Article: Forget the rivalries for a minute... a comment on the departure of a genius | Football, Manchester United, Southampton

I'm getting ready for our first game of the season today against Leeds, and the usual first game excitement and wild optimism is upon me. After nearly 60 years of supporting Saints you'd think I would know better. Flicking through BBC website this morning I noticed the pictures from Paul Scholes' testimonial and felt compelled to comment.

Mindless hatred of other teams really does my head in. I would love to hammer Pompey twice this season, but want no part of the hatred that a few people seem to want to generate. The loathing of all things Man U has always got to me, and especially, of course, as it has so intensified in recent years with your success.

Over the years I have seen some truly great players - I am lucky enough to have seen Pele, Cruyff and Best play - and enjoyed the skill and competitiveness of others who may not have quite been truly great but who you would have loved to see pull on a Saints shirt. Paul Scholes is way up there. The fact is that in addition to being a player you always hoped would be injured or suspended whenever United came to town (the perverse measure that all footie fans use!) he was able to only ever adorn the back pages in an age when players earn a vast fortune and celebrity status. There are celebrity players not fit to share the pitch with Scholes.

Great player, and from the look of the photos he got the farewell he deserved.

Now back to Leeds ....

 

Nice comments pal, from another long time supporter who has seen it all and knows talent when he sees it. I too have been lucky enough to see all the players you mentioned but for me the greatest of them all was George Best. However having been to your old ground many times over the years, I will add that you have had a few exceptional players in the past with Le Tissier amongst the best and Channon had his moments. I wouldn't go as far as hatred but I certainly grew a dislke of Southampton, especially when you beat us in the FA cup final and then for a period seemed to be our bogie team, but life's too short for hatred, oh hang on didn't you say you were playing Leeds today, well now there is a team that in the sixties were quite easy to hate with a passion !!!! Good luck for the new season mate and maybe I'll get to your new ground soon.

 

Nice to see fans of other clubs appreciating the Ginger Prince.Scholes got the send off he thoroughly deserved, a true Man United legend.

Best of luck for the season, hopefully Southampton will soon be back to where you belong.

 

Channon walked on H2O - Thanks for you comments. I hope Southampton do well in the new season.