Seems a bit odd that our "new" stadium is already 10 years old (officially on the 1st of August, the date when we played Espanyol in 2001). Have to say, I don't feel anywhere near the attachment to SMS that I felt and still feel towards The Dell. The Dell was unique & special, St Mary's isn't. I appreciate that functionality had to win out, but always felt the club could do a bit more to make SMS feel like our home (without spending lots of money either). The photos in the concourse are welcome, but could do with updating. Many of them are a bit naff. Could do with some wider crowd shots of each stand, especially after a goal has been scored. I think fans would like to scan the photos to try and pick themselves out. The acres of grey blockwork in the concourses don't help either. Surely a splash of red & white paint wouldn't cost much? I bet that some fans would even volunteer to help paint for free during the close season. Inside the seating bowl, I noticed a few weeks ago the plastic at the back of the stands is very dirty and tatty. Again, a bit of coloured clear plastic would make them look so much better and give the stadium a more unique appearance. Also, having suffered many years of turmoil and rubbish football at St Mary's, that has tainted the stadium somewhat as well. What are your thoughts of St Mary's? Any suggestions what the club could do quite cheaply and quickly to improve the appearance inside and out of the ground?
Knock it down and replace it with the Dell? I can dream.... I would of liked a more architectually (sp?) inspiring stadium. Not a flat pack stadium that we bought from ikea.
There have been a lot of compliments going around about St Mary's it is not a bad stadium in my book. you are quite right regarding atmosphere though. It doesn't create it nearly as much as the Dell. The acoustics are dreadful, but for me most new stadiums that I have been in are like that. the atmosphere does get better with a full house or very near but there is always a missing ingredient and I'm not sure what it is. yes it is ten years old and yes it does need a bit of tarting up though. I think the warrenty runs out this year so perhaps they will do that in the near future?
I would expect that if we were to get back to the Prem, then Cortese would look at options to extend the stadium. I know there have been plans floating around the net, but I think all those were done by fans or architecture students mucking about. It's not as easy to extend as has been made out by some. The stadium apart from the Itchen stand is very basic construction, so could be picked apart on the other 3 sides, but would still be very costly and I expect by that time, they would want a more substantial structure that incorporated more facilities to maximise income outside of matchdays. In fact, it's quite feasible that you could knock down the Northam, Kingsland and Chapel (although the Chapel does contain offices) and rebuild from scratch probably for the same cost as building a new tier above those stands.
I agree with Beddytare. As great (and unique) as The Dell was, a full St Marys when the place is jumping is an amazing sight- and atmosphere (JPT v MK Dons last year, for example). It's still better than the vast majority of stadiums (even some of the other "new" grounds), plus I'd bet a lot of grounds built at a similar time must also be showing signs of wear and tear now? What's unfortunate is that the move to St Marys has coincided with the clubs dark days, so there aren't as many happy memories (yet!) like there were at The Dell.
A lot about the design of "flat pack" stadia is down to our old enemy Alf N Safetee.There are lots of thing that could be done to improve it, but they would never get past the Health and Safety army.
As a younger fan, I only have a few memories of The Dell, and I do remember it being pretty special, as well as not being able to see much! I'd argue that SMS is actually a fantastic stadium, having been to a few other grounds over the years. Bristol Rovers' 'stand' actually WAS flatpack, and covered by a gazebo... I also have some pretty happy memories at St Mary's - Europe, the JPT run, staying up vs Sheffield United, and (though I wasn't there), the United game this year! Maybe it's just I haven't really seen us in the Premiership...
God i remember some cold, wet and half empty poor atmosphere days at the Dell if i want to think harder, but of course like most i prefer to remember the packed in like sardine Dell with a jumping and buzzing atmosphere and so close to the opposition players taking throw ins you could pull there shirt. Fantastic memories and as i said, some sad poor ones tucked away in the back of the head. I think you are right when you say St Marys has YET to taste our Club on the crest of a wave, just the odd game at the moment but i believe when we do have that experience again, St Marys will be a buzzing place to be. I think the only thing missing will be that closeness to the pitch that opponents used to hate. I also can't understand why we never make sure both ends behind the goals are packed so extra pressure is put on opponents defending corners.
Being only 17, I have very few memories of the Dell so can't really compare. I only went 3 times but I do remember the atmosphere being pretty special and I could not see anything so had to go and stand down the front. I think St Mary's is a good stadium and the atmosphere can be brilliant (Pompey and MK Dons last season) when the stadium is full. However, I do agree that there seems to be a missing ingredient
Oh to be sure...... I too remember the wet, poor atmosphere days down at the Dell. I also remember the "your turn to breath" day's as well. The dodging of the stanchions to try and see who just walloped who. The once you have dropped something it stayed down there as you didn't have room to pick it up days. The vibration of the stands as people stamped the floor to a person. The days when you called the ref a name he took your name as well as the players as we were so close. Wasn't much of an atmosphere was it........It could not be matched by any other stadiums any where in the country in my view. It was special and a one off.......
I think the missing ingredient might be proximity. It always looked as if one of us could nick the ball out of the players hand as he took a throw-in! When SMS is full, there's nothing wrong with the atmosphere. Provided those on the pitch do their part!
