Saints have always been historically linked with Hampshire CC, indeed we were once their tenants at the County Ground after leaving the Antelope Ground (Pictured)
Following certain comments which have been printed in the local media over the last week, Hampshire Cricket Chairman Rod Bransgrove would like to issue the following statement pertaining to the Club’s relationships with Southampton Football Club [SFC] and Portsmouth Football Club [PFC]:
“Before I begin, it is important to stress that Hampshire Cricket has always, and will always, welcome supporters of all other sports clubs – including those from Southampton FC and Portsmouth FC. It is in the interests of the Club to establish and maintain good working relationships with other local sports businesses in order to explore mutual opportunities.
“Historically, we have enjoyed an excellent relationship with SFC and we are keen to pursue and develop this moving forward. Indeed, many of my personal friends are former Saints players and administrators and I, myself, have followed the club since I moved to the area in the 1980s.
“My unguarded comments about the circumstances that some of these friends find themselves in were not intended to be a criticism of SFC management. They were intended to explain why I have not visited St Mary’s Stadium so frequently during the past season. I enjoy seeing these friends at football matches and my preference is for sports clubs to embrace their past and maintain strong links with their history and the people who made it.
“With regards to Portsmouth FC, Hampshire Cricket has found it difficult, in the past, to establish the same sort of relationship that it has enjoyed with SFC but, after a series of meetings between myself and Iain McInnes [Chairman of PFC], this is now a distinct possibility.
“We, therefore, welcomed the news that PFC had emerged from Administration and with an ownership model which provides participation for its supporters. It is important to the well-being of the area, generally, that all of our sporting businesses do well.
“In the next few days, Hampshire Cricket will be announcing a partnership with Portsmouth FC that gives their season-ticket holders a discount on a five-match ‘passport’ to see all of the Hampshire Royals’ home Friends Life t20 fixtures this season. It is an offer we have extended to Southampton FC and very much hope they will take us up on.
“Furthermore, with both Clubs, we hope this deal will be just the start of a number of exciting initiatives we will jointly explore moving forward.”
“Any inference that I am personally relinquishing my support of SFC for PFC is ludicrous. I wish both clubs well for the forthcoming season and am delighted that the circumstances for both clubs now are very good.
“Personally, I grew up in London as a Spurs supporter in the 1960s. My father was an Arsenal supporter – but I never held that against him! Local rivalries are a part of the fun of sport. As is the case with cricket, football is only a game”