hypochondriac Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 I spoke to Cortese after the forum about the Itchen North. He said that ultimately it would depend on fan numbers but that having the away and home fans together on one end was a strange thing for them and that it was something they were looking at. What would people think about having the Northam home fans only? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Less banter, but better support. A potential bad thing about the situation is you might get the quiet type filling the Northam, destroying atmosphere. Where would the away fans go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 A fantastic idea. They where located there due to logistics rather then good sense in the first place, time to stick them at a side where they can make no impact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilsburydoughboy Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Put the away fans in the Chapel/Kingsland corner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 21 September, 2009 Author Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Nah I would put the away fans in itchen corner. Will keep the banter but make the northam louder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 It will be down to the old bill in the end, as the Northern end is ideal from their point of view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Put the away fans in the Chapel/Kingsland corner Good call IMO....whilst at the same time shifting the family enclosure around to one half of the Itchen (nearest Chapel). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genk Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Nah I would put the away fans in itchen corner. Will keep the banter but make the northam louder. Agreed. Can't honestly see the away fans going anywhere else, except maybe northam/kingsland corner. Potential problem with itchen corner is because of the boxes?? Just a thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 21 September, 2009 Author Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Agreed. Can't honestly see the away fans going anywhere else, except maybe northam/kingsland corner. Potential problem with itchen corner is because of the boxes?? Just a thought Maybe Kingsland corner? Would that work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Good call IMO....whilst at the same time shifting the family enclosure around to one half of the Itchen (nearest Chapel). Yeah, you don't really want boisterous Millwall fans or Leeds fans right next to families with kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genk Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Put the away fans in the Chapel/Kingsland corner Ground would lose atmosphere because most noise comes from northam and away fans would be too far away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 21 September, 2009 Author Share Posted 21 September, 2009 It will be down to the old bill in the end, as the Northern end is ideal from their point of view. Well it is something they are looking into. I'm sure they could be persuaded eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 It will be down to the old bill in the end, as the Northern end is ideal from their point of view. Fair point, yep....Police wouldn't want away fans around other end of stadium, furthest away from their transport home...unless away coaches could relocate? With that in mind, how about this as a slightly more controversal suggestion.....switch the Chapel and Northam ends around.....so that the Chapel becomes the 'home end'? Takes cover.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genk Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Maybe Kingsland corner? Would that work? I think that it could work. It would have to eat into the Kingsland a bit as they wouldnt all fit in the corner would they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Put the away fans in the Chapel/Kingsland corner Not going to happen. The police wouldn't allow it for logistical and security reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Out of interest (and excuse my poor grasp of recent history) was there any reason as to why the Northam was chosen as the home end when the stadium originally opened or did it just naturally evolve that way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genk Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Out of interest (and excuse my poor grasp of recent history) was there any reason as to why the Northam was chosen as the home end when the stadium originally opened or did it just naturally evolve that way? I thought one factor was because of the sun. Security also I guess more importantly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 Out of interest (and excuse my poor grasp of recent history) was there any reason as to why the Northam was chosen as the home end when the stadium originally opened or did it just naturally evolve that way? I think it naturally evolved that way. But with where the away fans are, it was obvious that our main home end would be the northern because of being right next to the away fans and the banter etc which comes with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyboy Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 The next time Pompey come which will be sooner than they think, their loyal travelling support can have the away dugout, and the spare seats can be used for the subs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red&white56 Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 I think it naturally evolved that way. But with where the away fans are, it was obvious that our main home end would be the northern because of being right next to the away fans and the banter etc which comes with it. Wasn't it just an extension from the Dell, when everyone went to the Archers Rd terrace next to the away fans ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 I have always been of the opinion that they could logistically put visitors in the Itchen North corner, I am surprised it hasn't happened I really am. Safety wise, you want to keep fans from intermingling. Currently anyone going from ticket office to the Northam has to pass the away fans, and after the game they often shut the north car park anyway, so it would negate the need to do that. For the more boisterous teams, simply cordon off the bit from Ted's statue and march them up from the bottom of Brittaniia road. They could even use it as a segregated holding area allowing me time to get back to my car and others get the first pint in at the Northam Club. There are sure to be some negatives, like the corporate boxes, but I've been to a few grounds where we've sat in front of their prawn sarnie munchers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 21 September, 2009 Share Posted 21 September, 2009 i like to sit near the away fans to goad them n stuff. They should stay. Moving them would **** of existing season ticket holders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 /\ Why? They got pee'd off when the corners were closed as did I, but this way they reclaim a corner albeit the other side of the fence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 Wasn't it just an extension from the Dell, when everyone went to the Archers Rd terrace next to the away fans ??? At the Dell our main end was the Milton Road end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 At the Dell our main end was the Milton Road end. Debatable tbf I would say that at The Dell was a ground of four stands, each with it's own unique and equally pivotal role in making the place so special. I would venture that The Dell did not actually ahve a 'home' end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 i like to sit near the away fans to goad them n stuff. They should stay. Moving them would **** of existing season ticket holders Exactly, if you made the Northam all home fans would it get filled every week? Most of the Itchen North corner sat there because of the proximty of the away fans, move the away fans and they would move next to them NOT into the Northam. History shows that a vocal minority move to where the away fans are located. Any way i cannot see the OB sanctioning a move that moves away fans farther from their coaches and train station Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I spoke to Cortese after the forum about the Itchen North. He said that ultimately it would depend on fan numbers but that having the away and home fans together on one end was a strange thing for them and that it was something they were looking at. What would people think about having the Northam home fans only? I like it as it is. The Itchen North is brilliant with Northam on the other side as it boxes the away fans in with singing and banter. Works really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsland Codger Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I recall reading an interview with Mr Cowen(s? ...or maybe Cowan(s) - how quickly one forgets!) shortly after the move from The Dell. Possibly this interview was on the old SFE site. He was asked why the home and away fans shared the Northam end and I'm sure he said this was decided in close consultation with our fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 Let everyone mix freely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonsaints1 Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I would relocate the away fans to the Kingslnad corner-i hate seeing away fans celebrating and showing off when games are televised! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alain Perrin Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I sit in the XXXXXXX stand and there's no way I'd move. I won't set foot in St Mary's again if that happens. Regards Tom in Moscow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I would relocate the away fans to the Kingslnad corner-i hate seeing away fans celebrating and showing off when games are televised! Are you planning to equip the Kingsland corner with a 'Cloaking Device' so tactically effective when employed by Klingon Battlecruisers ? - if so it's a excellent plan . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 How about banning all away fans like Luton did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint boggy Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 there is a little problem that people seem to forget when discussing moving the away fans........ The Itchen North stand has executive boxes, so there is NO WAY that the club will house away fans there, what with the risk of violence and abuse being thrown in the direction of the boxes. And they can't move the away supporters to the Kingsland north as there are only 4 sets of exit gates for the entire Kingsland stand, so they would have to dedicate one set of 2 gates(Kingsland North)for the away fans (as home and away fans could not mingle at the end of a game), which leaves approx 3/4 of the kingsland stand all struggling to get out of one 2 gates......which would cause a serious crushing risk..........the only alternative is to house them in what was the Junior Saints (old family enclosure), but i personally don't think that would be big enough...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkie Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 Here's something radical - close The Northam to home fans and relocate them all to The Chapel. Keep the away fans in The Northam and re-open the Itchen North. The Itchen North is a sun trap - it keeps me warm when things are cold on the pitch! Then at least in the 2nd half when we go for the kill the players will be kicking towards the home fans! I keep hearing people say why don't we kick toards The Northam in the 2nd half - perhaps they like kicking towards The Chapel and they are suggesting the "hard-core" relocate to The Chapel! So the logisitics of having the away fans in The Northam will never change. The police can control the evacuation of SMS and get away fans off on coaches will minimal fans crossing and avoiding potential flash points. The atmosphere will never be the same again at SMS until the away fans are cornered (literally) between The Northam & Itchen North ardent fans base. I personally think it is a conspiracy to make SMS a more homely place. The Itchen North was not for the faint hearted and there was/is always that menace factor to deal with. I'm not suggesting it would all kick off - but you just knew if any away fans fancied trying their arm, they would get more than a bargained for! Believe me there were faces that populated this stand who were on the pitch at Highbury in 1984, and many other friendly disputes about the result all over the country - never mind Hill Lane. So fortress SMS needs the Itchen North back and quickly - why don't they put the away fans up in The Chapel and have all the coaches parked in the car park? Surely that would be the easiest and quickest solution...hang on a minute the Itchen North would then become The Itchen or The Kingsland South! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_mears Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I fail to see whats wrong with what currently exists. Certainly the atmosphere has been killed somewhat with the itchen corner being closed. I think the Police like the current set up as it means they have control of away fans close to exit. The last thing you want is thousands of away fans walking through home supporters straight away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamsaint Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 whatever happens in the Northam, its clear that cheaper pricing in the Chapl is working- good numbers in there now- so it would be a shame to change that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 But surely this all depends on numbers the away fans bring? How many clubs bring more than a 1,000..maybe 4 clubs in this division? Many clubs will only bring 3-400 or Pompey 257 ;-). The club cannot afford to not sell a couple of thousand seats in the Northam just to keep fans away from each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 (edited) Away teams do get added impetus kicking towards their own fans in the 2nd half. At least denying them that might give us something at the margins. I don't think things like the Leeds 4-3 (not to mention some of the other great comebacks) would repeat themselves if they were shunted in the Itchen or Kingsland North. Edited 22 September, 2009 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsarum Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I would relocate the away fans to the Kingslnad corner-i hate seeing away fans celebrating and showing off when games are televised! No way, at the moment Kingsland / Northam corner is more vocal than the Itchen North , loads of lads go in this area of the ground now, and also the infustructure for the Kingsland is not set up to cope with segregation. The away fans should stay where they are the Northam is set up to enable easy segregation of various numbers of away fans and if there is likely to be trouble after the game the Car park can easily be closed off without disturbing fans too much. The only other area which can be easily segregated is the old family centre Kingsalnd Cahpel corner but with the current position of police control and cells set up where they are I don't think the police would very keen on any change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I would relocate the away fans to the Kingslnad corner-i hate seeing away fans celebrating and showing off when games are televised! try being at the game itself , the away fans celebrate for every game not just ones on tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintDonkey Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I'm not sure why this always comes up. The simple fact is that the Northam and Itchen North are the noisiest areas of home support because of the presense of the away supporters. What makes the Northam such a vibrant stand is the presence of the away fans - take them away and it just wouldn't have the same atomosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Ash Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 There was talk of moving the away fans to kingsland north a couple of seasons ago. The club (maybe Lowe) wanted it to happen but fell by the wayside, not sure why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 Although it is a sickening feeling when the away team score and you hear all the away fans celebrating and cheering, I don't think I'd want them moved. The Northam wouldn't be half as loud without all the banter with the away fans, and with the Itchen lot on the other side, it is perfect for building up our vocal support. Keep them there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever a red and white Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 leave it as it is, when don;t get nearly enough fans to fill the northam as it is. Also think its a better atmosphere to have two sets of fans behind the goal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 22 September, 2009 Author Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I like it as it is. The Itchen North is brilliant with Northam on the other side as it boxes the away fans in with singing and banter. Works really well. It does unless the Itchen North is closed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 Agreed. Can't honestly see the away fans going anywhere else, except maybe northam/kingsland corner. Potential problem with itchen corner is because of the boxes?? Just a thought That would be a nightmare scenario for the old Bill because home fans need to use the tunnel/footbridge and would have to walk straight through the away fans to get to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nineteen Canteen Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 Yeah, you don't really want boisterous Millwall fans or Leeds fans right next to families with kids. No worse than some of our own in my experience. Often I have embarrasingly come away from games and had to ask my son what certain words mean't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 No worse than some of our own in my experience. Often I have embarrasingly come away from games and had to ask my son what certain words mean't. Yeah I know but the Northam isn't right next to the Family Enclosure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 22 September, 2009 Share Posted 22 September, 2009 I spoke to Cortese after the forum about the Itchen North. He said that ultimately it would depend on fan numbers but that having the away and home fans together on one end was a strange thing for them and that it was something they were looking at. What would people think about having the Northam home fans only? Surely this shows a lack of understranding of how fans behave? If you think about the move to St Marys' no one designated the home bit of the northam as the main noisy home fans section. The police dictated that the away fans had part of it, and the home fans who like to be close to away fans therefore went there. We already have the whole of the chapel end as a 'home end'. It's just that the noisy fans choose not to sit there. IF the police agreed the necessary physical gorund alterations to put away fans in the itchen north -- the only possible alternative in terms of crowd managment to and from the stadium -- then the northam could indeed be given over entirely to home fans. But the reality is that then the current itchen north home fans would be just as likely to go to the itchen centre or south, as close as possible to the away fans. Why would the directors etc want to be in between away and home fans, and why would anyone buy an expensive box above away fans in the itchen? Or if (very unlikely) if the police agreed to put away fans in the chapel, all that would mean is that the noisy home fans would sit next to them there instead of in the northam. K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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