St Mary's Stadium

[bpsaint]

Does that cringeworthy Pride of the South banner still come out before matches?

[franniesTache]

21 hours ago, Turkish said:

i dont understand what's going on. We were assured once we had a a Kop end with away fans in the corner we would be invincible at home. 🤷‍♀️

Who could've predicted we don't have 7k supporters who want to create a fierce wall of noise like a german team who we have nothing in common with. Who apart from everyone?

On 20/10/2024 at 09:27, Bob60 said:

You are probably right but my point is that they tried to create one main singing end by getting all the 'singers' together

This is the problem in a nutshell though, as i've mentioned many, many times, the club got it wrong because they didn't understand the culture/s. Not everyone who stands and sings wants to stand and sing next to the same people.

The club however thought that if they lumped disparate groups together then it would somehow be loud. Instead you get groups who have no interest in joining in with stuff the other group likes - the million songs about the skates, and the coke fuelled seal clapping being prime examples - so those people who would've sung just don't (and i'm one of those people, i'd rather stand in silence than sing about pompey).

The club should've instead given a couple of areas of safe standing, keep "the wall" nonsense for those that wanted it, but offered another option somewhere else too (for example the back five rows of the chapel.

I do know one thing for sure though, i'm not staying in the northam wall next season, it's just a case of where i move to, because it's really, really shit. Not just quieter than where i was before, but more noddy too

[Disco Stu]

9 hours ago, bpsaint said:

Does that cringeworthy Pride of the South banner still come out before matches?

It was a good idea after giving the entire Northam end to the home fans but its been executed so poorly. Feels like a missed opportunity to make a real impactful banner to reveal every game rather than something that's so cringey. All the best tifo banners use symbolic imagery not cheesy slogans like "Pride of the South" or "We March On" that sound like they've been thought up in a corporate setting.

Generic. Terrible font. No impact. Forgettable.

FFS!

[Roo1976]

5 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

It was a good idea after giving the entire Northam end to the home fans but its been executed so poorly. Feels like a missed opportunity to make a real impactful banner to reveal every game rather than something that's so cringey. All the best tifo banners use symbolic imagery not cheesy slogans like "Pride of the South" or "We March On" that sound like they've been thought up in a corporate setting.

Generic. Terrible font. No impact. Forgettable.

FFS!

and our one, if we had one, would be a banner of that fucking skate holding that bloody bell........................cause we hate pompey.

[Whitey Grandad]

13 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

It was a good idea after giving the entire Northam end to the home fans but its been executed so poorly. Feels like a missed opportunity to make a real impactful banner to reveal every game rather than something that's so cringey. All the best tifo banners use symbolic imagery not cheesy slogans like "Pride of the South" or "We March On" that sound like they've been thought up in a corporate setting.

Generic. Terrible font. No impact. Forgettable.

FFS!

I’d forgotten about it.

Edited 21 October, 2024 by Whitey Grandad

[Disco Stu]

20 minutes ago, Roo1976 said:

and our one, if we had one, would be a banner of that fucking skate holding that bloody bell........................cause we hate pompey.

They could have just made a bigger version of the Markus Liebherr banner and it would be a clear improvement.

I also thought we could have done something with the "saintly monk" design instead of the generic slogan we went with.

What we've ended up with is what happens when you don't include the fanbase in the design process and instead, ask them to pick from a bad bunch.

Edited 21 October, 2024 by Disco Stu

[64saint]

On 08/10/2024 at 18:06, Midfield_General said:

 it's basically a fucking Costa 🤣 🤣 🤣

I've seen a Spoons more lavish than that 

Well, the trainee reporter with his write up below  from the Echo seemed very impressed 🙄😕.  

Edited 1 November, 2024 by 64saint

[Midfield_General]

I take it all back - I didn't realise you get an orange juice and lemonade and get to see some green paint. £300 well spent! 

[skintsaint]

a St Clements...a drink for a king. Or a kid, either way it needs a shout out.

[spyinthesky]

On 21/10/2024 at 20:18, Disco Stu said:

They could have just made a bigger version of the Markus Liebherr banner and it would be a clear improvement.

I also thought we could have done something with the "saintly monk" design instead of the generic slogan we went with.

What we've ended up with is what happens when you don't include the fanbase in the design process and instead, ask them to pick from a bad bunch.

Ive got one of those badges!!!!!

[Saint_clark]

On 08/10/2024 at 18:06, Midfield_General said:

All that drumroll in the description about rare exclusivity and a one-of-a-kind lavish environment and then you look at the photos they've mocked up and it's basically a fucking Costa 🤣 🤣 🤣

Nothing says 'opulence' like high chairs, fluorescent strip lighting and a lovely bit of laminate flooring. 

I've seen a Spoons more lavish than that 

Gotta love those chairs that are just high enough that most people can't put their feet flat on the floor, just shallow enough that you're constantly sitting on the edge of the seat and with backs just low enough that if you lean back you feel like you're going to flip over. 

Premium comfort.

[Weston Super Saint]

22 hours ago, skintsaint said:

a St Clements...a drink for a king. Or a kid, either way it needs a shout out.

Technically a 'Henry' though.

But definitely more of a regal name.

[Nordic Saint]

 I really like the new stadium layout. It's given us a proper home end at last and hidden the away fans away in a corner, where the acoustics are worst. 

[SouSaint]

Northam was quality when it got going today imo. 

[The Kraken]

3 hours ago, Nordic Saint said:

 I really like the new stadium layout. It's given us a proper home end at last and hidden the away fans away in a corner, where the acoustics are worst. 

No shit 🤣

[Football Special]

I notice Chelsea at home goes on open general sale this morning, think that might be the first time this season a game has made it to this stage for non-members to buy. Seems a bit short-sighted by the club to not restrict it to purchase history as there's loads of Hampshire based Chelsea who could end up in the home end. 

Just a heads up if any non-members were looking to buy 

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/southampton-vs-chelsea-24-25

[OldNick]

Saturday proved that the naysayers were wrong and having a proper end does make a difference. The Northam did us proud and there was a different feel. 

The away fans were nullified, imagine if they still had half the Northam how different the atmosphere would have been.

[warsash saint]

1 hour ago, OldNick said:

Saturday proved that the naysayers were wrong and having a proper end does make a difference. The Northam did us proud and there was a different feel. 

The away fans were nullified, imagine if they still had half the Northam how different the atmosphere would have been.

It's not like the vocal loons on here to make up their minds within 10 mins of the first game!😉

[saintwbu]

The Northam was better on Saturday, having been a bit underwhelming so far imo. However, shoving the away fans in the corner has definitely quietened them I think. I’m closer to them now but I forget they’re there for a lot of the game. 

[OldNick]

We used to be such a great day out for away fans where their teams could gain a lift from the large area of support behind the goal. Whilst the away fans can make a noise it goes across one side of the pitch not the length. For me it was wonderful seeing the Northams limbs when we scored and whilst i took a video it was 20 seconds after the real celebrations and so a lot had subsided. It can only go on to inspire the team in future games and may make a bit of difference

[SaintNewForest]

10 hours ago, Football Special said:

I notice Chelsea at home goes on open general sale this morning, think that might be the first time this season a game has made it to this stage for non-members to buy. Seems a bit short-sighted by the club to not restrict it to purchase history as there's loads of Hampshire based Chelsea who could end up in the home end. 

Just a heads up if any non-members were looking to buy 

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/southampton-vs-chelsea-24-25

It's not; most of our home games have got to general sale this season. 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

2 minutes ago, SaintNewForest said:

It's not; most of our home games have got to general sale this season. 

I think all the home games so far have sold out to members and have only been made available to general sale (with a purchase history) once they've opened the ticket exchange.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I think all the home games so far have sold out to members and have only been made available to general sale (with a purchase history) once they've opened the ticket exchange.

That's right, sold out at "season ticket holder additional " stage and not made general 

[SaintNewForest]

4 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I think all the home games so far have sold out to members and have only been made available to general sale (with a purchase history) once they've opened the ticket exchange.

Nope. Just checked again and ...

Everton got to general sale. As did Leicester. And now Chelsea. 

Utd, Ipswich & Forest didn't it seems. 

Forest being the 1st game is hardly surprising. Utd ditto. Ipswich the only real outlier surprise there. 

Perhaps interest is dwindling following our poor start to the season ...

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

6 hours ago, SaintNewForest said:

Nope. Just checked again and ...

Everton got to general sale. As did Leicester. And now Chelsea. 

Utd, Ipswich & Forest didn't it seems. 

Forest being the 1st game is hardly surprising. Utd ditto. Ipswich the only real outlier surprise there. 

Perhaps interest is dwindling following our poor start to the season ...

How did you go back and check that, would be interesting to see it, if you could put up a link, ta?

I'm a member but my mate isn't so when he's come along I've had to wait to get tickets on the ticket exchange so we can stand together. I constantly watch the ticket sales stages ready to jump in and haven't been able to get them until it's 'sold-out' and they then open up the TE. I must just have bad timing.

Edited 5 November, 2024 by TheAlehouseBrawlers
Typo

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

How did you go back and check that, would be interesting to see it, if you could put up a link, ta?

I'm a member but my mate isn't so when he's come along I've had to wait to get tickets on the ticket exchange so we can stand together. I constantly watch the ticket sales stages ready to jump in and haven't been able to get them until it's 'sold-out' and they then open up the TE. I must just have bad timing.

I don't think it's right. I've bought tickets for non-members for Leicester and Everton as "season ticket additional" and both times there were literally a hundred or so left when I got them 

[SaintNewForest]

3 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

How did you go back and check that, would be interesting to see it, if you could put up a link, ta?

I'm a member but my mate isn't so when he's come along I've had to wait to get tickets on the ticket exchange so we can stand together. I constantly watch the ticket sales stages ready to jump in and haven't been able to get them until it's 'sold-out' and they then open up the TE. I must just have bad timing.

I usually get emails when they go to general sale, as a non-member. It might be on the website somewhere, mind ...  

You or your mate might already be, so apologies if this is dud advice, but it might be worth signing up to email communications from the club, and then you get alerted if a general sale window opens up? 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

I only get emails when my ‘Priority Window’ opens for members, my mate  should really just fork out for a membership!

[Pamplemousse]

https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2024/12/13/st-marys-stadium-expansion-in-the-works-through-council-mou/

 

English Premier League football club Southampton has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Southampton City Council to explore the redevelopment of the St Mary’s Waterfront area, including expansion of its stadium.

The two parties said the “landmark collaboration” announced today (Friday) aims to create a premier sports, leisure, and entertainment offer along the South Coast, benefiting residents, visitors, and the broader community.

The MoU establishes a framework for joint planning and development, as the club and Council work together to transform the Itchen Riverside and St Mary’s Waterfront district into a vibrant, year-round destination. Both parties aim to enhance the area’s economic potential while promoting sustainability, social value, and accessibility.

The shared vision includes:

•            Expanding St Mary’s Stadium and developing the surrounding areas to accommodate future growth, establishing it as a key entertainment destination on the South Coast.

•            Enhanced transport and infrastructure plans to improve connectivity, making it easier for residents and visitors to access the waterfront area.

•            A mixed and balanced community that includes commercial, leisure, residential, and accessible public spaces that enhance the quality of life for local people and attract new visitors and investment.

•            Sustainability and environmental initiatives aligned with Southampton’s Green City Plan.

Under the MoU, Southampton FC and Southampton City Council will collaborate on a range of initiatives such as future development, transport improvements, and overall community engagement. Both organisations said they are committed to working openly and in close co-operation with local partners to achieve mutual goals that reflect the interests of the Southampton community.

The MoU’s objectives will be reviewed regularly, allowing flexibility for emerging opportunities and ensuring the project’s goals continue to meet the needs of Southampton’s residents and businesses.

“This Memorandum of Understanding is a crucial step in ensuring the future success of both Southampton Football Club and the city of Southampton,” said Phil Parsons, CEO of Southampton FC. 

“For the club to thrive and survive in the Premier League, we must increase our revenue streams, and developing the St Mary’s Waterfront area is central to achieving that. In turn, a successful football club at the highest level brings enormous benefits to the city, including increased tourism, investment, and civic pride. 

“We are incredibly grateful to the Council for their proactive and committed approach to this partnership. Their vision for developing the area and improving the city aligns perfectly with our ambition to establish Southampton as a leading destination for sport, leisure, and entertainment.”

Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council added: “This is an exciting first step in bringing forward a unified vision for Southampton’s future. We are working with our partners and key stakeholders across the city to deliver on our aspirations and are delighted to be working with Southampton FC to support what for many people represents the pride of the city.”

The partnership announced today is part of the broader Southampton Renaissance strategy, which seeks to attract investment and boost the local economy. Following promotion back to the Premier League this season, Southampton FC has been engaged in efforts to enhance the St. Mary’s Stadium experience.

Sunday’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur is set to see the opening of The Dell, a new pub-themed space named after the club’s former home stadium. The Dell will be open from 9am to 11pm, Monday through Saturday, and 10am to 9pm on Sundays.

In June, the club was given the green light to develop new fan zones and big screens outside St Mary’s Stadium, while earlier this year plans were unveiled to install a new safe standing area in the Northam Stand.

St Mary’s Stadium opened in August 2001 after being built for £32m (€38.6m/($40.5m) and has a capacity of 32,000.

[Matthew Le God]

@Turkish

BBC News - Southampton FC expansion and riverside plans revealed - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c623v4dd26eo

 

Edited 13 December, 2024 by Matthew Le God

[Ted Bates Statue]

"If you build it they will come" #massivecatchmentarea

In all seriousness though, there is very little revealed in the above article apart from an intent to explore the redevelopment. It's a first step but I was at least expecting some idea of how many additional seats we were going for. There isn't even a crappy proposed CGI image.

Edited 13 December, 2024 by Ted Bates Statue

[Patrick Bateman]

10 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

@Turkish

BBC News - Southampton FC expansion and riverside plans revealed - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c623v4dd26eo

Hopefully they improve the on field quality

"development of homes and businesses" .... this means they want it to look exactly like the rest of the city, boring as fk with flat after flat, loads of blocks of flats, each one with a Co-op or Tesco underneath it.  Maybe one will have a Sainsbury's with a little Argos, branching out. 

[SaintNewForest]

Yay, more corporate guff to go alongside such highlights as the new cocktail bar, the new pub, fan zones and improved hospitality. 

Most football fans couldn't give a shit about all this, and just want to see the club performing on the pitch.

[Tommy Mulgrew]

1 hour ago, Pamplemousse said:

1 hour ago, Pamplemousse said:

For the club to thrive and survive in the Premier League, we must increase our revenue streams, and developing the St Mary’s Waterfront area is central to achieving that. In turn, a successful football club at the highest level brings enormous benefits to the city, including increased tourism, investment, and civic pride. 

That’s going well, isn’t it?

[Matthew Le God]

11 minutes ago, SaintNewForest said:

Yay, more corporate guff to go alongside such highlights as the new cocktail bar, the new pub, fan zones and improved hospitality. 

Most football fans couldn't give a shit about all this, and just want to see the club performing on the pitch.

Expanding the stadium allows more people to do that. Even while being terrible this season, every home game has sold out.

It also allows for an increase in revenue, an increase in revenue allows for more spending on transfers/wages under financial rules.

[Sunglasses Ron]

50 minutes ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

There isn't even a crappy proposed CGI image.

I got Copilot to have a go for you.

Probably not far off for Sports Republic actually!

 

[Give it to Ron]

5 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Expanding the stadium allows more people to do that. Even while being terrible this season, every home game has sold out.

It also allows for an increase in revenue, an increase in revenue allows for more spending on transfers/wages under financial rules.

Because they spent £260million or whatever figure is under SR so well didn’t they ! Any added revenue it’s hardly going to be any different with these clowns in charge!

Edited 13 December, 2024 by Give it to Ron

[SaintNewForest]

7 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Expanding the stadium allows more people to do that. Even while being terrible this season, every home game has sold out.

It also allows for an increase in revenue, an increase in revenue allows for more spending on transfers/wages under financial rules.

I wouldn't trust SR with the £1 coin I found today, let alone any additional millions they might want to spend. 

[LGTL]

What a load of utter bollocks. The best way for us to ‘thrive and survive’ in the Premier League would be to sack our useless wanker of a manager.

[The Kraken]

30 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Even while being terrible this season, every home game has sold out.

Imagine how many more seats we could sell if we were actually doing well, yes?

[Matthew Le God]

14 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Imagine how many more seats we could sell if we were actually doing well, yes?

Teams doing well have more people wanting to see them. Hardly a controversial suggestion is it?

This season we have sold out every game, despite being terrible. A half decent Saints PL team would sell more seats than the terrible one we have now.

Edited 13 December, 2024 by Matthew Le God

[Weston Super Saint]

4 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Teams doing well have more people wanting to see them. Hardly a controversial suggestion is it?

This season we have sold out every game, despite being terrible. A half decent Saints PL team would sell more seats than the terrible one we have now.

I assume season ticket sales are counted whether they bother to go or not - the seat is 'sold' after all.

[Matthew Le God]

22 minutes ago, LGTL said:

What a load of utter bollocks. The best way for us to ‘thrive and survive’ in the Premier League would be to sack our useless wanker of a manager.

Why is increasing revenue 'utter bollocks'? Bigger income from a development allows for bigger spending under financial rules and hopefully better players.

[Whitey Grandad]

5 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Teams doing well have more people wanting to see them. Hardly a controversial suggestion is it?

This season we have sold out every game, despite being terrible. A half decent Saints PL team would sell more seats than the terrible one we have now.

Many of these extra spectators will have come to see the opposition.  

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, Weston Super Saint said:

I assume season ticket sales are counted whether they bother to go or not - the seat is 'sold' after all.

So what? It is a sold seat and money for the club club. Would be daft for any season ticket holder not going to a game to not give it to friends/family or sell on ticket exchange. 

[Whitey Grandad]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

Why is increasing revenue 'utter bollocks'? Bigger income from a development allows for bigger spending under financial rules and hopefully better players.

It will be a longtime before we see any increased revenue.  Certainly not in my lifetime. And we probably won't be in the Premier league for much of what I've got left.

[Weston Super Saint]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Why is increasing revenue 'utter bollocks'? Bigger income from a development allows for bigger spending under financial rules and hopefully better players.

As you've already pointed out we've already spent many millions but to what effect?

A bigger income for us is like leaving a key of coke unattended at an NA meeting, bound to be abused.

Edited 13 December, 2024 by Weston Super Saint

[Whitey Grandad]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

So what? It is a sold seat and money for the club club. Would be daft for any season ticket holder not going to a game to not give it to friends/family or sell on ticket exchange. 

It's sold for this season but what about the next?

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Many of these extra spectators will have come to see the opposition.  

We averaged 29k+ in the Championship last season. Were they there for the opposition? Often the away end in the Championship wasn't full, that is why it is 29k out of 32k.

Plus in any case even if what you said was true... so what? It is providing increased revenue.

 

[Weston Super Saint]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

So what? It is a sold seat and money for the club club. Would be daft for any season ticket holder not going to a game to not give it to friends/family or sell on ticket exchange. 

We don't all hate our friends and family as much as you clearly do 😉