Northam End to be home fans only + safe standing (new updates)

[Neil]

As far as I can tell, this is the first real effort Saints have made in 23 years of SMS to do something that might actually improve the atmosphere/experience for home fans! The much quoted 'there's nothing we can do about the location of away fans' line was either bollocks or something has changed re: the police etc.

Far too long we've given the away team a huge boost of vocal support near/behind the goal and always captured by the TV pictures. I've got a recurring nightmare of away fans celebrating another late equaliser/winner at that bloody end.

I think it will be down to Saints fans to get behind this and try to get vocal types moving here and make this a proper end. I never felt the Milton was much of an end, the Bikeshed Archers was as good as it got and I felt made a big difference at times, especially in some crucial relegation battles. The ends at SMS have never really worked out properly, so this has to be worth a go.

[Neil]

As far as I can tell, this is the first real effort Saints have made in 23 years of SMS to do something that might actually improve the atmosphere/experience for home fans! The much quoted 'there's nothing we can do about the location of away fans' line was either bollocks or something has changed re: the police etc.

Far too long we've given the away team a huge boost of vocal support near/behind the goal and always captured by the TV pictures. I've got a recurring nightmare of away fans celebrating another late equaliser/winner at that bloody end.

I think it will be down to Saints fans to get behind this and try to get vocal types moving here and make this a proper end. I never felt the Milton was much of an end, the Bikeshed Archers was as good as it got and I felt made a big difference at times, especially in some crucial relegation battles. The ends at SMS have never really worked out properly, so this has to be worth a go.

[LuckyNumber7]

4 hours ago, franniesTache said:

You seem to be massively missing the point here, i haven't said i'm against it, i've said i have no interest in moving over to it.  In fact I also said that it's good for the kids to have their own area.

What i'm skeptical of is people saying "well the itchen north will link up with the northam", I don't think that's true, my point was that a lot of us don't want to go to the northam (kop or not) because they don't really like the people in the northam.

Which then begs the question, where are these extra 3k people coming from?

The Itchen north probably doesn't hold much more than 800 people, and a lot don't want to move so not there. The kingsland north is less than 500. Back of the chapel? God knows in the 20's at most.

So what's that leaved? Displaced from the chapel blocks the away fans move to? Kingsland/Chapel who don't want to be by the away fans?

That's where i think the idea that we'll suddenly have a big wall of noise falls down. I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with a thin spread of "noise" across the safe standing at the back, then a quieter front few rows of people sitting.

I get what you're saying, and agree to a certain extent that some of those in the Northam are annoying with their 100mph clapping etc. But I think the Itchen North can still keep going as is if the people there want to stay there and it can co-exist with the Northam. As with anything, some will moan and some just don't like change, but I think the majority are really happy with this change and have been wanting it for a long time.

I hope/suspect there are quite a few fans dotted around the ground who would like to be more vocal but feel out of place singing in the quieter parts of the ground, and also some who don't go much due to cost/crap atmosphere etc who will find this very appealing. Let's be frank, the atmosphere has been depressingly bad for a long time now, even this season with us doing well. The whole fan experience/atmosphere needs a shakeup and while I don't expect expect us to become prime Galatasaray overnight, I think it's an important development for the future of SMS to give it some soul, and should have happened years ago. I'm tired of the away fans dominating the atmosphere.

Ultimately whether it works is down to the fans which is why it's disappointing to see some negative comments, but I think they are the minority and no one is being forced to sit/stand there. We also need some new and decent songs but hopefully this change will make it easier for those to gain traction.

[LGTL]

We all moved out of Block 42 a couple of years back as got fed up being surrounded by spotty oiks. That did tie in with all of us being the wrong side of 30 also, and finding the ‘bantz’ increasingly fucking tedious. I commend the club for at least trying, but this sounds like utter hell. 

[Paulwantsapint81]

The northam suffered from fluctuating away allocations & saints not compressing them into a corner & then having gaps 

It’s a shame the kingsland/northam corner is unsuitable 

[bpsaint]

On 16/01/2024 at 14:14, EssEffCee said:

I suspect they'd block off the footbridge side and make them go through the industrial estate. Don't see a suitable route to escort say 3k Pompey fans going that way though.

Was thinking this, would they block off the back of the kingsland say where the gasworks bar is, and then send all away fans through the industrial estate and right up St Mary’s street to join the Saints fans at the junction with Northam Road? Guessing extra police presence required there and along St Mary’s street to prevent organised trouble down the side roads.

Also I’m guessing the opening hours of some of the businesses in the industrial estate might cause a few headaches if access is required on match day and there’s coaches everywhere.

Would it be easier for the club to sacrifice a few corporate boxes and give away fans blocks 46-48 of the Northam and 1-3 of the Itchen so we get the majority of the Northam? (Not sure how many boxes are in use currently)

Cup allocations can spread into blocks 44 and 45 without us having to give the rest of the Northam up and the segregation is already in place for that below stand.

On 16/01/2024 at 18:13, S-Clarke said:

Will need some work in the Northam though to create a stand-wide concourse - long overdue though, nice to see there is money for things like this and stadium improvements. 

It’s already the whole length of the Northam isn’t it? Just divided by metal roller shutters at various points.

[aintforever]

2 hours ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

 

I hope/suspect there are quite a few fans dotted around the ground who would like to be more vocal but feel out of place singing in the quieter parts of the ground

This is just complete nonsense, if you want to be in the more vocal parts of the ground or shout at the away fans you just buy a ticket in those areas. That will be the same regardless of where the away fans are, moving them will make no difference whatsoever.

[redandwhitey]

Cheaper tickets ?

not a chance

[Harry_SFC]

12 hours ago, Neil said:

As far as I can tell, this is the first real effort Saints have made in 23 years of SMS to do something that might actually improve the atmosphere/experience for home fans! The much quoted 'there's nothing we can do about the location of away fans' line was either bollocks or something has changed re: the police etc.

Far too long we've given the away team a huge boost of vocal support near/behind the goal and always captured by the TV pictures. I've got a recurring nightmare of away fans celebrating another late equaliser/winner at that bloody end.

I think it will be down to Saints fans to get behind this and try to get vocal types moving here and make this a proper end. I never felt the Milton was much of an end, the Bikeshed Archers was as good as it got and I felt made a big difference at times, especially in some crucial relegation battles. The ends at SMS have never really worked out properly, so this has to be worth a go.

Exactly. The people who sit next to the away fans in the Northam/Itchen can't actually hear that the away fans are so much noisier than they are and claim there is nothing wrong with the atmosphere as it is. The club clearly knows the atmosphere is shite otherwise they wouldn't have bothered.

I support this even if it's just to get the away fans into a corner/side.

[Harry_SFC]

Phil Parsons: “The feedback to St Mary’s changes has been mixed but I’ve learned you’ll never please everyone in this job. By doing this, we can reopen a lot of the seats we have had to shut. I think this is the right thing for the club.”

Phil Parsons: “Russell Martin and others have told me a few times about how loud the away fans are. We are looking at a space where the away fans don’t get an advantage over our team.”

[EssEffCee]

Away fans are louder at pretty much most grounds aren't they? Hardly think we're unique in that aspect and them being somewhere else won't make them sing less.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

Having sat near the players bench in the past I can confirm the manager, subs, coaches and Directors seating get the away volume at full belt. Any noise from the Northam home area is very diluted and you can barely hear the Itchen North.

Can only assume this is true but someone inside the club once told me this frustrated Koeman back then.

[OldNick]

43 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

Away fans are louder at pretty much most grounds aren't they? Hardly think we're unique in that aspect and them being somewhere else won't make them sing less.

At other grounds the away fans are not put in areas where they can dominate the home fans. No wonder our ground is the most popular with away fans as they have a great day as they create a great atmosphere and impetus for their team.

 

[Harry_SFC]

Just now, OldNick said:

At other grounds the away fans are not put in areas where they can dominate the home fans. No wonder our ground is the most popular with away fans as they have a great day as they create a great atmosphere and impetus for their team.

 

We have the same stadium as Leicester and they have their away fans exactly where we should. 

[OldNick]

Phil Parsons: “Russell Martin and others have told me a few times about how loud the away fans are. We are looking at a space where the away fans don’t get an advantage over our team.”

At long last we have some sense. 

A lot of fans get off on flicking V's and shouting abuse at away fans before melting away at the end of the game. 

Stuff that lets get an end where the noise will intimidate and we can at least get some extra help for our players

[SaintsLoyal]

I think fan safety is being reduced and i dont agree that 'away fans being louder helps their team' as that's all down to whats happening on the pitch and can change every single game. We have seen over recent months that winning games means there is more home noise and away fans arent that vocal even with 3000 present. 

 

 

 

[trousers]

8 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Phil Parsons: “Russell Martin and others have told me a few times about how loud the away fans are. We are looking at a space where the away fans don’t get an advantage over our team.”

At long last we have some sense. 

 

Full interview here: 

 

[LuckyNumber7]

20 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

I think fan safety is being reduced and i dont agree that 'away fans being louder helps their team' as that's all down to whats happening on the pitch and can change every single game. We have seen over recent months that winning games means there is more home noise and away fans arent that vocal even with 3000 present. 

 

 

 

I don't think we've seen that at all. We've been really good at home this season and the atmosphere has still been shit. And I fail to see how fan safety is being reduced.

[OldNick]

33 minutes ago, trousers said:

Full interview here: 

 

Thanks for that really good

[franniesTache]

2 hours ago, trousers said:

Full interview here: 

 

I find it hilarious that the club are putting out the marketing line that this has anything to do with Russell Martin when he had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Also love that Parson's has basically admitted the fan consultation is pointless, and they're going to do it anyway.

[maysie]

On 16/01/2024 at 12:59, Saint_clark said:

Part of the changes to the ground might include putting concourse segregation in the kingsland similar to what is in the Northam. 

As for the sun...buy a baseball cap.

There are fewer more distressing sites than that of an Englishman in a baseball cap.

Edited January 18 by maysie

[OldNick]

16 minutes ago, franniesTache said:

I find it hilarious that the club are putting out the marketing line that this has anything to do with Russell Martin when he had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Also love that Parson's has basically admitted the fan consultation is pointless, and they're going to do it anyway.

Why wouldn't RM have mentioned that the away fans make a lot of noise and that is to the detriment of the team? As a fan I can see it, and so Im sure the people who matter on the pitch do as well..

I assume the overwhelming majority have been pleased, and some naysayers have chipped in as well. It is obvious where you stand on this, and Iam the polar opposite, I truly hope this happens and in time you may grudgingly accept that it was/is the correct route. 

[franniesTache]

9 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Why wouldn't RM have mentioned that the away fans make a lot of noise and that is to the detriment of the team? As a fan I can see it, and so Im sure the people who matter on the pitch do as well..

I assume the overwhelming majority have been pleased, and some naysayers have chipped in as well. It is obvious where you stand on this, and Iam the polar opposite, I truly hope this happens and in time you may grudgingly accept that it was/is the correct route. 

Don't doubt he's mentioned it. But i know for a fact this decision has absolutely nothing to do with him.

[Saint_clark]

39 minutes ago, maysie said:

There are fewer more distressing sites than that of an Englishman in a baseball cap.

Fair point. 

 

Buy a parasol. 

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, franniesTache said:

Don't doubt he's mentioned it. But i know for a fact this decision has absolutely nothing to do with him.

I doubt the decision is down to him, but he has had opinions on it that he has conveyed, or do you feel Parsons is being dishonest?

I doubt RM makes many club decisions if any of importance that is non footballing.

Edited January 18 by OldNick

[franniesTache]

20 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I doubt the decision is down to him, but he has had opinions on it that he has conveyed, or do you feel Parsons is being dishonest?

I doubt RM makes many club decisions if any of importance that is non footballing.

I think Parson's is post rationalising a decision that's already been made for marketing rather than being dishonest.

[Convict Colony]

Ajax have had this for donkeys years and it's really good in my opinion.

[OldNick]

13 minutes ago, franniesTache said:

I think Parson's is post rationalising a decision that's already been made for marketing rather than being dishonest.

He will obviously hype the pro position the club has made. I dont understand your position as you are going to stay where you are and so have lost nothing.

I believe the match going experience will be better for all the home fans, as having a wall of sound from the home end will add to our enjoyment.

Unless you are one who needs to stand by the away fans flicking V's and giving abuse,  you need not worry.

I doubt anytime soon Liverpool, Man U or any other club would ever cut their home end in half and put the away fans in, that in turn would effect the likelihood of reducing the home fans effect on a game. This is what you are lobbying for imo

[skintsaint]

2 hours ago, maysie said:

There are fewer more distressing sites than that of an Englishman in a baseball cap.

Still amusing.

[Chez]

5 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

We have the same stadium as Leicester and they have their away fans exactly where we should. 

interesting though, and I haven't been to Leicester for a few years now, so it may have changed, but all the Leicester `lads' (or whatever you want to call them) positioned themselves immediately to the left of the away fans - effectively Itchen stand right of centre - rather than themselves create an end, as we are trying to do.

[Chez]

20 hours ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

But I think the Itchen North can still keep going as is if the people there want to stay there and it can co-exist with the Northam. As with anything, some will moan and some just don't like change, but I think the majority are really happy with this change and have been wanting it for a long time.

As someone that was an Itchen block 1 fella for many years, I can say that I stood there because that was where there was the most atmosphere in our ground. The Northam has songs, but you can see and hear the away fans in the Itchen, there is some banter, and there is some genuine noise from the home fans. I'm not into the wanker signs an all that jazz, but I do like the tribal rivalry of football supporters and the two and fro of the songs between the two groups is great. Seeing the away fans at close quarters celebrating a goal is painful, but experiencing that low improves the high when we score.

For me, the only reason to go to live sport is the atmosphere. With all seater stadiums and more family based support we have lost this at the majority of grounds, so I seek to get the best of what is left - and at SMS that was definitely Itchen block 1.  Since that was closed, I've just moved about the ground. It's not been anywhere near as good to be honest. 

I wonder if I really care if a set of an away fans get a large chunk behind out goal and make a shit load of noise (which helps their side)...because at least that creates an atmosphere - and those are the best games, win lose or draw. The Leeds 3-4 game was a nightmare, but fuck me, what an atmosphere at that game. Fair play to their support for sucking the ball into the net...four times.

I want to see Saints win, but taking it to its extreme, would I want to watch us win with no away fans attending to mock? That would be shite IMO. Watching us win and shutting up a huge (and perhaps once noisy) away following, love it.

I don't think this new arrangement will change things massively atmosphere wise. Safe standing anywhere could help entice a few more singers, but I still might be inclined to move closer to the away fans - assuming other Itchen 1 block types did the same. 

Edited January 18 by Chez

[Turkish]

3 hours ago, maysie said:

There are fewer more distressing sites than that of an Englishman in a baseball cap.

great line sir.

[The Kraken]

3 hours ago, maysie said:

There are fewer more distressing sites than that of an Englishman in a baseball cap.

Couple it with a football shirt worn over a hoodie and you're all the way there.

[Turkish]

Just now, The Kraken said:

Couple it with a football shirt worn over a hoodie and you're all the way there.

boot cut ill fitting jeans and shit trainers and the look is complete.

[Chez]

54 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Unless you are one who needs to stand by the away fans flicking V's and giving abuse

As stated in my post above, standing in the Itchen and being next to the away fans is not about flicking V's, it's about being in the part of the ground with the most atmosphere. I don't need to stand near the away fans, I just prefer it at SMS.  

[OldNick]

7 minutes ago, Chez said:

As stated in my post above, standing in the Itchen and being next to the away fans is not about flicking V's, it's about being in the part of the ground with the most atmosphere. I don't need to stand near the away fans, I just prefer it at SMS.  

Stand where you want, no problem but happy for the oppo to gain an advantage on our home turf is ridiculous. Wherever we put the away fans there will be those who want for some perverse reason, wish to stand next to them. That is not the main point though, having an end that can create a noise that MAY intimidate can only help. God its beenso hard to win at SMS since day one, splitting the home support has been a part of that. You correctly mentioned the Leeds game where our team withered as the Leeds fans used their position to help get the points that day.

[bpsaint]

6 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

We have the same stadium as Leicester and they have their away fans exactly where we should. 

Their stadium is kind of in reverse to ours though isn’t it, in that their “Itchen” stand is at the back of the stadium and what would be the kingsland/chapel corner opens straight onto the road. 

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Stand where you want, no problem but happy for the oppo to gain an advantage on our home turf is ridiculous. Wherever we put the away fans there will be those who want for some perverse reason, wish to stand next to them. That is not the main point though, having an end that can create a noise that MAY intimidate can only help. God its beenso hard to win at SMS since day one, splitting the home support has been a part of that. You correctly mentioned the Leeds game where our team withered as the Leeds fans used their position to help get the points that day.

I've been pretty honest and clear in two posts now why standing near the aways fans is preferable for me, yet you decide to respond by calling my reasons `perverse'. Where do you sit by the way? On some sort of high horse I suspect. 

The best Saints home games I've been too are those with great atmospheres and that's usually when there are huge away crowds. Seeing Saints win is important, obviously. but going to games and actually enjoying the atmosphere and experience is also key. Without that, I don't see much reason to pay to attend live games. And that's why I wonder if I really give a shit about hiding away fans. Maybe that opinion is perverse actually. 

[OldNick]

7 minutes ago, Chez said:

I've been pretty honest and clear in two posts now why standing near the aways fans is preferable for me, yet you decide to respond by calling my reasons `perverse'. Where do you sit by the way? On some sort of high horse I suspect. 

The best Saints home games I've been too are those with great atmospheres and that's usually when there are huge away crowds. Seeing Saints win is important, obviously. but going to games and actually enjoying the atmosphere and experience is also key. Without that, I don't see much reason to pay to attend live games. And that's why I wonder if I really give a shit about hiding away fans. Maybe that opinion is perverse actually. 

You want to stand next to the away fans, that is fine by me, but being happy to have any home advantage lost is perverse to me. Name me any club who would by choice have the ground set up like ours? The away games over the years ive been to ,the away fans get the area without the roof and they try their best to hide us away so that we could not make a difference.

We will have to have our differences on this but my thought is Saints win a priority and banter with the away fans (who for the last 4 or 5 seasons have had the upper hand and can lord it over you)is not important. 

 

[The Kraken]

44 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Name me any club who would by choice have the ground set up like ours?

This has been done before. 

Brighton give the away fans an end behind the goal. Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool all have ends that in the stand behind a goal ( but due to stadium size the away fans contingent doesn’t encroach so far along the end towards the goal as is prevalent at St Mary’s). Aston Villa always used to be behind the goal, opposite end of the ground to the Holte End. Fulham do pretty much exactly what we do at CC. 

Those are just off the top of my head, the idea that Saints are the only club that have seating arrangements like ours is daft. The issue is not the club, it’s that the saints fan chose to make the Northam the main singing end.

If a big home Northam end comes about then great, I’m sure it’ll be alright. I don’t think it’ll be the hallelujah moment some seem to think it will be though. And in any case, the Dell always had distinct areas of the ground where the singes were, it was never all concentrated in one place. The Milton started as the main, under the east was lively, but towards the end of the Dell time the Archers was probably the main singing end.

[Chez]

21 minutes ago, OldNick said:

You want to stand next to the away fans, that is fine by me, but being happy to have any home advantage lost is perverse to me. Name me any club who would by choice have the ground set up like ours? The away games over the years ive been to ,the away fans get the area without the roof and they try their best to hide us away so that we could not make a difference.

We will have to have our differences on this but my thought is Saints win a priority and banter with the away fans (who for the last 4 or 5 seasons have had the upper hand and can lord it over you)is not important. 

 

Much rather watch Saints against someone like Leeds with 4k of their away fans than Rotherham, with a few hundred.  A big away support creates a proper atmosphere at the match. That makes the game more exciting and more entertaining, win, lose or draw.

The atmosphere is why I attend and not just watch games on TV. If there is no atmosphere, like at friendlies and league cup first games, I come away wondering why I bothered. It's pretty shit.

Maybe football clubs are shooting themselves in the foot by hiding away fans in upper ties and the corner of grounds. They are effectively dampening the atmosphere at games, making attending them less desirable in my book. 

Sounds like you'd be happy if there were no away fans if it meant we had more chance of winning?

[CB Fry]

54 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

This has been done before. 

Brighton give the away fans an end behind the goal. Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool all have ends that in the stand behind a goal ( but due to stadium size the away fans contingent doesn’t encroach so far along the end towards the goal as is prevalent at St Mary’s). Aston Villa always used to be behind the goal, opposite end of the ground to the Holte End. Fulham do pretty much exactly what we do at CC. 

Those are just off the top of my head, the idea that Saints are the only club that have seating arrangements like ours is daft. The issue is not the club, it’s that the saints fan chose to make the Northam the main singing end.

If a big home Northam end comes about then great, I’m sure it’ll be alright. I don’t think it’ll be the hallelujah moment some seem to think it will be though. And in any case, the Dell always had distinct areas of the ground where the singes were, it was never all concentrated in one place. The Milton started as the main, under the east was lively, but towards the end of the Dell time the Archers was probably the main singing end.

Beat me to it, I looked before and it was way more than half of clubs in Championship put their away fans behind the goal - I've done Stoke, Coventry and Wednesday this season and behind the goal all three times. 

Not sure why people are desperate to pretend it is some unique thing to Southampton.

[Osvaldorama]

On 17/01/2024 at 15:52, EssEffCee said:

Have they said it'll be cheaper prices? Seems like an assumption based on nothing to me.

Standing is usually cheaper than seating, at least in countries and grounds where it’s possible. 
 

Few fucking negative Nancy’s on here, Jesus Christ. The club is trying to do something to help the atmosphere and the team and people are whining on about what the council would think. Fuck me 

[EssEffCee]

3 hours ago, Chez said:

interesting though, and I haven't been to Leicester for a few years now, so it may have changed, but all the Leicester `lads' (or whatever you want to call them) positioned themselves immediately to the left of the away fans - effectively Itchen stand right of centre - rather than themselves create an end, as we are trying to do.

And they all moan that the ground's got a terrible atmosphere too.

[EssEffCee]

3 hours ago, OldNick said:

Stand where you want, no problem but happy for the oppo to gain an advantage on our home turf is ridiculous. Wherever we put the away fans there will be those who want for some perverse reason, wish to stand next to them. That is not the main point though, having an end that can create a noise that MAY intimidate can only help. God its beenso hard to win at SMS since day one, splitting the home support has been a part of that. You correctly mentioned the Leeds game where our team withered as the Leeds fans used their position to help get the points that day.

Leeds have some of the best away support in the country, do we really think they wouldn't have sang as much or our support wouldn't have been as nervous if they were somewhere else in the ground?

Sounds a bit dubious to me.

[EssEffCee]

52 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Standing is usually cheaper than seating, at least in countries and grounds where it’s possible. 
 

Few fucking negative Nancy’s on here, Jesus Christ. The club is trying to do something to help the atmosphere and the team and people are whining on about what the council would think. Fuck me 

Any examples from this country where standing 'seats' are cheaper then normal seats in the same stand? I expect the entire Northam to be the same price as I fail to see what would justify the first row of standing to be cheaper than the last row of sitting.

If they planned on making this area cheaper I reckon they'd be shouting from the rooftops about rather than stating that ticket prices would be under review.

More likely is that all of this will cost money and will be passed onto the supporters.

[CB Fry]

8 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

Any examples from this country where standing 'seats' are cheaper then normal seats in the same stand? I expect the entire Northam to be the same price as I fail to see what would justify the first row of standing to be cheaper than the last row of sitting.

If they planned on making this area cheaper I reckon they'd be shouting from the rooftops about rather than stating that ticket prices would be under review.

More likely is that all of this will cost money and will be passed onto the supporters.

I think this will be right.

My understanding is a standing area in safe standing has to take up the same space as a seat. So the capacity doesn't change, you don't fit more in. And the club have to spend money ripping seats out and replacing them with railings etc. There's not much in it for the club economically.

Demand for standing will be high, so I doubt there will be any reason at all for them to be cheaper. People will want them.

If people thought they wanted standing to save themselves ticket money, prepare to be disappointed.

Edited January 18 by CB Fry

[EssEffCee]

4 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

I think this will be right.

My understanding is a standing area in safe standing has to take up the same space as a seat. So the capacity doesn't change, you don't fit more in. And the club have to spend money ripping seats out and replacing them with railings etc. There's not much in it for the club economically.

Demand for standing will be high, so I doubt there will be any reason at all for them to be cheaper. People will want them.

If people thought they wanted standing to save themselves ticket money, prepare to be disappointed.

Yep and if it's only half the Northam then demand will considerably outstrip supply so the club would be daft to offer reductions on these seats.

What's the Northam hold anyway? Based on FA cup allocations I'd say about five and half thousand? So half of that is probably around 2750?

That's probably less than stand at games now, and assuming people are correct about lots of fans wanting to move there then there's going to be plenty of disappointed people.

[Morse]

We have a home end, it's called the Chapel.

All our more vocal support choose, with free will, to stand next to the away supporters. 

Once the away support is moved I would imagine those who choose to stand near the away supporters and ignore the 'home end' will continue to do so. And conversely those who enjoy the quite life in the Chapel and who don't want the potential hassle of being near the away support will probably move with their flasks to the Northam. 

Can someone explain to me why this arrangement might change? 

The safe standing is irrelevant as most people stand in the Northam now anyway. 

NB: From the mid seventies onwards our 'vocal support' was not found at the home end at the Dell, but under the West Stand and in the Archers Road end. 

[LuckyNumber7]

4 hours ago, Chez said:

As someone that was an Itchen block 1 fella for many years, I can say that I stood there because that was where there was the most atmosphere in our ground. The Northam has songs, but you can see and hear the away fans in the Itchen, there is some banter, and there is some genuine noise from the home fans. I'm not into the wanker signs an all that jazz, but I do like the tribal rivalry of football supporters and the two and fro of the songs between the two groups is great. Seeing the away fans at close quarters celebrating a goal is painful, but experiencing that low improves the high when we score.

For me, the only reason to go to live sport is the atmosphere. With all seater stadiums and more family based support we have lost this at the majority of grounds, so I seek to get the best of what is left - and at SMS that was definitely Itchen block 1.  Since that was closed, I've just moved about the ground. It's not been anywhere near as good to be honest. 

I wonder if I really care if a set of an away fans get a large chunk behind out goal and make a shit load of noise (which helps their side)...because at least that creates an atmosphere - and those are the best games, win lose or draw. The Leeds 3-4 game was a nightmare, but fuck me, what an atmosphere at that game. Fair play to their support for sucking the ball into the net...four times.

I want to see Saints win, but taking it to its extreme, would I want to watch us win with no away fans attending to mock? That would be shite IMO. Watching us win and shutting up a huge (and perhaps once noisy) away following, love it.

I don't think this new arrangement will change things massively atmosphere wise. Safe standing anywhere could help entice a few more singers, but I still might be inclined to move closer to the away fans - assuming other Itchen 1 block types did the same. 

Good post and I am in agreement with most of it. I also go to games as much for the atmosphere. But I want it to be our fans creating that atmosphere not the away fans. Not that being moved will stop them singing, it will just give them slightly less influence when the away team are attacking the Northam second half.  Even though we've been winning I haven't enjoyed it hugely due to how flat the crowd has been for most games.

The Itchen North have been brilliant this season, from directly across from them in Kingsland North I can hear them loud and clear, but they are only small in number. In fact it might even be a good thing if they want to move to be next to the away fans still, as then hopefully there would be singing at both ends of the ground.