HE is the man Saints fans have been waiting to hear from for years.

Today, in a Daily Echo exclusive, Gavyn Davies breaks his silence over the boardroom crisis and dramatically backs Michael Wilde's proposed new regime.

The multi-millionaire former BBC chairman, a lifelong Saints supporter with a personal fortune of at least £100m, leaves open the tantalising prospect of him investing in the club if Rupert Lowe loses his grip on power at St Mary's.

And such a respected figure in the City deciding to lend his support to Wilde could influence other wealthy backers to follow suit and throw their financial muscle behind the new regime.

Davies said: It is time for uncertainty surrounding the board structure and chairmanship of our football club to be settled once and for all.

"Rupert Lowe has done many good things in his time at the club, but given recent changes of share ownership, there is little prospect of moving forward as a united club under his leadership.

"Although I am not a shareholder, I therefore support Michael Wilde's proposals for board changes, and wish him well when he takes effective control of the club."

Davies' comments, with just 11 days to go to the EGM, will be seen as a blow to Lowe, who would hope to rely on significant City support in his bid to stay in control.

Davies was part of a consortium which attempted to take over Saints back in 1996 before then chairman Guy Askham and his board chose Lowe's option of a reverse takeover into small Bristol-based firm Secure Retirement.

Among Davies' colleagues back then was well-known media personality and Saints fan Sir David Frost.

Saints legend Lawrie McMenemy is a friend of Davies. McMenemy, when asked to comment about Davies' comments, said last night: "I don't think he supports things lightly.

"He has said it is time for a change in the current regime.

"When someone of his stature comes out with any statement people, certainly at City level, will sit up and take notice and I, for one, am delighted that he is fully behind the new Wilde team.

Saints Trust chairman Steve Godwin said: "I'm sure all fans will be delighted to hear that a fan with his sort of wealth might invest if Lowe goes.

"Just the fact he has given his backing at this time is a massive feather in the cap of the Wilde camp."



INSIDE TODAY'S ECHO

PETER CROUCH:

I get so annoyed at all this long-ball talk ...



MICHAEL WILDE:

Fans have their say on EGM debate postbag

RUPERT LOWE:

Trust give Wilde's manifesto their full backing

MARY CORBETT:

New face on Saints board if Wilde wins EGM



IN TOMORROW'S DAILY ECHO

Exclusive at home with Michael Wilde ...

Michael Wilde invites the Echo to his New Forest home to talk football and this time it's HIS turns to ask questions of Rupert Lowe ...