Sadly Saints supporters did not turn out in big numbers on Saturday.
Two years ago to the very week, Saints hosted Ajax in what was then the Ted Bates trophy, around 25,000 turned out to welcome the clubs new owner and saviour Markus Liebherr and gace him a rousing reception. Make no mistake many turned out for Markus, usually the Ted Bates Trophy would attract about 15,000 for its pre season annual fixture.
Turn the clocks forward 24 months and the Markus Liebherr memorial match and less than 10,000 Saints fans came to pay their respects.
This is not a political statement aimed at the new regime, to be blunt they had lined up an interesting day, it was reasonably priced against decent opposition and with the unveiling of the new kits too boot, they had also made it quite clear that this was an occasion to honour Markus for saving the club.
No this is a question aimed at Saints supporters and asking why so many could not be bothered too turn out and show their appreciation, after a suucesful season and given the tragic death of Markus a year ago I would have expected a crowd of at least double to be in attendance, forget the problems of car parking and price increases etc, whatever a Saints supporters thoughts on them surely it was a day to put things aside and pay their respects.
Im sure their will be some who will tell me how wrong I am to have expected a bigger crowd and will point out a plethora of excuses, but two years ago the circumstances were exactly the same, yet we all turned out in droves, why did we not do that this weekend ?
Of course i have my issues with the football club, as many will know, but it is still my football club and i have no problem to raising a glass in honour of Markus, im just saddened that so many chose not to join me !
The problem is that when you build up an event as was done on Saturday and make it quite clear what the aim of the day is for, it can leave a little sour taste when there was so many empty seats, if Markus's family where there on Saturday they must surely be disapointed that so many Saints fans have appeared ot have snubbed the game, it must put doubt into their minds about whether they should put more money into the club, after all so many Saints supporters seemed to have short memories when it came to why they should buy tickets for the game, they must question why they should bother putting their money into a foreign football club a long way from their home, when the supporters of that club seem unwilling to spend their own money to honour Markus.