This is a most interesting article and demonstrates the way Saints have always been at the forefront in the game. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/sep/20/arsenal-herbert-chapman-southampton-tactics
Certainly is an interesting part of our history. In the twenties and early thirties we had a board that wanted to go somewhere. Unfortunately as time went on and the out break of war saw a change of thinking. We lacked good sponsers and unlike our illustrious neighbors down the road who were lucky enough to bring a brewery into the fold around this time. That made a heck of a difference especially just after the war when money was exceptionaly short. Pompey were bringing in huge gates to help with their costs where as we struggled. To add to our lack of progress was a very weak board. Saints were doomed to failure for the next 15 years or so. After that though the tide began to turn especially around the mid 60's. Although our gates were still a hinderance.
Not quite true. All the top flight teams post war got massive attendances as people enjoyed their liberty, but much like now, the top flight teams were the places to be seen, so with Saints being in Div 2 and just failing to get promoted twice meant we didn't see the same level of support that other clubs got. There's no geographic/passion reason for Pompey to have had bigger gates back then, the size of the cities were identical, similar catchment area, was just that Pompey were in the first division and also made very good use of having ex-forces players in their ranks. As has been said many a time, it was very common for Saints fans to go down to watch Pompey as there was no rivarly. It can't be a coincidence that Pompey got near 50,000 when they won the league, but those gates rapidly disappeared and they still only averaged 30,000 in the 50's which dropped to near 20,000 when they got relegated in 1959.
Two points...... 1. Arsenal taking the credit for something developed in Southampton or at least elsewhere. Somethings don't change there then. 2. Is that far back you have to go to find an interesting article in the Echo?
