FA Cup Semi Final

[Chris cooper]

1 hour ago, Colinjb said:

Shouldn't that be more buses? Railway works were scheduled that weekend.

Only between Basingstoke & Woking .

trains going round Pompey via Havant & Guildford.

[Thripp87]

Lots of fuss about shite seats and good seats. Who cares? We’re not expecting anything from the game, it will be nice to go to Wembley with relatively no expectation and be a part of it. 
Used to love the Dell and I could hardly see the pitch by the Metabo advertising boarding as kid in the family enclosure.

[Football Special]

7 hours ago, oldsarum said:

Have you looked at split ticket website, and or travelling via Reading 

Problem is the additional services from Southampton Central not stopping anywhere so not sure split ticket works, best bet is railcard or Group Save for 3 or more people 

Below is from Southampton Central 

FA Cup - ADDITIONAL TRAINS 

The following additional services to London Waterloo will operate:

DEP 0825 ARR 1023
DEP 0844 ARR 1044
DEP 0925 ARR 1122
DEP 0943 ARR 1144
DEP 1025 ARR 1225
DEP 1044 ARR 1244
DEP 1125 ARR 1326
DEP 1144 ARR 1343

All services are direct calling at Waterloo only.
A queuing system will be place to manage the amount that of customers on the platform. 

There will also be additional services returning to Southampton starting at 2039 and the last being 2320.

[Tamesaint]

7 hours ago, Thripp87 said:

Lots of fuss about shite seats and good seats. Who cares? We’re not expecting anything from the game, it will be nice to go to Wembley with relatively no expectation and be a part of it. 
Used to love the Dell and I could hardly see the pitch by the Metabo advertising boarding as kid in the family enclosure.

Very true. 

As I have been told by my mates, the whole country will be supporting us v Citeh (except for the fish fuckers down the road). Very few expect us to win. Our fans will outnumber their fans. We will turn the stadium yellow and blue and will have a great day out. What is there not to like? I can't wait. And of course, if we win..... 

Edited 12 hours ago by Tamesaint

[Whitey Grandad]

37 minutes ago, Tamesaint said:

Very true. 

As I have been told by my mates, the whole country will be supporting us v Citeh (except for the fish fuckers down the road). Very few expect us to win. Our fans will outnumber their fans. We will turn the stadium yellow and blue and will have a great day out. What is there not to like? I can't wait. And of course, if we win..... 

What is this 'if' whereof you speak?

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

What are the odds of some of the Man City allocation being released to us? According to the seat counter thread on their forum they still have about 6,000 tickets left.

[goodymatt]

I make it about 550 tickets left this morning.

[madge]

Yes reckon about 500 left but reckon more will come on line. 

[Football Special]

56 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

What are the odds of some of the Man City allocation being released to us? According to the seat counter thread on their forum they still have about 6,000 tickets left.

I think its quite likely, semi finalists last year were given 36,230 , this year they gave both teams an "initial" 33,250 so they've left room for at least another 3000 and maybe even more 

[Football Special]

I'd expect any extra to be upper tier central so £70 / £45 seats. 

I know Man City wont care but both clubs get 40% of gate receipts so its in their interests as well to have a bigger crowd 

[Jack]

City still have 6-7000 tickets to sell apparently from their initial allocation, assuming that’s slowed right down as well now after the initial windows to buy them. Would be great to get an extra allocation if they can’t shift them. 
 

Imagine being so uninspired by an FA cup semi, whether it’s against little old Southampton or not. Shame the semis are at Wembley rather than a decent neutral ground 

Edited 9 hours ago by Jack

[Football Special]

15 minutes ago, Jack said:

City still have 6-7000 tickets to sell apparently from their initial allocation, assuming that’s slowed right down as well now after the initial windows to buy them. Would be great to get an extra allocation if they can’t shift them. 
 

Imagine being so uninspired by an FA cup semi, whether it’s against little old Southampton or not. Shame the semis are at Wembley rather than a decent neutral ground 

Since Wednesday any Manchester City season ticket holder or member has been able to buy up to 3 tickets each. And they have loads left. 

No risk of them buying in our end, just give us loads more tickets and put both ends on general sale , at least would get close to a full ground then 

[saintant]

9 hours ago, Thripp87 said:

Lots of fuss about shite seats and good seats. Who cares? We’re not expecting anything from the game, it will be nice to go to Wembley with relatively no expectation and be a part of it. 
Used to love the Dell and I could hardly see the pitch by the Metabo advertising boarding as kid in the family enclosure.

Yeah, along with thousands of others I remember that feeling going to Wembley in 1976 🙂

[Saint Garrett]

21 minutes ago, Jack said:

City still have 6-7000 tickets to sell apparently from their initial allocation, assuming that’s slowed right down as well now after the initial windows to buy them. Would be great to get an extra allocation if they can’t shift them. 
 

Imagine being so uninspired by an FA cup semi, whether it’s against little old Southampton or not. Shame the semis are at Wembley rather than a decent neutral ground 

I read somewhere the other day it's their 32nd visit to the "new" Wembley. The last season that they didnt get to Wembley I think was 2010...

Whilst I completely agree it is special, it's also far less special when you go there every year and it is expensive to come from Manchester. 

But they also never sell out at home either so...

[Jack]

8 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

I read somewhere the other day it's their 32nd visit to the "new" Wembley. The last season that they didnt get to Wembley I think was 2010...

Whilst I completely agree it is special, it's also far less special when you go there every year and it is expensive to come from Manchester. 

But they also never sell out at home either so...

I get that the FA have to get their money back for the new Wembley, but having semi finals there really makes going there less special. It should be reserved for finals only IMO, even if it significantly reduces our chances of playing there. 
 

Can understand City not selling it out every time when they’re almost nailed on for a final there every season. 

[Patrick Bateman]

Just now, Jack said:

I get that the FA have to get their money back for the new Wembley, but having semi finals there really makes going there less special. It should be reserved for finals only IMO, even if it significantly reduces our chances of playing there. 
 

Can understand City not selling it out every time when they’re almost nailed on for a final there every season. 

I agree. I mean the Villa Park semi was great, but now you've got White Hart Lane, the Emirates and West Ham's ground to add to the mix.  WTF is West Ham's ground called now, I've drawn a blank??

[Micky]

Sold Out. Logged on at 0930 this morning got to the front of the queue in by about 0942 - got to ticket page to be showed sold out - gutted.

[LGTL]

1 minute ago, Micky said:

Sold Out. Logged on at 0930 this morning got to the front of the queue in by about 0942 - got to ticket page to be showed sold out - gutted.

Just had a look and there’s still the odd ticket popping up. Worth refreshing and trying for a bit if you have the time. 

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

I agree. I mean the Villa Park semi was great, but now you've got White Hart Lane, the Emirates and West Ham's ground to add to the mix.  WTF is West Ham's ground called now, I've drawn a blank??

Plenty of decent grounds that could host a semi. Cardiff as well as the ones you mention plus Ethiad, Old Trafford, Anfield and Evertons new ground in the North. Definitely takes the gloss of a cup final at Wembley which used to be the pinnacle of a lot of players careers.

Agree about Villa Park being a great venue, remember as a kid seeing it on TV with the massive Holte End split down the middle when it one of the biggest terraces in Europe, always a brilliant atmosphere. 

[Paul Chuckle]

Just logged in to see how many tickets were left and can only see 1 in the safe standing area, lower tier. 

That's an amazing effort if we are sold out already 

[EssEffCee]

55 minutes ago, Jack said:

City still have 6-7000 tickets to sell apparently from their initial allocation, assuming that’s slowed right down as well now after the initial windows to buy them. Would be great to get an extra allocation if they can’t shift them. 
 

Imagine being so uninspired by an FA cup semi, whether it’s against little old Southampton or not. Shame the semis are at Wembley rather than a decent neutral ground 

That 6k doesn't include the upper tier blocks which wasn't opened initially so it's probably about double that they've not sold yet.

I don't really blame them if I'm honest, when you're there every season it becomes very expensive especially when travelling from Manchester.

Let's not forget we didn't sell out our last semi final (with a full crowd) there either.

[Football Special]

21 minutes ago, Micky said:

Sold Out. Logged on at 0930 this morning got to the front of the queue in by about 0942 - got to ticket page to be showed sold out - gutted.

Last ones went very quickly , hope Saints / FA dont wait too long to announce more tickets 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

This is what was on that City forum which does suggest they've sold little more than 20k so far:

L1: 3,573
L2: 486
L5: 2,139
Total Left: 6,198 (+ Approx 6,000 - 7,000)

I'm not really knocking them when they've been there so many times and won just about everything thanks to their riches, but could mean we get some of their spares. Carlisle only sold about the same for the JPT final in 2010 which meant we could take around 50,000, if we get any extra it will be nothing like that.

Anyone used the trainpal app to buy train tickets, decent prices on there, using a railcard (also £27 discounted railcards purchased through them)

Edited 8 hours ago by TheAlehouseBrawlers

[kitch]

What are the odds they held any back for another release?

 

[LGTL]

3 minutes ago, kitch said:

What are the odds they held any back for another release?

 

33,000 was an initial allocation. I expect we’ll get some more shortly, potentially up to 36,000.

[O_B]

10 hours ago, Thripp87 said:

Lots of fuss about shite seats and good seats. Who cares? We’re not expecting anything from the game, it will be nice to go to Wembley with relatively no expectation and be a part of it. 
Used to love the Dell and I could hardly see the pitch by the Metabo advertising boarding as kid in the family enclosure.

Yep, there are no bad seats at Wembley really.  Even level 5 is nothing like as bad as St James' Park.

The seats we are getting for £30 are sold for around £160 for the NFL Wembley game each year.

[West end Saints]

Man city, I think are on sale to anyone who has ever been to their stadium (does that include us?!) to buy 3 tickets

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

49 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

I agree. I mean the Villa Park semi was great, but now you've got White Hart Lane, the Emirates and West Ham's ground to add to the mix.  WTF is West Ham's ground called now, I've drawn a blank??

Agree with the general sentiment but having a semi-finals at the West Ham stadium would be a truly terrible idea.

[bpsaint]

53 minutes ago, Jack said:

I get that the FA have to get their money back for the new Wembley, but having semi finals there really makes going there less special. It should be reserved for finals only IMO, even if it significantly reduces our chances of playing there. 
 

They’ve paid the stadium off now, time to get the semis back on the road. 

44 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Agree about Villa Park being a great venue, remember as a kid seeing it on TV with the massive Holte End split down the middle when it one of the biggest terraces in Europe, always a brilliant atmosphere. 

My first ever away game was at Villa. Seeing the Holte End for the first time as a lad having only ever been to The Dell blew my tiny little mind. Almost the capacity of our ground in one stand. Perhaps slightly too small by modern standards for a Semi Final?

[bpsaint]

I’m hoping by being in a safe standing seat, that people are indeed going to stand, and not sit down and moan they can’t see because others are standing right?

[franniesTache]

For people thinking about doing the cross country southampton/reading/paddington route i use it semi regularly to get down to home games and a word of warning it'll be an absolute nightmare, a lot of this year it's been reduced to 3 coaches so there's never any space.

It might take a bit longer on the rerouted waterloo train but it's definitely the better option as there's more trains and far more coaches on them too

[suewhistle]

5 hours ago, Football Special said:

 

FA Cup - ADDITIONAL TRAINS 

The following additional services to London Waterloo will operate:

That's good, shame they didn't put anything on extra in 2003 to Cardiff..

[Football Special]

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/emirates-fa-cup-semi-final-initial-allocation-sold-out

Although we have now sold out, fans are reminded that this is our initial ticket allocation, and therefore we may receive further tickets from the FA. If additional tickets become available, they will be uploaded for purchase, so supporters are encouraged to keep an eye on our website for the latest updates.

[Graffito]

40 minutes ago, franniesTache said:

For people thinking about doing the cross country southampton/reading/paddington route i use it semi regularly to get down to home games and a word of warning it'll be an absolute nightmare, a lot of this year it's been reduced to 3 coaches so there's never any space.

It might take a bit longer on the rerouted waterloo train but it's definitely the better option as there's more trains and far more coaches on them too

Bugger, I was going to go that way. 

[Toadhall Saint]

1 hour ago, Patrick Bateman said:

I agree. I mean the Villa Park semi was great, but now you've got White Hart Lane, the Emirates and West Ham's ground to add to the mix.  WTF is West Ham's ground called now, I've drawn a blank??

Free

[franniesTache]

9 minutes ago, Graffito said:

Bugger, I was going to go that way. 

Guess it's a pay off of speed getting up vs not enough seats tbf, but yeah it's been a pain a lot of the times i've had to use it this season

[Football Special]

The whole ticket process is so inefficient, Saints posting on social media channels saying allocation sold out, surely they'd planned for this scenario and should have had the extra tickets ready to go this morning 

[Saint Garrett]

59 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

I’m hoping by being in a safe standing seat, that people are indeed going to stand, and not sit down and moan they can’t see because others are standing right?

Think probably 90% of the 33k will stand tbh...

[ant]

1 hour ago, franniesTache said:

For people thinking about doing the cross country southampton/reading/paddington route i use it semi regularly to get down to home games and a word of warning it'll be an absolute nightmare, a lot of this year it's been reduced to 3 coaches so there's never any space.

It might take a bit longer on the rerouted waterloo train but it's definitely the better option as there's more trains and far more coaches on them too

Annoyingly already had this route booked (leaving from Airport) as was planning to be in London anyway on the 25th.

Understand the logistics of the extra services only going from Central, but it's got me twitchy that I'll even be able to get onto 'my' train. 

Not too bothered if it's standing room only, as it's only 40 mins to Reading.

[Football Special]

17 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Think probably 90% of the 33k will stand tbh...

Upper and lower between halfway line and corner flag wont 

[trousers]

1 hour ago, bpsaint said:

I’m hoping by being in a safe standing seat, that people are indeed going to stand, and not sit down and moan they can’t see because others are standing right?

 

21 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Think probably 90% of the 33k will stand tbh...

 

3 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Upper and lower between halfway line and corner flag wont 

Don't the safe standing metal bars pretty much compel people to stand due to said bars being in line of sight when sat down? 

[Colinjb]

1 hour ago, franniesTache said:

For people thinking about doing the cross country southampton/reading/paddington route i use it semi regularly to get down to home games and a word of warning it'll be an absolute nightmare, a lot of this year it's been reduced to 3 coaches so there's never any space.

It might take a bit longer on the rerouted waterloo train but it's definitely the better option as there's more trains and far more coaches on them too

From Winchester this is my preferred option, no issue standing. Just so long we can get there.

[RedArmy]

6 hours ago, Football Special said:

Problem is the additional services from Southampton Central not stopping anywhere so not sure split ticket works, best bet is railcard or Group Save for 3 or more people 

Below is from Southampton Central 

FA Cup - ADDITIONAL TRAINS 

The following additional services to London Waterloo will operate:

DEP 0825 ARR 1023
DEP 0844 ARR 1044
DEP 0925 ARR 1122
DEP 0943 ARR 1144
DEP 1025 ARR 1225
DEP 1044 ARR 1244
DEP 1125 ARR 1326
DEP 1144 ARR 1343

All services are direct calling at Waterloo only.
A queuing system will be place to manage the amount that of customers on the platform. 

There will also be additional services returning to Southampton starting at 2039 and the last being 2320.

Could be a few skates about for those getting the early trains. Their options to get to Stoke are either go to Waterloo and then on to Euston and up to Stoke or come to central and get the cross country. 

[warsash saint]

40 minutes ago, Football Special said:

The whole ticket process is so inefficient, Saints posting on social media channels saying allocation sold out, surely they'd planned for this scenario and should have had the extra tickets ready to go this morning 

Why will they have them ready when they are probably still in City's hands??

[Saint86]

12 hours ago, Thripp87 said:

Lots of fuss about shite seats and good seats. Who cares? We’re not expecting anything from the game, it will be nice to go to Wembley with relatively no expectation and be a part of it. 
Used to love the Dell and I could hardly see the pitch by the Metabo advertising boarding as kid in the family enclosure.

Well said.

And what shouldn't need to be said, is that if two fans both attend the same number of matches (be it 3, or 5, or 8 etc.), one of them isn't a better fan because they have a membership and the other doesn't. We're all saints fans, anyone who makes the effort to go and support the club shouldn't be looked down on as a second class fan because they didn't buy a membership in July!!

[BARCELONASAINT]

Thankfully i have my ticket but i want every Saints fan that wants to go to be able to go and i dont see why that is not doable. Wembley has a 90,000 capacity, we have sold 33,000 our full allocation so far. City even if the do sell all theirs would only take that up to 66,000 bums on seats. you are not telling me that 24,000 "others" are going to attend a semi Final game!

For the love of god the FA are really stupid, we could easily sell another 10,000 tickets, let the genuine fans of the 2 clubs involved be given the opportunity to attend.

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Well said.

And what shouldn't need to be said, is that if two fans both attend the same number of matches (be it 3, or 5, or 8 etc.), one of them isn't a better fan because they have a membership and the other doesn't. We're all saints fans, anyone who makes the effort to go and support the club shouldn't be looked down on as a second class fan because they didn't buy a membership in July!!

So they shouldn't give season ticket holders preferential treatment either, given "we're all Saints fans"...? 🙂

[Saint86]

5 minutes ago, trousers said:

So they shouldn't give season ticket holders preferential treatment either, given "we're all Saints fans"...? 🙂

Season ticket holders do 19 or 23 home games a season... I would argue that if a member/non-member does the same number of games (same effort) then they should be in the same access bracket personally (although they've paid a lot more for it).

Edited 6 hours ago by Saint86

[BARCELONASAINT]

1 minute ago, Saint86 said:

Season ticket holders do 19 or 23 home games a season... I would argue that if a member/non-member does the same then they should be in the same access bracket personally (although they've paid a lot more for it).

I'm not a season ticket holder, finances dictate that is one luxury i would rather not spend my money on. I go when i can. I have no issue with season ticket holders being given first dibs at tickets (not because they are better fans but because they made the financial commitment to the club in most case well before they knew what sort of season they were in for. Take last season as an example! The issues of ticket availability is totally an FA issue and not giving the fans of the 2 clubs involved in the semi final enough tickets. Its a disgrace they hold so many back for people absolutely nothing to do with either club. Big empty areas of Wembley stadium is not a good look!!

[SouthWalesSaints]

The self entitlement of season ticket holders / members is honestly so annoying.  The club has to set some rules, those paying the most to the club deserve the tickets first. End of. They can’t and never will be able to please everyone. 
 

I had a season ticket for 15 years, then started managing a good level of football ( kept it for some of the years ) so stopped.  I got a membership when I left my latest job and have been to every game since January.  If I missed out on a ticket then so be it, I didn’t get one for Brighton away year we went up from league one and still managed to end up cuddling Jose first on the running track. 
 

Shut up and get on with it. Basically.