THE FINAL, FINAL CURTAIN?

It may have been a relief to you, dear reader, that I have not posted much on here lately about Southampton Football Club. Last time I did, there was some optimism that Saints` talisman Matthew Le Tissier, aka Le God, would be successful in fronting a consortium to complete the takeover of the club. That prospect seems to have faded away, although despite a formal withdrawal from negotiations a couple of days ago, the Pinnacle Group appear not to have left the stage completely.

Now, a few years ago - even last year - the fact that Saints were in such dire straits would have been big-ish news in the print media and the airwaves. But the rapid demise of the club`s standing in the hierarchy of football has meant that even though we face the gravest situation in all the 124 years we`ve been going, hardly a squeak is heard and barely a word is written. In a way it`s a Godsend, for it leaves supporters like me to our own devices of misery without the rest of the football world either noticing or caring.

So, where are we today? The appointed Administrator, Mark Fry, seems to be in what must be desperate nogitiations with a `Swiss consortium` and another in a seemingly endless line of `mystery overseas potential investors.` Fry has said that if the sale of the club is not concluded by tomorrow (Friday) then the directors will have to consider `other options` - giving the dark hint that winding up procedures are likely to follow.

So maybe Homer is right to hold up his banner, for the fat lady sang and also left the stage a while ago. And yet, and yet, there are still hopes that Fry`s negotiations might succeed or that the avuncular Anthony Salz and his circle of well heeled Saints fan buddies will do as they promised and "not let the club die." But I wonder how much of a club there will be, as we`re down to the bare bones and a ten points deduction for the start of the new season, if indeed there is to be one. Maybe by this time tomorrow, when I`m off to Southampton anyway to check out the University with Sarah and her dad, we`ll know a bit more. It could be the final curtain at long last. And it might be a blessed relief after all.