FORMER Eastleigh FC boss Paul Doswell is adamant the local business community in Southampton would be willing to support Leon Crouch.

The Daily Echo revealed on Tuesday that Crouch had held talks with Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde with a view to each of them putting in £2m and wiping out Saints’ bank overdraft.

His proposal was refused, with Lowe and Wilde telling Crouch he could return to power if he could raise the £6m himself.

Crouch said he hasn’t got that amount of money, but would be happy to talk to anyone who would be prepared to financially support him.

Lifelong Saints fan Doswell is a prominent local businessman in the Southampton area and believes there are lots of people who would be happy to help New Forest businessman Crouch.

Doswell also believes a bond scheme aimed at Saints supporters would also work following any regime change in the coming weeks or months.

For a £1,000 donation, fans would get a £100 discount off a season ticket for ten years – so effectively getting their money back.

For their initial outlay, they would be handed a single share in a new privately owned club.

“If we could find 10,000 Saints fans willing to pay £1,000 we’d raise ten million pounds,” said Doswell.

“I have no idea how many would be willing to do this – it could be 5,000, 10,000, 25,000.

“I am convinced there are 100,000 people out there who care enough about this football club to want to do something.

“I am confident there are lots of local businessmen out there who would put £100,000 each in.

“These people would be made associate directors of the new private club which would be created after the PLC had been bought out.

“Three of them would be elected to the main board, which would also have a fans’ representative on it.

“There are enough local businessmen out there who have made a lot of money out of this city who could be prepared to put something back in.”

Doswell, now manager of Ryman League club Sutton United, said Saints’ slide greatly worries him.

“It’s not often in life that I’m left feeling helpless, but at the moment I do feel helpless with regards to the Saints’ situation,” he said.

“I have no idea if this idea would work.

“There are people who so far have stayed silent because that has suited them, but now is the time for people to stand up and be counted.

“There is a feeling of helplessness from the fans.

People can’t believe Michael Wilde helped Lowe get back in.

“Saints fans have always been proud to support their club, but they are starting to lose that pride.”

For more Saints news, including why an ex-Saint will be backing Swansea on Saturday, see today's Daily Echo.