I've never lived in Southampton but grew up in Andover, and as my family were all Saints-mad I never really had a choice. I was sold long before I ever went to a match, which was the same game as SecondStain's first I believe, the 1-1 draw with Man City marking our first entry to the top flight in 1966. Once I had experienced the Dell in all its glory I was hooked for life.
That's great SaintDon. "born in the room I'm sitting in now...." amazing that. I bet that's a room with some stories. How long has your family been in that house?
I support Southampton simply because I was born here. I don't get why people who were born in Cornwall for example support teams like Utd etc
My parents (who both lived to 90) moved in to the house in 1938, I have two older sisters, everyone of them a Saints supporter, one sister still has a ST and hasn't missed a home match for many years. Red and white runs through the family, and as you say, many a tale of the ups and downs of SFC has been experienced in this house! Never regretted a moment (except, maybe the threat of extinction!). 1976 Still rates as the number one event. This year may eclipse that.
Mine's a strange one. I was born in Southampton and lived in Romsey, but after my parents split up Mum took us (me and my younger brother) back to NI where she was from, while Dad stayed down in Southampton. While growing up, I will admit to originally being a Liverpool fan, probably up until I was about 11, but it was commonplace growing up in NI that you usually supported one of the top clubs in England. I did always keep an eye out for Saints though, and supported them heavily in their FA Cup adventures in 2003. Although having a younger brother who likes Arsenal didn't help that day On a visit to my dad's he took us to see Saints v Chelsea in 2003, the first season they had under Abramovich. As was the norm back then, the stadium was sold out, and the atmosphere was incredible. Saints lost 1-0, but from then on I followed Saints more and more, until I decided to go completely left field by jumping off the Liverpool bandwagon and onto the Saints one! The rest a they say is history
Born and bred in Eastleigh. At primary school had a soft spot for Spurs (sorry) and dad was an arsenal fan. Started going on my own to the dell in the late 60's when 12 years old queing up outside the Milton Road end for the gates to open. Became hooked, but left the area in the 80's for work, and returned in the early 90's with a family and staeted taking the 3 kids to football in the family section in the old dell as STHs, and then in the Itchen stand as STHs. gave up ST the season before relegation, and now go as often as i can, within the restictions of family, life, business commitments and finances.
I come from Fareham. For those that do not live in Hampshire, the best explanation for Fareham - aside from being a town where watching the traffic lights is considered the height of excitement - is that if Southampton were Heaven and Portsmouth were Hell (as several scientific reports and countless theologians have no doubt already concluded), Fareham would be Purgatory. Thankfully, I saw the light and supported the correct team in Hampshire, spurning the fish-fingered charlatans down the road. That, and my uncle, a far-sighted and kindly soul, bought me a Southampton scarf when I was six. The rest, as they say, is history.
I've lived in Northern Ireland my whole life. I never really enjoyed Irish league football though. Most people over here support and talk about the English teams. So with a hint of curiosity, and an influential older brother, I've been a Saint through and through for some years now.
There have been many years in Saints' history when buying an impressionable lad a Saints scarf would not be considered kindly. I sometimes felt that bringing my son into the fold was an act of child cruelty...especially as he was a perfectly happy ManU fan. He was especially upset when I lent him my season ticket to watch ManU send us down!! I will be vindicated on Saturday afternoon.
I came to Southampton in 1975 to attend college, my first game being againts Blackburn. I was surprised by how odd the ground was, and by how close the goals were to the crowd. Saints always attacked, and invariably won at home and had a few Scottish players I could identify with. We won the Cup against the odds that season of course, and I revelled in being the underdog. I can`t recall there ever being a boring season as a Saints fan. Its in my DNA now, and my son`s. Flying down this afternoon for the Coventry game - can`t wait !
