Saints have Fallen in Need

There are some appeals grab you, realising how good and caring a community can be.

I went Press to St. Marys to see the last home game of the season for Southampton who were playing playoff-chasing Burnley.

The score in the end was 2-2 and it was a pulsating match, although disappointment reigned that the Saints have fallen into League 1, even without the 10 point deduction that the Football League have imposed on them.

Manager Mark Wotte spoke how this game was a ’16 pointer’ and the players should do all they can to ensure that Southampton do not start on minus 10 next season.

The sheer fact that Saints are now relegation is possibly the time they can rebuild from the League 1 upwards.

A sense and prevailing concept of community is popular in the South Coast as one particular Chip Shop owner is doing his bit. He’s donating a day’s worth of sales to help the financially stricken club comes to terms with their finances.

A particular heart warming moment of the day was when ex-manager Lawrie McMenamy came on to pitch to highlight Southampton’s worries and begging for help. His spoke about how fans and players alike need to stick together and he’s sure that they can get out of this - there is rumoured to be two potential takeover – but he was realistic as he knows if a buyer is not found there may be a possibility that Southampton won’t be kicking off at all next season.

This club is in some trouble but most, if not all, would be pleased that the devil, Rupert Lowe, has left, even though he has left a hellish mess behind.

A group of ex-players have put their oar in to try to raise funds as good old’
Lawrie presented those players before the start to show how many people are committed to the cause.

Mark Wotte spoke in the press conference after saying that ‘the league is punishing fans and it was the work of the people, who has left the club that destroyed the club.’

He continued in saying that ‘I would find it interesting to hear what is spoken about behind the scenes at Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich.’ As Wotte presumes, their owners had a substantial say in the clubs fall from grace.

Nevertheless, the club is relegated and they deserve to be on footballing grounds.
The 10 point deduction or not, they are 23rd in the league and the league don’t lie.

Southampton are a good club with a good following, despite the fans who foolishly ran on to the pitch after the final whistle went.

It’s a rather idiotic thing to do in the first place but the fact it’s for nothing they can celebrate is beyond me.

Wotte wanted to show his thanks to the fans that have served him well all season in the most difficult of circumstances. The players, well the ones who cared, would have showed their thanks with a lap of honour.

Especially when the players like David McGoldrick, Andrew Surman and Player of the season Kelvin Davies are all unlikely to be there next season. Who knows who will still be there?

The Saints excellent academy will serve them well next season and hopefully we will see a return in the near future.

(Champ Corner, Football FanCast, 2009)