Lowe closes on Saints return

Lowe: Southampton return

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Rupert Lowe is poised to complete his St Mary's return after Southampton chairman Leon Crouch and the rest of the board stood down on Thursday.

Former Saints chairman Lowe was removed from the role in 2006 but has now joined forces with the man who replaced him, Michael Wilde, to reclaim power on the South Coast.

News of Lowe and Wilde's alliance will likely surprise the club's supporters, given Wilde was staunchly anti-Lowe when he mounted his own takeover almost two years ago.

Crouch and directors Patrick Trant and Keith Wiseman have therefore resigned rather than face inevitable defeat in Friday's EGM. Chief executive Lee Hoos stood down on Tuesday.

In a statement given to the Southern Daily Echo, Crouch said: "It is with great regret that I have to announce my resignation as chairman of Southampton Football Club.

"It is a decision I have taken very reluctantly but which has been forced upon me by Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde, who requisitioned an EGM.

"Even though most fans do not want them back, the harsh fact is that they and a handful of allies would have had enough shares to guarantee victory."

Suspicion

Lowe's return will be met with suspicion among some quarters of Southampton's support, many of whom hold him responsible for the club's decline.

Southampton are now losing money at an alarming rate, with Crouch having failed to find outside investment despite talks with various interested parties, and narrowly avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the season.

Nigel Pearson's job as manager could now come under threat despite masterminding those last-day heroics against Sheffield United.

But Crouch added: "With Nigel in charge, I do believe we have a great chance of a successful season. I sincerely hope he is allowed to stay because I know he is the right man for the job."

A statement to the Stock Exchange confirmed Lowe, Wilde and former managing director Andrew Cowen have been appointed directors of Southampton Leisure Holdings plc, the club's parent company.

Saints say they will make a further announcement regarding the changes at board level in due course.