Saints Chairman Ralph Krueger has made it quite clear what values Southampton Football Club is built on these days, trouble is the Daily Mail as always has its writers who seem to have a loyalty to the previous Saints Chairman who continue to try and savage the club at every turn.

Ralph Krueger gave an empassioned speech at the start of his discussion session at a meeting of "Leaders In Sport" about competing at the highest level.

When the 56-year-old was introduced at the event hosted at Stamford Bridge, he rose to his feet and gave an impassioned, pre-written spiel, even shouting by the end.

"We are Southampton, a club built on faith from the very beginning," he declared.

"We have our beliefs and our way of doing things that guide everything we do. We don't just buy success, we breed it. We don't take shortcuts, we earn it. Every second of every minute of every day."

"We've been to edge of abyss and come back stronger for no matter the pressure, however great the temptation, we never stop, we never lose faith, we keep moving forward. We are the Saints! It's not just a name, it’s who we are, we will be in that number, we march on."

Stirring words from the Saints Chairman and ones that every Saints fan will agree with and be pleased to hear, but this did not please Daily Mail reporter Sam Cunningham. Of course the Mail has history with Saints, it was the medium chosen by our former Cairman Nicola Cortese to put out his PR, mainly through Neil Ashton who was fighting the Swiss/Italian's corner not just when encouraged to do so with trips to overseas training camps etc, but within hours of Cortese leaving the club.

Since then certain writers at the Mail have never missed a chance to try and stir things up for Saints and this was another opportunity.

Cunningham described the speech as "a bizarre, fairly cringeworthy speech" that was greeted by "a smattering of applause".

Whether Cunningham was at the event or if he wasn't where he got this information from is unclear, but he certainly seems to have an agenda about the Club, football club Chairman and CEO's give speeches at events such as these on a regular basis, very few of them merit a mention in a national newspaper, but certain writers at the Mail seem to have a knack of getting stories like this out.

Photo: Action Images

froggysaint added 10:26 - Oct 8 Just the sort of rubbish I expect from the Mail. There may also be a lack of cultural understanding here as well as just crass journalism. We Brits are often embarrassed by expressions of faith or belief; this is not so in North America, where it is considered quite normal to be passionate about such things. What is beyond any doubt is the success of the Saints in the Liebherr era. We are the envy of most clubs in the league for the way we do things. Full speed ahead, and damn the torpedoes. COYS !!!!

4

A1079 added 12:44 - Oct 8 As much as I dislike the Daily Mail (indeed most newspapers), I have to admit, I find much of what Krueger says cringeworthy - I know they like that sort of stuff in North America, but it does not really sit comfortable here and in reality, he doesn't really say anything - he, like so many these days, is prone to bloviation. We as fans, have always known what values we admire and want from the club. All that aside, there is no doubting the wonderful impact the Liebherr era has had on the club, and long may it continue.

-3

BoondockSaint added 13:30 - Oct 8 It's only declared "Cringeworthy" because it wasn't said by the chairman of the big money clubs. If it had been, it would have been hailed as "A passionate affirmation of the legacy of a club steeped in tradition."
4

DPeps added 13:45 - Oct 8 he should have stood up and chanted 'we are Southampton, we came from League 1' until he was removed by security
2

SaintBrock added 15:00 - Oct 8 Great to see Ralph standing tall. The Wail mistakes facts for rhetoric. It takes a brave and decent man to nail his colours and ours to the mast and let's be clear he is not claiming any credit for himself. He is a believer and so must we be. It's who we are. Stuff the Wail and all those who sail and hopefully sink with her.
1

Consigliere added 16:27 - Oct 8 IGNORE THIS RAG! Instead I repeat the post I put on another thread which reads as follows: There is a very interesting article in today's Telegraph about why Rogers is unjustified in complaining about the transfer committee system and drawing attention to the much more successful model at Southampton whereby responsibility is shared amongst senior directors and staff. That is why (the Telegraph suggests) Saints have been much more successful in recruitment and have been able to withstand the loss of key personnel. The link is below, and supports the model of "Distributed Leadership" that is recommended for boardroom directors in the Walker review from 2009. Those who criticise Les Reed and others should read and learn: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/11916075/Liverpools-fa

1

Zambucco added 18:28 - Oct 8 I really like RK and how he conducts himself. It should also come as no surprise that his speeches are so good. He's recognised as one the foremost business and motivation coaches and speaks all over the world. How can anyone say it is cringeworthy? In that case Winston Churchill's speeches wouls also fall into that category and we would have lost the war! They bombed my granny!!! I love DPeps post, could you imagine that? I pee'd myself! #COYR #WeMarchOn

0

VancouverSaint added 03:09 - Oct 9 Ralph is very North American, no doubt, but his passion for Southampton seems genuine. KL passed the reigns over to a very good motivator and spokesman. The PL needs more Ralph's in the same position and maybe the division between "upstairs" and the players would narrow. On another note, we need Ron to be resigned with a lucrative contract as big as Klopp's. He has already proven himself in the PL but his persona and magnetism cannot be replaced overnight. With the new money coming next year his signature is more important than any player right now. Players will come because of him. Do it and don't be cheap, Ronald is worth it.

2

SaintBrock added 07:46 - Oct 11 Sadly I don't think he will. He's on a mission step-by-step and 3-year steps is his modus operandi. Sadly too, Ralph will be off next summer.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Derby County Polls