Turkish Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Just posted something about this on another thread. I remember the club wanted to do this but why was everyone against it? Why did everyone think the "singing area" needed to be near the away fans. People are moaning that they are going to lose the northam for big cup games liek Man U and it'll be spread out and some part timers will be in the Kingsland areas moaning at the noise, dilituing the atmosphere. This would never happen if the whole area was in the Chapel. I think it woul be brilliant having a whole end of 6-7k singing, you certainly wouldn't get the diliuted noise you get at SMS these days with parts of the ground singing different songs or the same one a bit behind the northam. Remember how impressive the northam looked when we had pretty much the whole end for JPT game against MK Dons? That was one of the best atmospheres i've seen at SMS, it could be like that a lot more. What is everyones thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I am all for it but if there were 6-7,000 people in the Chapel then there will be 2 or 3 times the amount of idiots banging the backboards and the songs will be even faster and sound even worse than they do in the Northam. People haven't even realised that we sing OWTS twice slow before quickening it up. Block 42 do it slow twice while idiots around me in 40 and 39 in Kingsland North just start speeding it up at the end of the first time round. If we had one person that was able to bang the backboards to a decent pace and keep a chant going for ages then I'd be all up for it. When games come around where there's likely to be a good atmosphere from the away fans then it is half decent to be next to away fans, seen as Itchen North is quality for games against Pompey, Utd etc. But then when we have a crap home game against the likes of Rochdale and Tranmere, the Northam doesn't even sell out so I can't see a Chapel 'Kop' getting anywhere near 6-7k standing and singing. It's a good idea in principle though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sfc90 Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Definitely like the idea. Like you said, I think theirs to much going on with Northam and parts of Kingsland and Itchen all trying to get involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I think you hit the nail on the head when you say: "Why did everyone think the "singing area" needed to be near the away fans." It just seems to be a tradition at Saints to have this in recent years. The location of the Archers road end to the right of the East Stand away section just carried over to St Mary's and now it has become ingrained with a lot of the fanbase. Logistically it would just be easier to move it lock stock to the Chapel as the away end can only be easily expanded into the Northam... it would cost a lot to reverse that and get the away end expandable into the Itchen stand. It would also allow for easier seperation of home/away fans for more 'sensitive' fixtures. Logically, makes sense to move it, emotionally..... many will resist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I voted for it to happen. Unfortunately many do not/cannot see that the Northam can be drowned out by the away section. The fans in the itchen cant hear the Northam when the away fans are singing against the Northam. If we had a chance again to have a kop end then we should embrace it sadly i cant see the majority agreeing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Could also result in some resisting and not moving from the Northam, some moving over to the Chapel and the top couple of rows in the Itchen North staying where they are too, which would just dilute the atmosphere further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 It's all right saying it and talking about it, but how would it be implemented? Would it just be a news story on the OS saying "We've decided to turn the Chapel in the Kop! All you Northam STH's please buy your tickets there from now on! Sorry to all the Chapel STH's who must now move elsewhere unless prepared to sing and stand all game long."? I actually like the principle of the idea, but unless the away fans moved to the Kingsland or Itchen Chapel corners then it's going to remain the same. That's where the atmosphere is most spicy, near the away fans - hence why there was at one time a superb atmosphere not just in the Northam but in blocks 1 & 2. I don't really understand what moves would be realistically made to just "turn" the Chapel into a new, bigger Northam and then expecting everyone to run with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 11 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 11 January, 2011 It's all right saying it and talking about it, but how would it be implemented? Would it just be a news story on the OS saying "We've decided to turn the Chapel in the Kop! All you Northam STH's please buy your tickets there from now on! Sorry to all the Chapel STH's who must now move elsewhere unless prepared to sing and stand all game long."? I actually like the principle of the idea, but unless the away fans moved to the Kingsland or Itchen Chapel corners then it's going to remain the same. That's where the atmosphere is most spicy, near the away fans - hence why there was at one time a superb atmosphere not just in the Northam but in blocks 1 & 2. I don't really understand what moves would be realistically made to just "turn" the Chapel into a new, bigger Northam and then expecting everyone to run with it. They tried last season if i remember rightly, but for some reason everyone felt they need to be near the away fans. It's true what was said earlier, i sit in the itchen and you cant hear the northam when a full away end is going for it. Of course the Chapel end wont be the same for the games like Rochdale, but the atmosphere would be dead anyway. I really think the atmosphere would be much improved having a full home end and it would be a return to traditional football. People talk fondly about the old Milton Road end, the Kop, the Stretford end, the North Bank, the Holte end etc, if anyone went to football when these were terraces the noise generated was superb. I went to Highbury and Villa Park as a kid and they looked and sounded really impressive. The Kop at Anfield still does even though it always has to be accompanied by the commentators crowing that it's "another one of those great European nights at Anfield" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 They tried last season if i remember rightly, but for some reason everyone felt they need to be near the away fans. It's true what was said earlier, i sit in the itchen and you cant hear the northam when a full away end is going for it. Of course the Chapel end wont be the same for the games like Rochdale, but the atmosphere would be dead anyway. I really think the atmosphere would be much improved having a full home end and it would be a return to traditional football. People talk fondly about the old Milton Road end, the Kop, the Stretford end, the North Bank, the Holte end etc, if anyone went to football when these were terraces the noise generated was superb. I went to Highbury and Villa Park as a kid and they looked and sounded really impressive. The Kop at Anfield still does even though it always has to be accompanied by the commentators crowing that it's "another one of those great European nights at Anfield" Yep, I do agree with you. Still can't see how it could happen though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 accompanied by the commentators crowing that it's "another one of those great European nights at Anfield" Ha, they won't be saying that for a while! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardc Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I also agree with this - when you get big away support and they take the majority of the Northam then they out sing the northam - this happened at Brighton this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I was all for it. Once in a blue moon us in block 42, kinsland north and blocks 1 & 2 sing the same song at the same pace. It's to broken up. The atmosphere at the MK Dons game was out of this world and it was after that Cortese wanted to keep it that way, but the pole ice wouldn't allow moving the away fans. I can't see why the club can't just write to us all asking wether we would be up for, go with the majority and move the family stand. The grounds I have been to that have produced the beat atmospheres, the noise has always come from the opposite end from the away fans. The numpty who does the banging at 255mph is on 606. I'll put a post up and politely ask him to either shut the f*** up or slow the mother down. Surely we can try and spread the word about how silly we sound singing so fast. The old "Red & White (Barmy Army)" starts of fine but after a few rounds it's so fast that it is actually impossible to fit the "Barmy Army" in the middle. I always start "OWTS" slowly in Block 42, it barely lasts 1 round and the idiots are trying to clap and bang and speed it up, it starts to catch on but we persevere with it slowly, then they do it again, we carry on, before everyone turns into a beefwood faced moron singing "OWTS" faster than there brain can begin to think about processing. Drives me f*****g nuts but surely there is something we can do about it rather than ****ing and moaning about it all the time with nothing changing? I'll try and get hold the numpty doing the banging anyhow. I would start a thread with ideas on what we can do, but I would only get the bits ripped out of me for thinking I'm our superhero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Ha, they won't be saying that for a while! They will next season when they are in the championship and have home fixtures against Cardiff and Swansea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I'll try and get hold the numpty doing the banging anyhow. I would start a thread with ideas on what we can do, but I would only get the bits ripped out of me for thinking I'm our superhero. Yep. You'd be a SEWPA FAN!!!!!!!!!!!! for even suggesting anything like that. Shame, but I'll support you in your mission. Together, we can move mountains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Northam Stand was fantastic vs MK Dons in the JPT area final last season, everyone stood and about 5,000 people in there. Shame we wouldn't be able to keep it up if the Northam was made home fans only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Yep. You'd be a SEWPA FAN!!!!!!!!!!!! for even suggesting anything like that. Shame, but I'll support you in your mission. Together, we can move mountains. Didn't take long did it. Let's just keep our shambolic home vocal support and keep moaning about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Didn't take long did it. Let's just keep our shambolic home vocal support and keep moaning about it. Mate, I'm with you on this one! Perhaps I should have posted a wink at the end, but I thought it was obvious that I was ****ing around. I completely agree with you, if there's anything we can do to try and slow down the songs in the Northam we should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey-deacons-left-nut Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Why not move the away fans to the Kinglsland not all of it, just say the final 3rd that goes into the northern corner? Thta way teh Northern can be the kop end and you'll actually be able to see the away fans as they will in front of you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jones91 Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 If they moved the away fans, the Northam fans would just follow them. The best place for away fans would be Kingsland/Chapel corner, the Chapel would then be the standing/singing stand - Then open a train platform outside the kingsland and the police can stick the away fans on a train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 If they moved the away fans, the Northam fans would just follow them. The best place for away fans would be Kingsland/Chapel corner, the Chapel would then be the standing/singing stand - Then open a train platform outside the kingsland and the police can stick the away fans on a train. Sounds perfect, but it's not that simple at all. The train station discussion has been done to death, and it's practically impossible for now anyway. And the authorities don't want the away fans to be moved because in their current location it's easy to get them away from the ground and the home supporters. Will be difficult to change, but if anyone is capable of doing it Cortese is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSFC Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Ultimately I dont think its important whether its the Northam or The Chapel Stand that becomes our "kop" but one of them needs to! I remember in the summer posting about this on another thread, and my thoughts basically are that in League 1 and potentially a few games in The Championship the average attendance will be low 20ks. This level of attendance naturally creates gaps in the crowd. Generally you have Half the Northam from block 42 I think (not too concerned with the numbers) full and all down the Kingsland but with seats empty in the corners. Then you get 1/2 - 3/4 full Chapel, again with the Chapel/Itchen corner a little aparse at times. Then basically the whole of the Itchen is full down to the corner, and then theres the gap before the Away fans and then the gap between them and Northam. When there is an attendance of 25/26+ it is far better and less disjointed and if the away support is 1500+ it helps the atmosphere. Looking forward to next season in the Championship (which Im sure will be the case!!) I fully expect crowds to average over 25K with most nearer 28/29K. This will no doubt help th eatmosphere naturally but I do think that in preparation for the Premier League the club should unilaterally make the decision not to sell Northam seats to home fans until The Itchen/Kingsland and Chapel stands are full, and state that "singers" are actively encouraged to buy their season tickets in The Chapel Stand. I belive this tact (although unpolpular with some) will create our "Kop" and in turn create a better overall atmosphere because the crowd (even in low 20k turnouts - cup games perhaps or god forbid lowere league football again!) will be far better "joined up" and the singing will spread far easier. This would also stay in line with the Polices insistance of where the away fans are situated. It also means easier control of their alloted seats. This question is not an easy one because whatever the club does, some people will not be happy!! Good luck NC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I don't even bother singing most of the time as I can't keep up! And some don't seem to realise that RL Soton's goal machine has lyrics. Perhaps the best way to create a Kop in the Chapel could be tied in with any moves towards safe standing areas. If this ever happens then the club could simply say that the Chapel is the designated standing area - job done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 The easiest way to move the Northam fans down to the Chapel is to make the Northam the family stand. The two key challenges that can't be overcome though is the location of the away fans and the desire of some fans to be near them; and secondly the fact that the Northam is the first stand you get to coming over the bridge. I'm sure most fans who arrive from that direction would object to being asked to walk halfway round the ground to get to the Chapel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Only proper lads sing at the games. Proper lads will sit next to the away fans for banter. Good luck getting the chapel to sing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100%Red&White Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I don't even bother singing most of the time as I can't keep up! And some don't seem to realise that RL Soton's goal machine has lyrics. Perhaps the best way to create a Kop in the Chapel could be tied in with any moves towards safe standing areas. If this ever happens then the club could simply say that the Chapel is the designated standing area - job done! Indeed. I think we/Mr Cortese should kindly put us forward as guinea pigs to trial a new safe-standing terrace. The FA could also part fund the alterations required, can't say fairer than that It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Chapel is so so quiet. I was there on Saturday, yes there was some singing but that's just because blocks 37, 38, 39 were shut and the regulars moved over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 A big problem is that it is the family enclosure and only has the Itchen to banter with....its not going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 The Chapel as the home singing end should be a no brainer. It's a simple matter of acoustics. If you want to drown out the opposition you do it by singing in greater numbers FACING THEM. Singing from the Northam facing the same way as the opposition simply doesn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 It's pointless trying to plan these things, people will sit where they want, people will sing if they want. Dumb thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Could you imagine the supa dupa fans reaction to cortese should he dare try something different..!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedArmy Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 We haven't got the fans for a "kop" imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 So were does the family enclosure go? next to the away fans? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 It always strikes me as strange when people say that "the atmosphere was brilliant from the Northam" and that "the Northam were superb" after a game, because if you sit up the other end, you can barely hear them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodles34 Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I have to say that recently our support has become embarrassing. As someone who sits in the Itchen 4, what happened? We were giving the Northam a run for our money a year or two ago but now we are outsung by a bus load of Seasiders! I was initially against the move, but recently I am relenting because our support is so, so quiet, and it is embarrassing. We got a great team, great stadium (if you like that new fangled look etc, but thats another story) and we have great supporters in respect that we turn up in big numbers, week in, year out etc. but the noise level is pathetic, we need to do something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 11 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 11 January, 2011 It's pointless trying to plan these things, people will sit where they want, people will sing if they want. Dumb thread. Thanks for your imput, dumb post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latter day saint Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 i can't see people moving from the Northam to the Chapel, due to emotional attachment more so than closeness of away support. would it help to open up blocks 1,2,3 again so we surrounded the away support with noisey fans? maybe this & the continued encouragement to fill the Kingsland/Northam corner with singers would be the answer rather than a potential unpopular & messy exodus to the Chapel. realy need to sort out the lads banging the boards though. on Saturday they were way to fast & stifled a lot of the songs. i don't normally moan about this & as if done properly it can really help the singing to get going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 When blocks 1-3 are opened, the noisy support either side of the away fans can really help, like against the Skates. The main problem is the stupid banging on the back boards and the **** variety of songs we have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevy777_x Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 How about doing things the european way? I was a season ticket holder a few years back at Paris Saint Germain and they have supporter groups that pack both ends of the ground. They have one person in each end directing the songs with a megaphone, and everyone in the end follow the songs. The atmosphere is absolutely electric and each end often sing to each other. Would be great to do that at St Mary's although I don't think all the supporters would follow one person with a megaphone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 How about doing things the european way? I was a season ticket holder a few years back at Paris Saint Germain and they have supporter groups that pack both ends of the ground. They have one person in each end directing the songs with a megaphone, and everyone in the end follow the songs. The atmosphere is absolutely electric and each end often sing to each other. Would be great to do that at St Mary's although I don't think all the supporters would follow one person with a megaphone. Stuart Dennis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 imo the reason for the lack of vocal support is pretty simple. Younger fans tend to get more excited and be more vocal than older ones, and Saints havent recruited many younger fans over the past few years because we've been, well, how to put it...a bit a ****. Now weve started to turn the corner I reckon the problem will resolve itself in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latter day saint Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 there are plenty of young lads in the Northam & Kingsland corner who are great for the singing but its the few who have a couple of shandys & then bang on the backboards like demented woodpeckers on speed who need sorting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 It always strikes me as strange when people say that "the atmosphere was brilliant from the Northam" and that "the Northam were superb" after a game, because if you sit up the other end, you can barely hear them. Yeah that's not true. I sit in the Chapel for the majority of games and never since SMS opened did I come away thinking I could barely hear the Northam. Always have been and probably always will be the noisiest part of the ground. Obviously sometimes the atmosphere is dead when we're getting stuffed and the Northam is quiet too, but you can always hear them at some point of every single game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Yeah that's not true. I sit in the Chapel for the majority of games and never since SMS opened did I come away thinking I could barely hear the Northam. Always have been and probably always will be the noisiest part of the ground. Obviously sometimes the atmosphere is dead when we're getting stuffed and the Northam is quiet too, but you can always hear them at some point of every single game. From my seat in the Family section you can ALWAYS hear the Northam even when they are half throttle. If you cannot hear them you ned your ears checking, even my half deaf father can distinctly pick it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Yeah that's not true. I sit in the Chapel for the majority of games and never since SMS opened did I come away thinking I could barely hear the Northam. Always have been and probably always will be the noisiest part of the ground. Obviously sometimes the atmosphere is dead when we're getting stuffed and the Northam is quiet too, but you can always hear them at some point of every single game. General with Deppo's posts it best to just assume he means the exact opposite of what he said....................................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 General with Deppo's posts it best to just assume he means the exact opposite of what he said....................................... Oops, didn't realise it was him. It'd be like posting a sensible reply to StuRomeySaint, Charlie Wayman or alpine. Doh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeg Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Definitely like the idea. Like you said, I think theirs to much going on with Northam and parts of Kingsland and Itchen all trying to get involved. correct .. this club.. our club needs a proper end not the diluted situation that now exists .. Northam do a great job most of the time but when theres big away support the Northam is squeezed and even though the chances are we have a full house we can be outsung by certain teams .. that cant be right! Get one end rocking and it will spread down both sides of the stadium as has been proved by other clubs This should have been nailed down when the stadium was built .. it wasn't and its about bloody time it was sorted.. it should come from us .. it should come from our desire to make the best use of the large numbers who turn up in Red and White ..our desire to give Saints the best support possible If we made the Chapel (for operational purposes) our main end it would be fantastic and we would all be wondering why the hell it took so long for it to happen ... its so bloody obvious!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 oops, didn't realise it was him. It'd be like posting a sensible reply to sturomeysaint, charlie wayman or alpine. Doh! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Would be brilliant if we could just move the away fans 2 or 3 blocks over towards to Itchen. That way we would have most of the Northam and it would be like The Dell when the away fans were to the left of us. I think a lot of fans like to be able to see the away fans for the banter. Moving them round a bit would keep them close and easy to drown out. I sat in the Chapel for the first time in years on Saturday and when we scored, the Northam looked incredable. And the noise they made was quality. If we can have that, but doubled, it's perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Maybe the atmosphere has more to do with whats going on the pitch rather than were the singers sit? just a thought but certain teams just get the crowding going for whatever reason and some don't. Maybe we could just get the away team to were a pompey strip for every home game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 All the singers to one end - thats what is most effective by far. As we get further up the leagues and further in cups we will meet bigger teams who will fill the Northam and out sing us. Best strategy to help the team is all together in one big Kop. I'm against the current set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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