Like most clubs in the top two divisions of English football, Southampton have suffered at times from a flat atmosphere in the ground, sometimes because of the performances on the pitch, but also because fans have grown stale after singing the same songs year in year out, that is about to change.
This season there has been a word of mouth change going on in St Mary's, but now the Daily Echo has revealed that it is a little more organised than most would imagine.
The new group even have a name "Back Of The Chapel" and it is as the old advert used to say exactly what it says on the tin, a group of supporters who have grown tired of the same old songs and now want to create a third area after the Northam and Itchen North corner to provide vocal backing for the team.
It has it's roots back before Covid struck when a group of fans started to congregate in the Itchen North, back then that area had, despite its proximity to the away section, never really been a "singing section" of the ground, it had always been very sedate in comparison with the Northam End.
That group saw the popularity grow and the Itchen North went from being quiet to becoming the noisiest area of the ground.
But it had it's drawbacks, being next to the away section as it started to become more popular friction between the Saints fans in that area and the away fans escalated and as this site revealed at the start of the season Itchen North the club were being forced to take drastic measures.
Those initial measures in August 2022 didn't have the level of success that the club's licensing authorities were looking for and in the November Block 1 was shut down and fans relocated.
This for some was the sign that something new had to be created, they were not interested in abusing away fans, but in backing the team and the whisper was that they would be relocating to the Chapel End in the Itchen Corner where not only was their room for their initial group to get together, but also for it to expand, and as a bonus tickets were cheaper too.
The Daily Echo has revealed that Tom and another supporter called George are looking to ramp up the noise in St Mary's.
"I was keen to try and improve the atmosphere down the Chapel because I definitely think fans play a huge role in the morale and performance of the team,” Tom told the Daily Echo.
"Russell Martin has confirmed this already this season and it seems he has similar views. Whilst the Northam and Itchen North are loud, they are in constant competition with the away fans – something I’m sure many of them enjoy.
"Being where we are, only takes a few voices to get some chants going. It also filters down the stand and allows other supporters who prefer to sit to join in. Our aim is to get the back few rows chanting, whilst respecting the wants of other fans.”
George, also speaking to the Daily Echo, said:
"The atmosphere been poor the last few seasons and this seems a good idea to get other parts of the ground behind the team
"When the home end of the Northam is majority away fans, other stands sitting there in silence all game is a wasted opportunity of having a home advantage.”
The group has already been speaking to the club about it's aims and so far Saints seem to be backing the idea and have met with members of Back Of The Chapel and have been tailoring stewarding in that area to accommodate them as a consequence.
Now Back Of The Chapel are looking to grow by bringing like minded Saints supporters into their group, fans who want to sing and make a noise, but are not interested in goading away supporters just making some noise to back the team.
Tom had this to say:
"The amount of positive feedback I’ve had from other fans has been fantastic. Those who sit down at that end have noticed the change in dynamic.
"We’ve had people say they’ll relocate to the Chapel next year. If you want to get involved or move your ticket over, contact me on Twitter @BackoftheChapel or contact the ticket office.”