Last Update:
September 30, 2024
The Club moved from The Dell to the new St Mary’s Stadium in 2001. In some ways, this saw the Club returning to its roots as it was originally founded as ‘Southampton St Marys’, hence the club nickname ‘The Saints’. To be truthful the stadium looks, quite simply, superb. The stadium is completely enclosed, with all corners being filled with seating. There are also two great-looking screens sitting on the roofs at each end. Running around three sides of the stadium, just below the roof, is a transparent perspex strip that allows more light and facilitates pitch growth. On the remaining side, there is a row of executive boxes. The crowd are set well back from the playing action, as firstly there is a cinder track surrounding the playing surface and secondly the pitch itself must be the largest in the League (although the playing area does not use all of it). Outside the stadium behind the Itchen Stand is a statue of former Southampton legend Ted Bates.
The St Mary’s Stadium away end was previously in the Northam Stand but as of 2024/25, it is in the Chapel/Kingsland corner.
The away end was moved as the club decided that they wanted the Northam Stand to be home-fan-only as it is traditionally the loudest part of the stadium.
The new away end has a capacity of 3,000 fans and part of the stand has safe-standing rails installed. These areas were introduced during the summer of 2024.
The view from the new away end is good with no obstructing pillars while the concourse is as spacious as you would expect from a relatively new stadium.
Food and drinks are served to away fans inside the away end for two hours before kick-off and also at half-time.
There are not many pubs located close to the stadium, so the choice for away fans is limited. One exception around a ten-minute walk away from St Mary’s is Browns pub on Millbank Street. This pub which also has Sky Sports normally has a mixture of home and away fans in attendance. Just a couple of minutes walk away from Browns on William Street, is the Tap It Brewery. Housed in an industrial unit, the brewery is open for games and offers a selection of craft beers. Nic Hallam a visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers informs me; ‘In the Ocean Village, we found “The Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis” public house. This large establishment had an excellent choice of beers, friendly bar staff and a convivial mix of both home and away fans.
Most fans seem to end up in the city centre before the game, where there are plenty of pubs to choose from. Paul Hunt a visiting Bristol City fan adds; ‘On our last visit, the Standing Order Wetherspoons outlet was for home fans only, with bouncers on the door. We ended up in Yates Wine Lodge in the central shopping area. There were also a lot of away fans in the Slug & Lettuce next door’. Away fans should avoid pubs along St Marys Street such as the Kingsland Tavern, Joiners and Isobar. Please remember though that if you do drink in the centre, the stadium is a good twenty-minute walk away. Otherwise, alcohol is served within the ground.
If you like your real ale then around a 20-minute walk away from St Mary’s on Onslow Road (located north of the ground, in the opposite direction) is the Rockstone pub, which has up to seven real ales. It is also known for its large gourmet burgers! A five-minute walk from the Rockstone is the Guide Dog pub on Earl’s Road which has up to 11 real ales on tap. Both these pubs are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
St. Mary’s stadium had a minor upgrade during the October 2021 international break. This coincided with the 20th anniversary of the move to the new Southampton ground in 2001. These upgrades included the installation of jumbo-sized displays, which are twice the size of the old style. There has also been a vast increase in the number of tills around the stadium. Whilst this may sound like a dull change it will reduce bottlenecking and improve the overall fan experience as well as give a much better look and feel.
St Mary’s is also undergoing further changes which are expected to come into play before the end of 2024. Away fans who currently occupy half of the Northam End will be relocated to another part of the stadium, the Family stand being the current front runner for the relocation.
This news has gone down well with Southampton fans who believe Southampton fans occupying the full Northam End will help with the atmosphere during games.
The Dell, Southampton pic.twitter.com/uc5wDGi3O7
— Old Days Football (@OldDaysFootball) February 20, 2021
Southampton first played at the 12,000-capacity Antelope ground from 1887 to 1896. From there they moved to the County Cricket ground for two years. Then it was the Dell, which was the Saints’ home for over 100 years. There was a fire in the West Stand due to an explosion during World War Two, which meant an entire rebuild was required; this took place shortly after the fires had happened. Various expansions were carried out at the Dell but, despite these works, the Southampton stadium was the smallest in the English top flight. In the end, the club opted for a move. In 2001, Southampton waved goodbye to their long-term home and moved into St Mary’s stadium. The 32,000-seater stadium became the biggest in South England (outside of London).
From the M3 take the A33 into Southampton. Continue on the A33 until you reach the junction with the A3024 Northam Road and turn left onto this road towards Northam. Then turn right onto the B3038, Britannia Road for the stadium.
There is hardly any parking available at the stadium for away fans and there are parking restrictions in force for the local area. Most fans seem to be just heading for the city centre car parks and then embarking on the 15-20 minute walk to the stadium. I did this and parked in an NCP car park in Portland Terrace, which cost £8. I should point out though, that after the game the roads around the city centre become almost grid locked. It took me over an hour to get away afterwards.
Alternatively, on my last visit, I noticed a number of fans parking around the Marina area and then taking the ten minute walk to the ground. Parking in this area has the advantage that at the end of the game, you can avoid the city centre gridlock, by heading along the coast on the A3024 and then onto the M271/M27. Steve Ship a visiting Crystal Palace fan also recommends it; ‘The Marina is called the Ocean Village which has plenty of parking, but it does charge to park there (it costs £4 for four hours or £2 after 6pm). It is no more than a ten minute walk to the stadium, has a pub on the complex (which had a decent mix of home and away supporters) as well as plenty of food outlets’. Please note though that due to the popularity of parking at Ocean Village it can take quite a while now to exit the car park and get back onto the main road (30-45 minutes). So if you are looking at a quick getaway then it maybe advisable to park further away from the stadium.
Barry Sear suggests ‘I parked in Woolston (on the other side of the Itchen Toll Bridge which costs 70p) where there is plenty of street parking, and made the 15-20 minute walk from there to the ground over the Itchen Toll Bridge. To get there, you leave the M27 at Junction 8 and follow the A3025 to Woolston. I was back on the M27 within 10 minutes of getting back to the car’. Paul Bostock a visiting Burnley fan adds; ‘There is a public car park (free for first 5 hours) located just south of the Woolston side access to the Itchen Bridge. It is on Oakbank Road and the entrance is at the junction of Bridge Road and Oakbank Road. For those without the benefit of sat nav, as you approach the bridge along the A3025 there is a roundabout at the entrance to the toll booths, take the first exit left onto Portsmouth Road down to the traffic lights, turn right into Bridge Road and the car park is immediately on the left. Across Oakbank Road are steps which take you up onto Itchen Bridge and St Marys is visible across the river to the right’. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near St Mary’s Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Post Code for SAT NAV: SO14 5FP
The stadium is located around one and a half miles away from Southampton Central Railway Station (where there is also quite a large car park), which should take about 30 minutes to walk. There is also a shuttle bus in operation taking fans from the station to the ground. This operates from the Blechynden Terrace bus stop outside the station. It starts two and a half hours before kick off and costs Adults £3 return and Under 15’s £2 return.
Turn left out of the station’ s southern entrance and walk up Western Esplanade, which becomes Civic Centre Road. Remain on the Civic Centre Road and walk between the Civic Centre and the Marlands Shopping Centre. Eventually a crossroads is reached with the Nationwide Building Society on one corner and Lloyds Bank on another. Cross into New Road and follow this road across a park and past a college. Eventually you will reach a complex road junction with a number of traffic lights. Cross Kings Way into Northam Road and follow this road for quarter of a mile until you reach the ground on your right. There are signs provided by the local council, which direct fans from the station to the ground.
Thanks to Scott Lydon, Jeff Manning & David Furnell for providing the directions.
You can also walk to the ground from St Denys Station, which is about a 25 minute walk away. This area also has some good pubs. Kay Wilkinson provides the following directions: ‘Leave the station on the platform 4 (South Western Arms Pub side) and proceed past the pub, which is on your right hand side and continue on down this road, past the Junction Inn and over the Horseshoe Bridge (this goes over the railway.) Take the next left, Empress Road and follow this for about 3/4 of mile past various industrial units and round past Mount Pleasant School, which is on your right. At this T junction turn left into Mount Pleasant Road and walk over the railway (tip if the train gates are down use the footbridge – you can sometimes wait here for 20 minutes). You then continue along this road, which changes into Radcliffe Road, past the mosque on your right and this road will take you all the way down to the underpass to the Stadium. This is the most direct route. If you want to visit the Dolphin Pub mentioned above you exit the Station on Platform one side using the bridge across the road and the Dolphin is directly in front of you. To visit the Rockstone pub (formerly called the Bevios Castle) follow the directions into Dukes Road and half way down this road is a right turn, this will take you out into Bevios Valley, turn left and the pub is about 3 minutes walk away on a road junction on the right hand side. To get to St Marys from here you can either walk up the hill following the road continuously, past the hospital and the fire station on your left, when you reach the main road, Northam Road, cross and pass through the bridge to the ground. Alternatively you can walk down the hill and take the first right, Mount Pleasant Road and follow the directions as from St Denys Station above’.
Ian Knight adds; ‘The South Western Arms and the Junction pubs near to St Denys Stadium are both excellent real ale outlets and are football fan friendly. The Junction also serves good food. Allow around 25 mins to get to the ground in good time. Basically you just follow the crowd, but recently the council have put in a rather pleasant boardwalk alongside the western bank of the River Itchen thus saving the walk over the railway bridge and down Empress Road to the level crossing at Mt Pleasant. The boardwalk comes out in a small industrial estate the stadium side of the level crossing. From there follow the directions above.’
All entrances to St Mary’s Stadium are clearly marked on the map below.
Away fans should use turnstiles K, L, and M.
There is disabled seating in three out of the four sides of the stadium.
As with most clubs nowadays, the ticket pricing at Southampton’s stadium, St Mary’s, is tiered depending on the ‘grade’ of the game you’re watching and the area of the stadium you sit in.
Category A games are the most premium fixtures with Category D at the other end; the price range for these games is detailed here:
Adult – £25-£50
Over 65 – £25-£50
18-25 – £25-£50
U18 – £20-£50
U14 – £20-£50
The expensive £50 tickets are for the premium seats, ticket prices range between £35 and £20 for the normal seats for the age groups.
- Official Programme: £4
The song most commonly associated with Southampton is ‘When the Saints go Marching In’.
Below is a selection of Southampton fan songs.
Southampton vs Portsmouth rivalry: Not only are these two sides the most successful teams on England’s south coast but they’re also only separated by 19 miles giving their meetings, which are known as the South Coast derby, extra heat.
Southampton vs Bournemouth rivalry: The “New Forest derby” wasn’t really a rivalry until recently. Meetings between these teams used to be friendly but they’ve turned fiery in recent years with matches having taken on greater meaning as Bournemouth made it to the Premier League.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the official Southampton website.
Tours of the Southampton stadium are offered by the club on non-matchday weekends and during school holidays. Prices are pretty reasonable too:
Adults – £20
Children – £15
Over 65s – £15
You can find further detail on the tours via the official club website.
Record Attendance
32,363 v Coventry City
Championship League, April 28th, 2012.
Average Attendance
2023-2024: 29,371 (Championship)
2022-2023: 30,416 (Premier League)
2021-2022: 29,884 (Premier League)
2020-2021: N/A (Covid-19)
2019-2020: 29,675 (Premier League)
2018-2019: 30,139 (Premier League)
2017-2018: 30,794 (Premier League)
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Ground Layout
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Images
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Images
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Southampton v Fulham
Premier League
Saturday October 26th 2013, 3pm
By Christopher Watson (Doing the 92)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Based in Bridlington, it is very hard to visit teams far away down south but a weekend trip to Salisbury meant potential for a few games. Southampton being very close so another to be ticked off and on my Birthday too!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Traffic was terrible getting out of Salisbury but having lived there for 10 years before moving back to my birthplace we knew a shortcut to get to The Saints, we parked nearby ground was easy to find
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We had eaten at a pub near Salisbury to celebrate my birthday so no food needed at ground
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Very impressive large and modern with an unusual style different from other new stadiums I had visited
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Atmosphere was top notch we were located at the last row in the noisiest stand full of die hard saints supporters good banter and singing plus we stood all game no problems with stewards with Saints winning great game to watch
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A bit crowded getting away but soon on our way back to Salisbury
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great day visiting my old place birthday meal and watching Saints win another ticked off another ground – 26 now.
Southampton v Newcastle United
Premier League
Saturday 7th March 2020, 3pm
Ryan Dodds (Newcastle United)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the St Mary's Stadium?
My dad had been in my ear for a few seasons saying he fancied the trip to Southampton as we'd never been, so eventually, I relented this year and made the arrangements. We attended Bournemouth away last season which was a great trip so hopefully, this could be as good a trip to the south coast as our last one was.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
To avoid the drama presented last time by South Western Railway we decided to drive, booking into the Jury's Inn (which has no car parking on-site). We found the closest car park to the hotel at Compton Walk. The drive down South took five and a half hours including stops, which was ideal. The car park charged £10 for the day. We were then a five-minute walk away from the city centre pubs and 20 minutes walk from St. Mary's. It all seemed too good to be true!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We made it to the Scholar's Arms by midday for a few pre-match beers and to watch the televised the early kick off. The pub welcomed home and away fans each wearing colours and everyone seemed to be getting on fine in a friendly enough atmosphere. There were plenty of fans in the bar, but not so many that you couldn't get served quickly enough.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the St Mary's Stadium?
The 20 minute walk to the ground through the bottleneck tunnel seems quite unusual, given that both home and away supporters are all squashed in together, fortunately, I saw no trouble but I can't imagine this is always the case(?). St Mary's is a typical modern flat-pack ground with adequate facilities but little to separate it from others that are similar: Bolton, Wigan, Leicester etc. The view from the away end was great and with the perspex sheets are the back of the stand away fans are able to generate a good noise.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was brought to life fairly early on with VAR awarding Djenepo a deserved red card after 28 minutes that referee Graham Scott had missed. This got the away section singing up to the point VAR intervened again to award Newcastle a seemingly unlikely penalty that Scott (and the rest of us in fairness) had failed to see. Pompey native and old boy Matt Ritchie stepped up to miss which was the fourth or fifth great save from their keeper which really woke the home fans up. The game continued with Newcastle dominating possession but not offering too much in the Southampton penalty area, full credit to their defence and goalkeeper who looked to be right on their game.
At half time I nipped down for a pint which took long enough to get, queuing systems obviously not the priority for the organisers! After coming back up for the second half it seemed as if it would be a solid home performance and typical misfiring Newcastle failing to take advantage of the extra man. Finally with 10 minutes to go Newcastle broke the deadlock with a lapse in concentration from Yan Valery allowing Saint-Maximin to nick the ball and roll it past McCarthy. Both sets of fans had been in great voice up to this stage, now the away section very much the louder of the two!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Back through the bottleneck, we walked 20 minutes or so back into town for some post-match beers and the late kick off in a bar named The Grapes – decent beer at reasonable prices. We had a nice meal in Szechuan Kitchen before heading to a few other pubs around the High Street area to celebrate the win.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Another great trip to the south coast capped off by a first win at St. Mary's in 15 years. Beforehand I'd heard a few people say that Southampton as a city wasn't exactly wonderful but I found it a great trip, good pubs, nice people and nice enough city. I would definitely go again!
Southampton v Burnley
Premier League
Saturday 15th February 2020, 12:30pm
Steve Andrews (Doing the 92)
Southampton v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Premier League
Saturday 18th January 2020, 3pm
Thomas Inglis (Neutral Visiting Dundee United Fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting St Mary's Stadium?
Another of the further away grounds for me to tick off (an 1100 mile round trip). I had previously been to 'The Dell' around 20 years ago, and this would be No.91 of my personal count of English league grounds.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
For me the usual overnight bus from Dundee to London, then another coach from Victoria to Southampton. Once in the town centre, it is only around a 15 minute walk to the stadium following the crowd, so fairly easy.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I arrived in Southampton around 10am and must say I was impressed walking around the city walls and with the naval history connected to the place. I also had a look in the shopping malls and market before grabbing my football coupon to study in the pub. 'The Scholar's Arms'. then O'Neils, I then had to go and sink a pint in 'The Titanic' before heading to the ground. I had some banter with fans of both teams, all friendly enough.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the St Mary's Stadium?
I was fairly impressed with St Mary's inside and out. I had a seat in the Itchen Stand, which gave a good view of the action.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A very good game for the neutral. Southampton started by taking the lead after about 15 minutes with a hook shot inside the box from Bednarek. On 35 minutes Long headed in to give Saints a 2 nil lead going into half time. The second half the game completely changed as Wolves grabbed the upper hand. 10 minutes in Neto swivelled in the box to fire home. Jiminez grabbed a brace, the first being a penalty on 65mins and the winner smashed home with about 15mins to go. No issues with stewards or facilities (clean and plenty). The atmosphere was very good from both sets of fans, though obviously there was a lot more singing from the Wolves end in the latter stages. The attendance was 31,152.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No issues following the crowds back into the town centre, where I headed to 'Standing Order's and 'Yate's' to watch the teatime game.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Southampton is a good city to have a wander around in for a bit of history and feel of the place. I then got to enjoy a 5 goal thriller, so a fine day.
Southampton v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Premier League
Saturday 18th January 2020, 3pm
Andrew Goddard (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Southampton v Huddersfield Town
FA Cup 3rd Round
Saturday 4th January 2020, 3pm
David Morris (Doing the 92)
Southampton v Leicester City
Premier League
Friday 25th October 2019, 8pm
Pete Woodhead (Doing the 92)
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
Saturday 9th March 2019, 3pm
Scott Brannon (Tottenham Hotspur)
Southampton v Everton
Premier League
Saturday 19th January 2019, 3pm
Simon Rogers (Doing the 92)
Southampton v Watford
Premier League
Saturday 10th November 2018, 3pm
Norman Miller (Watford)
Southampton v Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
Monday 17th September 2018, 8pm
Geoff Burrow (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Southampton v Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
Monday 17th September 2018, 8pm
Viv Johnson (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Southampton v Swansea City
Premier League
Saturday 12th August 2017, 3pm
Andy Jack (Swansea City fan)
Southampton v West Ham United
Premier League
Saturday 4th February 2017, 3pm
David Burkett (West Ham United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the St Mary's Stadium?
I had been looking forward to this for months. I knew we'd be taking a strong following and was meeting up with other Hammers ahead of the game. First visit to St Mary's having been twice to the old Dell ground.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Travelled down from London by train. As a journey it couldn't be easier. Plenty of trains from Waterloo to Southampton, fast and regular. It is about a 20 minute walk direct to the St Mary's Stadium and it's easy to navigate.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We took over the Yates Bar in Southampton city centre. It's the designated away pub. Absolutely heaving. They played a lot of music we could all sing along to although this got a bit annoying after a while but the atmosphere was electric. Fair play to the staff, they worked hard serving us all and it was a great environment and the place I would recommend all visiting fans to arrange to meet. The venue seemed well practiced at hosting away fans and we had a great time.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of St Mary's Stadium?
St Mary's Stadium seemed a bit bland to me. It lacked character. It's kind of isolated, but is easy to walk to. Inside it's very uniform, a bowl of four equal sides with nothing to jump out at you and make you think "wow".
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The away concourse was pretty tight, although they were serving quickly. Toilets were decent enough, among the better I've seen. Stewards were all amiable, the ones outside in particular were very friendly and enjoyed the banter which is always good. We stood all game so can't really comment on the leg room but it seemed comfortable enough. Great view of the pitch although I struggled to see the far end of the pitch. Saints went 1-0 up early on and the home fans started giving us stick. We equalised almost immediately and went on to win 3-1 …. we enjoyed singing "oh when the saints, go 3-1 down" etc. We were quite close to the home fans and they didn't seem very up for singing us a song. It wasn't a great game but a fantastic result.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Very easy to get away from St. Mary's. Almost immediately you're back on main roads with wide pavements and open spaces and the proximity to the city centre and train station means it never got too crowded. Compared to busy London locations it was a breeze to get away from the stadium after full time.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed it thoroughly. Totally owned Yates before going to the stadium which made it feel like a home game. We had immense support and got right behind the team and getting a decent away win capped the day off. I will definitely return to St Mary's.
Southampton v Burnley
Premier League
Sunday 16th October 2016, 4pm
James Gregory (Burnley fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the St Mary's Stadium?
The St Mary's Stadium was a new ground for me and another to tick off the list. In all honestly I was not looking forward to this game. Knowing there was a 12 hour round trip ahead of me and that Southampton's recent unbeaten form, meant it was going to be a very tough day down south.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
As I took the Burnley supporters club coach, parking and finding the ground were easy.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
After being dropped off outside the St Mary's Stadium with 2 and a half hours till kick off, we decided to venture around the area looking for a pub. This at first was hard as there was no pubs in sight but after about a half a mile walk and asking someone we finally found a small decent bar. There was fairly priced drinks and sky sports on off so this passed the time with ease. This pub was predominantly home fans, we were welcomed very kindly and the Saints fans were up for a good chat whilst we were in there.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the St Mary's Stadium?
From outside, the St Mary's Stadium looks very modern and was much different from Turf Moor! Inside there was a very spacious concourse and clean facilities.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself was a poor one from Burnley. Southampton looked a very strong team from the start and certainly proved that by managing to score three goals in the space of around 15 minutes. Sam Vokes pulled one back for Burnley from the penalty spot in around the 70th minute mark but it was obvious we were never going to be strong enough to rescue a point. The stewards were very helpful. The atmosphere was good and there was a lot of banter between the Southampton fans in the corner and us away fans.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was a nightmare. After leaving the game at 6 o'clock we weren't out of Southampton for a further 45 minutes due to the traffic within the city. However after this getting back up north was a traffic free journey.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall the day was very mediocre. A 12 hour round trip for a poor performance from the clarets meant this trip was certainly the worst of the season so far for me.
Southampton v Watford
Premier League
Saturday 13th August 2016, 3pm
Ian Pryer (Watford fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the St Mary's Stadium?
First game of the season and all the hope that brings, and my first visit to Southampton and the St Mary's Stadium.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The M25 and M3 was horrendous but inevitable on a Saturday during the summer holidays. We used St Mary's Church (in St Mary's Street) who offer match day parking for £4 or £5 and also run an excellent cafe with tea and coffee for 50p, plus home made cakes, and bacon rolls and hot dogs for £1.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Having parked we went inside the church to the cafe mentioned above. Everyone inside was very friendly (as you'd expect!) and the refreshments on offer were affordable and excellent. An interesting foot note is that the vicar came and said hello and told us this church's choir back in the 1880's set up a football team which became Southampton FC and explains why they are known as The Saints.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the St Mary's Stadium?
St Mary's is a great stadium, excellent views and plenty of space in the concourse behind the stand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Didn't have any refreshments inside the ground. Stewarding okay although they seemed to lack the guts to tackle those who had sat in seats not allocated to them preferring to take issue instead with those left standing in the aisles as close to their friends and family members as the situation would allows. The £10 handed to me in an envelope on entry to reduce my £30 ticket down £20 courtesy of the Southampton club sponsor, Virgin Media, was an added bonus. This is an initiative that is running throughout the 2016/17 season.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The way we got to the turnstiles before hand was fenced off, so we had to walk a slightly different way, along Britannia Road and then turned right to rejoin the way we had come in. Patience is needed coming away from the city up the A33. If you are not in a hurry, go and get a beer and let it die down!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Good day out, nice stadium, good atmosphere.
Southampton v Watford
Premier League
Wednesday 13th January 2016, 7.45pm
Stephen Barrow (Watford fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the St Mary's Stadium?
Night games under floodlights have their own special magic. Southampton is only 90 miles away from Watford, so this was a chance to take in another match following the Hornets.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Followed the advice of the footballgroundguide I took the Itchen bridge route into the city and parked at Ocean Village. Plenty of parking in the multi-storey and a couple of reasonable away friendly pubs adjacent. As an added bonus the area around Oxford Street, has a large number of eating venues.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Having researched eating opportunities in advance, we opted to head to nearby Oxford Street and ventured for a curry at Kutis Brasserie and mighty fine it was too. It opens at six, and was nearly full by 6.15, so I would recommend booking in advance on a footie evening. Home fans in the majority and a friendly bunch they were too.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the St Mary's Stadium?
A fifteen minute stroll to the ground in pouring rain. In my opinion, this is one of the best of the new grounds albeit like most of the others it is stuck surrounded by largely anonymous industrial units etc. The away end offers good views and there looked to be reasonable queues for food and beer.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Undoubtedly the worst performance of the season from the Hornets who were lucky to get nil. The Saints had modified their formation following a terrible ten match run and their three centre backs never gave Deeney and Ighalo a sniff. In contrast, Southampton's fluid movement through midfield created a host of chances and only heroic keeping from Gomes kept the score down to 2-0. Watford fans gave plenty of vocal support with a passion not matched on the pitch. The Saints fans were a bit subdued at the beginning, no doubt on the back of a poor run of form, but generally found their voice as they took control.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A fifteen minute trudge back to the car and an easy exit from the car park, before gridlock….sat nav displaying 30 minute delays in most directions bar the long way through the docks out west and away from our intended direction of travel. About a ten mike detour before hitting the M3 and home.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Bar the performance a fine night out, the highlight being the curry! St Mary's Stadium is a good ground to visit, fans are friendly but beware the gridlock on getting away now everyone knows about the parking at Ocean Village!
Southampton v AFC Bournemouth
Premier League
Sunday 1st November 2015, 4pm
Brian Lawes (AFC Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the St Mary's Stadium?
My only previous visit to St. Mary's was to see England play Macedonia back in 2002 when I remember being really impressed with the stadium.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Southampton was busy on this Sunday afternoon, but we still arrived in good time and parked in the multi-storey car park at Ocean Village – about a 15 minute walk from the ground. It cost £4, but usefully allowed you to pay at the end of your stay, so no worrying about getting back in time.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We walked straight to the stadium to meet up with friends and took up our seats immediately to take in the atmosphere and have a chat.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the St Mary's Stadium?
It was good to be able to revisit the ground to see the Cherries, especially in a Premiership match – still such a new experience to us Bournemouth fans. The ground is located in a rather unsightly industrial area but stands out as a bright, modern structure which underlines how far Southampton have progressed since the days of the old Dell. It is what I call a proper stadium, being fully enclosed, and, because it is a sensible size, this helps generate a really good atmosphere. We were behind the goal in the Northam Stand with chanting home supporters on both sides of us so there was lots of noise, and mainly good humoured chanting. The Saints lot would occasionally chant that they didn't care about us, but we know they do really!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
If ever there was a match that proved that "a game of two halves" is not just a cliché, then this was it. Southampton dominated the first half and took a two goal lead, despite some desperate defending from the Cherries who were, unusually, playing a five man midfield. Eddie Howe made changes at half time which gave us a more attacking 4-4-2 formation and much more pace, with the introduction of King and Stanislas. It seemed that Southampton did not get out of their half for the second 45 minutes, but the Cherries are lacking any cutting edge right now and failed to turn their domination into goals. It ended 2-0 to Saints.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We had to pass the Chapel Arms, near the Itchen Bridge, on the way back to the car park and there were a few beered up Saints fans, who'd probably been watching the game in the pub, outside trying to goad any away supporters. We just crossed the busy road before we got to the pub to avoid any confrontation. In contrast we then had a pint in the Wetherspoons pub in Ocean Village; The Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis (what ever happened to pub names like The Dog and Duck?)) to let the traffic dissipate. It was full of Saints fans, we were wearing our colours, but they were very friendly, sympathetic to our current plight and happy to chat. A pleasant way to end the day.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Our first Sunday 4pm kick off and glad it was just up the road so no late night before work on Monday. Southampton have a great ground and good fans, if you avoid the few idiots, and it was a day we very much hope to repeat next season – and not just because that will mean we will still be a Premiership team.
Southampton v Aston Villa
Premier League
Saturday 16th May 2015, 12.45pm
Chad Wood (Aston Villa fan)
Why you were looking forward to going to the St Mary's Stadium?
I had never been to the ground previously and was another one to tick off the list. Decent capacity and heard good things about it.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Travelled by official club coach which was straight forward enough as we were dropped off outside the away end and picked back up at the same place.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We made the short walk to a pub called the Joshua Tree. Was quite small inside by didn't wait longer than five minutes for a drink. Was for both home and away fans so was nice to be able to mix with the opposition for a change.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
A tidy enough stadium. The view of the playing action and facilities were both good.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was entertaining if you were a Southampton fan, not so much as a Villa spectator with Villa being 5-1 down at half time. Game finished up 6-1 and despite the score, the atmosphere was brilliant in the away end. To their credit, Southampton fans were fairly vocal too. The stewards and police were all friendly and helpful, one of the best grounds which I've been to in this respect. Police officers were more than willing to chat with football fans, not something you see all the time. Steak Pie at half time was very nice but a little pricey at £3.50.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Was waiting around 30 minutes for the coaches to leave after the crowds had dispersed. Anticipate that the wait would usually be shorter however Southampton fans all waited for their players lap of honour and rightly so.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Excellent day out and would thoroughly recommend to others!
Southampton v Stoke City
Premier League
Sunday May 19th 2013, 4pm
By Philip Green (Stoke City fan)
I was looking forward to going to St. Mary's for quite a few reasons. Firstly, when I originally booked tickets, the match was still potentially a relegation decider for both clubs. In the end both teams were safe from the drop and instead this a meaningless end-of-season fixture. Still, I quite like the party atmosphere of end-of-season games. It's quite nice to go and watch your team play when the outcome doesn't really matter (give or take a couple of million quid in prize money related to where we finished in the table!). Thirdly, I wanted to say goodbye to a number of Stoke players. The big publicity before the game was for the retirement of Michael Owen, but I was really there to (potentially) bid farewell to Asmir Begovic as I am pretty certain he will have left for pastures new at the start of the season. Of course, it also happened to be Tony Pulis' last game in charge. Finally, it was a stadium I had never been to before and I liked the look of it.
I travelled from Hertfordshire via London and left Waterloo 3.5 hours before kick off. This gave me plenty of time, as I was on crutches due to a knee injury. The train was pretty full once we got to Southampton, despite it being 2 hours before kick off when we arrived. There was quite a heavy police presence at the station, which surprised me. I elected to take the shuttle bus up to the ground and this took a bit of finding. (Ignore the "way out" signs in the station if you are coming from London and head for the other platforms. Use the exit on that side. Note to self: write down the good advice contained on this website when next visiting an unfamiliar ground!) I was about the only one who paid £2 for a ticket up to the ground, as everyone else was a senior citizen. The bus journey took about 10 minutes, and it was clear that there were plenty of Stokies and Saints fans enjoying a beverage or two in the city centre pubs. Again, the police presence was notable. I was quite surprised that the bus dropped us a good way (5-10 minutes' walk) from the ground, but it was easy to find due to the crowds.
I love walking around the outside of a ground, and St Mary's in a very tidy shape despite being surrounded by industrial premises. One really nice touch was that a player (I couldn't tell who) was signing autographs just outside the ground. This was very popular with the Saints fans and there were dozens queuing up. It really gave me the impression that this was a club which cared about its fans.
I entered the ground an hour or so before kick off and was very impressed with the stewards. They could not have been more helpful in getting me in via a side gate (due to being on crutches) and seemed really concerned about me having to climb so high up. (Going up steps is not a problem; it just takes me a while to get back down them!) I had a coffee but didn't avail myself of a pie and a pint. Despite the crowds building up, the concourse was not full and the queues were almost non-existent due to having plenty of staff to hand.
I had chosen my seat carefully so that I could put my leg out straight into a gangway and was very impressed with the view. I was just on the start of the corner, which gave me a good perspective over all the pitch. The 2500 Stokies were in fine singing voice and easily drowned out the home support, who were frankly disappointing. The bowl-like nature of the stadium might be a bit identikit but reminds us Stokies of what we might have had (and what we might have one day!) if our corners were filled in. The screens were very clear, but the PA was almost inaudible, despite me being very close to a speaker.
The game itself was a bit of a let-down. With virtually nothing to play for, I can understand why. Stupidly, there were several flares let off by Stokies, one of which landed dangerously close to Begovic. The stewarding in the ground was so laid back that all standing (even in the aisles) was allowed. This was a bit of a pain as I had to keep sitting down and asking the Stokies in front of me to move so that I could see. I am a big fan of standing areas, (and usually stand all of a match) but not being able to stand gave me a better idea of how inconvenient it is to do so if the person behind you wants, or needs, to sit down.
When Stoke went ahead in the 47th minute, it was party-time up the away end with plenty of taunts about how bad the Saints must be if we were winning away. Sadly that didn't last long and a deserved equaliser came along 10 minutes later. Of course, the main event in the game was when Michael Owen came on. He was given a rousing reception by all four sides of the ground – a nice touch. It would have been even better had he connected with a cross and scored the winning goal! At the end of the game, the entire Stoke team and manager came to acknowledge the support of their fans and were given a good send-off. Did Begovic's second bow mean that we won't see him again in a Stoke shirt? It certainly looked that way.
Compared with the end of season games at the Britannia, it seemed like a bit of a damp squib at St Mary's. The players came back on to the pitch but were so far away from the fans that it seemed a bit pointless. The ground certainly emptied very quickly after this.
I made my way back to the shuttle bus and was on my way soon afterwards. Unfortunately, we had to pass through some serious trouble in the town centre. It looked as though it had been pre-orchestrated but even being on a bus passing through the very heavy police presence was quite frightening.
The station was pretty full, as was the first train back to London, but I was generously given a seat by a Saints fan. This sparked up a cracking conversation with him, and it was a nice antidote to the trouble I had seen earlier.
Overall, this was a great day out. I loved the stadium, the stewards were incredibly helpful and polite (although could have done more to keep the aisles free!) and the away fans very welcoming. It's just sad that quite a few fans' experiences of the day was marred by the trouble in the city centre afterwards.
Southampton v Coventry City
Championship League
Saturday 28th April 2012, 12.30pm
By Alex Smith (Coventry City fan)
1. Why was you looking forward to going to the ground (if not if the case may be):
In a way I was still on a bit of a downer really after we had been relegated the previous week. But at least I didn't have to experience those last day nerves! Also I felt a bit uneasy at the prospect of watching another team getting promoted
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We took the Cross Country Bournemouth bound train from Birmingham International direct to Southampton it took about 4 hours. We got off at Southampton Central and on exiting the stadium we found that there were free buses to take people from the station to the ferry terminals. As this also stopped at the West Quay Shopping Centre we decided to hop on. I thought these free buses were a great idea for any visitor to Southampton.
3. What did you do before the match pub/ chippy/ home fans friendly?
We walked down the road to a JD Wetherspoons and I ordered my Usual Eggs Benedict. We had had a conversation with some Southampton fans wishing us the best of luck in League One and hoping that we bounce back up. From there we caught a taxi upto the ground and on entering we watched the players warm up.
4. What were your thoughts on the away end other sides of the ground?
St Marys looked almost identical to other grounds such as the Britannia in Stoke, the King Power in Leicester and not too dissimilar from our own Ricoh Arena. I think this why I prefer older grounds as they have more character.
5. Comment on the game itself, Toilets, Atmosphere, Pies, Stewards, etc..
The game started off with Southampton starting off poorly, we had the first chance of the match Cody McDonald skimming the bar from a powerful header. It didn't take long for Southampton to Get there groove on Billy Sharp opening the scoring, Southampton continued to dominate 3 minutes late Jose Fonte headed in from a corner. The game went quiet for a bit then in the 56th minute Jos Hooiveld scored from close range, and in the 63rd minute Adam Llanna completed the rout for the Saints sending them to the premier league, winning 4-0.
As you would expect the atmosphere was rocking from both sets of fans, Southampton were singing 'We are going up!' while we were singing 'We're all going on a League One tour.' The stewards were rather anxious. The Coventry jokingly sung that if city scored, the Cov fans would invade the pitch, which led to large amounts of stewards taking place in front of us, blocking the view of some fans in the front rows. Some banners criticising our Board were also taken down by the stewards further which inflamed tempers further, but things did calm down after the final whistle.
After the match it was depressing watching all the Southampton fans on the pitch celebrating their promotion in front of us. But they applauded our fans for brilliant support and some invited us to join them but the stewards would have none of it (unsurprisingly).
6. Comment on the day itself:
On the whole a good day, although the stewards should really learn to try and chill out a bit.
Southampton v Notts County
League One
Saturday 15th January 2011, 3pm
By James Spring (Notts County fan)
Being a Notts County supporter living in sunny Weymouth means I only really get to see Notts play when we play in the South, so I had been looking forward to the trip to St Marys since the fixtures were released. I also have a mate who is a Saints fan, so the plan was to meet up before and after the game. We caught the train from Weymouth to Southampton Central. There was a bit of confusion on the way, as we had to catch a bus from Bournemouth to Southampton station due to engineering works, but we were told to stay on the train at Bournemouth. However a new conductor got on, and as we left Bournemouth he said the train was going directly to London Waterloo. Luckily, we were told we could get off at Totton and there would be a bus waiting to take us to Southampton Central station. we eventually arrived at Southampton central station at 13:20. Having arrived in Southampton reasonably early, we went into the City Centre to grab a bite to eat. We found a Burger King which was full of home fans. I did feel a bit awkward going in, with a bunch of Saints fans with my County scarf on but they seemed good natured and wished us good luck for the season.
Just before 2pm we made our way to the stadium. it was about a 20 minute walk to the ground, and we didn't have to worry about navigation thanks to our local Saints guide. My first glimpse of the stadium came as we walked through a tunnel that leads through to the ground, and what a sight it was. The stadium is stunning, and a lot bigger than what it looks on television. Away supporters are located in one corner of the Northam stand, with the noisier Saints fans in the other end of that stand. We were sat right at the back, so we had the best view. You get clear vision of the pitch, a good view of the big TV Screens which showed highlights of Saints last game (a 6-0 away win at Oldham!) and the managers interview. I personally am not a big fan of these new bowl style arenas but I'll make an exception for St Marys. The game itself looked destined to be a hard fought contest between the two form sides in the League, Saints were 2nd in the table and Notts were on a good run of form which had seen them dump Sunderland out of the FA cup the previous week.
The first half was pretty cagey. Notts had the best chance midway through the half when Alan Gow's shot was knocked away for a corner by Saints keeper Kelvin Davis. At half time, we only had to queue for around two minutes to get a cup of tea, although it wasn't the best brew I've ever tasted it must be said. Still, it was enough to warm me up for the 2nd half. Now the one complaint I have about the whole day was the stewarding. Me and three other Notts fans started the 2nd half standing up, because we were right at the back, and I for one prefer standing up. But a steward came over and told us to sit down. Fine, thats all well and good, but why did they not make the home supporters standing in the other half of the Northam Stand, and in a section of the Itchen Stand sit down too? The 2nd half was a bit more lively. Me, and indeed most of the stadium thought the hosts had taken the lead from a corner early in the 2nd half, but the linesman said that the ball didn't cross the line, and replays proved it to be the correct decision. Southampton barely threatened after that, and the game looked destined for a draw. For a side 2nd in the table, I have to say the saints fans were pretty quiet as well, and didn't really sing much. The full time whistle blew and we celebrated a cracking away point. We met up with my Saints mate outside the ground and exchanged a polite handshake, and discussed the game, and other results as we walked back to Southampton Central station. The walkway/tunnel that leads to and from the ground was a bit packed but we got away easily and got back to the station after twenty minutes to catch a bus back to Bournemouth. A fantastic day out, a magnificent stadium, and a cracking point on the road for the magpies. would like to return there again, hopefully in the Championship one day, although we might be thinking a bit far ahead there! Onwards and upwards for the Magpies.
Southampton v Bournemouth
League One
Saturday 2nd October 2010, 3pm
By Alexander Jones (Bournemouth fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to the short trip to St Mary’s for several reasons. Firstly, it was the first league meeting between the two sides for 50 years. It is largely unknown outside the area that is a fierce rivalry between the two clubs, so it was a mouth watering prospect. Also, St Mary’s is a very modern ground which I was yet to visit, making it an extremely excitable game to go and watch. The fact that Bournemouth were on a great run and Saints were off to an unpredictable start to the season, made this an interesting spectacle.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey from Bournemouth was straightforward, just along the M27. We decided to use the away supporter’s park and ride, located by Junction 8 of the M27, as this was the safest way of getting to the ground. Usually I would expect no problems parking in the city centre, but we decided to be cautious due to the rivalry and experiences of others in the last meeting in the cup 2 months earlier. From that point onwards finding the ground was easy. There were plenty of pubs to get food and drink.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Before the game we decided to have a mooch around the stadium, before entering. The stewards seemed relatively friendly. However, due to the rivalry the home fans gave us a hostile reception outside the ground. I wouldn’t assume that you would experience this with any other team apart from Portsmouth! We got into the ground about an hour prior to kick off.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground itself is very modern, all seated with the corners filled in to enhance the atmosphere. The view from the away end was outstanding with ample legroom, which is a luxury in this division. It was everything you would expect from a new ground. Away fans receive an allocation of 4000, which was sold out for this game. The stadium has four decent stands, the ground perhaps a little too large for the division with all due respect. The catering facilities were good and prices were on par for all league grounds.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game itself was not good for me and my fellow supporters. Southampton got two dubious penalties, which Ricky Lambert scored both. Bournemouth played poorly after hitting the post in the first minute, we expected better! The atmosphere was electric and the roof came off when Southampton scored. There was a lot of derby day banter, which got unsavoury at the final whistle. The stewards weren’t over zealous and handled the minor trouble well. Catering facilities and toilets were good.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was very easy in terms of transport. There were minor outbreaks of trouble in the surrounding area as anticipated. However we were back at the park and ride area 30 minutes after the final whistle. Obviously if you park in the city centre, the traffic would have been pretty grid locked. This is why I would recommend the park and ride.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I found everything about the trip to St Mary’s excellent bar the result! A good atmosphere was generated, while the combination of good facilities and a great view of the action would make me go back there. It is an enjoyable day which I would recommend to any fan.
Southampton v Walsall
League One
Saturday, 27th February 2010, 3pm
By Ed Butler (Walsall fan)
1.Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
After beating Leeds at Elland road recently 3 points seemed a little more plausible. An added plus is that I had seen Villa play here a fair few years before and it’s always nice to see Walsall have a run out at a bigger stadium.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was made easier on the basis that I live in Winchester, however by all impressions the stadium is very easy to get to (Train and Coach) – however parking seemed to be an inconvenience across the message boards. Parking nearby at ocean village best bet – even if it costs £1.00 an hour!
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I went to a great Wetherspoons a ten minute walk away from the train station called the Giddy Bridge – here I talked to some knowledgeable Southampton fans who were more than up to the banter!! – Food inside the ground apparently is overpriced, so best bet is to get some grub from the plentiful vendors supplying on the outside.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
St. Mary’s is a very impressive stadium and almost certainly deserves to be plying it’s trade within the Premiership. The away end was a quaint corner within the stadium a fair cry away from the home fans. However I imagine that the entire area is awarded to the away end for a championship/FA cup/Premiership match.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game was superb for 3 minutes, then we conceded five goals against a vastly superior Southampton side. Ending 5 – 1. The stewards were disciplined but not over bearing and kept a careful eye. In fact one endured comically the cry of “only one David Seaman.” But if you look like an ex – England legend don’t be a steward – I joke! Atmosphere was good, and the endless “Oh when the saints””go marching in” was quite fun to join in on once desolated to defeat. Half time food – expensive, toilets (smoked filled).
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting out of the stadium is easy as pie – the stadium sits within a vast barren area and there seem to be endless tunnels leading back towards the city centre, where a good level headed police presence eased all fans away from oncoming traffic.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great day out, it is definitely worth staying over in the city during the night. Great locals, great pitch, sublime stadium. Worth a go for sure!! And we lost 5 – 1 (great free kick from us dead on 3minutes though :P)
Southampton v Ipswich Town
FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 23rd January 2010, 3pm
By Ben The Tractorboy (Ipswich Town fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
As an Ipswich Town fan I had never been to Southampton. The FA cup is always well supported by the Ipswich fans and I felt it was an ideal opportunity to go to the game. Having beaten Blackpool away in the last round I was slightly optimistic prior to the game.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
As I travelled to the game via the clubs coaches the journey was smooth. We stopped at South Mimms service station and there was a friendly banter with a few Saints fans. The coaches were parked at the back of the Northam Stand – the away end. Without any delays it was a great start to the day.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Before the game I bought a match programme, then had a decent Cornish pasty inside the ground. The home fans were very friendly, making the whole experience a lot easier. The stewards were fine and entrance to the ground was quick and easy. The stewards did search through the bags upon entrance through the turnstiles. There was no severe delay.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground was certainly very smart and modern both on the outside and inside of the stadium but in my opinion lacked character, it looked more like a bowl than a football ground! St Marys is certainly very similar in appearance to Middlesbrough’s’ stadium. The view from the away end was excellent, positioned behind the goal. As it was a cup game extra seats were provided to make the away end even larger.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game itself was very frustrating from an Ipswich point of view. The atmosphere was great with all Ipswich fans in full voice. Southampton fans were surprisingly quieter than I thought they were going to be. Losing 2-1 was a little embarrassing… but losing 1-4 at home to Portsmouth in the next round is worse! Toilets were clean; it makes a change from some grounds! Pies were good according to those around us.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The away fans were not held behind after the game which is always good for a quick exit The coaches parked behind the back of the stand making which guaranteed a fast exit. Although I heard Park and Ride was easy and cheap as well I would recommend travelling to the ground by coach. More banter was shared between the fans as the coaches departed!
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The Southampton ground is very impressive and well worth visiting. On the whole it was a very enjoyable day, pity about the result but in all honesty Southampton did deserve the win. Everything was first class apart from the result. I would certainly return if the sides were to meet again.