and hopefully three points.............. . COYR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Money was spend that we didn't have (not sure is 11m is correct though? but the question i put to you, is - The finance director was in charge then and is still in charge now. If we did not have that money to spend - why was this sanctioned by him - would love to see his roles and responsibilities on hi job spec....

30,000 Fans, £200 each, and the club is ours. In fact I'll put a £1000 in to get us going.

Mark- wrote:

Kate, Andover wrote:

UTS wrote: Yes as the above shows Lowe and Wilde are only interested in money and not Southampton FC. I presume Crouch would have to buy all their shares as well and double their current value.

I don't really see what problem it is for RL and WM to want to make money out of the club. After all, if that it was happens, it means the club is doing well. no? And we all work to make money don't we?? I guess what is wrong is when they'll do what's right for the themselves before they do what's right for the club. Got it. But, this £2m each sounds like a good compromise to me, now if only Crouch (or anyone with the financial/voting clout) could get them to agree to go and leave SFC and preferably the PLC too. Ah well - the soap opera continues and I don't think it's going to end for a while so on with the game tonight and hopefully three points.............. . COYR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Money was spend that we didn't have (not sure is 11m is correct though? but the question i put to you, is - The finance director was in charge then and is still in charge now. If we did not have that money to spend - why was this sanctioned by him - would love to see his roles and responsibilities on hi job spec....

Yes Dave Jones is very much responsible. Also anyone ever wondered why the banks allowed further spending ? Dave Jones was also telling Lowe everything what happened in the boardroom from 2006 to 2008.


Lowe and Wilde 100% responsible for our decline end of.

Then again 15,000 x £400 (a season ticket) and the club is the fans - but what then?

Would Mr Crouch be the choice in the boardroom?

The clubs overdraft removed and an English manager is a very nice thought.

What about "bonds" for the fans who invest?

St.Yorkie wrote:
Then again 15,000 x £400 (a season ticket) and the club is the fans - but what then? Would Mr Crouch be the choice in the boardroom? The clubs overdraft removed and an English manager is a very nice thought. What about "bonds" for the fans who invest?

Its about time the fans dug deep into their pockets. We could have a democracy! Vote on decisions etc.

There's a recession on but can everyone dig out the money?

In theory with Leons £2m and only £4m from the "supporters" - and lets say there are 25,000 interested parties - thats only £160 per supporter.

Now then seems like there's a plan afoot here - come on what about the Saints Trust doing something positive for once?

Leon - could you work with 25,000 interested parties all wanting their say? After all it is a democracy!

I'm almost convinced even in these times we could raise the £4m to get rid of the incumbants - by why should they walk away with £2m each?

No plan then - I can now see the pitfall. Lowe & Wilde out by selling off the shares at the current market value...is that anywhere near £2m? I'm certain 6% is nowhere close to £2m...so after careful consideration it's a no brainer.

StEmmosfire wrote:

St.Yorkie wrote: Then again 15,000 x £400 (a season ticket) and the club is the fans - but what then? Would Mr Crouch be the choice in the boardroom? The clubs overdraft removed and an English manager is a very nice thought. What about "bonds" for the fans who invest?

Its about time the fans dug deep into their pockets. We could have a democracy! Vote on decisions etc.

Like Ebsfleet?

St.Yorkie the 2 million each was to pay off the overdraft and for them to resign their posts, which does not mean that they sell their shares, they can still come back at any time as major shareholders and walk straight back in to where they are now

At the recent A.G.M. I made the following comment "For every 1,000 fans that you (Rupert Lowe) upset and stay away, cost us, our club 1/2 million pounds a year"

I am not a wealthy person, nor am I an accountant, just a long life supporter of the Saints and like so many saddened by what is happening at the club due to none football persons making such a mess of the club.

As I read the situation there is an need for Leon Crouich to raise £4 million to rid this club of Lowe and Wilde.
It is only an idea, but if 4,000 local companies and supporters could be found who could and would invest £1,000 each on a non returnable basis, and in regonition be given one free season ticket for the next TWO years it would raise right now the £4,000,000.required
.
Anyone following up this post, I would ask you respectfully to think carefully of your reply, I repeat I am not wealthy, not an accountant just a caring supporter of over 60 years.

So Lowe and Wilde are there only to take money out? For god's sake what planet are some of you clowns on?

SFC is bust with a £6M overdraft! Not to mention the huge debt still owing on the stadium. If all the assets were sold off the cash raised would be used to settle the creditors.

Some of you make up the 'facts' as you go along - pathetic!

So if Lowe and Wilde wont or can't invest £2M each into the club to clear the overdraft and there is no sign of any pending investment into SFC.........what benefit are Lowe and Wilde actually adding to SFC???? We already know that Crouch had a business plan that Barclays had approved for this financial year we know that as one of the 3 main shareholders Crouch is willing to stump up 1/3 of the monet to clear the crippling overdraft which Lowe and Wilde aren't so what exactly are Lowe and Wilde doing for the club????? Other than drawing a wage of course. So maybe the stay away fans are correct in their actions because clearlt Lowe and Wilde are only back at the club to take money. As I said before Lowe has cost this club more money than he has ever invested into the club.

I think if Crouch is prepared to put £2m of his own money into Saints to get us out of trouble it's about time the Saints fans dipped in our pockets! If 100,000 fans put in £10 each we would have raised £1m! Who's up for setting up a fans donation site to collect. I'd be the first on there to donate. A site where you can leave your name and comment and donation. Then we can see which ex-players/fans/mana
gers really care about the club.

If Lowe or Wilde won't put £2m in then the least they could do is put a tenner!!

Invidia wrote:

ray the turk wrote: Oh what a day.. what a delight.. News 5 days old.. not a mention in sight !! We're kept in the dark on revelations like this.. An offer like this even Barclays can't miss. Surely someone's out there with pot loads of dosh.. Someone who knows football... like Beckham (or Posh). We could scour the market even in loony bins.. Or even go out with our hats and our tins. Dig deep mates whoever you are.. spare a few bob.. sell your car So Crouch made an offer... lets start there. Here lies a bloke who seems to care. Lets get behind him .. see where he goes. It can't be any worse than this (who knows). If some one is caring, someone who tries.. It may even work.. now ther's a surprise.!!

Ray, don't give up your day job, your verse is terrible

I'm Ray the Turk
and I ceased work.
With idle hands I do nowt, if I can..
But congratulations to you.. Your my number 1 FAN.

Kate, Andover wrote:

UTS wrote: Yes as the above shows Lowe and Wilde are only interested in money and not Southampton FC. I presume Crouch would have to buy all their shares as well and double their current value.

I don't really see what problem it is for RL and WM to want to make money out of the club. After all, if that it was happens, it means the club is doing well. no? And we all work to make money don't we?? I guess what is wrong is when they'll do what's right for the themselves before they do what's right for the club. Got it. But, this £2m each sounds like a good compromise to me, now if only Crouch (or anyone with the financial/voting clout) could get them to agree to go and leave SFC and preferably the PLC too. Ah well - the soap opera continues and I don't think it's going to end for a while so on with the game tonight and hopefully three points.............. . COYR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agreed Kate, they should make some money given their positions in the club. What upsets people is the fact its a one way street. If they were pulling investment into the club at the same time as draining it away it might be more acceptable.

I pledge £200 on the basis that Mr Lowe and Mr Wilde leave this club for good!

Crouch is offering £2,000,000 of his own money. Surley thats a guy we can follow??

Come on Echo, lets push this as hard and as far as we can!!

As a local business owner and a long time Saints fan I would be willing to put a £1000 in if this means that we would be free of the the un-popular Lowe/Wilde double act. However who would represent us on the board? How could we ensure that we all agree on appointing an English manager? Where would funds come from for players with experience?
With all these and more aspects of running a football club day to day to be decided it's going to take a very savvy operator to satisfy all interested parties. Even then will we be free from the Lowe/Wilde I assume that the shares they hold are not going to be part of any deal. That would mean that they could undermine our determination every time.
I don't profess to be a financial expert but there are lots of questions to be answered before we try to get them out by clearing the debt

If I win the lottery on Wednesday I will get rid of the two clowns. I have bought 2 lucky dip tickets.

just shows what money grabbing tits LOWE AND WILDE really are,what a disturbing fact that they really are'nt interested in saving the club from administration.

Bit confused. I'd been under the impression the amount of money we needed was in the region of £30 million.

If £6 million is what's needed to make things comfortable then selling Lallana might cover it in one go, especially if Crouch puts in £2 million.

Can't help thinking the figures in this article are wildly inaccurate.

£6 million for a football club is not a huge issue and, with a bit of united effort, could surely easily be wiped out.

And, if Crouch loves the club so much, he'd put in the money no questions asked.

That's the problem here – everything is tit for tat.

It's a shame, because if it wasn't for the Lowe factor, I'm sure fans would bail the club by contributing a small amount each.

Sadly, it may well be too late.

Let's just pray that somehow our new coach gets a positive reaction.

It doesn't inspire confidence, but it doesn't look like any miracles will be happening this transfer window so let's just get on with it.

It's either knuckle down or get relegated. Simple choice.

Seems we're in good company with other teams in and around us that have had to go with the cheap option as a replacement manager – Norwich, Watford and Charlton are the same.

Note though that the team that hasn't (Forest) are climbing out of trouble fast...

Jason, £6 million is the overdraft ONLY

BIg-Al wrote:

Millbrook Dave wrote: LOWE WILL ONLY EVER TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE CLUB HE HAS NEVER PUT IN ONE PENNY OF HIS OWN MONEY.AND AS FOR THE SCOUSE TAX AVOIDER . . .

When will you loonies ever learn? Rupert holds 6% of the club - that didn't come cheap when he invested all those year ago. He is a clever financial businessman and is THE ONLY route for this club to avoid administration. He has admitted that there have been mistakes - but don't forget that it was Mr "I'm a fan" Crouch that spent £11m that we didn't have and put us in this dire financial situation. Last weeks terrible attempt to demonstrate ouutside SMS was a complete waste of time - for a start, Mr Lowe wasn't even there! It was interesting also that a large majority of the the protesters were all kids themselves - I didn't see many people over 18. You and all you other 'so called fans' should stop posting negatives and stop filling this board with unfounded rubbish. "Real" fans support their club and stop public whinging.

Big Al, what a load of rubbish. You are out of touch with what is happening at SMS.

Your view of the Crouch reign as chairman is inaccurrate, he was only incharge for 3 months!

Crouch is a saints fan not like WILDE who is a spur fan..... he likes to keep that quiet.

Crouch is the only person I know that has put his own money or offered to put his own money into saving our club.

The club will go into administration sooner or later with Wilde or Lowe in charge. Season ticket sales will fall, we will keep losing money, more players will be sold.

The only way to turn around this situation is to get fans back in SMS, united in the cause.

Fans have had enough of Lowe and his interferring ways, his poor decisions. We are also sick and tired of business men who are more interested in looking out for their own financial interests rather than serving the communities football club. That use to be a great honour!!!

The demonstrations will continue and gather pace until Lowe and Wilde resign.

Unless you are a Lowe fan, employee, friend or family member trying desperately to turn the tide of opinion for him, then you should get real, wake up, take your head out of the sound and realise our club is heading for the cliffs with Lowe and Wilde driving the team bus.

BRIAN from bartley wrote:
At the recent A.G.M. I made the following comment "For every 1,000 fans that you (Rupert Lowe) upset and stay away, cost us, our club 1/2 million pounds a year" I am not a wealthy person, nor am I an accountant, just a long life supporter of the Saints and like so many saddened by what is happening at the club due to none football persons making such a mess of the club. As I read the situation there is an need for Leon Crouich to raise £4 million to rid this club of Lowe and Wilde. It is only an idea, but if 4,000 local companies and supporters could be found who could and would invest £1,000 each on a non returnable basis, and in regonition be given one free season ticket for the next TWO years it would raise right now the £4,000,000.required . Anyone following up this post, I would ask you respectfully to think carefully of your reply, I repeat I am not wealthy, not an accountant just a caring supporter of over 60 years.

Well done on your post Brian. You are right with the financial effect Lowe and Wildes presence is having on our financial status.

This is a good idea but at the moment, there is no central focus point to float these ideas and explore posibilities.

For example, the protest that will be starting at the bargate at 1.15 saturday, before marching on SMS has been generated by fans via F A C E B O O K, which is an internet social networking tool.

Perhaps Crouch or similar suitable business figure could head up a fans forum to explore these posibilties. Does anyone have Leons number?

If we have fans ready to donate large sums of money then we need to reunite behind Crouch who is going to be putting in the largest sum of money and back him to the hilt. Then fans can put in as much money as they like be recognised by becoming members of a Saints Trust. Crouch can then use these Trustee members as a source of appeal if more money is needed or to inform on any footballing decisions.

This is the only way of getting the attention back on the true fans and getting the team back fully supported!

Good on you Crouch.
You really are a Saints fan with the club at heart.
I really am now at a loss to understand what benefit Lowe and Wilde are bringing to the club.
Their spin and tissue of lies are crumbling around them now.
I am willing to put in what I can afford to help.
If this is promoted and marketed to all fans then money will come in. Some will want financial returns, most will want their returns via getting a united SFC back.

A suggestion to all the stay away fans.
Good for you for what you have done and I wish I had the guts to do it.
How about joining the march from the bargate on Saturday then not attend the game.
Its a good opportunity to show how many are not attending.

LOWE & WILDE OUT!
FURRY POODLE OUT!

I think this move by Crouch has shown just how shrewd he really is.

In one simple action he has revealed many things, such as:-

1. The debt that is crippling the club is "only" 6m and not considerably more, as many Lowe supporters would have us believe.
2. He is again willing to bank roll SFC, with his own hard earned money, to help put them on a sound footing.
3. Lowe, despite being independently wealthy, is not prepared to make a 2m interest free loan to SFC, even if it means the club going into administration.
4. Wilde, same as point 3
5. Even with SFC teetering on the brink of administration, Lowe & Wilde are apparently looking to exploit the situation (and the loyalty of a fan), by asking Crouch to remove the debt by himself, whilst they step down from their current positions, BUT with no guarantees that as soon as it was paid they wouldn't call an EGM and oust him again, resuming control.

What difference would the removal of the overdraft make to the weekly/monthly/annua
l ruuning costs of SFC?

I think we should be told.

What difference would not having the overdraft make to the standard of player/manager SFC could afford?

I think we should be told.

Would the removal of the overdraft enable SFC to compete on a more even playing field with other teams, when seeking new players?

I think we should be told.

Would the removal of the overdraft enable SFC to retain their better players, enabling the team to improve rather than always going back to square one?

I think we should be told.

Why won't Lowe and Wilde accept Crouch's offer and put up 2m each, for the benefit of the club they say they are trying to save, from administration?

I think we should be told?

Well done Leon Crouch!

When I picture Lowe and Wilde, in my mind (not nice I know), I now see them as beetles (with caricature faces - an idea for any cartoonist out there looking to create a banner), lying on their backs with their legs waving in the air

As Jerry MacGuire said in the film
"SHOW US THE MONEY!"

Will they? Will they fluck!

What a great PR stunt by Crouch!, £6M to pay off the overdraft. Still no money to pay off the existing Manager,Coaches,Back
room staff. No money to buy new players and no money for the day to day running of the club.
I know UTS and invidia keep stating Crouch was only Chairman for a short time, but in that time he did nothing to stop the Club haemorrhaging money. Gambled on promotion and lost.
Why not wait for the club to go into administration and then pay off all the creditors, it would be far cheaper for him. Because he would lose is share money as well.
Trouble is Crouch knows it is a PR stunt that will get the fans raving.
Anyone who thinks it is a good idea, then go to the nearest drain and throw your money away. Await you comments UTS,invidia.

Satellite wrote:
What a great PR stunt by Crouch!, £6M to pay off the overdraft. Still no money to pay off the existing Manager,Coaches,Back room staff. No money to buy new players and no money for the day to day running of the club. I know UTS and invidia keep stating Crouch was only Chairman for a short time, but in that time he did nothing to stop the Club haemorrhaging money. Gambled on promotion and lost. Why not wait for the club to go into administration and then pay off all the creditors, it would be far cheaper for him. Because he would lose is share money as well. Trouble is Crouch knows it is a PR stunt that will get the fans raving. Anyone who thinks it is a good idea, then go to the nearest drain and throw your money away. Await you comments UTS,invidia.

What a 42 carrot Prat!!

Satellite wrote:
What a great PR stunt by Crouch!, £6M to pay off the overdraft. Still no money to pay off the existing Manager,Coaches,Back

room staff. No money to buy new players and no money for the day to day running of the club.
I know UTS and invidia keep stating Crouch was only Chairman for a short time, but in that time he did nothing to stop the Club haemorrhaging money. Gambled on promotion and lost.
Why not wait for the club to go into administration and then pay off all the creditors, it would be far cheaper for him. Because he would lose is share money as well.
Trouble is Crouch knows it is a PR stunt that will get the fans raving.
Anyone who thinks it is a good idea, then go to the nearest drain and throw your money away. Await you comments UTS,invidia.

I'm afraid that people on this site think only Lowe is capable of PR - when his PR is in fact the worst I've seen for a long time.

You have rightly identified a rather obvious attempt by Crouch to curry favour with fans at absolutely no risk to himself or his cash.

Even if the £6m was found to pay off the overdraft and Lowe and Wilde gave up their positions what next - that's the elephant in the room which everyone continues to ignore. And please preserve me from a Saint's fans co-op to run the club. Much as I support the Co-operative movement there is a time and place for everything and English football clubs ain't it.

The man made (est) 7m when the club was floated, and was rewarded with dividends year on year.

Now, while concourse and ticket office staff lose their jobs he and Wilde both command 6 figure salaries

He only owns 6% of the club, what right does he have to pay himself this money. Why not employ someone that knows what he is doing?

Fides wrote:

Satellite wrote: What a great PR stunt by Crouch!, £6M to pay off the overdraft. Still no money to pay off the existing Manager,Coaches,Back room staff. No money to buy new players and no money for the day to day running of the club. I know UTS and invidia keep stating Crouch was only Chairman for a short time, but in that time he did nothing to stop the Club haemorrhaging money. Gambled on promotion and lost. Why not wait for the club to go into administration and then pay off all the creditors, it would be far cheaper for him. Because he would lose is share money as well. Trouble is Crouch knows it is a PR stunt that will get the fans raving. Anyone who thinks it is a good idea, then go to the nearest drain and throw your money away. Await you comments UTS,invidia.

I'm afraid that people on this site think only Lowe is capable of PR - when his PR is in fact the worst I've seen for a long time. You have rightly identified a rather obvious attempt by Crouch to curry favour with fans at absolutely no risk to himself or his cash. Even if the £6m was found to pay off the overdraft and Lowe and Wilde gave up their positions what next - that's the elephant in the room which everyone continues to ignore. And please preserve me from a Saint's fans co-op to run the club. Much as I support the Co-operative movement there is a time and place for everything and English football clubs ain't it.

If Lowe goes it will unite the fans ! Do you agree??? Then more fans attend ( i think minimum 3000 extra) So minimum 1.5 million quid a season without programs etc

Fides wrote:

Satellite wrote: What a great PR stunt by Crouch!, £6M to pay off the overdraft. Still no money to pay off the existing Manager,Coaches,Back room staff. No money to buy new players and no money for the day to day running of the club. I know UTS and invidia keep stating Crouch was only Chairman for a short time, but in that time he did nothing to stop the Club haemorrhaging money. Gambled on promotion and lost. Why not wait for the club to go into administration and then pay off all the creditors, it would be far cheaper for him. Because he would lose is share money as well. Trouble is Crouch knows it is a PR stunt that will get the fans raving. Anyone who thinks it is a good idea, then go to the nearest drain and throw your money away. Await you comments UTS,invidia.

I'm afraid that people on this site think only Lowe is capable of PR - when his PR is in fact the worst I've seen for a long time. You have rightly identified a rather obvious attempt by Crouch to curry favour with fans at absolutely no risk to himself or his cash. Even if the £6m was found to pay off the overdraft and Lowe and Wilde gave up their positions what next - that's the elephant in the room which everyone continues to ignore. And please preserve me from a Saint's fans co-op to run the club. Much as I support the Co-operative movement there is a time and place for everything and English football clubs ain't it.

PR or not, it has put Lowe and Wilde on the spot.

They are both wealthy men who have continually said they will do what is best for SFC.

I think most people with an ounce of sense would agree that were the overdraft cleared, there would be more money to spend on better quality players and the threat of administration (and a points deduction) would disappear.
That may lead to the team staying in the CCC this season and mounting a promotion charge next season, when should they get promoted, the loan would be repaid.

Why do you think Lowe & Wilde would rather the club continued to struggle when potentially they could correct the problem with the stroke of a pen?

Can someone who has a decent understanding of business finance stand up, and who also has a proper understanding of how much these muppets own of the club. This has got fans buyout written all over it. 10 million would be 10,000 at 1,000 each etc. etc.

Can be done, has been done before and the financial institutions would probably prefer honest people in control than the bunch of numpties currently and recently in place.

Costa baz,doctorsaint, may I put it as simply as I can;
Barclays want £6M to pay off the overdraft, they know the state of the clubs finances and will immediately reduce the overdraft amount to £1M.
In these 'Credit Crunch' times they know that the securities they hold against the overdraft,will guarantee their out-lay, more so than the £6M at present.
It's a PR stunt that no business man in his right mind would touch.

I remember once in the past a syndicate fronted by Sir David Frost emerged but the takeover bid didn't materialise or was rejected by the current board. We all know he's a Saints fan and I'm sure he has the contacts to find the necessary cash if he doesn't want to part with so much of his own (though I think his private wealth would cover the amounts discussed here comfortably).

I'm sure he never reads these type of boards but it's people like him that this club needs now! Can you hear me Mr Frost, sir?!!?......

Satellite wrote:
Costa baz,doctorsaint, may I put it as simply as I can; Barclays want £6M to pay off the overdraft, they know the state of the clubs finances and will immediately reduce the overdraft amount to £1M. In these 'Credit Crunch' times they know that the securities they hold against the overdraft,will guarantee their out-lay, more so than the £6M at present. It's a PR stunt that no business man in his right mind would touch.

Let me put this as simply as I can.

First of all, how do you know the bank intends to immediately reduce the clubs overdraft to 1m? (sorry if that makes me sound like Tracy)

And as I asked your mate Fides, and if what you suggest is true, why do you think Lowe & Wilde will not help remove the overdraft by loaning the club 2m each, in line with Crouch?

Do you think Lowe & Wilde wish the club to remain deeply in debt so that the bank will do as you state (with complete positivity) and reduce the overdraft to 1m, which I guess (not being a financial whizz kid) will force the club into administration?

Do you think that the "suggestions" by some posters that Lowe and Wilde may have an arrangement (they called it a pre-pack) with the bank, to buy the club out of administration and gain complete control of the club?

You guys are always slagging posters who question Lowe, whilst claiming to be real fans, yet when Lowe is offered an opportunity to do what he says he wants to do i.e. save the club from administration, he apparently doesn't want to know.

How can you defend the indefensible and STILL call yourself a Saints supporter?

southampton city council could off load a few unseen paintings to put saints in the clear as interest free loan untill better days,give something back to the people for a change.

Hospitals, Education, the Roads, can you imagine the uproar if the council sold a European award winning public art collection to make Rupert’s company profitable again.

Not everyone has Brian Clough’s philosophy on the importance of football