Chief Executive - Gareth Rogers: "We are mindful of the growing feeling amongst the fan base with respect to the potential naming of a stand at St Mary’s Stadium in honour of Markus Liebherr, given his immense contribution to Southampton Football Club. I have been discussing the idea of a permanent tribute with Katharina for several months, and every time we speak she always impresses on me how she is grateful and touched by the special relationship her father continues to hold with Southampton supporters. Whilst Katharina does not wish to name a stand after Markus, she set out her thoughts to me at the end of last season on what she feels will best act as a fitting tribute. The planning for this is already underway, and we look forward to announcing more details to our supporters within the forthcoming months." http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11334063.display/ What'd we reckon would be suitable then? I'd quite like to name the training centre after him personally... other ideas? DTLW
Posted this at 7.37 this morning on the Memorial thread ....tut, tut, DTLW. I like the idea of the Academy being renamed, but I wonder if Katharina would rather do something for the community.
I think that has already been rejected....don't know why, but made me think that KL wanted a more charitable memorial for her father.
A stand seems like the best memorial you can get, short of a statue. Maybe they don't want to go down that road because when do you stop.
I would absolutely love it if she went completely the other way to our expectations. So instead of being modest and thinking the naming of a stand after her father is too big a gesture she comes out and demands the entire city of Southampton be named Liebherr Town and the Civic centre clock tower is replaced with a 60ft statue of Markus
Had the naughty thought that the most famous picture of Markus with his right hand raised actually looks like the 1st statue of Ted Bates.
Maybe an award that goes to someone who has done a lot of work in the community or for charity. This could go to a player, member of staff or a team (such as the disability team that went to Zurich). I think something like that would be quite fitting given how Markus helped us, his trophy would then be given to those who help others.
Be aware Pepys, that the Liebherr family have always liked their relative anonimity. So don't expect anything flash.
Wasn't the first statue rejected.....and the current replacement bought by one of the board of directors Pre Marcus?
Hey, aren't older people supposed to have good long term memories..? This is barely history, Beddy. Yes, the first one was replaced, after nobody checked that the first one was upto scratch [I think there was a little element of the Emperor's New Clothes about it - nobody dared say anything, even when it was obvious]. Yes, Leon Crouch saved Saints fans embarrassment and reached into his own pocket [his only may I add] to bail us out. It shouldn't be forgotten that, although he was considerably less comfortable financially, he kept the ship afloat for a fair old time. Crouch was better keeping his opinions to himself, as he tended to lose the odd admirer when he expressed them badly, but his heart was certainly in the right place.
There's a pic floating around of the original statue with Cortese's red and yellow shirt on it. Very amusing.
