First of all, hello not606 I only started getting into playing and watching football because I wanted to earn some brownie points with the lads at school. I 'supported' liverpool at the time, but went to see Saints play Coventry with a friend's spare season ticket (1-1 draw). Not the most enthralling of matches, but I got the bug. To be honest, the main thing that made me 'fall in love' was the fans - I was amazed by the noise and passion. Sitting in Itchen South, I kept looking over towards the Northam stand wishing I was sat over there so I could join in, and thinking it was brilliant! (On reflection I can't imagine the atmosphere would have really been that great against Coventry, but for me at that time, it was great!)
My Mum was from London (Ealing) and her family were all Fulham or QPR supporters. My Dad was from Boscombe and supported them. Mum and Dad met and Dad's job took him to Southampton. Dad used to travel back to watch Boscombe and take in Saints games as well. Gradualy over the years his trips back to Dean Court became less and trips to The Dell more and more. Fast Forward to the mid sixties and they were lucky enough to have me. By the early 70's Dad had pretty much abandoned Boscombe and went to Saints every week, with me in tow. I moved abroad to work and that's when the love of the club sunk in, there was no internet then and I used to ring Dad asking him details of the match.I guess it's a question of you dont know what you've got until its gone. Came back and met Mrs Duck and settled in her home town of Poole.Sill follow the Saints as do 3 of my 4 children.
Southampton born and bred as well, so the Saints are very much my local team. My dad took me to my first game in 1998 - can't quite believe it was 13 years ago now. He actually took my (younger) brother and (older) sister along as well - it was the first game for all three of us - however unfortunately I was only one to get hooked and become a regular Saints supporter. Am currently a Chapel-ite thorough and through.
St_Brendy I have a sneaking suspicion you sit a couple of rows in front of me in the Chapel and we have talked on a few occasions. Absolutely convinced.......
We used to live in Germany (army brat) and at the time, the only football we could get was either Man U or Spurs games, and most of my friends supported Man U but I wanted to be different (even at a young age I knew I wasn't a glory hunter!!) So, Spurs it was, much to my Dad's annoyance! He's been a Saints fan since he was a kid and because of that, I've always had a soft spot for Saints. Coming up to Dad's 50th birthday, I thought it would be a great idea to get him a season ticket but he didn't wanna go on his own, so I decided to go with him. I'd been to the Dell once (for the Man U game in the last season) and was lucky enough to know someone who had a box for a Fulham game in the Prem at SMS. But it was when we got our season tickets in 2006 that I really started falling in love with Saints. That year we got to the play-offs and by then, I was well and truly hooked. Saint nothin' like being a Saint........
Being an army brat I moved around the whole time as a nipper, started supporting man utd to follow the crowd but my mum informed me that saints were technically our family club. We all started following saints at the same time (1995ish) first game wasn't until 2004 though (villa at st.mary's)
Born a Saints supporter, not that i'd have it any other way Got my 2nd Son in his way, (was due on 14/04) and he will be born a Saints fan too got my eye on the saints baby clothes although his mum a L`pool supporter
I blame it on 3 things; 1. The infectious excitement of the match atmosphere behind the goal at the Dell (Milton Rd end), as a young lass too small to see much 2. Mick Channon (my first love) 3. Matt Le God (my 2nd love) Southampton when I was born, and Southampton til I die!
It was inevitable. My gran still had a season ticket at The Dell until her 90's, & Dad took me to see Saints as soon as I was old enough to watch a game without driving him bonkers! Although I rarely get to SMS now because I live too far away I use Saints Player to follow matches if I am at home or the radio & texts from my sons if not. I am loving our push for promotion & just hope not to have a heart attack before we are up!