Looking for a new discussion. Quite a few teams now house visiting fans in a different area of the ground rather than the traditional location behind the goal on one side as we do at St Mary's. Ignoring any prejudice such as "not giving up my seat," or the logistics of seperation in the concourse, do you think there is any mileage in doing this? Does it ruin atmosphere at the game? Where would you house them at our stadium? Would it make our ground a more intimidating place to visit? What do you think?
In the stadium redesign plans the away fans are on the corner. Trouble is the stadium as it is now we can't do that, so for the time beimg they will have to stay where they are. Even tho for me it does ruin the atomsphere breakimg up a lot of the more vocal fans.
Raised so many times. Believe the club have looked into it and it isn't feasible with the present design of SMS. Would be best to have our fans across the Northam and not get moved for Cups etc, but won't happen without a major refurb.
When the stadium was built they put quite a bit of thought into it. The chapel was identified as the new 'Archers' so we could take the full width behind the goal. The Northam was designed so away fans could be properly segregated in 2 or 3 configurations both in the stand and the concourse. Just to make them really welcome that section of the ground was designed so the police control room overlooks them and the cells are right underneath. The problem was that saints wanted to taunt them so moved closer. Another group decided they could wind em up from the itchen. So we weren't split by the away fans; we chose it that way. So long as the control room remains in that corner ( and the cells) away fans will not be moved.
I can see why fans might want the Northam to be like a wall of Saints, our end, as it were. However I think a lot of fans go in there to have a bit of a chanting showdown with the away fans as well.
Ok, so we ignored the ground restrictions bit and no-one as yet has the imagination to get a discussion going on a different topic to rumours. Come on folks people wanted a thread about something different. Lets open minds, ignore the restrictions of the ground and discuss where we would put them.
That is the obvious downfall and what would put me off. Newcastle really shove them out the way though to keep the Geordie roar with the players.
Outside..? No seriously, I think putting them all in one place is much like putting them in another. I'd split them up, but then they'd need extra policing. They're fine where they are.
I don't think there is a problem until it comes to cup games, when it becomes an issue. Ideal scenario is put an extra tier on the Kingsland and put the away fans down the Chapel end of the 2nd tier.
Other clubs generally stick the away fans in a corner don't they? Do that, it keeps them as far away from the bulk of the action as possible.
Good away fans make for a really good atmosphere though. Take Chelsea this season. We gave them a hiding (ish) on the pitch but the singing banter was good and the atmosphere was great. Moving them can kill the atmosphere but leaving them where they are goes against the view if creating an advantage by having home fans behind each goal.
I must be going dyslexic as I read this thread title as "Should away fans be locked elsewhere at St Mary's?".
If we had a big enough stadium, I would prefer to give the away fans in one end (aka Milton vs Archers) however we don't have a big enough stadium to do that so status quo for the time being I would suggest. I didn't like Villa parks location for away fans...lost a lot of atmohere compared with giving us all or part of an end
If we are ignoring trifling little things like stadium design, planning, police & common sense in this thread, then I suggest letting them roam free. No allocated seats anywhere in St Mary's, all first come first served, home & away fans mixed in the spirit of football. I can not see a single solitary issue with my suggestion.
You'll encourage my Rugby League, Season ticket holding, mother-in-law to get on her soap box about mixing home and away fans and her 'what is wrong with you lot' speech again!
Separation of fans is actually essential because most home fans have their own seats...very few would be available anyway. Would you want to be the one opposition fan surrounded by home fans...don't think anything bad would happen, but wouldn't be fun....unable to celebrate your own goal and being mocked when the home team scores. Separation may look as if it encourages antagonism, but most is all talk. Fans mix as they go to and from grounds...considering the numbers involved there is little trouble.
She has got a point, to be fair. My uncle used to go on an annual works beano to the England/Ireland RFU games at both Twickenham and Lansdowne Road, with a mix of Irish and English colleagues. They'd give each other dogs abuse, but in the proper spirit of sporting rivalry. It broke his heart to see rioting English football fans start tearing up Landsdowne Road.
Broke Tiss' heart too. His last chance at a proper England career. Mixed crowds just aren't going to happen in football. Too many people who don't go to actually watch the game, just stir up the opposition fans. I have literally seen people face away from the pitch the whole game.
