Crouch: Why I proposed changes (From Daily Echo)

Unfortunately either the others genuinely dont have the funds or dont share Crouch's love for the club so are refusing to back it financially
It was an excellent proposal though and I believe would have had us moving in the right direction.
Oh well hopefully Wotte will get us out of this mess

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!!

Congratulations!!!
at last a man has stood up to be counted..He has my full support... Good luck to him.

I think Mr. Leon Crouch is a "Real Fan" enough said

If Barclay's are so worried about the overdraft why have they not made a direct appeal to the fans?

As I said in an earlier post about the original proposal to buy the debt out. It can be achieved but who can run the club on our behalf? Who will be responsible for appointing a manager?
I am no doom and gloom merchant. I'm in no doubt we can raise enough but Lowe/Wilde will still be on the side lines. We must consider that.
I am more than willing to listen to workable solutions to make The Saints the great club it should be. This posturing is getting away from the missing bit which is winning on the field of play.
We must win more games!!!

German Tony wrote:
If Barclay's are so worried about the overdraft why have they not made a direct appeal to the fans?

It doesn't work like that mate. If you are in your overdraft and the bank want it back, they wont go looking for your friends, family, neighbours, pub landlord, postman to pay it. They can only go through you.

When is the turmoil at St Mary’s going to end? To say the current situation at the club is shambolic is something of an understatement – both on and off the field.
The board room antics and shenanigans in the corridors of power at St Mary’s are farcical…. You couldn’t make it up to be honest and there appears to be no end to the ever decreasing spiral of disaster towards which the club appears to be heading. An ugly boardroom power struggle, financial storm clouds hanging heavy, fans turning on themselves and the team entrenched in a relegation battle where they hang on to the very precipice of Championship survival. It is a very sorry state of affairs and I fear there will be more pain before any reversal of fortune can even be contemplated.
Unfortunately, this is the very thing, as a fan, I want though – a reversal of fortune ….. but I doubt it’s going to land at our feet. Like many others, I am sick to death of all the in-fighting, the boardroom “spin”, claims and counter claims, and general media circus that surrounds the club at present. I want to pick up a newspaper or log-on to read about “football” matters on the pitch again not look at yet another article or thread on the virtues of various board members, financial crisis, rumoured takeover bids……quite frankly, in my opinion, it has become incredibly tedious leaving many people around the city disheartened and disillusioned to the point of complete disinterest in the plight of the club.
So what of the Three Amigos who potentially hold the key to the club’s future? The main protagonist, love him or hate him, is the chairman Rupert Lowe. Personally, I think he has had his chance at the club, it hasn’t worked and even the most loyal “Lowe Luvvie” (as they appear to be known on various fan forums) would have to concede that he is the single most divisive influence at the club at present. His fellow board members must recognise this and surely sit very uncomfortably at the present time knowing the unpopularity of the group chairman. The question is will they do anything about it? The once heralded number one shareholder, and football club chairman Michael Wilde is becoming more unpopular by the day simply through his end of season “about turn” to align himself with Lowe. Many fans have found this very hard to accept. Unlike Lowe though, I believe Wilde could be somewhat forgiven if he decided to jump ship from the Lowe camp and change his allegiance once again although time may tell on that one. That brings me to Leon Crouch who cannot be exonerated from the apparent “blame” game for the recent failings of the club but I do feel he has the one quality that the other two lack and which is more likely to unite the fan base …… a passion for Southampton Football Club. At times he may not portray his emotions as many would deem appropriate for a boardroom or business environment but that in itself highlights his passion for the club and which every Saints fan who loves the club can relate too. Of the three I’d take Crouch – I don’t think he can do any worse than the current regime and the ground swell of Lowe’s unpopularity with the fans will not have gone un-noticed by the vultures circling St. Mary’s.
The club needs a fixed point of focus and it needs to be on the pitch. Players, management, fans and the boardroom need to be fixated 100% on this to stand any chance of survival this season both on and off the playing field. My fear is that until Mr Lowe leaves the club for good – lock, stock, and barrel, the misery at St Mary’s will continue with fans energies spent venting anger and frustrations in his direction rather than giving all that energy in support for the 11 players on the pitch….. and by God do they need that energy right now.

I wish Leon was still in charge,better than them muppets LOWE AND JUDAS WILDE

Just imagine this season with Pearson some experienced loans and crowds near 20K. Middle of the table stuff and we couldnt of asked for more.

Now we have got colossal mismanagment from idiots who run the club via a mobile phone. Relegation battle all seaso due to a incompetent coach.

Good to see someone is willing to put their money where their mouth is. This would make day to day running of the club easier, but still leaves us with the problem of having those two muppets as major shareholders and also we need to improve the playing staff (either getting players in or others back from loan). I am happy to chip into any Supporters fund, but would want to buy out their shares (at a low rate to ensure they are out of the picture) as well as to assist with paying off the overdraft. If we setup a charitable trust can we not claim the tax from any contributions?

Sharkie 38 I think your view of this club is smack on the nose and I for one agree with every word you have written. How on earth is it possible to get out of this mess

sharkie38 wrote:
When is the turmoil at St Mary’s going to end? To say the current situation at the club is shambolic is something of an understatement – both on and off the field. The board room antics and shenanigans in the corridors of power at St Mary’s are farcical…. You couldn’t make it up to be honest and there appears to be no end to the ever decreasing spiral of disaster towards which the club appears to be heading. An ugly boardroom power struggle, financial storm clouds hanging heavy, fans turning on themselves and the team entrenched in a relegation battle where they hang on to the very precipice of Championship survival. It is a very sorry state of affairs and I fear there will be more pain before any reversal of fortune can even be contemplated. Unfortunately, this is the very thing, as a fan, I want though – a reversal of fortune ….. but I doubt it’s going to land at our feet. Like many others, I am sick to death of all the in-fighting, the boardroom “spin”, claims and counter claims, and general media circus that surrounds the club at present. I want to pick up a newspaper or log-on to read about “football” matters on the pitch again not look at yet another article or thread on the virtues of various board members, financial crisis, rumoured takeover bids……quite frankly, in my opinion, it has become incredibly tedious leaving many people around the city disheartened and disillusioned to the point of complete disinterest in the plight of the club. So what of the Three Amigos who potentially hold the key to the club’s future? The main protagonist, love him or hate him, is the chairman Rupert Lowe. Personally, I think he has had his chance at the club, it hasn’t worked and even the most loyal “Lowe Luvvie” (as they appear to be known on various fan forums) would have to concede that he is the single most divisive influence at the club at present. His fellow board members must recognise this and surely sit very uncomfortably at the present time knowing the unpopularity of the group chairman. The question is will they do anything about it? The once heralded number one shareholder, and football club chairman Michael Wilde is becoming more unpopular by the day simply through his end of season “about turn” to align himself with Lowe. Many fans have found this very hard to accept. Unlike Lowe though, I believe Wilde could be somewhat forgiven if he decided to jump ship from the Lowe camp and change his allegiance once again although time may tell on that one. That brings me to Leon Crouch who cannot be exonerated from the apparent “blame” game for the recent failings of the club but I do feel he has the one quality that the other two lack and which is more likely to unite the fan base …… a passion for Southampton Football Club. At times he may not portray his emotions as many would deem appropriate for a boardroom or business environment but that in itself highlights his passion for the club and which every Saints fan who loves the club can relate too. Of the three I’d take Crouch – I don’t think he can do any worse than the current regime and the ground swell of Lowe’s unpopularity with the fans will not have gone un-noticed by the vultures circling St. Mary’s. The club needs a fixed point of focus and it needs to be on the pitch. Players, management, fans and the boardroom need to be fixated 100% on this to stand any chance of survival this season both on and off the playing field. My fear is that until Mr Lowe leaves the club for good – lock, stock, and barrel, the misery at St Mary’s will continue with fans energies spent venting anger and frustrations in his direction rather than giving all that energy in support for the 11 players on the pitch….. and by God do they need that energy right now.

Spot on Sharkie.

I also believe that if someone, perhaps Leon could set up a fans share purchase scheme, that would guarantee buying out Lowe and Wilde as part of the deal to settle the Barclays Overdraft, but they would have to walk away from the club completely!

Unfortunately Lowe, being the money grabbing egostistical parasite he is, would still want around 80% more than the true share value for his shares (Funny that considering he was complaining about salaries being at this level when Leon was in charge, but it's OK for him to make unreasonable demand's and conditions!).

Yes Wilde still has an opportunity to back track and once again go against Rupert, but perhaps Rupert has something on him?

Whatever lets get behind the team and if as many as possible can turn up for the peaceful march and protest before Saturday's game, the better!

Good luck Wotte and the lads tonight!

sharkie38 wrote:
When is the turmoil at St Mary’s going to end? To say the current situation at the club is shambolic is something of an understatement – both on and off the field. The board room antics and shenanigans in the corridors of power at St Mary’s are farcical…. You couldn’t make it up to be honest and there appears to be no end to the ever decreasing spiral of disaster towards which the club appears to be heading. An ugly boardroom power struggle, financial storm clouds hanging heavy, fans turning on themselves and the team entrenched in a relegation battle where they hang on to the very precipice of Championship survival. It is a very sorry state of affairs and I fear there will be more pain before any reversal of fortune can even be contemplated. Unfortunately, this is the very thing, as a fan, I want though – a reversal of fortune ….. but I doubt it’s going to land at our feet. Like many others, I am sick to death of all the in-fighting, the boardroom “spin”, claims and counter claims, and general media circus that surrounds the club at present. I want to pick up a newspaper or log-on to read about “football” matters on the pitch again not look at yet another article or thread on the virtues of various board members, financial crisis, rumoured takeover bids……quite frankly, in my opinion, it has become incredibly tedious leaving many people around the city disheartened and disillusioned to the point of complete disinterest in the plight of the club. So what of the Three Amigos who potentially hold the key to the club’s future? The main protagonist, love him or hate him, is the chairman Rupert Lowe. Personally, I think he has had his chance at the club, it hasn’t worked and even the most loyal “Lowe Luvvie” (as they appear to be known on various fan forums) would have to concede that he is the single most divisive influence at the club at present. His fellow board members must recognise this and surely sit very uncomfortably at the present time knowing the unpopularity of the group chairman. The question is will they do anything about it? The once heralded number one shareholder, and football club chairman Michael Wilde is becoming more unpopular by the day simply through his end of season “about turn” to align himself with Lowe. Many fans have found this very hard to accept. Unlike Lowe though, I believe Wilde could be somewhat forgiven if he decided to jump ship from the Lowe camp and change his allegiance once again although time may tell on that one. That brings me to Leon Crouch who cannot be exonerated from the apparent “blame” game for the recent failings of the club but I do feel he has the one quality that the other two lack and which is more likely to unite the fan base …… a passion for Southampton Football Club. At times he may not portray his emotions as many would deem appropriate for a boardroom or business environment but that in itself highlights his passion for the club and which every Saints fan who loves the club can relate too. Of the three I’d take Crouch – I don’t think he can do any worse than the current regime and the ground swell of Lowe’s unpopularity with the fans will not have gone un-noticed by the vultures circling St. Mary’s. The club needs a fixed point of focus and it needs to be on the pitch. Players, management, fans and the boardroom need to be fixated 100% on this to stand any chance of survival this season both on and off the playing field. My fear is that until Mr Lowe leaves the club for good – lock, stock, and barrel, the misery at St Mary’s will continue with fans energies spent venting anger and frustrations in his direction rather than giving all that energy in support for the 11 players on the pitch….. and by God do they need that energy right now.

Bet you feel better getting that off your chest! Totally agree, well said.

sharkie38 for chairman. That is the most sensible post I have read on here for months.

If Crouch loves the club so much he most definitely wouldn't be coming out with a vote of no confidence in the manager at a time when we desperately need points and nothing else.

Basically, he's very clearly wiping his hands of responsibility and saying he's done all he can (be it only a passing offer of £2 million with strings attached).

That's hardly the actions of a fan with only the club's interests at heart.

While I agree with the English manager idea, the problem is that we are now far too committed to what we've been doing this season to rip it up at this stage.

The whole backroom staff is in place and we don't have the money to replace them.

Remember, Crouch's overspending is a big part of this year's problems and even then we only scrapped through with a big slice of luck.

The time for this tit-for-tat media fighting is well over.

The time for demonstrations is well over.

At the end of the day, the only thing that can save us this season is pulling together on the pitch and grafting for results and getting behind the team.

Even the biggest investment in the world will not help us once the transfer window has closed and, for better or worse, this is what we are left with.

The Spirit of Southampton would have called for us to get on with it and ask questions later.

The alternative is to squabble, give our near neighbours a good laugh and cry into our beer as we go down saying we told you so.

Yes, it's become clear that change is needed at the very top level – and I mean total change, with every one of these fighting factions gone for the good of the club.

But surely that can't be at the expense of seeing our club relegated.

That's why I continue to say we need to unite and aim that frustration and passion at the opposition for the rest of the season.

Look at the way Pompey are self-destructing and sulking for a prime example. They still have a very good squad, but nobody is concentrating on what's happening on the pitch, either players or fans.

All either want away or are still thinking about the good old days.

That's why I think they'll go down next season.

I just hope we are here to meet them.

Well said Sharkie38!! They should print that in tomorrows echo!!

I miss talking about FOOTBALL!!

Unfortunately Jason I fear it is too late. I do not believe we can pull this one off, but what we can do is make sure the board are not here next season to make the same mistakes time and time again, draw a line under what has already happened and start again with fresh people, fresh ideas and fresh hope.

Jason D wrote:
If Crouch loves the club so much he most definitely wouldn't be coming out with a vote of no confidence in the manager at a time when we desperately need points and nothing else. Basically, he's very clearly wiping his hands of responsibility and saying he's done all he can (be it only a passing offer of £2 million with strings attached). That's hardly the actions of a fan with only the club's interests at heart. While I agree with the English manager idea, the problem is that we are now far too committed to what we've been doing this season to rip it up at this stage. The whole backroom staff is in place and we don't have the money to replace them. Remember, Crouch's overspending is a big part of this year's problems and even then we only scrapped through with a big slice of luck. The time for this tit-for-tat media fighting is well over. The time for demonstrations is well over. At the end of the day, the only thing that can save us this season is pulling together on the pitch and grafting for results and getting behind the team. Even the biggest investment in the world will not help us once the transfer window has closed and, for better or worse, this is what we are left with. The Spirit of Southampton would have called for us to get on with it and ask questions later. The alternative is to squabble, give our near neighbours a good laugh and cry into our beer as we go down saying we told you so. Yes, it's become clear that change is needed at the very top level – and I mean total change, with every one of these fighting factions gone for the good of the club. But surely that can't be at the expense of seeing our club relegated. That's why I continue to say we need to unite and aim that frustration and passion at the opposition for the rest of the season. Look at the way Pompey are self-destructing and sulking for a prime example. They still have a very good squad, but nobody is concentrating on what's happening on the pitch, either players or fans. All either want away or are still thinking about the good old days. That's why I think they'll go down next season. I just hope we are here to meet them.

Crouch's overspending??
Crouch had 3 Months. Wilde was the ringmaster during the spending.
Also why did they spend heavily?
My opinion, (for what its worth)was to try to get back to the Premier League where we were and should have stayed due to Lowes disastrous previous tenure.
The situation is desperate, back the team and coaching staff to try to keep us up, but at the same time plan for the future, Crouch seems to want whats right. Do we know what Lowe wants?

allsaintsnocurves wrote:
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!!

100'000 fans?!?! Are we still talking about the same team? There are only about 20'000 people who would probably call themselves Saints fans, and of those around half would say they'd actually give up any money, and of those only about a quarter actually would give up money...

In an ideal world, lovely idea, the masses against the classes and all that!

ps - I'll chip in a tenner.

I would some money,£10-£20 in to save Saints!

FFS a rights issue raising £6m approx, it won't happen because the Lowe axis won't subscribe, so won't have a rights issue as it would finish their tenure. Crouch could buy

CORRUPTION & CORRUPTION OUT!
FURRY POODLE OUT!

derry wrote:
FFS a rights issue raising £6m approx, it won't happen because the Lowe axis won't subscribe, so won't have a rights issue as it would finish their tenure. Crouch could buy

Absolutely right Derry,Derry I have increased my shareholding through wright's issues in another very large company that I was employed with at the time, it almost doubled my original outlay

UTS, I see now a mid table position will do, what happens if we end up half way in the league. Will you have to say Lowe has done a good job. Now that would be a posting to behold!!.
Even invidia may have to ask for a 'sick'bag!.

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, having sold the best?

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 cockroaches (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!

Why should I pay £10 into a supporters fund when I already pay £30 a game? And the games are rubbish! That money should be being used to save us.

allsaintsnocurves wrote:
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!!

I tried suggesting this on her the other day without much luck. It is a brilliant idea and is the first step to the fans having a far greater say in how the club is run. If you were to make that figure £1000 each would we have some serious clout. Somebody set up that website !!!

East End Saint wrote:

allsaintsnocurves wrote: 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!!

100'000 fans?!?! Are we still talking about the same team? There are only about 20'000 people who would probably call themselves Saints fans, and of those around half would say they'd actually give up any money, and of those only about a quarter actually would give up money... In an ideal world, lovely idea, the masses against the classes and all that! ps - I'll chip in a tenner.

Please don`t get peoples backs up we know there really are only around 15000 - 20000 true Saints fans but as `allsaintsnocurves` wrote if we can get something like this to grab the imagination then it could work. If we start talking larger sums of money per fan then we could be in a really stong position. We musn`t knock positive ideas when a lot of fans think being proactive is by not attending matches.

Leon Crouch is definitely the right man to become chairman,he would help to unify the support and bring a sense of optimism to Saints thats been lacking for a long time.
If it happens,i dont think we would go and splash the cash on loads of top players though..we`re either going to be battling to get out of League 1 or pushing for a midtable spot in the championship at best.

Would the 6mil be in shares again?
If Leon were to solely stump up the cash would it also be for more shares?
If the club were to offer a large share release to fans(!) (if this is possible), giving a limited number of shares to any one fan, generating a large enough revenue to turn red to black?
Would all the detractors and stayaways be willing to put in their own money? We would not have a large individual input but a larger collective power. The situation could be similar to the German goverment, no party being strong enough to rule outright.

Then it would also be easy to separate whos opinions really counted and to what measure. A real "fans club". Of course the risk is to loose it all if administration came, as the present shareholders may.

sharkie38 wrote:
When is the turmoil at St Mary’s going to end? To say the current situation at the club is shambolic is something of an understatement – both on and off the field. The board room antics and shenanigans in the corridors of power at St Mary’s are farcical…. You couldn’t make it up to be honest and there appears to be no end to the ever decreasing spiral of disaster towards which the club appears to be heading. An ugly boardroom power struggle, financial storm clouds hanging heavy, fans turning on themselves and the team entrenched in a relegation battle where they hang on to the very precipice of Championship survival. It is a very sorry state of affairs and I fear there will be more pain before any reversal of fortune can even be contemplated. Unfortunately, this is the very thing, as a fan, I want though – a reversal of fortune ….. but I doubt it’s going to land at our feet. Like many others, I am sick to death of all the in-fighting, the boardroom “spin”, claims and counter claims, and general media circus that surrounds the club at present. I want to pick up a newspaper or log-on to read about “football” matters on the pitch again not look at yet another article or thread on the virtues of various board members, financial crisis, rumoured takeover bids……quite frankly, in my opinion, it has become incredibly tedious leaving many people around the city disheartened and disillusioned to the point of complete disinterest in the plight of the club. So what of the Three Amigos who potentially hold the key to the club’s future? The main protagonist, love him or hate him, is the chairman Rupert Lowe. Personally, I think he has had his chance at the club, it hasn’t worked and even the most loyal “Lowe Luvvie” (as they appear to be known on various fan forums) would have to concede that he is the single most divisive influence at the club at present. His fellow board members must recognise this and surely sit very uncomfortably at the present time knowing the unpopularity of the group chairman. The question is will they do anything about it? The once heralded number one shareholder, and football club chairman Michael Wilde is becoming more unpopular by the day simply through his end of season “about turn” to align himself with Lowe. Many fans have found this very hard to accept. Unlike Lowe though, I believe Wilde could be somewhat forgiven if he decided to jump ship from the Lowe camp and change his allegiance once again although time may tell on that one. That brings me to Leon Crouch who cannot be exonerated from the apparent “blame” game for the recent failings of the club but I do feel he has the one quality that the other two lack and which is more likely to unite the fan base …… a passion for Southampton Football Club. At times he may not portray his emotions as many would deem appropriate for a boardroom or business environment but that in itself highlights his passion for the club and which every Saints fan who loves the club can relate too. Of the three I’d take Crouch – I don’t think he can do any worse than the current regime and the ground swell of Lowe’s unpopularity with the fans will not have gone un-noticed by the vultures circling St. Mary’s. The club needs a fixed point of focus and it needs to be on the pitch. Players, management, fans and the boardroom need to be fixated 100% on this to stand any chance of survival this season both on and off the playing field. My fear is that until Mr Lowe leaves the club for good – lock, stock, and barrel, the misery at St Mary’s will continue with fans energies spent venting anger and frustrations in his direction rather than giving all that energy in support for the 11 players on the pitch….. and by God do they need that energy right now.

Nice post Sharkie! Can we not get a trust running to raise the money to get these millstones off from round our necks? It just needs someone with some nowhow to set it up and I'm sure there would be plenty of volunteers to run/administer it. A company limited by guarantee with people contributing a minimum of say £50 each to become members. The company's constitution would set out what the company's objectives were and what powers its directors had. It would also say what would happen to the money put in in the event that its principle object failed (i.e. it could be applied in some other similar way to benefit the club - not the shareholders or directors of the club or failing that returned to the people who contributed). Just need to agree what the principle objective is!!!

BP wrote:

Jason D wrote: If Crouch loves the club so much he most definitely wouldn't be coming out with a vote of no confidence in the manager at a time when we desperately need points and nothing else. Basically, he's very clearly wiping his hands of responsibility and saying he's done all he can (be it only a passing offer of £2 million with strings attached). That's hardly the actions of a fan with only the club's interests at heart. While I agree with the English manager idea, the problem is that we are now far too committed to what we've been doing this season to rip it up at this stage. The whole backroom staff is in place and we don't have the money to replace them. Remember, Crouch's overspending is a big part of this year's problems and even then we only scrapped through with a big slice of luck. The time for this tit-for-tat media fighting is well over. The time for demonstrations is well over. At the end of the day, the only thing that can save us this season is pulling together on the pitch and grafting for results and getting behind the team. Even the biggest investment in the world will not help us once the transfer window has closed and, for better or worse, this is what we are left with. The Spirit of Southampton would have called for us to get on with it and ask questions later. The alternative is to squabble, give our near neighbours a good laugh and cry into our beer as we go down saying we told you so. Yes, it's become clear that change is needed at the very top level – and I mean total change, with every one of these fighting factions gone for the good of the club. But surely that can't be at the expense of seeing our club relegated. That's why I continue to say we need to unite and aim that frustration and passion at the opposition for the rest of the season. Look at the way Pompey are self-destructing and sulking for a prime example. They still have a very good squad, but nobody is concentrating on what's happening on the pitch, either players or fans. All either want away or are still thinking about the good old days. That's why I think they'll go down next season. I just hope we are here to meet them.

Crouch's overspending?? Crouch had 3 Months. Wilde was the ringmaster during the spending. Also why did they spend heavily? My opinion, (for what its worth)was to try to get back to the Premier League where we were and should have stayed due to Lowes disastrous previous tenure. The situation is desperate, back the team and coaching staff to try to keep us up, but at the same time plan for the future, Crouch seems to want whats right. Do we know what Lowe wants?

Crouch was part o fthe board Wilde appointed and was involved in the spending decissions.

Costa Baz wrote:
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, having sold the best? 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 cockroaches (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!

The overdraft is £6 million, the overall amount of debt is far larger.

In as much as the Echo’s story is accurate (big if), the counter offer from Lowe and Wilde included the guarantee that “they would resign and leave him to run the club if he did” come up with a £6million interest free loan (note not investing his own money, just lending it - absolutely normal) with the help of others. Presumably the necessary legal agreement would stop Lowe and Wilde waltzing back in to topple Crouch and whoever else put the money up. Therefore, the logical reaction from the Crouch supporters should be go for it Leon. Why the reticence? Indeed there were some on here yesterday arguing that Crouch had backers in the wings.

Fascinating stuff, though. And good luck to Crouch if his adacious move can get something going. Wouldn't be surprised if Wilde turned again.

Meanwhile, back on the field, a good point tonight - and 442 in the second half!

Crouch says he met with Loews and Wilde. How did the Echo get the storey - could only be Crouch given the follow up stroy on him.

Comment from UTS please on the Echo Crouch spin machine.

you must admit F Fan you fight fire with fire, and why not if it works

Southampton Leisure Holdings LTD is like a sick dog. Perhaps its better if it dies. Someone will pick up the reigns, someone other than Lowe, Crouch or Wilde.

Crouch seems the most genuine out of the lot but that’s not hard considering the opposition and there has been son much mud slinging that none of the three will unite the fans

Frannie said we needed a fresh face as a manager, I think we need a fresh face at board level.

PS id put £30 in (better than buying a replica shirt)

PPS Its only a dream but, Fan buyout. Get some qualified financial organisers then appoint Matty as "Head of Saints". What Wilde is up to is anyone’s guess.

Traceyf wrote:

Costa Baz wrote: 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, having sold the best? 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 cockroaches (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!

The overdraft is £6 million, the overall amount of debt is far larger.

I realise the debt is greater as there is a mortgage on the stadium, but as I said above the "debt that is crippling the club is "only" 6m".
The mortgage, it would appear, is a manageable debt and not a "crippling debt", presumably because it has kinder interest rates.
Which still begs the question.

Why won't two of the company's biggest shareholders join with the 2nd biggest shareholder and loan the company money to protect it from going into administration, and potentially falling into someone elses hands?

Could it be that the suggestion by some, that Lowe has a 'pre-pack" deal with the bank, to go into administration and then become the sole owner, has some foundation?

F Fan wrote:
Crouch says he met with Loews and Wilde. How did the Echo get the storey - could only be Crouch given the follow up stroy on him. Comment from UTS please on the Echo Crouch spin machine.

Yes im sure Crouch spoke to the Echo and Radio Solent. He wanted to make it clear where he stood and what he said no doubt. Certainly nobody can say he has not sat around watching it burn. Not that we needed telling again but it rehighligted what a pair of scumbagas Lowe and Wilde are.

The Daily Echo following a lot of criticism of biast anti Saints fan coverage are now starting to realise. The true depth of hate towards Lowe and Wilde. They have sales of newspapers to cling onto and PRing Wildes lies is not going to work.