Yes I know there are shirt threads (oh God do we know) but it occurs to me that this is a case of the management giving the customers what they want. Somewhere in the evolution of football chants we've gone from the Red and White army to The Red Army. Now I know that's easier to chant, especially if you've spent a long time in the bar prior to the game, but we even have COYR now. Come on you reds? Even chanted during the season of the sash shirts (we're a bright lot us football fans). So now we've got a team in red. Frankly I don't give a monkeys what they wear so long as I see the badge on the shirt. But for those who complain, Cortese and others could argue they've simply been listening to the people in that touchy-feely way of modern management.
It's not the most stupid chant we've ever done. The very original "SOUTHERNERS SOUTHERNERS SOUTHERNERS" chant was always cringeworthy, especially when done against Gillingham...
I likes the Southerners chant...actually was better to have a touch of irony by chanting at a team like Gillingham. Newport fans used to chant it when we played Havant or Fareham.
It's a good theory Lambo. I'm now expecting Cortese to (in the words of the song) "get his father's gun and shoot the Pompey scum". In a touchy feely way of course.
In a metaphorical sense he's done it. Where were Pompey when he took over? Where were we? Where is each of the teams now ... nuff said.
But you can't blame Southampton fans for wanting to highlight the fact that they're from the best part of the country!
Is the management in touch? You might argue that as long as the management of the club keeps the first team progressing it clearly is in touch. But is delivering success on the park the same as being in touch with the fans/customers? I spent £1250 this year renewing 2 season tickets, and have supported the club for well over 50 years and a season ticket holder for over 30. I don't want a democratic vote in how the club is run as happens in Barcalona, but I do want my experience of supporting my club to be something where I feel valued as a loyal supporter/customer. So I was 'on the bus' before the current management paid some marketing company to develop a marketing strategy that has no added value to my match day experience. It seems to me that the maximising of commercial opportunities has until now done little or nothing to enhance my match day experience. Match day catering is frankly ****e, that's if you can manage to get served at half time. A tannoy system that is clearly designed to condemn all who are abused to tinnitus, (pun intended), in later life. Many stewards seem to have had a standard course in a 'look for a problem, rather than a how can I help you? attitude. Pre and Post match I get my entertainment away from the stadium, because unless I wan't to be herded.. yet I would willingly pay for a good experience pre and post match if it was available, thereby further supporting the club. I could go on .. but I guess you get my drift.. Rant over
How about chanting this: "We live in the beautiful sooooooouth, yes we do, yes we do. We live in the beautiful soooooouth, yes we do, yes we do" (to the tune of Don't Panic by Coldplay)
