I went to Springhill and my dad did the car parking on the other side of Milton Road (I think). I remember going a couple of times before we moved to St Mary's but not sure exactly.
Classic! And a fine choice of name too. I have a Parhars shirt stashed away somewhere, although it's a later Sports Apparel one, I haven't had a name and number on the back since that bad boy.
I was moved from Portsmouth when six months old and adopted by a family who lived in 68 Highfield Lane and Southampton used to have a house in Highfield Lane and John Christie lived there when he was goalie - I used to go to Highfield Primary and in those days the annexe was in Nissan huts on the edge of the common - he was a bit of a celeb and that stage there was a wow factor and he came to the school one day and we had a kick around - from that day I was a Saints fan.
Born in Portsmouth (so obviously had no team to support ), then vaguely supported Arsenal (because my ex did). Finally in the eighties I took my son to the Dell to watch Manchester United (pissing down, nearly missed the start of the match because my street map was ripped apart in the wet) and saw United win 1-0. Began to take my son to other games, so it became natural to support the home side...the rest is history. Took my son a few more years to switch to Saints, but he finally saw the light and went through years of the pain with the rest of us. But as he says, the last few years have been worth it.
Oh TSS, fix the title, please. I was born and dragged up in Alton. I can only claim that The Dell was 1 mile nearer than Krap Nottarf. I was taken to a game at 5 or 6 and that magical sight if the green baize under flood lights had me hooked. That game had Terry Paine playing for Hereford and it was only years later I realised how lucky I was to see him play and understand why an away player got such a reception when he left the pitch.
Remember very clearly being taken to this place called the Dell with my Dad when I was about 8 or 9, we sat in the West stand and Paine and Sydenham stormed down the wings. From that moment I was hooked. One of my proudest memories was playing on the sacred turf for Southampton boys with all my family watching from the stands. Like most on the forum Saints have given me tremendous pleasure over the years, and also much heartache?
Same as a few on here, dad was a Saints fan, always took me to games as I was growing up. I hope I have the same influence on my kids. If I raise Chelsea or Man United fans I'll know I've failed.
Born in Plymouth but my Mum and fathers family were from Eastleigh and many were Saints fans. My grandfather took me to my first game at the Dell in 1969 when I was six. I have been hooked since. Unfortunately I have moved around a lot and now live near Derby, and went to some games, but since we were rescued I decided to show my loyalty and be a STH. I have missed 5 games in that time
No connection to Southampton, Saints were the first football team I ever watched live when my grandad took me to the Dell in the early 70s. Saints were relegated that year but I was hooked and adopted them. Must be a sucker for the plucky underdog.
My dad would take me to Fratton Park one week, my step-dad would take me to the Dell another week, so who did I support?... Well, actually it was Aston Villa. Because I liked their kit. But then one sunny day during the Branfoot era, I stood in the Milton and watched a Le Tiss-inspired Saints destroy Villa 4-1 and secure our top flight status for another season. Was Archer's Road season ticket holder every season after. Stopped going to Fratton Park.
Easy. Dad was in the army, and I was born in Cologne, so Saints were the closest English team! in fact, mum was from Southampton and dad from Pompey. I loved them both, but my dad's family were the most miserable buggers to visit, whereas the Southampton family were a great laugh. Uncle took me to the Dell when I was 8, and then I became a regular visitor after we'd returned to UK where we seemed to move around every few months. So Southampton the City became a constant in my youth, while Terry Paine, John Sydenham and Ron Davies became my football gods. No family left in the place now, just an irrational and sometimes bloody annoying addiction to the team!
Well being born on the island I had 3 choices Southampton, Portsmouth or Newport, so of course being a child of the late 80s/90s I decided to support Man Utd. Cantona and Schmeichel were and still are 2 of my all time favourite players. My grandad wanted me to follow his team Arsenal (he even brought me an Arsenal bootbag for xmas one year as he refused to buy me a United one. ) For my 13th birthday my grandparents brought me tickets to see my first professional game Southampton v Sheffield Utd at the Dell. Well the love affair with Southampton started there and has just grown and continues to grow. I will always follow Newport to though regardless. Up the Port!
Moved to Winchester when I was 14 and was taken to see Saints play Chelsea at the dell in the early 70's. Hooked!
I got cable tv and fifa 2005 (age 12) (no internet until 2007) at the ending of the 03/04 season, out of the four teams fighting relegation in the 04/05 season I heard the commentator saying Saints were in the Premier League since the start, and followed saints since. I supported Portsmouth(shaka Hislop) also before knowing the south coast stuff
I was born in Winchester as was my Dad. They moved to Lincoln when I was 3 months old. One day in 1984 (or was it 83?) at the ripe old age of 9 (or 8) on a friday night (I think) my Dad who is a mad pompey fan said: "The Saints are on TV. Uncle John (my dad's brother who supports Saints) will be watching this.! To which I replied "Southampton? Never heard of them." My Dad said " Have you heard of Liverpool, thats who they are playing" I had heard of Liverpool from all the kids on the school playground so eagerly said "yes' to watch the mighty Liverpool on telly. Saints won 2-0 and I decided why support a losing team and chose the far superior (2 goals to 0 superior) team. I have been made fun of ever since. lol
It was '84, but the real issue here is that you are first ever "glory hunting" Saints fan I've ever encountered. That just must be soooo hard!
Grew up on Isle of Wight. Only started supporting Saints when I went to college in Newcastle. Found out years later my Grandad was big part of IOW fans club.