TheAlehouseBrawlers

I was around for the 1966 World Cup Final but can’t remember a single thing about it. The first time I really started to take an interest was 1970 with a sketchy recollection of the FA Cup final replay and the World Cup. From 1970 onwards I was hooked, every FA Cup final was special (until we won it and it was never the same again) and the 1974 WC remains my favourite despite England not qualifying (same for ‘78 but another glorious tournament). I started going regularly to the Dell in the 1971/72 season, over the next decade I only missed one home league game (saw most but not all cup games), saw us relegated, win the FA Cup and get to the quarter finals in Europe the following season. Promoted back to the top flight, League Cup Final and the signing of some fantastic big name footballers leading up to the biggest of all time at SFC in Kevin Keegan. I miss the old terraces and atmospheres, the big seventies centre forwards like Peter Osgood, Malcolm McDonald and Martin Chivers to name a few, even being a staunch Southampton supporter, I loved watching other teams back then. Keegan and Toshack, what a pairing. Guess I’m just getting a bit nostalgic, t’s been a sad 24 hours hearing of KK’s cancer and the deaths of Chiv and Terry Yorath, where did all those years go?

I only started going a few years after he left so wasn’t much aware of his SFC playing days. Great player but used to annoy me a bit that he never seemed to acknowledge his roots, can never remember him mentioning he was from or played for Southampton. Bit like Graham Roberts But sad news and also on the same day as announcement of Kev Keegan diagnosed with cancer. RIP Big Chiv and speedy recovery King Kev.

What a choice, sitting on the bench in the Bundesliga for a club that averages 57,000 at home with a raucous atmosphere or sitting on the bench for the undroppable Baz in the sleepy English second division...maybe he's changed his mind?

30 years ago today we were stuffing the skates 3-0 at the Dell in the FA Cup. Other than TCWTB playing with his clanger their fans were by far the quietist bunch that visited that season. Trying to find some light relief from the shower of shit we call our football club these days. ….and good news about Brooks…… #tumbleweed

Yeah, it strangely used to add something watching a game on a white frozen pitch and an orange ball, did little for the quality of play but made for a different experience. A regular occurrence in the 70s/80s. Fortunately I can only remember being on the road once when a game was called off when we were on the way to Wolves in the 70s and found another game on the way back. Now 2,500 sold for this Saturday, fingers crossed for those travelling.

There's around 75 tickets available on the OS but I'd guess the two blocks past the available seats haven't been put on sale yet. Would guess around 2,000 sold so far and following straight after another long trip to MIddlesbrough can't see the full 3,000 being taken up. These are on general sale, can't see your Donny address being an issue for buying online tbh. https://tickets.southamptonfc.com/selection/event/seat?perfId=10229155095219&ot=0&gtmStepTracking=true

Maybe not - regular thing in the area apparently https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25731157.southampton-fc-fans-cars-stripped-thieves-near-st-andrews/

I remember that and other Boxing Day matches quite fondly from the early 70s. Anytime I smell the aroma of a cigar takes me straight back as so many had them stuck in their gobs at those games, along with a splash of Brut or Old Spice. Good times.

There's around 70 tickets available on the OS https://tickets.southamptonfc.com/selection/event/seat?perfId=10229144644862&productId=10229001095987

This might help? https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/saints-tickets-app-update https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25711977.southampton-fc-issue-important-ticket-update-ahead-coventry-clash/

Yeah at both of those, 20 goals in the two games, different times. The 5-5 was the same evening that HMS Sheffield was sunk in the Falklands which overshadowed any enjoyment. Soon after I first started going we'd lost 7-0 at Leeds and 8-0 at Everton. Should have put me off for life!

You can see how this would escalate if we got back to the PL. P&O have clearly been allocated ’x’ amount of tickets for every game as part of their sponsorship and they’re probably not particularly bothered if they’re taken up or not. It’s their entitlement and I’d imagine they’re not handing them back as their clients may decide last minute to use them. It’s the same with home games too, I’m a member so go on to buy tickets and regularly see blocks show as sold out but then have the same empty seats most weeks.

Songs and our support are not happy bedfellows. I noticed our fans singing something recently and expected it was going to be about Leo Scienza - “When the Samba rythmn starts to play…” - he’s Brazilian, it’s a Brazilian dance so kind of made sense. Unfortunately they were singing it about….Tom Fellows

So what's the thing with this triangle of missing seats?

Boys From The Blackstuff was another excellent bit of TV.