Been reflecting on a recent post about demographics, and just wondered how far not 606 posters travel to get to games. It takes me 10 hours to travel to and from a home match, but my guess is that other posters take even longer. Also, if you don't live locally why continue to support Saints? One time I lived in the West Midlands next to a bloke who supported Coventry City. He told me he had been a supporter of Man Utd and Newcastle during his life, changing teams as he moved. I have lived around the UK and the globe with work, but Saints have always been my first love. Am I mad? After all if I switched to Everton or Liverpool it would take me 15 minutes to get to a game. Thoughts of other itinerant Saints more than welcome.
I live just over the water from St Mary's and can look at the stadium from my bedroom window. On a good day I can hear the crowd from my garden (Saints v Birmingham this season, heard all 4 cheers ) Unfortunately I don't get to go to many games these days but I intend on making the walk alot more often in the future
I live in Southend, Essex. Support Saints as it's my Dad's team, although originally from Durham and forced into supporting Sunderland from an early age due to a pushy older brother, he warmed to Leeds and quite liked watching them. But eventually he ended up working and living in Southampton, and the guys from work took him to the Dell. A good 35+ years later and he is still a fan of SFC. He also had a flat that overlooked the Dell at the Milton Road End. So it's all down to his workmates I guess!
missed two home games in 33 years ,100 miles trip every week to see Celtic , both family weddings !!!, posting this message from Algarve ( international break ) only time I get holiday during footie season
Why continue to support Saints ? - its not a matter of choice, its an ingrained way of life that can never be changed. Being a Saints fan has never been boring - no mid-table mediocrity for us, far more exciting to have a perennial relegation battle (not any more though). If 5 years ago someone had told me we`d be in League 1, I would have been suicidal - but it transpired to be one of the most exciting I can recall. Oh, and my once or twice a season pilgrimage is around 500 miles, cue the Proclaimers.
In Germany. 300km drive and then a Ryanair flight to Edinburgh to get home to watch Killie. Used to manage ten games a season when I could fly to Prestwick, but now its more like 6 or 7.
Live in Northampton and it takes 2 hours each way and am a season ticket holder. Wouldn't and couldn't change teams. I admire your journey from Liverpool Channon; that is impressive. Well done.
Aristocratic Gentrified Republic of Ascot in leafy Berkshire. I jump in the motor and whizz down the M3 in about 45 mins. I have a tradition of stopping in Winchester services for a cafe latte and a bacon roll.
I live In Birmingham area, takes me about 7 hour round trip for home games. Away games are easier to get to like derby this saturday will only take me 30 mins to get to but will never support any other team.
I'm in Andover, takes about 45mins by the time I've got through traffic! I know someone who is a Wolves season ticket holder who lives in Basingstoke, makes the journey every home game. That's dedication for you, props to those who travel miles & miles.
I vaguely supported Arsenal (ex's team), then took my son to watch Saints v. ManU and the rest is history. I leave at about 1.15 to travel by bus, ferry and bus. Could cut it closer but won't take the risk. At this time in my life I wouldn't even watch another team if I move (Saints till I die), but I have a nephew who lived in Bristol (supported Bristol City), went to Manchester Uni (switched to Man City), moved to Leeds (supported Leeds, then in top flight) and has now moved to Scotland (where I assume he has had to give up football).
I don't think you will beat the mileage my brothers would have to come, or perhaps my sons all ardent Saints fans. My brothers are in Australia, one in Sydney. Along with about 3 other Saints fans who post on here who are convinced their journeys were a couple of hundred miles further than my brothers the last time this subject was raised. My sons Pop over from the states regularly, sadly rarely have they the time to see a match which wrankles them. The last time a trip was planned so as to see a game was the Birmingham game but because they moved it, even that didn't work out!
I live in that most neglected of Southampton's suburbs, the one the City chooses to neglect with its run down boarded up shops and dog**** smothered litter strewn streets. Where the roads are replete with abandoned cars and broken glass. Where local graffiti artists perfect there art on any wall or fence that hasn't already been offensively scrawled upon. Where the population is made up of half unemployed benefit cheating chavs and half middle class university students. Where a garden means a place that you chuck old mattresses and other bits of furniture when you go home at the end of the university year. A place where nobody owns a lawn mower or a broom. Where you can't walk on the pavement because of all the rubbish bins and almost every house is in multiple occupancy and owned by a landlord who has let the property run down over many years to the point where it is now derelict and fit only for occupation by noisy 19 year old university students or intellectually challenged rejects from Hampshireâs more affluent towns and cities. Where you live to the background noise of wailing sirens and the constant drone of traffic and the noise of aircraft and you breath the delightful air scented with traffic fumes and dust as well as the stench from the local sewage works. Where the residents dream of living somewhere really nice like Toxteth, the Bronx, Michigan or Millbrook. Yes. Youâve guessed where it is. Swaythling the place everyone drives through as quickly as they can and where no one ever dares to stop.
I live just over 100 miles away, on the devon/somerset border. I grew up on the Golden Grove estate and went to St.Marys School, hence the signature. I dabbled with supporting Man U in the late seventies early eighties due to peer pressure and my friends don't let me forget it. The last match I went I am pleased to say was the Watford one. A nice sunny day and a good excuse to blast down to Southampton on the motorbike.
