SAINTS fan Mike Jones has had a blast at Saints in a letter to the Daily Echo.

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Jones writes: "Why are Saints fans so accepting of the failures of the club's directors to manage the finances of the club?

Can anyone explain to me why we bend over so easily when clubs come knocking at our door?

When we sell players we always allow the deals to be done in such a way that we only get a small fee up front and the rest is down to clauses that may never transpire.

We need to maximise all fees so we get maximum cash up front.

If clubs want our players, and these players want to leave, then play hard ball.

If the club backs away and the player still wants to leave, then make him ask for a transfer or knuckle down and be a professional and continue playing without causing unrest.

It astounds me that the so-called die-hard fans that are our glorious board members seem to me unwilling to put their money where their mouths are.

Whilst not being the mega rich money men of the Premiership, they could surely club together to fund some transfers.

Players such as Lee Hendrie are available on free transfers and the Premiership is awash with players that could be used via the loan system.

Bt no, our glorious leaders sit idly by expecting us to buy season tickets and new kits, etc.

The set-up does not allow any potential investors to put money in, so the directors should be moving heaven and earth to change that situation and should keep us informed as much as possible.

This was once a family club that was torn apart by Rupert Lowe and is now being run into obscurity by its current incumbents.

The humiliation that fans face daily while we watch our neighbours pull streets ahead of us is a disgrace.

We are sick of the slide we have been on for over ten years now.

Open up, Southampton FC, as we are in danger of sliding into football obscurity with crowds falling due to a lack of respect being shown to us by our own club."

Mike Jones, Thornhill.