Reading some of the threads and comments posted in the last couple of days I have been surprised at how quickly some of our fans have changed from being realistic, feet on the ground, salt of the earth types and turned into the sort of fans we associate with the premier league. The sort that assume we have milions upon millions to spend and that we can buy who we like and the players will jump at the chance to join our club. I am pleased about that because I know many supporters have been worried about whether the players could make the step up so it is kind of reassuring that our fans have demonstrated that they too can make the step up. However we know some of the fans will not have what it takes to be true PL type fans so we will have to hope that lots of new ones buy tickets for games next season. Lots of new fans will buy tickets not to support the Saints but to see their heroes who play for other clubs and of course there will be the sort who believe that their self image is so important that they can only be associated with supporting a team in the PL. The sort of people who drive a BMW in the fast lane of the motorway all of the time even when all the other lanes are empty because the slow lanes are for losers. Winners drive in the fast lane just as winners only follow a PL club. So next season there will be some interesting changes in our fan base just as there will be some interesting changes in the squad. I will just be very pleased to see the same people sat around me next season as I have sat with since we moved to St Mary's and whose company I have enjoyed over the last seven seasons.
Southampton fans have always been Premier League...it's just that sometimes the team couldn't keep up with us
You make some good points St Godders. But, I guess we have to accept that our fan base will increase. I've always wondered what real Mancunian Man Utd supporters feel about all the hangers-on.
I was supping my tea and danish in hospitality on Saturday when I noticed on the TV screen that the second half had kicked off and I had to leg it. How easy it is to be corrupted to the dark side.
The thing is, next season will see a lot of fans return that just come along to watch who Saints play. The ones who actually talk about the new opposition teams as being the main part of the excitement. Of course, they will have little interest in watching Fulham, Sunderland, etc.., but they'll gush over the Mancs and the other London clubs. Eventually, some of them will remember how much fun it is to watch Saints and go every week and/or get a season ticket. And so the fanbase will rebuild it self, until once again, it'll be difficult to get a ticket for almost any match. It's the way it goes.
I'm hoping for some kind of members card to be brought in to coincide with the new ticketing system. Found it very useful as it gave regular fans a better chance of getting tickets before they go on general sale. Has been unnecessary for the last few years. As I've said before, it's money for old rope to the club. I'd willingly pay £25-35 up front just to improve my chance of a ticket.
Didn't some of the Northam sing that to the fans in the extra seats...out of order on such a great occasion.
A lot of people on here said most of our side wouldn't handle the Championship. They were wrong. A lot of fans will say most of our side won't handle the PL, they will also be wrong.
