The announcement that Northam End will support only Saints the following season has generated a lot of discussion over the last month, but there is still one more home game left, so now is the opportunity to raise some hell. Next season, the Northam End will be entirely home for the first time, with away supporters relegated to the furthest corner. It’s expected to be a sea of Red & White. However, building a loud and energetic home run requires more than just adopting the attitude that “build it and they will come.” It also depends on the individuals who will use it; will they become vociferous and proud supporters who provide unceasing support?
2,000 Saints fans showed up at The Hawthorns on Sunday, making their voices heard, particularly in the second half when our supporters continued to make a lot of noise as the home fans became silent.Fortunately, there’s no need to wait until the following season to find out—at Friday’s Saints vs. West Brom game, two thirds of the stand will be occupied by fans, and the team desperately needs their support this year. Social media users have already expressed interest in doing precisely this, calling on Saints supporters to show up to mass at the Ted Bates statue on Friday at 6 p.m. wearing their red and white striped jerseys to greet the team coach and, presumably, to scare the living daylights out of the West Brom.
Some fans are skeptical and dislike anything that they perceive as manufactured, like the club’s initiative. The Portsmouth News has mocked Southampton fans for allegedly needing this rallying cry, implying that Pompey fans don’t need such motivation. Former players Francis Benali and Jo Tessem have spoken of the need to raise the noise levels on Friday night, and it appears that a spirit of unity is rising among the fan base. It wasn’t too long ago that a bandstand was erected in a corner of Fratton Park to serve John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood and his group of minstrels who played drums and bugles. If that wasn’t creating an impression, then what is?
I don’t consider myself cynical; at football stadiums, there is space for all kinds of fans, from loud and enthusiastic ones to others who would want to simply watch and cheer on their team. The majority, including possibly myself, are in the middle. Whether it’s Friday night or the following season, I won’t be in the Northam Stand, but I will be cheering the team on as loudly as I can. Thus, I applaud the red and white wall in the Northam; if it makes St. Mary’s a more boisterous and intense environment, then so be it. However, I hope that it doesn’t end at the Northam End.Hopefully, it will inspire people who don’t say much to cheer on the team to say something, even if it’s simply “Come on Saints.”
There is something about evening fixtures that brings out the best in Saints supporters, and against West Bromwich Albion on Friday night, it is necessary to make it one of those special nights that we used to have at the Dell and on occasions at St Mary’s. Everyone must support it! It is about a team effort from everyone, those on the pitch and those in the spectators, whether it is wearing something red, singing your heart out, or just lending a few words of support when things go tough.
Although there is space for all kinds of supporters in a football stadium, sometimes we all need to pitch in. I would not go as far as some of the comments and advise giving your ticket to someone who will if you plan to attend on Friday and you won’t say anything to support the team. Portsmouth and its newspaper like to portray themselves as the world’s greatest supporters; they tell us as much whenever possible. In fact, they like to tell the world that Southampton supporters are nothing like that; we don’t brag or boast, and sometimes we are a little more reserved in our pride in our city and team.We will, however, demonstrate to West Bromwich Albion that we are a team that stands by itself when the chips are down. This is the time when a catalyst is needed, and it’s here. Let’s turn St. Mary’s into a special location on Friday night.