It’s probably not the best time to be a follower of Southampton Football Club. After only just avoiding the drop last season, they have appointed an unknown coach from Holland and now it appears they are having to taking drastic measures to ease their financial worries.
They are set to close three corners of their stadium in an attempt to save around £250,000. It is believed that this will reduce match day staff and bus travel, meaning the club’s drastic cost-cutting methods are carried out. The club can expect to get some unwanted criticism for these actions though – it is set to effect around 700 season ticket holders.
However, if you consider that the Saints averaged 11,000 below capacity during the 2007/2008 campaign, this will probably be just a case of season ticket holders moving seats. With the club in the financial mess it finds itself in though, this will be seen as a small sacrifice to make.
So why are they struggling so much financially? I’m sure there is a more technical explanation, but the uncertainty over the ownership of the club must have played its part. Since Rupert Lowe returned to the club last month, takeover talks with a consortium led by Fulthorpe have been terminated and it seems that no-one is willing to put enough money into the club. Combine this with the loss of parachute payments, continuing to pay Premiership wages and reduced attendances and it becomes slightly clearer why the Championship club are doing all they can to avoid administration.
It isn’t just the money side of things that are uncertain though. The playing staff is likely to undergo a major overhaul with Jan Poortvliet wanting to create his own squad. Senior players including Darren Powell, Inigo Idiakez and Jermaine Wright are still waiting to hear whether they will be offered new deals.
Looking at Championship football betting, it is no surprise to see Southampton amongst the favourites to be relegated next season. They only just avoided the drop last time out and one would guess they aren’t going to have much money to spend on new players to improve their chances of success.
Overall, Southampton is a club in relative turmoil. Things need to get better quickly – on and off the pitch.
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