A DAY OF CONTRASTS...

For a lifelong Saints fan, this morning is one to be savoured, as last evening Southampton FC saw off the challenge from MK Dons to reach the Final of the Johnstones Paint Trophy. Don`t laugh. This competition has history. It is really the Football League Trophy, open to all clubs in the second and third tiers of the Football League. However, with sponsorship being what it is, the trophy has taken on many guises over the years, viz:-

Associate Members' Cup (1983-1984)
Freight Rover Trophy (1984-1987)
Sherpa Van Trophy (1987-1989)
Leyland DAF Cup (1989-1991)
Autoglass Trophy (1991-1994)
Auto Windscreens Shields Trophy (1994-2000)
LDV Vans Trophy (2000-2007)
Johnstone's Paint Trophy

And so we`re off to Wemberley (pictured above) for the Final against Carlisle United on 28th March. The last time I was at the old Wembley Stadium for a Cup Final was in 1976, when Saints beat Manchester United 1-0 with a goal by the late Bobby Stokes. I still have my programme and my ticket as a lasting reminder of that glorious day - so glorious that HM The Queen handed out the medals that day and clearly decided that football couldn`t possibly get any better, so she has never been since.

But as we Saints fans are dancing in the streets this morning, at the same time our near neighbours and fiercest rivals Portsmouth FC are in the High Court fighting a winding-up petition from HM Customs and Excise, to whom they owe millions in tax and national insurance payments. I`ve been following their progress this morning and, as I write, the case has been adjourned until 2.00pm this afternoon. Whatever the outcome, however, it is clear that they are in dire straits with an uncertain future, not least our televised FA Cup game against them on Saturday.

Now, maybe I should be celebrating their problems as much as I do the resurgence of the Saints. But then I remember that about this time last year, we ourselves were placed in administration. My shares became worthless, my loyalty stretched, the bottom of a deep slough of despond reached. So I won`t rejoice at the plight of our neighbours because we`ve been where they are and it ain`t pleasant. But something inside me suggests that they should at least suffer the same fate that befell us - administration, points deduction, relegation, all of which we suffered as a result of mismanagement by a series of misguided incompetents but who, in contrast to those responsible for Portsmouth`s decline, now appear positively benign.

So it`s a day on contrasting fortunes in south coast football. Saints fans are over the moon. Pompey fans might end it as sick as parrots. After all, it`s a game of two halves. To be fair.

BREAKING NEWS : It seems that the High Court have adjourned Portsmouth`s `case` for seven working days for them to demonstrate their ability to pay their debts - presumably not just to HMRC but everyone else who are owed - and to return to the Court to resume the case at the end of next week. That may sound like a stay of execution but the fat lady is still gargling. (Snigger!)