Despairing Southampton and England fan, Husband, Blogger for Shoot magazine , IT enthusiast(geek), Isle of Wight Independence Activist, Ex-Squaddie, Hugley Sarcastic, Occasionally Witty, Bert from Sesame Street Lookalike and all round top bloke.
Fittingly, Southampton born Neil Bartlett becomes the first ever ‘Latter Day Saint’, he won 35.34% of the 282 votes, beating Phil Parkinson (33.19%), Patrick Colleter (20.26%) and Chris Perry (11.21%).
Bartlett will always go down in the vaults of footballing history categorised in the ‘What might have been?’ section.
Seemingly with the world at his feet the midfielder soon crashed and burned, with barely a handful of first team appearances to show for his time as a pro.
Such was his foreseen potential and talent, he was referred to by journalists in the early 90′s as the ‘next Gazza’. I distinctly remember buying the football sticker book, which must have been for season 92/93 or 93/94 and in the opening few pages it had a section called ‘Rising Stars’, there was a place for Bartlett’s sticker right there.
It was 1992/93 that Ian Branfoot gave Bartlett his first chance, handing him a debut off the bench in a 0-1 home defeat to Manchester City. The then 18 year old Bartlett (at the time the youngest ever to play for Saints) was brought on for Tommy Widdrington in the 71st minute.
Neil Bartlett – Latter Day Saint.
The following season looked good for Bartlett, gaining his full debut in Saints first win of the season, 5-1 over newly promoted Swindon Town. It was Bartlett’s cross that provided Matt Le Tissier with the opportunity to open the scoring in the 12th minute, and Bartlett played until the 68th when he was replaced by Nicky Banger.
Bartlett kept his place and played his first full 90 minutes in the visit of Manchester United, but Saints were beaten 1-3. Bartlett remained in and around the first team for the next three consecutive games before being dropped for new arrival Paul Allen in September. Bartlett eventually found himself either an unused substitute and then out of the squad altogether, making his final Saints appearance as a half time replacement for Iain Dowie in a home defeat to QPR in the December.
Bartlett lasted exactly another year at the club, but without making another first team appearance. He spent the majority of his career in non-league football playing for Fareham Town, BK Hacken, Bashley, Hereford United, Newport County, Newport IOW, Salisbury City, Hastings Town, Lymington Town, New Milton Town, Tring Town, Bath City, Shildon, Ballyclare Comrades and Institute. Most of this was while serving in the Princesss of Wales Royal Regiment, British Army, where he also played football up to Combined Services level.
Neil Bartlett – Played – 9, Won – 2, Drawn – 0, Lost – 7. Latter Day Saint.
So, seeing as the summer of discontent is well and truly upon us, I thought about introducing a nice historical feature about past Saints players, be they superstars, sinners, (p)sychopaths or true Saints.
But to make it more interesting I thought I would open the floor to you, beloved readers, as to who you would like to hear about. To add another twist the options won’t be named so it is up to you to vote for the most ‘intriguing option’.
Here goes….
Would you like to hear about:-
The poll will close on Wednesday and the winner will be focused on in the first ‘Latter Day Saints’ post.
Well yesterday was great. No sooner had I written this for ESPN:- ‘In the Know? Off you go…’ the greatest thing since the beginning of Twitter happened.
Somebody posted this picture (taken at Ocean Village) and posted it to twitter:-
Cue Hysteria. Andrea Pirlo was coming to Southampton. Such was the frenzy that the fact that it was a GB registered plate was ignored, the fact that it was a right hand drive dismissed, one of the greatest players in world football was heading to St. Mary’s. What a coup. A signal of intent and the best transfer in British football since European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan made the same move.
Soon a search on the hashtag #saintsfc came with the handy ‘related search’ options of ‘Pochettino’, ‘Rickie Lambert’ and….. ‘Pirlo’.
Even Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri got in on the act.
Sadly a spoilsport was quick to tell us that the car belonged to a local namesake who owned a chain of hairdressers, and soon our dreams of Pirlo joined those about Bierhoff, De Pedro, Del Piero, Owen, Korneev and Lineker in the great Saints fantasy team in the sky.
What is great about such moments is the reaction of the fans, some believe, some mock and some (like me) go into pisstake overdrive!
All in all it was a fantastic day for all those that dare to dream! I don’t mind admitting that were Saints ever to sign Andrea Pirlo, I would weep uncontrollably for weeks.
‘The finest centre forward in Europe’ – Sir Matt Busby, 1969.
When Rickie Lambert netted his 100th Saints goal earlier this season he joined an elite list of forwards that includes Martin Chivers, Terry Paine, Matthew Le Tissier, Mick Channon and Ron Davies.
Sadly Ron passed away yesterday at his American home, just one day shy of his 71st birthday.
To say Davies was a legend amongst Saints fans would never do it justice. Twice first division top scorer while at the club, Davies grew a fearsome reputation amongst the opposition with his fantastic ability in the air.
Having been too young to see him first hand I asked some of those that did.
‘What a player, had he been playing today he would have been worth £25 million.’
‘Unbeatable in the air. Today’s defenders would be powerless, a great talent and a gent’
So that is the end of another topsy turvey season in the life of being a Saints fan, but no season would be complete without a spate of reviews and awards. This site is no different and yet again the response to this years Ali awards has been fantastic, and this is what is up for grabs:-
So without further ado, here are YOUR winners…..
Player of the Year
This was calculated like so:- Each player got 2 points for a vote as winner and one point as a vote for runner up. Here are all those that received votes and their points percentage.
Scored points:- Adam Lallana (0.0013%), Jason Puncheon (0.0013%), Steven Davis (0.4%), Jay Rodriguez (0.94%), Maya Yoshida (1.34%), Artur Boruc (2.42%), Luke Shaw (5.24%), Nathaniel Clyne (8.2%)
3rd Place:- Jack Cork (15.8%)
2nd Place:- Rickie Lambert (17.9%)
And the winner, making it a clean sweep in Player of the Season Awards, well deserved after an amazing system, with a whopping 47.37% of the points…..Morgan Schneiderlin!
Most Improved Player
The beauty of this award is that everyone interprets it differently. Some went for an overall improvement on last season, while others voter for those who improved over the course of the season.
Received Votes:- Rickie Lambert, Jose Fonte, Steven Davis, Jos Hooiveld, Nathaniel Clyne, Artur Boruc, Jack Cork, Maya Yoshida, Morgan Schneiderlin.
3rd Place:- Luke Shaw (16%)
2nd Place:- Jason Puncheon (18%)
And the winner, a young man who started his career at Saints with a lot of doubters, but in the second half of the season was undoubtedly one of our top performers with 29% of the votes……Jay Rodriguez!
Performance of the Season (Team or Individual)
Received Votes:-Puncheon at Loftus Road, Second Half at Stamford Bridge (Team), Gaston Ramirez v Villa at home, Team v Villa at home, Team v Newcastle at home, Jay Rodriguez v Liverpool at home, Boruc at Villa Park, Team v Arsenal at home, Team v West Ham at home, Second Half at Old Trafford (Team), First half at home v Everton (Team), Lambert v Chelsea at home, Cork v Chelsea at home, Boruc at Carrow Road, Team at Loftus Road, Cortese v Le Tissier, Cortese sacking Adkins.
3rd Place:- Team v Chelsea at home in the league (13%).
2nd Place:- Team v Liverpool at home (20%).
And the winner, a memorable day as the champions were made to look extremely ordinary with 31% of the votes….Team v Man City at home.
Signing of the Season
Received Votes:- Maya Yoshida, Mauricio Pochettino, Gaston Ramirez, Steven Davis, Vegard Forren.
3rd Place:- Jay Rodriguez (7%).
2nd Place:- Artur Boruc (24%).
And the winner, forming a formidable partnership with Jason Puncheon on the right and proving as asset both in defence and going forward with 62% of the vote….Nathaniel Clyne!
Unsung Hero
Received Votes:- That Fat Bloke in the glasses who hangs around outside the dressing rooms, MoPo’s interpreter, The Travelling Sains Support, Jos Hooiveld, Guly, Emmanuel Mayuka, Nigel Adkins, Artur Boruc, Jason Puncheon Jay Rodriguez, Morgan Schneiderlin, Nicola Cortese, Nathaniel Clyne.
3rd Place:- Steven Davis (16%).
2nd Place:- Maya Yoshida (22%).
And the winner is, a man who we missed in our terrible start to the season and made a massive contribution when he returned. He retains this award from last season! With 36% of the votes…..Jack Cork!
The Ali Dia Award For Comedy Moment
It says a lot about Saints fans, that this is always the award that comes the most varied answers. Great effort from everyone again! Brace yourselves….
Received Votes:- Arry Houdini, Jos Hooiveld Own Goal and Penalty King, Guly miss v Stoke, Boruc Juggling at Reading, Arsenal Away, Guly Skills v Spurs, WBA Away, WBA Home, MoPo’s skinny jeans, Danny Fox Tackle v WBA, Gazzaniga v Norwich, WBA Mexican Wave, Kelvin Davis Keeping, Steve de Ridder cameo’s, Puncheon substitution v Reading, Half Time Relay miss from 2 yards, Danny Fox, Defending in opening 10 fixtures, Boruc first couple of games, John Terry slips, Andy Carroll ‘You look like a horse’, Artur Boruc: Bottlegate, WBA ‘You’re going down on your sister’, JRod dive v Villa, Danny Fox v Arsenal, Nigel Adkins substitutions v Man Utd, Grant Holt cheating to win a penalty then missing it, Taunting West Ham ‘HOOOOF’, Ref tackled by Rodriguez, Boruc pushing Fonte after penalty save, Gazzaniga doing his boots up at goal kicks, Richardson and Seabourne defending against Stevenage, Half Time Relay – Split Trousers, Gangnam Style Sammy Saint, The amount of big clubs who had ‘off days’ against Saints, Mark Lawrenson’s predictions, Portsmouth FC – The gift that keeps on giving.
3rd Place:- Jos Hooiveld and Danny Fox together is like ‘crossing the streams’, the own goal at Newcastle (7%).
2nd Place:- That Gareth Barry perfectly place side foot finish own goal (11%).
And the winner, it could only be, the unscheduled rest break at home against Everton. With 40% of the votes…….. Jason Puncheon, he shits when he wants.
Best Opposition Team
Received Votes:- Officials v West Ham, Norwich City, Swansea City, QPR, Liverpool, Everton, Wigan Athletic, Spurs, Man City, Chelsea.
3rd Place:- Arsenal (11%).
2nd Place:- Manchester United (21%).
And the winner, deservedly so after dismantling Saints both home and away, with 51% of the votes……West Bromwich Albion.
Best Opposition Player
Received votes:- Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Paul Scholes, Demba Ba, Santi Cazorla, Jos Hooiveld, Danny Fox, Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Robert Green, Marouane Fellaini, Sandro, Stephen Peinaar, Youssouf Mulumbu, Michu, Chris Samba, Antonio Di Natale.
3rd Place:- Gareth Bale (14%).
2nd Place:- Robin Van Persie (27%).
And the winner, after an immaculate performance in the Baggies’ demolition of Saints at St. Mary’s. with 39% of the votes…..Romelu Lukaku!
Best Opposition Fans
Received Votes:- Sunderland, Reading, Newcastle, Liverpool, Man City, West Ham, Wigan, Swansea, Villa, Spurs, All Shit, QPR, Everton, Arsenal, Norwich, Ajax, Stoke. (The sharp eyed amongst you will notice that only Fulham didn’t register a single vote!).
3rd Place:- Chelsea (11%).
2nd Place:- Manchester United (12%).
And the winner, a clean sweep for the team from the Midlands, boinging there way to three awards, with 42% of the votes……West Bromwich Albion!
Best Saints Related Tweeter
A lot of people voting for themselves here I suspect…..
Received Votes:- Connor Armstrong, Ollie Johnston, anthonydjames, Joner07, MatthewLeGod, stevegrant1983, Richard Chaplow, Radhi Jaidi, macdoodle, danbsfc, shaunthecabbie, pilchards, Not Nigel Adkins, DutchTom, colinjb84, Official Club Account, kellymauger, Anyone but aap3saints, aap3saints, Matt Le Tissier, S13SFC, Iwan Thomas, Jos Hooiveld, I Hate Twitter, MoPo parody account, talksaints, Luke Shaw’s mum, SamDobson1, megan_snedden, SaintsRumours, dubaisaints, Nicola Cortese, Billy Sharp, LewisTull, Wattyspics, Anyone but sridout92, jayrodfan2, GGalpin95, Sam Hoskins, Sean Gonzalez-Lambert, OnlyWayisSO14, crespino10.
3rd Place:- Luke Shaw (14%).
And in joint first place, the imaginary trophy will have to spend 6 months in each users mind, with 16% of the votes each, errrr, this is a little embarrassing…..Simon Peach and I!
So that concludes this year’s ‘Ali’s', some truly deserving winners there I’m sure you will agree. Thank you to everybody who voted, and thank you all for a fantastic season. I actually think the atmosphere at St. Mary’s this season was the best it has ever been, and one of the best in the Premier League. As the club goes through some interesting times progress wise our support is more important than ever.
‘It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.’ - Nelson Mandela
It’s never ‘easy’ being a Saints fan. Having looked like Premier League safety was a given a few weeks ago, we still managed to play ourselves back into the battle and only secured it on Sunday with a laboured point against Sunderland.
Time to relax then surely? Nope.
Yesterday news broke that Chairman Nicola Cortese was considering his future at the club. The reaction amongst the social networking sections of Saints support was quite staggering. Since his arrival at the club in 2009 Mr. Cortese has built quite a reputation, and one that is often negative amongst our own supporters and worse amongst other clubs, yet yesterday the standard reaction of Saints fans was that of grief and nervousness about how the good ship Southampton might fare without the shrewd Italian at the helm. It is some turnaround, given that as recently as January, when he dismissed the hugely popular Nigel Adkins, Cortese was finding his sanity questioned and on the end of some hideous criticism. This wasn’t the first time either.
Behind the scenes Mr. Cortese has faced huge criticism from within and the club and outside it, something that has never appeared to faze him. He has had public fallouts (though he didn’t make them public) with ex-players and been accused of disregarding the history of the club. There have been several bizarre tales of strange behaviour away from the public eye revolving around toilets, teaspoons and an unapproachable personality. In fact, many would be more than happy to see the back of him.
But. From a professional point of view it is impossible to argue that he has done anything but a fantastic job. Brokering the takeover by Markus Liebherr in 2009 he spoke of a five year plan to get the club back into the Premier League. He completed that in three. He has at times made what would appear as ‘rash’ decisions, but you can look back at almost all of them and struggle to find fault retrospectively. He said himself that he wasn’t here to ‘make friends’ and just like he promised he achieved the goal of the Premier League and is now talking about the top 10 and Europe. His ambitions are clear, and they are built on the premise of building the club up from it’s foundations, overseeing big investment in our already World Class Academy.
So what’s changed?
This summer sees a ‘natural’ contract break for the chairman, which leads the Liebherr Trust to negotiate a renewal. It would appear these talks have broken down (or didn’t even start). As far as I can see it there could be several reasons for this.
1. The ambitions of Mr. Cortese and the Liebherr Trust don’t match. This is the most worrying for me, Cortese has often spoke of the level achievement he wishes for the club, and he has proved that he will spend money to do it. If the Liebherr trust no longer want to spend that money and are happy at the current level then it is logical that Cortese would move on. It is also logical that Saints will no longer progress.
2. The Liebherr trust are not happy with the negative press about the Chairman. Markus Liebherr was a practising christian, and he often spoke about doing things the ‘right’ way. If his family are of the same ilk then they may have viewed some of the talk of Mr. Cortese’s behaviour uncomfortable.
3. Mr. Cortese would like a much improved contract financially to stay. There has been talk of interest of other clubs (AC Milan the standout) and given his achievements over the last few years it’s not exactly unreasonable of Cortese to expect a reward. Players do it, managers do it. Why not an extremely successful chairman?
4. The Liebherr trust are looking to sell the club. This has been rumoured pretty much since the day Markus sadly passed away. The club was only ever the dream of the late billionaire, not his family. They may feel that having restored the club to the Premier League they have fulfilled their obligation and can walk away. Nicola Cortese has often spoke of contingency plans and wealthy investors should this ever happen. Is this plan now about to come into effect, and he would need to leave as Chairman to launch his own takeover?
5. The Liebherr trust aren’t happy with the progress. Perhaps they have taken a leaf out of Cortese’s book a la Pardew/Adkins and decided that the club aren’t doing well enough and could do better under somebody esle? This seems unlikely, but everyone is under scrutiny in big business. Saints have spent money on several players who don’t play. Viewed as a failure?
This is of course all speculation. It could be a very simple contract wrangle that is easily resolved. As I said earlier some Saints fans are revelling in the news, and have long wanted rid of the Italian Chairman, but others (and I would say the majority) are rightly worried. Love him or hate him, Nicola Cortese has been the driving force behind the rise of Southampton Football Club over the last four seasons. He has fronted out all the abuse for his decisions, and bore the brunt of any unrest aimed at the running of the club. He has earned the right to be respected, and it could be a disaster for Saints should he move on. Cortese and Markus were friends, and that drives him on to reach Liebherr’s goals, a replacement may not have the same personal desire.
‘A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.’
Hopefully in the next few days we will hear that there has been some development and perhaps even a resolution. Nicola Cortese might never be a popular person amongst all sections of the crowd, but he has earned the right to lead this football club into this exciting new era.
As we approach the end of another season, it is time to highlight those who have stood out in what has been a rollercoaster first season back in the Premier League (hopefully the first of many)….
Who will win one of our coveted ‘Ali’s'?*
One of the coveted ‘Ali’s’. Who will get there hands on one?
If you want to have your say on who should be honoured, just fill out the following form, all votes will be anonymous and collated with the winners revealed at the end of the season!
* – There is no actual physical trophy. This site is non-profit and always being sued by photographers. Sorry.
After reading some great buildup pieces yesterday, notably by Sam Dobson and Sean Gonzalez-Lambert, it got me thinking that the whole Adkins/Pochettino/Cortese situation read quite like a Shakespearean tragedy. What do you think?
5th November 2012. Southampton is mutinous. The citizens protesting at their rulers incompetence and a lack of points.
‘What’s the matter, you dissentious rogues,
That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?’
8th December 2012. Senator Adkins has appeased the citizens, but rumours persist that behind the scenes that he is a puppet and speaking on behalf of another.
‘They threw their caps
As they would hang them on the horns o’ the moon,
Shouting their emulation.’
18th January 2013. Senator Adkins is banished from Southampton by the King and immediately replaced by Senator Pochettino.
‘His nature is too noble for the world:
He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
Or Jove for ’s power to thunder.’
Blue tie? Weird.
21st January 2013. Senator Pochettino arrives in Southampton, a small (very, very small) number of Southampton citizens protest with the waving of their white hankies (hankies? It’s 2013…).
‘You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate
As reek o’ the rotten fens, whose loves I prize
As the dead carcases of unburied men
That do corrupt my air,–I banish you.’
9th February 2013. Senator Pochettino’s men defeat the horde of Manchester, repelling them from the city.
‘Would you have me
False to my nature? Rather say I play
The man I am’
30th March 2013. Senator Pochettino’s men, having already defeated the Scouse army, successfully defend the city and points against the conquerers of Europe. The aggressive relentless style of his army gaining praise the land over.
‘Had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.’
6th April 2013. Senator Pochettino will lead his men to Reading to face off against the army of former Southampton leader Senator Adkins. What will be the result?
‘Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.’
Ooooooooooh When the Saints…
Whatever happens on Saturday, my own position on this is that, though as fans we have a lot to thank Nigel Adkins for there comes a time when the ‘period of grief’ has to stop. For me, MoPo has proved now that he is capable of the job and the football we are playing is impressive to the point of unbelievable. He should, no longer, have to fight for our affections with Nigel. He should have them fully.
The three points is vital on Saturday, we can put ourselves on the brink of safety, and that above all else is the most important thing. The club has moved on. We can show our appreciation for Nigel at the Madejski with polite applause when he walks out of the tunnel, but does there need to be anymore than that? And it should be followed by a rousing rendition of ‘Pochettino’s Red & White Army’. We have to live in the now.
Come the final whistle, should we have the three points be in the bag, then why not give Nigel a send off and let loose with ‘One Nigel Adkins’. Closure.
In an ideal world Saints and Reading could both stay up, but the world isn’t ideal, especially in football, and if our safety means condemning the man who brought us a lot of joy over the past couple of years then so be it. The King is dead, Long live the King.
‘What is the city but the people?’
Chris
p.s. All quotes from the brilliant Shakespeare play ‘Coriolanus’. Watch the film with Ralph Fiennes. It’s great.
Now I’m not a religious man, I consider myself a man of science and logic, but when you support a club that was formed from a young men’s church association, their ground is called St. Mary’s, their nickname is the Saints, were graced for a years by ‘Le God’ and now they even have a ‘Holy Goalie’, you begin to wonder if divine intervention has ever helped our cause.
Holy Goalie – Good with crosses.
The Easter weekend is upon us, and Saints welcome European Champions Chelsea to St. Mary’s and it got me thinking. The Easter bank holiday fixtures are a tradition in English football and with Saints christian links, surely this is a fruitful time of year for the club?
And, actually, it is.
I had a look at Saints Easter weekend fixtures over the last 10 seasons (please don’t research their Easter results prior to this period, they are very dull and irrelevant) and found quite a remarkable success rate.
Saints record since the 02/03 season on Easter Weekend actually reads:- P – 10 W – 7 D – 2 L – 1 Pts – 23 GF – 17 GA – 9. You actually have to go as far back as 2004 to find the only defeat, a 1-3 reverse at Middlesbrough. Two of Boro’s goals came from devout Catholics Juninho and Massimo Maccarone. Coincidence?
Last season Saints hosted bitter rivals Pompey on Easter weekend, which accounts for one of the two draws, David Norris stealing a point deep into injury time. Religious people tell me that ‘God moves in mysterious ways’, and there wasn’t much more mysterious than that.
Billy, shall I put a picture of Norris’ goal in?
In the previous season, Saints fans will remember Jose Fonte’s winner at the Withdean, and then Saints made it a 6 point double header with victory over Hartlepool in the same weekend. What’s that readers? That means that in one of the previous seasons we can’t have had an Easter weekend fixture? That’s right we didn’t, 2005/05 the Premier League relegation season. Punishment for having Judas Iscariot himself at the helm? (One of Judas’s main weaknesses seemed to be money (John 12:4–6).)
Fonte christens the net.
So are Rafa Benitez’ Chelsea ready to be crucified tomorrow? Are we going to see the second coming of the messiah (in my mind this will be presented to us in the form of a Guly do Prado finish)? Can Saints peform a miracle?
Who knows, with God as our co-pilot anything can happen and probably will.
Heading to St. Mary’s to watch Saints is all about fun. Football after all is a form of entertainment, and for generations supporters have gone to the game to get their football fix with their only care being the outcome of that day’s match. This does not mean that being in the confines of the ground makes you immune from any ailments and illnesses you may have and often they pay no respect to location and situation.
That is where the SDSA (Saints Disabled Supporter Association) have stepped in. After an incident at St. Mary’s they wisely thought that it would be a good idea for supporters to carry an ‘Emergency Medical Card’ to assist first aiders with any medical history you might have, should you be taken ill at a game. This makes perfect sense. Those attending you will not know you or anything about you and any background health information could help them save your life!
The SDSA are providing these cards for free, but would appreciate a donation.
The SDSA committee launch the EMC scheme before the QPR game.
The SDSA are working hard with the club to ensure that Saints facilities are in the top 5 in the country for disabled supporters (they are already ranked in the top 10), so help them help keep you safe by signing up for a medical card.
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