.......BUT IT`S NOT ALL BAD

So, a week of high hopes and expectation came to a grinding halt . A week ago, we thought we might qualify for the finals of the European Football Championships, win the Rugby World Cup and see Lewis Hamilton win the F1 Drivers Championship at the first attempt.

In chez Snopper, the failure of our footballers has been received with mixed feelings, the close run thing that is Lewis Hamilton with indifference but the gallant defeat of our rugby team has produced feelings of disappointment but also of pride in the team, the management but perhaps most of all in the dignity with which the defeat was accepted. Truly, the rugby world is a million miles away from the avarice of `soccer` and the political incorrectness of Formula One.

But it hasn`t been all bad. Southampton FC came through a harrowing game against Cardiff City, live before a world-wide Sky audience yesterday with a narrow 1-0 victory, all this despite having no less than five centre backs out with various injuries. And just this afternoon comes news of a possible takeover of the club by a mystery investor who is willing to pump large sums of money into improving our fortunes.

Mystery does indeed surround the identity of this potential saviour - Ray Ranson and his consortium have been suggested - but my sources close to the white heat of the Southampton boardroom suggest that the investor is, in fact, female. My money is on JK Rowling.

(JK Rowling exudes satisfaction at prospect of elevation to Sainthood)

Well, "Harry Potter and the Stadium of Dreams" does have a ring to it. So, after a few days of disappointing results for our national `heroes,` once again Saints FC make it possible to give a shrug to the world, breathe `Oh, well` once more and look forward to a future full of mystery and bewilderment.