Saints fans have been clamouring for some words from the Gao family and last night they got them at the opening of the new Saints exhibition at the Sea City Museum in the Civic Centre.

The new Saints exhibition was opened last night with a private viewing for various people conncted with the club both from the playing side, off the field as well as some of the supporters.

Lawrie McMenemy, Matt Le Tissier and Mick Channon gave speeches which highlighted the great affection felt by them for both the City of Southampton and it's football club.

But for some the eyes and ears were not on the greats of the past, but some of the people who will hopefully make the future great.

That meant Ralph Krueger and Nelly Gao, daughter of Jisheng who took an 80% controlling stake in the club earlier in the season.

Most of the words were spoken by Ralph Krueger who took on the role of unnofficial host for the specch part of the evening, he spoke warmy of the club and the City, he seemed to know a lot about the club and it's history and more importantly he seemed committed to take things forward.

He thanked the Gao's for allowing them to get on with things since taking over, perhaps insinuating that this is far better than interference and he seemed to have a genuine friendly relationship with Nelly Gao and her companions on the evening.

Nelly Gao herself addressed the fans, she spoke fairly fluent English and again spoke warmly of the club and her hope that she and her family could be good custodians and continue to take it forward.

Whilst her speech was short and sharp, her presence and the words were perhaps re assurances that as essentially the owners of the club they intend to play a role, that aligned with with Ralph Kruegers words seemed to imply that they were happy with the infrastructure of the club and happy employing people to run it who know what they are talking about when running big sporting organisations, rather than blunder though it themselves in an area they have no expertise.

Certainly the words of both Ralph Krueger and Nelly Gao were received warmly by the assembled throng, both supporters and those closer to the club like Matt Le Tissier whom Ralph Krueger thanked in his speech for being a sounding board and a source for advice when needed.

Whilst we can't be totally sure of the Gao's intentions, that will perhaps always be the case and indeed is at most football club's these days, but certainly last night was a good bit of PR for both Krueger and his board and te Gao family as owners.

There will always be people who are cynical, but we have no choice butto take things at face value and that seems to be a committed Chairman and board who as the recent accounts have shown have built a solid structure off the pitch and a committed Gao family who as owners seem to be taking the view that the club is well run and that they should not interfere with that too much.

Photo: Action Images

pete_boggs added 11:17 - Mar 29 It looks like Reed helped to collate the exhibition as he had a prominent pic of Prowsey displayed celebrating one of his rare goals. Was Reed at the exhibition Nick?
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legod7 added 11:18 - Mar 29 Good report. I see the Daily Echo didn’t even have anyone there as usual.
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SaintNick added 11:48 - Mar 29 I didnt see reed there , but that is not to say he wasnt, I did see the Echo reporter, so they should be covering it
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landsdownsaint added 11:59 - Mar 29 I really can’t understand what Reed has done so wrong? A bad appointment for MP but as iv seen until recently we’ve progressed every year , I think he’s been let down by the players , saying that I don’t know the ins & outs of things .
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SaintBrock added 12:03 - Mar 29 So she's quite happy with how things are being run? Bloody hell we are in a worse mess than I thought we were. Is she totally blind or totally stupid? So Kreuger gets to stay on, so nothing of note will change. Implies we are still stuck with Reed as well. Well frankly I am up to here with the whole bloody mess and if those in charge think business as usual is the right course of action and managers like Hughes are the best we can aspire to then they won't be seeing me back in SMS for a very long time.

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SonicBoom added 12:16 - Mar 29 Someone's tired......
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helpineedsomebody added 12:46 - Mar 29 welcome to southampton nelly & dad all i would like to know is do you want your assets on the football pitch or money in your bank
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DockersRottingCorpse added 12:50 - Mar 29 The club are chuffed to bits we are third from bottom and in a relegation dog fight....NOT ! You have laundered your money now sell to someone with ambition and true intent.
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BLEEDRED added 14:04 - Mar 29 The Echo were there should be in tomorrows paper
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IWOZTHERE added 14:30 - Mar 29 Ok this is an International break so you've had to squeeze an article out of pretty much nothing?.... Ms Gao said little and we're unlikely to be taken in by Krueger any more. Les obviously is staying out of the 'firing line' (pun intended). Unless Mr Gao has something significant to say, the only talking that is needed until the end of the season, is on the pitch.
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saintpp added 19:30 - Mar 29 So the owners finally speak as fans were wanting them to and some still complain about that.
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lemmsy added 19:48 - Mar 29 Got saint Brock have a very short memory
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A_Saint_in_Stoke added 12:04 - Mar 30 Did anyone have to " balls " to ask - Who's decision it was " To continue keeping the previous excuse of a manager in that position for many months " when It was obvious to everyone that he was NOT suitable ---- with him taking our beloved Saints into the Championship. Then when almost " too late " PANICKING into finding a replacement. What was the thinking behind delaying the inevitable?

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