Article: A pat on the back for Terry Paine (or a slap in the Face for Matt Le Tiss) Southampton, Football.

Terry Paine has been appointed Honorary President of Southampton Football club.

Nicola Cortese has said:

“To me he is a real ‘Mr Southampton’ having dedicated many years of his life to our great Club, so it is a pleasure to award him with the formal role his continued support deserves.

“Terry has great integrity, and commands respect and affection wherever he goes. I am sure he will fulfil his role as Honorary President with the enthusiasm and energy that epitomised his performances as a player.”

Honorary President Terry Paine said: “It is a great honour for me to be named Honorary President of Southampton Football Club.

“I've been bursting with pride since Nicola offered me the role. Everyone has been coming up to me asking if I’m OK because I have been bounding around with a permanent smile on my face for the past week.

“Having joined the Club at 17 before going on to make over eight hundred appearances means I hold the Club very close to my heart. To be able to come back to the Club in this role is a nice way to finish off my Southampton career – it really feels like I am coming home.”

 

I wouldn't want to look at it as a slap in the face for Matt, because that would devalue Terry who clearly deserves it.

 

Pretty much as above. Great service from Terry to Saints, and long may it continue. A very well deserved recognition and a role for him within SFC.

 

Well deserved accolade......Terry was a very special player and was very loyal to Saints and their fans. Not sure why you would consider it a slap in the Face to Matt. While Matt was loyal it is true and a good player I don't think that even he would disagree with this award.

 

please log in to view this image

please log in to view this image

[video=youtube;Jq8c1e7Y5wI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Jq8c1e7Y5wI[/video]

 

A top decision.

 

It is indeed a great honour for Terry Paine, a Saints legend - but your follow-on comment about it being a slap in the face for Matt le Tissier is nonsense. I am sure that Matt would fully endorse this honour to Terry Paine. Matt Le Tissier is every bit as much a Saints legend and you have a very selective memory if you think othewise.
Without doubt both Terry Paine and Matt Le Tissier love Southampton FC, and that is all that matters.

 

Certainly, an excellent choice.

 

Matts time will no doubt come, after TP has gone! He will have to do more for his MBE though........

 

Its great for the club to be associated with some great legends.
MLT would've jump to Spurs if his (then) wife Cathy hadn't put her foot down, She gave up her career as a promising athlete so MLT could have his family close by, She would not move to London as there were no direct flights to the Channel Isles.

In not trying to rubbish Matty in any way, but sometimes loyalty can be misplaced on people.

 

Anyone who plays that amount of games for one club with such skill and commitment truly deserves the position that he has been awarded and I am sure he will continue to do the club proud in his new role.I was fortunate enough to see him play and his wing play was recognised when chosen for the 66 World Cup winning squad where he did indeed play a part in a group match early in the campaign .I am also sure that Le Tiss also a Saint legend will see this as a great choice and well deserved honour for Terry.I for one don't get into all this Matt v Cortese stuff let them get on with it but as a player Matt would probably be in second place in my mind in any poll for great Saint players for his own efforts and skill whilst wearing the red and white. Both players are also responsible for bringing our club to the attention of the wider football world in general .

 

As of course did a few others ....Micky Channon comes to mind..........However we should remember exactly what Terry Paine's contribution was, an Average of just over 44 games per season for 18 years. That is no mean feat....over 800 games in all. Most likely a record never to be broken again......he deserves the honor!

 

Even more incredible considering how physical the game was in the era Terry played in and the hatchet men that were around ,add to that frozen and peat bog pitches and more basic injury rehab it truly shows the extent of his achievements.

 

Absolutely brilliant post.DTLW

 

Absolutely agree and look at that wonderful kit with those lovely red and white stripes.

I started this thread because I was slightly taken aback by the opening few words: "To me he is a real ‘Mr Southampton’ .."

What is that supposed to mean? It is a loaded statement and without a doubt a dig at LeTissier and his supporters.

It was unnecessary and reflects badly on Nicola.

If he didn't mean it then he was clumsy in his choice of phrase and by now should have learned that just like with politicians people will interpret things in ways not originally intended.

 

Sorry ST G.....I just can't see it from your prospective..........Why on earth would the statement "To me he is a real ‘Mr Southampton’ .." Cause you to think he was having a dig at Matt? He could actually be having a go at any of the still alive legends according to your way of thinking.
No mate you seem to have a bit of a fixation as far as Matt is concerned and I am doubtful that he would see it your way either!

 

I thought Ted Bates was Mr Southampton. Terry Paine is a brilliant choice for this honour and also refutes what people say about Cortese having no feelings for the history of Saints. I think Nicola is interested in the history of the club, but is not sentimental to the point of caring about things to the detriment of more important things such as survival and financial scurity. I'm sure Tiss would have loved to get such recognition (and when hell freezes over he will get it), but he won't have any argument with the choice of Paine.

 

Big Lawrie was another to bear the title "Mr Southampton" at one time. So much so that the City Fathers gave him the freedom to drink and drive - allegedly.

 

Yes Archers - but it was only supposed to be Kaliber non-alcoholic beer if you remember !
Big Lawrie is quite a character - he was sitting just behind us at a match at the Rose Bowl last season and is still a good laugh and still enjoys a few non-Kaliber type beers !

 

Does that mean Terry has moved back from South Africa? I have just moved back to Europe from there after 6 years and he was a main commentator on their TV. Looked like he was well settled there, so I just wondered if Honorary President needs to be in the country or can work from abroad! Not that I have any issue with him being awarded the honour - he (and so many others) have been stalwarts and still love the club (as we all do)!!