Return To Autumn 1996 Index
Return To Autumn 1996 Index
Welcome to this, the second New Millennium Saints Page. In my previous article I summarised the events of the 95/96 season and speculated on close season activities in the transfer market and boardroom. This article will both report on the comings and goings at the Dell during the summer and preview the 96/97 season from a saints fan's view point.
At the end of last season , after the last ball had been kicked in anger I sensed that the real excitement was about to begin (see previous article) and HOW...
The big news of course was the sacking of Manager, Dave Merrington. Saints fans, myself included, were stunned by the announcement. The reason for the unceremonial dumping of this genial long standing servant of the club has never been fully explained. Is this a habit the board has picked up? There is the still mystifying departure of Merrington's predecessor, Alan Ball, to account for. He went to Manchester City and he too only lasted one season in charge at the Dell.
This bombshell was followed by weeks of uncertainty and rumour. Saints fans, already in shock, had their spirits further dampened with the news that Richard Hall was on his way to Upton Park, Home of West Ham United. Because Hall was out of contract, his transfer fee was decided by a Football League Tribunal. Saints eventually received £1.4 million. This is much less than Saints would have got on the open market for the talented youngster. Tommy Widdrington also said his goodbyes after the completion of his £400,000 transfer to Grimsby Town of the nation-wide first division. Neil Maddison had his bags packed and seemed set to join fellow ex saint Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace in the same division as Grimsby. However the deal fell through when Crystal Palace sold their much sought after goalkeeper Nigel Martyn to Leeds United. Dave Bassett the manager at Selhurst Park felt his meagre resources were best spent on finding a replacement, Maddison being a mid-fielder didn't fit the bill.
Players leaving the Dell, none arriving, managerless, new season looming on the horizon, Saints fans were worried. The negotiations with Richard Branson had come to nothing. The Dell remained tight lipped. (Oh Woe & Misery - the typist)
Then out of the blue, The Dell announced the arrival of a new manager, the board surprisingly opting for the high profile disciplinarian, Graeme Souness former manager of Glasgow Rangers where he enjoyed great success. (Although I feel even Ian Branfoot could have done a half decent job with all Ranger's riches). Liverpool and Istanbul's Galatasary, interestingly (at both clubs Souness off loaded Barry Venison). Both clubs sacked Souness for failing to produce the expected amount of silverware although, to be fair (why start now? - the typist) he did win the FA cup with Liverpool and the Turkish equivalent with Galatasary.
Though my appraisal of Souness's managerial career may appear grudging, now he's installed in the managers office he will be judged on his record from now on. I wish him and the club every success in the coming season.
On a lighter note, Graeme Souness has the rare distinction of having his surname enter the English vocabulary noun in the context of Public House Refreshment. A person nipping in to the pub for a Souness meant that they would have a quick half and be off. Referring to Souness' uncompromising style of play in the '70s/80s which more than once resulted in an early bath.
Since taking over, Souness has bought in his own back room staff: Phil Beorsma his ex-Liverpool team mate and long term understudy, and Terry Cooper who has enjoyed limited managerial success himself, but will probably be best remembered for his defensive duties in Don Revie's peerless '70's Leeds United Side, where to the best of my knowledge he originated the wearing of poncy white football boots.
The new Manager's forays into the transfer market have as yet to send shock waves through the premiership: Richard Dryden has arrived from Bristol City for £200,000 to replace Richard Hall , and, as I write, the transfer of the aptly named Graham Potter from Stoke City has been finalised. (Stoke is a town in an area in the West Midlands known as The Potteries renowned for er.. Pottery) An initial fee of £250,000 to be paid plus further payment when appearance milestones are reached, Stoke will also receive 20% of any fee Saints receive if the 21 year old is sold on, a pity Saints had no such clause in the Alan Shearer transfer.
With the new season days away and Chelsea's expensive imports cruising down the M3 in their Porsches to the Dell, are we ready? The pre-season friendly results would imply not! Losses against Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, Oxford United, Wycombe Wanderers and Farnborough Town at first seem depressing. (Now look - you know me - The Typist - I hate to butt in here - but I come from High Wycombe. If Saints can't beat Wycombe Wanderers they are in serious trouble! Can you ask for a refund on your season ticket?)
But these are friendlies and the results are inconsequential. This is a view confirmed by an ardent Saints fan who travelled to many of these games ( to Wycombe? Poor man). He was amazed to find himself in the midst of an estimated 300-400 fellow Saints fans for a pre-season warm up match in Edinburgh against Hearts.
However, to survive in the ever more competitive premiership, Saints must generate and spend money. Clubs on a par with Saints like West Ham, Coventry and Chelsea have spent heavily in the close season while Saints have received more from selling than they have spent.
The squad enter the new campaign under Souness' style of management - once abrasive, now hopefully mellowed. Otherwise the players may suffer culture shock following Merrington's reign which sadly appears to have reached the point where the players lost respect for him and were in open revolt.
Log on again in mid season, when I hope to report news of middle eastern money and fresh signings from afar.
