Takes away a personal memory in that my Grandad worked for Southern Gas and it's predecessors for 47 years, kept firewatch during The Blitz, skippered their Lawn Bowls teams and organized staff outings to Torquay Eastbourne Etc. His entire working life was on the site we now call St. Mary's. Also for many years a season ticket holder as was quite a few members of my family back then. Apparently when on night shift he said he could roughly tell how many goals Saints had scored by the roar from The Dell! Less traffic noise then I guess. Sadly he passed away 4 months before our promotion to the old First Division. He always felt a bit sore at the memory of them missing out on promotion in I think 1948/9 when they had a massive lead in the table but failed to achieve it. He felt the board weren't ready for the 1st Division and discouraged such progress! Even then there were rumblings of poor ownership issues!!! Nothing really changes does it!?
Nice story Brinkworth.....I'm a bit sad it's being removed as it's part of my preferred approach to St. Mary's. Somehow to walk to a game along scruffy Northam Rd (apologies to Northam Rd residents), that gas holder was, to me, an iconic architectural to reminder of Soton's industrial heritage. My Mum lived In Northam and reckoned that she and her childhood friends lived in fear that it may blow up!
I don't think she was alone in thinking that! It may seem a bit ridiculous to indulge in sentiments like these but these landmarks tell us where we are, remind us where we're from and give us that peculiar sense of being part of something important to each one of us. Other towns and cities have their 'places' and landmarks too but if these things get removed and some faceless metal box goes up in their place, then gradually everywhere develops a 'sameness' which I'm not sure is a mark of progress.
That’s one of the most ridiculous penalties I’ve ever seen for Bayern. What the hell is the defender supposed to do?
Oh no! Man Utd are 2-0 down against Sevilla. Oh what a shame. Couldn't have happened to a nicer group of self-entitled delusionists Edit: Sevilla's second 'goal' was ruled out, probably because it simply wouldn't be fair on Utd Sevilla up to 2-0.
Just a good luck message for Brighton today They remind me of us of old. Very well run club who have had an excellent season
It looks like Stewart Donald has become the new owner of Eastleigh FC. Stewart was the owner of Eastleigh FC a few years ago but sold it to be part owner of Sunderland. Last year he said he had unfinished business at Eastleigh which seems to be the case.
If Millwall v Blackburn is a draw on the last day, it potentially could be a five-way tie on 69 points for the final two play-offs places in the Championship. (Which would probably see Coventry and Sunderland finishing with the best GDs of the five.) It would also very likely mean that half of the play-offs team would finish more than 20 points behind 2nd place. And yet could also be in the PL next season.
