I THINK, like most Saints supporters, I was alerted by many phone calls from others this week wondering whether I had heard about what was happening at the club.

That of course meant that they had read, or seen on TV, that a takeover had been completed for Gao Jisheng’s majority share.

Looking at comments, there is always going to be uncertainty having had this sort of thing happen to Saints before.

Will the club benefit or not? When we use the word benefit – it of course means whoever is coming, will they be adding more money, having spent a lot to buy the club?

The difference in the Premier League is big clubs have more money coming in from big owners and are able to bring in better players, who of course are more highly priced.

That is not to say all of the players who have been brought into Saints under Gao’s ownership have been good or bad, but certainly, the price asked for higher-class players was never able to be matched.

I think, reading things that have appeared so far, the new company of Sport Republic have already had experience in football, through their chief executive Rasmus Ankersen.

They have also mentioned being involved around the world. On the one hand, this could be a good thing if they already have different scouting networks and know which players are available, what they will cost etcetera.

On the other hand, does it mean Saints will be an addition to a business as opposed to the type of owner who could be compared possibly to the old-time directors.

When I mention those old directors, I go way back to when I joined the club. The boardroom had a group of what I would now call oldie-worldie business people.

They all had various businesses. They would generally put money in if needed and felt they were representing the man on the terrace.

It is a business now and you can understand how people come in and add a club like Saints to their portfolio.

I suppose Ralph, while looking to move the club up the league, will be having to find out the difference between what has normally gone on behind the scenes to this new situation.

Of course, for me, the management and coaching side is the most important thing, as well as the players, who will also be talking on the training ground about what has happened and what differences it could make at their level.

One real positive thing I noticed was Toby Steele and Martin Semmens will still be at the club. They have got the feeling of Saints’ supporters combined to the club and what it means to them.

I think they have done a good job and hopefully they will be given the freedom to carry this side on from the new owners.

Of course, on the field this week, the biggest, exciting part for a manager, his players and supporters together is the FA Cup, which starts for Saints today.

No matter where you are in the league, it is a chance to concentrate on a target, which is Wembley.

Things like the cup draw gets players listening and wondering and, of course, because of being in the Premier League, Saints only start in the third round. Non-League clubs start their campaigns all the way back in August.

The fact Saints are playing Swansea, a lower-league club, could be a good thing but they should be aware.

Lower-tier clubs have not only won third-round ties but have got all the way to Wembley and won it – just like in 1976!

The cup also gives the supporters that extra excitement. Unfortunately, today, Saints’ fans cannot travel but can watch on and get updates from home.

Good luck to Ralph and the team. Let’s hope we are in the fourth-round draw.