After the backlash on social media from Saints fans The Daily Echo changed its original arrow poster fro something more positive.

The Echo described their poster of an arrow with the inscription "The Goal's That Way" as a bit of fun but clearly it offended some supporters who felt that the paper was mocking the club rather than backing it in its hour of need.

Daily Echo Editor Ian Murray has spoken on the Echo's on line site.

“It was meant as a bit of light humour for fans at a family club, but we accept the joke wasn’t well received and apologise to those who failed to see the funny side.

“We are certain that the club and players understand the paper is totally behind them.

“We were disappointed that a very few so-called fans did use social media to threaten physical harm to members of the Echo staff and we will be passing on any information to the police to investigate.

"I am certain that the club and all true fans will agree with me that there is no place for violent threats in football, even when the joke falls flat.”

It is good to see that the paper accepts that it misjudged the mood a little and is big enough to back track and admit it was wrong, that will earn them a lot more respect from Saints fans and hopefully the Club and supporters will see the benefit that the local paper brings to a football club in terms of publicity and public relations etc.

The poster its original form does not appear, but The Echo have left the story up on its website for anyone to have a laugh or a groan over.

Instead, today’s centre pages carry a We March On poster, continuing support for the campaign that began in the paper over a week ago.

Photo: Action Images

SaintGeorge added 18:31 - Mar 3 Citizens of North Korea, fundamentalist religionists and Southampton supporters - that happy breed of men scourged of negativity, gazing up at the light. "O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother."

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Jasper added 00:22 - Mar 5 If you can't see that as a bit of fun you are truly a sad individual, don't tell me someone was "offended"!
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Newdawn2014 added 21:55 - Mar 5 I wouldn't say offended, but tasteless humour from the Echo , who are more worried about sales than offending fans.
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