aussiesaint20

Someone try and stop us on a decent pitch!! LOVING THIS. Crowd sounds fantastic!

Thanks for that! I'll need to get my hands on a copy if it makes it in there. Still considering a Wembley trip..I've worked out I can probably fit four games in, including the Brighton away match and not be away too long. The airfare is the drama, perhaps I will swim or possibly work out a deal with the Isreali government where they keep my passport in exchange for a return flight to London..who knows!

Appreciate all the responses guys! Before I flew over I was planning on writing about my experiences if we beat Pom*ey. But I figured the result didn't really change the message. The response so far has definately justified that decision. Just glad I didn't fly over for the Wycombe match! Average listening..

No, a Collingwood fan. But I think a majority of the Australian born Southampton fans would be St.Kilda saints fans for obvious reason. Off for the night now, timezones etc. If someone could pass that on to the club or tell me where to send it that would be appreciated. Will be up nice and early for Tuesdays match and I have to say it's a lot easier getting early out of bed to listen these days than what it was last season! Thanks again for the responses.

Well growing up in the 90's in Melbourne AFL was the be all and end all as far as sport was concerned, but I always had more of a fascination with Football. I had an Uncle who was born in Southampton and that was the only link I needed at that age and havn't regretted my decision since. As far as coming over for the Wembley match, of course I would love to, but obviously the flights arn't exactly cheap. Never say never though. Thanks to everyone else who has replied, I thought it was a story worth telling. It's been a complete joy watching the last 6 months unfold after what happened at the end of last season.

I've recently returned to Melbourne after making the flight over for the Pom*ey match. I'm 22, born and bred in Melbourne and a lifelong Saints fan. It was my second trip to Southampton, the first in late 2008/early 2009 and I've written a letter about my experiences on both trips to the club. I wasn't exactly sure to who and where to send the letter so thought I would start by posting it here. Hopefully you guys enjoy reading it! What a difference a year can make. On the 5th of February 2009 I was heading home to Australia after six months abroad, full of lifelong memories but also with a heavy heart. I had, since as a young boy growing up in Melbourne supporting the Saints, been able to live a lifelong dream of witnessing a Southampton match in person. However, after attending 3 losses and 5 draws in front of half full stadiums and hearing first hand about the clubs dire financial difficulties from passionate supporters I struggled to imagine how this great club could turn it all around. Fast forward almost 12 months to the day and I am sitting at Melbourne airport in my Southampton away kit about to start the first stage of an 8 day trip to once again visit my old friend. The despair and concern I left with had been replaced by hope and excitement, for I was on my way to see my first South Coast derby. I knew from watching past fixtures between the clubs that I was about to witness something unique. The passion that English Football evokes from all involved is what originally grabbed me and continues to fascinate me to this day. One of the first questions I would ask of all Southampton fans in my original visit was to describe their experiences of matches against Pompey, I was gripped to every response and knew from then on that I would do everything in my power to see a derby in person. However, I knew with the two-division gap between the clubs it was unlikely to be anytime soon. On the 25th of January I woke earlier than normal at 5am to listen to the 5th round FA Cup draw, I was hoping for a winnable tie to help us progress into the Quarter Finals. Still half asleep I can recall hearing club after club being called until there were only two left, Southampton and Portsmouth. When Southampton were called first a few minutes of excited random noises and movements followed, as I knew exactly what this meant to everyone involved in the club. At that point in time I made the decision that I will be there when the teams walk out. Although, I knew that I was still to face one giant obstacle, securing a ticket. The story behind securing that ‘golden ticket’ dates back 14 months to my first ever away trip. I was excited to get my second taste of Southampton football after a scoreless draw to Plymouth on a freezing Tuesday night at St Marys to open my Saints campaign. I was probably the only Southampton fan that night to leave the ground grinning from ear to ear, after years of watching from thousands of miles, I had finally been a part of it. I arrived 90 minutes early to the Antigallican, a designated away fans pub in Charlton. The pre match banter and friendliness between supporters was something I had never experienced before and will never forget. The first half was again a stalemate and I went out at halftime to get a drink. A conversation started up between myself and a lady named Chrissy, she was fascinated to hear a lifelong Australian Saints view on her club. I mentioned my love for Le Tissier, the nervous last day struggles and the thrill of watching the Strachen years unfold back in Australia. Chrissy introduced me to her two other Southampton friends at the match Martyn and Barry. I mentioned that I would be staying around for another couple of months and before I could say another word, I was offered a ticket to the next home match and an invitation for a pre-match drink. This warm, friendly and inviting attitude I found to be synonymous with every Saints fan I had a chance to meet. The close, family like atmosphere is what I remember most from my first trip. My second away trip was booked for Crystal Palace nine days later. I was blown away with the atmosphere at my first away match and couldn’t wait for Tuesday night to come around. Unfortunately on arrival to the ground I was informed that my ticket had not arrived, although my account had been debited. I was shattered and was forced to watch the 3-0 loss in a tiny Crystal Palace pub. First thing the next morning I called the club and not so calmly explained what had happened the previous night. The ticketing office was apologetic and to my surprise offered me a ticket to the Manchester United FA Cup 3rd round match. All was forgiven. Another loss and a draw at home followed before I got the chance to see what I had witnessed from back in Melbourne so many times. A loud, proud sold out Southampton home match. Although the crowd was diluted somewhat through Man United ‘supporters’ it was still an unbelievable experience to see a full St Mary’s in all its glory. The game itself was not memorable but the day will be something that I will never forget! Before I flew home I witnessed a loss to Doncaster and a draw to Swansea, taking my personal Southampton record to a dismal 3 Losses, 5 Draws and a no-ticket. Although, as stated before I left not knowing what would be of Southampton football club in the future I was able to take home so many positives. The best of which, were all the fantastic Southampton people I met and spoke to on my journey. Especially Chrissy, Barry and Martyn who made my time in Southampton so much easier and enjoyable. I knew that if I was to return, I would be welcomed with open arms, not only be them but by all Southampton supporters. Thanks to Barry securing me a ticket for the FA Cup match a year later I returned, Tuesday morning 5am at Heathrow. I was again filled with that same excitement as my first ever Southampton match, again it was a Tuesday fixture but this time something was different. I was confident, comforted in the fact that this was the beginning of a new era at Southampton Football Club. I had checked with trepidation every day after I returned home on the financial troubles leading to Mr Liebherr’s takeover. Glimpses of false hope would shine through, but the majority of the time there seemed to be no escape for a club who had made their name on great escapes. As can only be expected from a Saints supporter who has been through so much heartbreak, I was sceptical of the new ownership at first, as one must be in English Football these days. But when, at almost regular intervals big signings were announced I was again filled with hope, ambition, anticipation and excitement for this great club. It was fantastic to finally log-on to see who we had signed rather than who we had been forced to sell. Waigo, Lambert, Hammond the names kept coming and with the signing of Alan Pardrew as manager I was confident that Southampton was finally heading back in the right direction. I am very thankful to Mr Liebherr and Mr Cortese for what they have done. As I have heard others say, and I completely agree, they have made Southampton ‘fun’ again. On the night of the MK Dons match I was able to observe first hand the change, not just in the playing group that ran out, but in the faces of the supporters, the way they talked excitedly about that nights match, the Pompey game, a trip to Wembley and the future. I can’t start to explain how relieving and exciting that was to see. When only twelve months ago, the faces were glum and the conversation barely mentioned what was happening on the pitch. The match itself and the chants of Wembley were inspiring, I understand how much the trip to Wembley means to the supporters and they all deserve it after sticking with the club through recent years. However now that the first part of my trip was completed, it was full steam ahead to the FA cup match on Saturday. I had been informed by so many of what to expect but when the day arrived it was nothing like what I expected. The passion and emotion involved in this match is something I still cannot believe, I was in the Northam only meters away from the away fans and was completely caught up in the non-stop tribal like support from all Southampton fans for the whole 90 minutes. Regardless of the result, I can leave this time confident in the fact that my beloved Southampton is in secure hands, the future looks bright and the saints will again go marching in. Back home I have told anyone with two ears of what I experienced and have done my best to spread the worldwide image of a club built on passion, competitiveness and drama, the Southampton Football Club. Until next time, Come on you Reds! Trevor Foy

Horrible echo in here..

Again I think with away trips a lot comes down to the state of the pitch. Could someone tell me what we're in for at Wycombe? On a good surface at home or away with the side that played on Saturday I just can't for the life of me seeing how we won't win. Saturday was a complete controlled performance against a team who was flying on top of this league. Only extreme bad luck and dodgy pitches will cost us 3 points for the remainder of the year.

Could anyone tell me how the Norwich pitch is looking? I think with all the skill that we possess in our starting line up we become undone on muddy, hopeless grounds.

Can't believe this! Should I refund my airfare?

Can't they just hang on for 2 more weeks, for clear selfish reasons. Doesn't sound too good though.

Have a ticket and have booked my flights for the Pompey game. How serious is the chance of them not being around for our FA cup clash?? I'm also over for the Dons game but not sure if that's really worth the return airfare. Stressing a little. Please put my mind at ease.

As a non season ticket holder, sitting here in Melbourne stressing at missing out on a ticket and swapping and changing between different flights for different dates. Could anyone offer me some advice and evaluate my chances of landing a ticket? Will pay a very high price. Help needed!

Hoping someone can answer a question of mine in regards to the database. I went to 7 Matches when I was over last season, havn't been this season due to being in Australia. I am desperate for a ticket to this game and will buy a Walsall ticket even though I won't be able to attend. Can I book via phone? I was hoping the sale dates would be earlier so I could get my flight organised. Any help would be greatly appreciated..

Got the news in Melbourne very early morning and couldn't believe it! If any season ticket holder could help me with getting a ticket I would be eternally grateful. Will pay any amount. However I came over for 7 games last season and saw 2 draws and 5 losses so I could quite possibly be a jinx. Already have flights picked out so any help or advice on securing a ticket would be more than helpful. My email is trevf_101@hotmail.com Thankyou! COYR

But going into the final I'll be standing the Saints to win $30,000 so assuming the odds will probably be $1.20 to $6 in the final I can take $5000 worth of bets on Southampton, which is all profit, minus the original $100. So that way if we make the final everything will be paid for. Again highly unlikely!

*UNREALISTIC CONTENT BELOW* I'm a diehard Saints fan down here in Aus. I travelled to the U.K for the first time last season and watched 2 draws and 5 losses including the 3rd round loss to Man United. I've sworn if/when the Saints make an FA Cup I will be there. My plan for this year is simple..and probably stupid. I've placed $100 on us at 300/1 on Betfair to return $30,000. Meaning that if we make the final I can lay off to cover the cost of Flights and a Ticket. My question to everyone is what chances would I be to land a ticket? I am friends with a couple of season ticket holders but my bets are they will want to be there..I know It's not worth worrying about yet..but let me dream!

What time do we expect the Fourth round draw to start? And where if possible could I listen to it? Down here in Aus so would like to set an accurate alarm. Cheers!

Antonio must be frustrating to watch live, listening on the radio is hard enough..sounds like he plays at one pace and one pace only..flatout

Still down..should I give up trying. Anyword from the game?

Well not as much as Tiger anyway..Give me his $$$ and his golfing abilities and I would show him up! But that doesn't fix the problem of Audio GRRRRR!! 2am and not overly happy

sound that is

Not getting any...

Clean Sheet?? Looks like we need to score two a week minimum..3 if Bart doesn't relax.

Lucky you! I was in Perth two weekends ago, seems I got my timing all wrong..If anyone knows where it will be screened in Melbourne please do tell! I've already decided I'm pulling an all nighter and going straight to work on Monday so it would be much easier if it was at a pub or club or anywhere..help