Tickets for the friendly at AFC Totton on 7th July are selling fast.

Saints friendly at AFC Totton on Tuesday 7th July 7.45pm kick off are going at a rate of knots for a fixture that was actually Saints first ever Competitive game.

It was back on November 26th 1887 that Saints played their first ever Cup Tie, with Cup ties forming their only competitive games until they joined the inaugral Southern League season 1n 1894. They were drawn away to Totton who themselves were formed a year after Saints in 1886 and who too were playing their first game apart from friendlies.

The game was an away tie for Saints but was played, not in Totton but Redbridge, in a field behind the Anchor Hotel, interest in the game was high, it was estimated that between 3-4000 were present, a goal by Bromley giving Saints a 1-0 win.

After this tie the clubs went in seperate directions, Totton to the new Forest league and Saints to the southern League and eventually Football League, however they did meet in the Hampshire league on many occasions, albeit it was Saints A side that was playing.

Totton is a footballing town, of that there can be no doubt, apart from the Town's own club in existence for 123 years, it has always traditionally been a hot bed of support for Saints, as can be seen at Testwood Park on matchdays with many Saints shirts etc on show, people from the area are proud of their team and their town, but sit easily with their location to Southampton, happily aligning themelf to Saints and the City itself.

Totton's greatest moment came in May 2007 when they travelled to Wembley for the FA Vase, where they took a support of around 20,000, far bigger than opponents Truro City who won the game sadly.

Today AFC Totton are a progressive Club, managed by Stuart Ritchie, a man with a long non league pedigree as well as a league appearance for Aston Villa at Old Trafford amongst other league games, they have just signed former Saints David Hughes to their ranks as they hope to go one better than their defeat in the play offs in the season just gone.

It looks like it will be essential to purchase a ticket in advance for the game, details are as follows.

Advance tickets will go on sale for the friendly against Southampton on Monday 22nd June.

In the event that there are tickets remaining on the evening of the game there will be cash admission, however it is expected that tickets will sell out prior to the match therefore you are advised to purchase in advance.

There are no restrictions on numbers of tickets that can be purchased and they are available from the club at the following times -

Monday - Friday : 7pm to 9pm
Saturday : 9am to 1pm

Prices-
Adults - £10
Concessions (Seniors, Students, Children) - £5

Payment can be made by cash or cheque (with a valid bank card) up to the value of £50.

If making a postal application for tickets, please enclose a stamped self addressed envelope.

Ticket sales for this match are also taking place at Southampton FC. Please contact them directly for details.

Testwood Park is located near the Centre of Totton, just behind the central shopping precinct, Totton train station is approximately 10 minutes walk and there is ample parking near the ground in public car parks.

A club house is available on the ground although is likely to be packed on the evening, the Salmon Leap pub is about 200 metres from the ground a little further up Testwood Lane and has ample car parking.         

Photo: Action Images

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