Saints have announced that they are planning a permanent tribute to Markus Liebherr although it will not involve a stand being renamed.
We at Saints have always been a bit slow in honouring our past heroes, whilst at other clubs there are statues, stand renaming and even seat mosaics in tribute to the greats of those clubs, down here in Southampton we have one single tribute, the Ted Bates Statue.
Recently an on line petition was launched by one supporter to urge the club to name a Stand after Markus and in response to that the club have spoken to the Daily Echo, in that response CEO Gareth Rodgers has confirmed that recognition for what Markus did for Southampton FC is going to be forthcoming.
Speaking to the Daily Echo he said.
We are mindful of the growing feeling amongst the fan base with respect to the potential naming of a stand at St Mary’s Stadium in honour of Markus Liebherr, given his immense contribution to Southampton Football Club.
"I have been discussing the idea of a permanent tribute with Katharina for several months, and every time we speak she always impresses on me how she is grateful and touched by the special relationship her father continues to hold with Southampton supporters.
"Whilst Katharina does not wish to name a stand after Markus, she set out her thoughts to me at the end of last season on what she feels will best act as a fitting tribute.
"The planning for this is already underway, and we look forward to announcing more details to our supporters within the forthcoming months.”
So if we are not going to name a stand after Markus, what other options are there.
1. Re name the Stadium... Personally Im not keen on this idea for Markus or indeed anyone, I think the clubs ground should be something neutral, that won't change over time and at the whims of whoever owns the club, I am not against temporary sponsorship changes, indeed it was initially called the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium, but I am not for calling it after one individual.
2. A seat mosaic .. I am in favour of it, but it could have a short shelf life in terms of the seats themselves and are open to change.
3. A Statue.. I would be delighted for this to happen, Blackburn have done this well for their former owner Jack Walker and have incorporated it into a small garden of remembrance not just for Walker but where supporters can go and reflect on their own family and friends who have passed on, perhaps we could do something like this at St Mary's.
We could of course give Markus pride of place at the Stadium alongside Ted, again I would be in favour of this and I would add whilst we are at it that perhaps we should consider Lawrie McMenemy joining them, Lawrie remains the only manager to win a major honour for the Club and this feat has been criminally underlooked over the years, not to mention the part he played in taking forward the work Ted Bates had done and making us a household name.
4. Rename a road... Why not name Brittannia Road Markus Liebherr Way, this would have to involve the City Council, but it has been done at many other grounds so should not be a problem here.
5. Rename the training ground... Not as public a tribute in that few Saints supporters get to go there these days, but it is constantly in the press etc so could be a fitting tribute in that the arrival of Markus signalled the rising of the club and the training ground is where the rising of new generations of players takes place.
So what would you like to see as a tribute to Markus, vote now on our front page poll.