THANK YOU, MARKUS..

A day of two tragic losses in the world of football. First we heard of the sad death of Exeter City player Adam Stansfield at the age of just 31, following his battle with bowel cancer. A tragedy for his young family which has brought sympathy and understanding from the rest of the football community. Indeed, only a short while ago, I joined the tributes paid to Adam by fans of other clubs on the Exeter City Fans Forum.

And now it has just been announced that Southampton`s owner, Markus Liebherr, has passed away too. He was just 62. Just over a year ago, he bought Southampton FC and in so doing saved the club from almost certain liquidation, taking it out of administration, investing heavily from his reported £3billion fortune and making it possible for manager Alan Pardew to build a team that came within a whisker of the play offs despite a 10 point penalty deduction for being in administration and going on to win the JP Trophy on a memorable day at Wembley.

It`s no exaggeration to say that without Markus there would be no Southampton Football Club today. No more visits to St. Mary`s Stadium. No more meetings with old friends. Only memories of seasons past. Instead, Markus made the club`s reserrection possible and the secure future of Southampton FC will be his memorial. Thank you, Markus and may you rest in peace in the certain knowledge that you will never be forgotten by Saints fans everywhere.