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Southampton FC Announce Stringent Measures For Itchen Stand Block 1 & 2
Tuesday, 9th Aug 2022 16:29

Whilst last season saw Block 1 & 2 in the Itchen Stand suffer more unrest than the rest of the ground, something that had to be dealt with, was it that bad that they need to lay down some stringent measures.

Southampton FC appointed a new Stadium manager in the summer, so I am told he is a former commander in the Metropolitan Police and also was Stadium Manager at Millwall for the past few seasons.

But St Mary's isn't the New Den and issues at Millwall are different to those at Southampton, but it seems that we are looking to break a butterfly on a wheel with the e mails that have been sent out to season ticket holders in block 1 & 2 and whilst no one can deny there are issues, the majority who go into that section do so with no intention of causing trouble.

The Police & Stewards have worked hard with the fans to nip trouble in the bud, most of which seems to be generated when some of the big clubs are at St Mary's and away supporters go into home sections or in the case of block 1 & 2 are in the corporate boxes behind.

I am not in these areas myself but having spoken to fans that are, the issues happen when those away supporters are not content to just keep quiet but jump up and down when their side scores a goal and seem determined to make a point that they are there, rather than just adhering to the unwritten code of an away fan in a home section that says you just keep yourself to yourself or you get ejected.

From what I see the issues between the Itchen Stand & the actual away section are no worse than those we face when we go away from home, there is plenty of banter going on, but in truth nothing much more than bluster and I have not seen any real efforts by either home or away fans to trade punches across the divide.

At the two home friendlies heavy handed measures were taken with fans being ejected for standing up, whilst technically this is an offence, it can never be truly eradicated and indeed safe standing at St Mary's will surely be something that happens in the next couple of seasons in line with many clubs.

The game against Leeds has the potential to be a flashpoint and given the reputation of Leeds supporters it will be interesting to see if the home fans in the Itchen & Northam are forced to sit or be thrown out whether the same measures will be taken against any Leeds fans who refuse to sit, I suspect not as I and probably every steward and policeman in the ground know that would be a flashpoint that could see some serious disorder and injury.

But if you are going apply rules then you have to apply them to everybody and that won't happen.

This problem could have been dealt with easily and peacefully instead it has the potential to create more trouble.

E mails have been sent to fans in this section and i print one now.

Thank you for purchasing your season ticket for the 2022/23 season, we can’t wait to welcome you back to St Mary’s.

The energy you generate is fantastic and the team really value the support you give them from the stands. To ensure we can continue to offer a safe, accessible stadium that all of our fans can enjoy, we wanted to make you aware of some changes you’ll notice when you come to St Mary’s this season that have been made following conversations with the local authorities.

These changes have been made following a season when throughout football we witnessed a disappointing increase in anti-social behaviour. The Premier League have recently launched a league-wide campaign designed to raise awareness of the consequences of this anti-social behaviour, and we are committed to working with the Premier League and local authorities to ensure Southampton Football Club remains the family friendly venue we pride ourselves on.

The club has recently appointed a new Safety Officer who is currently working closely with the local authorities to help eradicate unacceptable behaviour at St Mary’s which will be supported by an increased steward presence in Itchen North. It is really important for us to get this right because it will avoid the club having to operate at a reduced capacity in certain areas and hopefully prevent the installation of a solid boundary wall between home and away fans in the Itchen North corner.

Being able to demonstrate that we are able to operate safely at full capacity will also be vital as we look towards introducing safe standing at St Mary’s, something the club will continue to consult with fans about during the course of the season.

In the meantime, we ask all fans to follow these basic guidelines to ensure their safety and that of their fellow supporters.

1. Look after your ticket. Remember that, according to our T&C’s your ticket is non-transferable. If you share your Season Ticket and the person using it is ejected for anti-social behaviour, your ticket will be revoked and no refund will be provided. You may have seen that there is no availability for general purchase in Blocks 1 and 2 and these blocks will now only be available to purchase as a Season Ticket. If you have purchased a Season Ticket and wish to sit in this area please contact the ticket office who can now arrange for you to be moved.

2. Bring an ID. You could be asked to show your ticket and identification by a member of our staff or the Police. If you are unable to show this, you may be asked to leave the stadium.

3. Keeping you safe. Missile throwing, persistent standing, pyrotechnics or any other form of anti-social behaviour have no place at St Mary’s and will likely result in ejection, a ban and further action from the police.

4. Stick to your area. It is a criminal offence to move beyond the barriers next to the pitch or to enter the playing area at any time (except for emergency situations). Anyone entering the field of play will be subject to a lengthy ban from the stadium and face further action from the police.

The passion and commitment from fans make the atmosphere at St Mary’s so incredible and we believe the majority of you will welcome these changes and thank you in advance for your continued support.

These rules seem a little draconian, whilst the T & C's state that a season ticket is non transferable again the unwritten rule at any football ground is that you buy a season ticket and if you can't go you lend it to a friend, given the changes in kick off times, season ticket sales would drop if these rules were applied to the letter, likewise I know people who buy season tickets to share as they can't afford one individually or parents who buy a second season ticket and take along various family members.

Number 2 for me is especially infuriating, there is no law that in this country that says we have to carry ID, so why should someone be asked to produce it in a football ground, by law you don't have to produce your ID to a Police officer unless he has reasonable grounds to believe you are committing an offence, this seems to me to be intimidation.

The club say that the passion & commitment make the atmosphere and that they believe the majority will welcome the changes, but it isn't the majority that are being affected, it is a minority, most of whom are completely law abiding and would not dream about instigating trouble, they feel that they are being targeted purely on the basis of where they choose to sit and are now having to be subjected to effectively a stop and search policy.

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Dingbar1 added 16:59 - Aug 9
It's been my experience that saints fans in block 1 & 2 are like children. They don't like the away fans or away fans in the executive boxes behind them. If that's the case maybe they should buy the boxes then the away fans wouldn't be there. As for standing up, I don't have a problem with this. But maybe section 1 & 2 could be standing allowed. Why wait for future seasons to allow this when it would be impossible to enforce they all sit down.
-1

kev3882 added 17:10 - Aug 9
I’ve received the email but sit in the family centre with my wife and 2 grandchildren! It will be impossible to enforce and bad and foul language is frequently heard where I sit. That is as much of a problem in this part of the ground as generally good natured banter which goes back and forth between home and away fans. The sitting down will be impossible to enforce as there will never be enough Police or Steward’s to enforce it and fans know this!
0

Saintsforeverj added 17:14 - Aug 9
The club are out of touch, stupid, and treat their fans like fools.
3

PatfromPoole added 17:27 - Aug 9
Dingbar1 thinks we should buy the boxes…..

Have heard it all now…..
0

stmichael added 17:40 - Aug 9
Clueless on and off the pitch.
Just fcuk off from a supporter since 1973.
That’s how disconnected you are 🤷‍♂️
0

Colburn added 17:52 - Aug 9
Just sums up how fans have become customers. I was thinking about getting a season ticket this year as I can afford to this year but the way things have been handled in recent times, I'm sad to say I've changed my mind. No proper investment in the areas we need and 1 win in 14.. The club hint about a marquee striker signing then Ralph says big signings make no sense.. Err yes they do, that's why they're called big signings, cos they make the required difference.
0

ItchenNorth added 18:28 - Aug 9
As a season ticket holder in block 3 since we moved from The Dell, the Itchen North has always been the best place to be. As, unlike the Northam, we can hear and see the away end fans and it's great fun. Just like under the old East Stand Terrace or on The Acher Road when The Dell became all seater. Being next to the away end is great.

However, there has definitely been an up turn in anti social behavior in Blocks 1, 2 (and lesser extent in 3) since a return from lockdown. Blocks 1 and 2 are full.of teenagers and it's fun at times but embarrassing more oftern. Teenagers thinking they are to dogs dangles faced with men in the away end is not a good look for the club!

I've no issue with standing or the passionate signing in 1, 2 and 3, but we've seen fights amongst our own fans on several occasions.

The club can not though as for ID and can not be seen to allow the away end different rules. It smacks to me (no pun intended !) that this is new job syndrome and Premier League guidance going too far. It'll subside after three or four home games !
0

mattthelegend added 20:24 - Aug 9
Installation of a permanent wall to separate the 2 opposing fans🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Couldn’t believe I was reading this when I saw my email, I see they have introduced this at West Ham. That will kill any atmosphere at the game. Banter between opposing fans helps to make the atmosphere, introducing this will kill it. What with ID being required as well, sad day for SFC. They are quickly testing my already fragile relationship with modern football.
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darthvader added 00:57 - Aug 10
There will be trouble .
I dare these fckers to ask for my id .

They are stripping the dwindling life out of our club , on the pitch is shocking and now this in the stands?!

So the Leeds fans will all sit down and behave will they ?

block one and two will be half empty and will affect the atmosphere .

It will turn toxic in block 3 and maybe block 4 or closer to the directors boxes if they are getting turfed out for standing too long after a bit of excitement, or the away corporates take the pee .

This is a big mistake that just encapsulates the shite that is happening at the club at the present time .
1

ItchenNorth added 13:21 - Aug 10
darthvader; you are right. The is spreading Blick 3 and 4 now. It appears to.me as if this is the clubs back handed way of closing down Blocks 1 & 2 in time. You wait, next season they say now season ticket holders in 1 and 2, just general sale if seats are needed due to ticket demand late on in the purchase window.
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ItchenNorth added 13:22 - Aug 10
Typos galore!
This will spread to Block 3 and 4 now !
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