Supporters Group Meeting at St Marys Today. Important News About the Future.

I have just had the pleasure of attending a meeting with David Luker, Brendan McGlinchey and Nicola Cortese at St Marys about future plans for the Stadium and ticketing arrangements for Pompey. I’ll try to keep it brief as possible as the club will be making official statements in the near future.

Firstly the biggest news, and this is likely to split opinion down the middle I suspect. It is the clubs intentions that, as from next season, they will move the away fans over to the Chapel/Kingsland corner rather than the Northam/Itchen corner as it is now. This is for 2 reasons. Firstly, Nicola Cortese feels that the vocal supporters (or ‘the orchestra’ as he calls it) should have the opportunity to take over an entire end to produce a wall of sound the full width of the stadium and produce a much larger, more focused area for our loudest support.

Secondly, the Chapel block directly next to the away fans will not be available to season ticket holders. This is so, in the long term, people will not be turfed from their seats to allow larger away fan allocations for cup games as is happening with the 5th round against Pompey. This area will be ordinarily available for general sales for league fixtures though so there won’t just be an empty block sat there.

It is important to say though that this is just in the planning stage at the moment and the official site will be launching a poll in the next few days to ascertain fans views on the plan. There will be a thread issued on the forum as soon as that poll is in place and we currently will not be running a poll ourselves before anyone asks!

Next up is the ticket allocation for the Pompey game. Pompey have been issued with 4100-4200 tickets so only block 42 will be moved from their seats. They will then obviously be given priority on where they wish to be relocated. The club would ideally like these supporters to relocate themselves around the Northam/Kingsland corner but they suspect the majority will go for blocks 1-4. The good news is that block 1 will be open except for a one seat thick segregation for police and stewards.

Tickets will initially go on sale to season ticket holders only at an allocation of one each. It will then go on 2 stages of general sale, the first being tied in to also buying a ticket for the Walsall game (or next available home game you can attend after that). People will obviously have to be on the database as well for this stage of sales. The second stage will then just be general sale to all supporters that are registered on the database, first come, first served.

Again, there will be an official announcement shortly on this from the OS.

There were also a number of other subjects discussed which were mainly focused around making St Marys more user friendly. These included looking at a ‘non-cash’ utility being set up at the bars where supporters will be able to use a token or swipe card system to purchase beer and food. They also wish to work on making the stadium a more hospitable and warm place to come to to encourage pre-match socializing at the ground. They are also very much aware of the issue with the crap beer currently being served and will definitely be addressing this when the current contract is up in the summer.

The main onus though was that the club really want the fans to be involved in these changes and any future development. These fans meetings, as I attended today, will be regular affairs and we will be looking at your input for future meetings so watch this space. I’d like to thank David and Brendan for their time and I’d also like to give special thanks to Nicola Cortese who sat in for the entire meeting and was very approachable and very passionate about where the club is going.

Comments below please I!

Moving the away fans up the other end, wont make the atmosphere better. As people will merely swap ends.

Sounds good. The decision to place database only restrictions for the Portsmouth game is understandable. However, if this is to become common for this sort of game it is vital that the club become more proactive in getting people on the database. Free or very cheap lifetime memberships would be a good start.

Moving the away fans to where the 'Family Stand' section is at the moment makes perfect sense, although where the 'family area' will be now who knows. Moving everyone over to the Northam end and ensuring everyone can be secure that we have one end completely to ourselves is an excellent move.

All in a good write up of an encouraging meeting.

If this happens, I'll be relocating to the Kingsland.

The whole point that the Northam has its atmosphere is because it's next to away fans.

Regardless of individual views on specific topics, this type of meeting/discussion is an excellent step forward and brings "my" club back to the fans.

Moving the away fans up the other end, wont make the atmosphere better. As people will merely swap ends.

Agree, the orchestra always gravitates to the away fans. the only way you can get the best of both worlds is by sticking away fans on the side, say, in the Itchen North like we did at the Dell when we reclaimed the Archers.

Moving the away fans up the other end, wont make the atmosphere better. As people will merely swap ends.

LoL exactly it will just be musical chairs with the whole ground moving around and we'll just move near the away fans again.

i have a season ticket in block 42, i assume i will have to move for the cup game?

Am encouraged that we have these plans in place although not too sure that moving the away fans will work but we'll see

well at least I can see the vision of what NC is thinking of. The Northam has the potential to be an uintimidating end full of vocal saints fans. Wew again could have an area that will be well known for its intimidation to the away team. A fantastic idea, but sadly I feel there are so many entrenched into 'I want to stand next to the away fans' for banter/abuse/ looking big/ or genuinely wanting to fight a rival.

I myself think it is the best idea for a long time.

Put the away fans in the Kingsland near the Northam. Problem solved.

The whole point that the Northam has its atmosphere is because it's next to away fans.

Like I said, this will split opinion and a large number of fans will move I suspect. The thing is though, if you attend a lot of away games, you'll notice most clubs have a 'home end' which is usually the end opposite the away fans. I think St Marys is quite unusual in the fact that the loudest support is focused directly next to the away fans. Personally, I think the idea of us having an entire end, who are very vocal, is a good one.

Moving the away fans to where the 'Family Stand' section is at the moment makes perfect sense, although where the 'family area' will be now who knows.

I think the Familly Stand is now the entire Chapel, so they won't have to move, unless they want to avoid the young 'uns getting shouted at by away fans.

Good news on the beer front, and I agree Saints should make much more revenue from fans eating/drinking on match days. With the current offerings, they won't make too much!

Anyone go to Walsall where the Saddlers must have raked it in from the Saints hordes in their vast Social Club? Shame there is no such facility at SMS, although may be room somewhere?!

Put the away fans in the Kingsland near the Northam. Problem solved.

Or the Itchen North. Whats more practical?

LoL exactly it will just be musical chairs with the whole ground moving around and we'll just move near the away fans again.

Futile, you will be drowned out much like the Northam and itchen as the volume is divided.

well at least I can see the vision of what NC is thinking of. The Northam has the potential to be an uintimidating end full of vocal saints fans. Wew again could have an area that will be well known for its intimidation to the away team. A fantastic idea, but sadly I feel there are so many entrenched into 'I want to stand next to the away fans' for banter/abuse/ looking big/ or genuinely wanting to fight a rival.

I myself think it is the best idea for a long time.

It's not that. Being next to the away fans just gives a bit of atmosphere and is more fun.

other requests:

decent pre-season tour venues

tell the stewards to be a bit more laid back like MK Dons were with standing

add away attendances in brackets next to match attendance to the stats page of the programme.

Or the Itchen North. Whats more practical?

Can't be there. Too close to corporate.

People have been suggesting moving the away fans to that corner so we can have a full Northam. Are people really going to all relocate? Chapel the new Northam??!!

Regardless of individual views on specific topics, this type of meeting/discussion is an excellent step forward and brings "my" club back to the fans.

Markus can I take this opportunity to thank you in person

Seriously, all good stuff, thanks for the update

I see what they're thinking by getting our more vociferous supporters to take a whole end, but as others have already pointed out, I wonder how many of the vocal fans will want to relocate so that they'll be sitting next to the away fans. I am sure they will miss the 'banter' is they're sat too far away.

A reintroduction of the membership scheme in in order IMO. I would also have not just linked the sale of the P*mpey tickets to a future game but firstly with a history of purchase (of perhaps 4 games so far) this season. Not fussed about where they move the away fans, although escorts to the opposite corner may cause problems.

But it does mean that away fans wont be behind either goal, which happens at various grounds like Leicester, Wolves and Villa.

sounds very professional, long may it continue

Thanks Son of Bob.

All good stuff.

One question though...... Do we really want the away fans right next to all the kids in the family stand?

Not sure about the relocation of away fans. The best thing for atmosphere is sandwiching them in between 2 singing areas. All that will happen is you will get all the 'wannabes' ( the people who like to spend the game posturing but in reality would run a mile if confronted ) moving into the blocks near them.

Part of football is the banter with away fans, not sure pushing them into a quiet little corner would help things.

Then again... with our barmies, having our own 'kop' might work.

Would be nice to get a certain number of meal or drinks vouchers with your season ticket.

Like I said, this will split opinion and a large number of fans will move I suspect. The thing is though, if you attend a lot of away games, you'll notice most clubs have a 'home end' which is usually the end opposite the away fans. I think St Marys is quite unusual in the fact that the loudest support is focused directly next to the away fans. Personally, I think the idea of us having an entire end, who are very vocal, is a good one.

True- but primarily works when you give away fans a complete end and accept they'll be empty seats - also need to shut off parts of the sides around the away end. If you give them a corner or half an away end and don't shut off the sides-thinking of Oldham this season or Preston last season- the orchestra will converge on the away fans. Only exception is probably Leeds but that's due to historical reasons.

I think you mean Block 42 will move for the cup game not block 41, I thought for a moment I could have my own seat but obviously not.

Put the away fans in the Kingsland near the Northam. Problem solved.

Oh yeah put them at the exact spot where the majority of Saints fans leave the stadium surrounds.

Genius.

Can't be there. Too close to corporate.

True well pointed out.

Oh yeah put them at the exact spot where the majority of Saints fans leave the stadium surrounds.

 

Genius.

What is your solution then Einstein?

can't see the point in this movement of away fans. I wonder how they are going to seperate home and away fans like they do at present by closing the car park?

It's not that. Being next to the away fans just gives a bit of atmosphere and is more fun.

TBF We're always on about how much better the atmosphere is at away games when we have been allocated a decent end and everybody gets involved in the singing. I'm all for it because I remember the good old days of the Milton, plus we might actually get people getting behind the team rather than spending the game bating the opposition fans.

One question though...... Do we really want the away fans right next to all the kids in the family stand?

Thats a very good point, not sure I'd want it next to my little ones TBH

I think you mean Block 42 will move for the cup game not block 41, I thought for a moment I could have my own seat but obviously not.

Sorry, my bad. I have ammended the original post. Yes it's 42 that will move. Pompey have been given 42-48. Block 41'ers will remain in their seats!

TBF We're always on about how much better the atmosphere is at away games when we have been allocated a decent end and everybody gets involved in the singing. I'm all for it because I remember the good old days of the Milton, plus we might actually get people getting behind the team rather than spending the game bating the opposition fans.

I don't bait opposition fans but I think it adds to the atmosphere to have the away fans right next to us. Also the atmosphere is better at away games because we are directly next to home supporters!

Thats a very good point, not sure I'd want it next to my little ones TBH

No, it is my understanding that the family area will be moved, as will the disabled area.

Put the away fans in the Kingsland near the Northam. Problem solved.

this

What is your solution then Einstein?

Give them Itchen North instead. Easy to Police, control box overlooking, many clubs have 'away' fans infront of their exec boxes and there is not the demand for many of them whilst we are in League 1 / Championship.

Alot of people go to footy for the banter.

not impressed

They have that token/card system as the Amsterdan Arena...not the greatest idea ever after experiencing it with England.

Also, only one seat thick segregation against Pompey...good luck Hants constab/stewards!

TBF We're always on about how much better the atmosphere is at away games when we have been allocated a decent end and everybody gets involved in the singing. I'm all for it because I remember the good old days of the Milton, plus we might actually get people getting behind the team rather than spending the game bating the opposition fans.

Exactly. The singing will still be focused in the direction of the away fans with the added bonus that you can focus your attention on the away fans whilst also watching the game. Surely everyone's a winner!

No, it is my understanding that the family area will be moved, as will the disabled area.

Well in that case, all that will happen is the 'northam' will become the 'chapel' and you will get people using the block directly next to the away fans as an unreservered area where people will just go and stand.

Give them Itchen North instead. Easy to Police, control box overlooking, many clubs have 'away' fans infront of their exec boxes and there is not the demand for many of them whilst we are in League 1 / Championship.

 

Alot of people go to footy for the banter.

This won't happen because of the corporate area.

 

Also, only one seat thick segregation against Pompey...good luck Hants constab/stewards!

That did sound a little brave to me as well

That did sound a little brave to me as well

That's how it was for the previous Pompey games and it worked OK.

Put the away fans in the Kingsland near the Northam. Problem solved.

Exactly.

I am for moving the away fans into a corner.

Why put them behind a goal so their team is shooting towards them.

I also agree that the Northam Kingsland corner is a no no. Too much chance of trouble there and block my route home as well. I generally sit in blocks 33-34.

If they do put them opposite the Northam then each set of fans would be able to hear each other better.

If you sit in the Northam you can't hear the away fans anywhere near as well as if you are sitting in the Kingsland or Itchen, but of course you can eyeball them. it's all down to what you want from your matchday experience.