After the press picking up the recent report by the Independent Football Ombudsman I feel that I should clarify the situation.
Some people will be aware that last summer a situation developed with my season ticket to watch Saints, something I had held since 1978/79 season, back then I kept this a private matter, issuing only one statement in August due to their being speculation on message boards, since then I have said nothing publicly, despite parts of the media asking me to do so at various times.
I chose to follow the correct procedures and i chose to keep this private, as the report stated i sought nothing apart from the re instatement of my season ticket and i had no wish to engage in a public argument with Southampton Football Club.
The report is very concise and documents the situation from start to finish, as it states both myself & the club have had several opportunities to give expanations and for their part the club chose not to do so, although it is also documented that they clarified that I was not barred from the ground only barred from holding a season ticket.
At this moment in time I do not know why the club chose this course of action, they initially accepted by season ticket payment only to refund it without any reason or notification, I can only assume that it was because of a statement issued in early June by The Saints Trust asking the club to re consider its stance over the season ticket repayment plan and asking for a meeting with Nicola Cortese regarding this matter.
Given the amount of supporters, both Trust Members who had contacted us or those who had expressed their dismay through the media and internet message boards, this was not an unreasonable or confrontational request, the Trust had been in regular meetings with the club customer services department up until May of 2010, at this point in time, I and The Saints Trust had been nothing other than supportive of Nicola Cortese and the club itself. Ironcally I did not need to use the repayment scheme myself, I was in the fortunate position of having the money to buy the ticket in full, I was merely trying to put the case of those not so fortunate.
I do not wish this to be a public battle, as stated in the report I have been a supporter for nearly 40 years and a season ticket holder for over 30 seasons, I seek nothing but to continue to follow the club and see it succeed, indeed I have attended all but one of this seasons games, both home and away. I think my past shows that whilst I have been willing to stand up and give my opinions, I have always had the clubs best interests and indeed that of its supporters at heart.
If the club no longer wishes to acknowledge supporters associations that is their right to do so, if the supporters themselves do not wish supporters representatives then again that is their right.
The facts of the situation are recorded in the IFO report and the IFO's subsequent ruling, I have nothing further to add at this point in time, Im hopeful that common sense will now prevail and that perhaps both the club and myself have leant something from this situation and it can now be resolved amicably.