Saints travel to Leicester City with fans present for the first time since Covid began in March 2020, for those going for the first time or indeed those who just need a refresher here is all the info you need.
Opened in 2002 a year after St Mary's there are many who would claim it to be identical as our beloved home but in blue, mainly because it was built by the same company, Barrs. Although there are a lot of similarities it isn't quite our identical twin, but it cannot be denied there is a lot of family resemblance.
It replaced the former home of the Foxes, Filbert Street which lay around 1/4 mile from the KP as Im sure some will refer to it as, although they would be nuts to do so.
Its record attendance was set on the opening day of the 2015/16 season when 32,242 saw them take on Sunderland beating the 32,188 who watched them play Real Madrid in a friendly in July 2011.
One thing that really puzzles me is why they have a Huntsman blowing a hunting horn before the kick off, surely they shouldn't be glorifying a sport that is all about hunting down Foxes and killing them aside from the fact that they are suggesting the opposition should do just that metaphorically speaking on the pitch.
When Leicester won the Premier League 6 seasons ago most football fans celebrated the occasion and were glad the monopoly was ended, but sadly Leicester fans seem to have forgotten that just a few short years ago they were one of the also rans and have nots and have lost their humbleness and love to taunt those outside the big six that we will never do what they have done.
My experience of going to Leicester is that they have never been a very welcoming bunch, even back in the old days at Filbert Street.
Getting There
By Car
There are two routes, both involve taking the A34 up to Oxford and then joining the M40, the first route is to leave the M40 only one junction after joining and then follow the A43 to the M1 which is well signposted, from there continue on the M1 till Junction 21.
The second route involves staying on the M40 tll junction 15 and there take the A46 signposted Coventry and then follow signs to the M69, which in turn will take you straight to Junction 21 of the M1.
From here follow the A4560 towards Leicester city centre, after going under a railway bridge, carry on for approx 200 metres and then turn right at the traffic lights into Upperton Road, signposted Royal Infirmary and then right again into Filbert Street, from there you will be able to see the stadium.
By Train
Train is a good option if you know how to work the ticketing and the time tables, the clue is to not buy one day return which will set you back about £90 but split the tickets even though you may stay on the same train, here is one route and price.
Get the Cross Country Train from Southampton Central buy two day return tickets Southampton to Basingstoke & Basingstoke to Banbury, with a network railcard it will be £10.50 return for the first journey and £11.50 for the second. You alight at Banbury and change trains to a Chiltern railways service to Birmingham that is cheaper than Cross Country, then over to Leicester
All tickets can be brought via on line agencies like National Rail or Southern.
After arriving at Leicester Train Station the ground is about 1.5 miles from the stadium or a 25 minute walk, turn left, follow the ring road around until you see a small park, cross this park and bear left and you will be able to see the Stadium, Leicester fans suggest avoiding the Victory pub next to the park.
Parking
The roads next to the stadium can get very congested and parking is minimal, if they are not at home there is a car park at the Leicester Rugby Club, but the suggestion is to park around Upperton Road and the streets near the aforementioned Railway bridge, although its a 15 minute walk, its free and will probably save you more than that in the congestion to get back to the motorway.
The Away Section
Inside the ground the view is very similar to that obtained at St Mary's as you would imagine, although the away section is basically right in the corner curving for perhaps a block into the stand behind one goal and a block into the side stand.
But underneath in the concourses it is a far different proposition and unlike St Mary's where the concourse have plenty of space here at the King Power they are pretty cramped for a new stadium.
The usual fare is available although alcohol is at the police's discretion depending on how they rate the opposition's fans, so don't be surprised if there is non on sale.
Pubs Etc
The nearest pub to the ground is the Counting House, which is just up the road from the away section although this can get very crowded, some away fans are also known to use the bar at the Holiday Inn Express on Filbert Way, for those that like real ale the Swan & Rushes on Infirmary Square next to the Royal Infirmary is recommended.
Most of the pubs around the KP Stadium are otherwise home fans only and the F Bar is one that is best avoided, although some will admit away supporters if they are not wearing colours etc.
For those on the train there are a few bars opposite the station on London Road and the police usually designate one the away pub and keep an eye on it. The usual pub of choice is the Hind, although there are reports of the local police being heavy handed sometimes, indeed a few years ago a QPR supporter complained that around 25 QPR fans were escorted from the station to the Hind and then at 2pm told to drink up and were escorted by 38 police, a dog and 3 police vans in an "escort" to the ground reminiscent of something out of the 80's.
Capacity: 32,500 (all seated)
Address: Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL
Main Telephone Number: 0844 815 6000
Main Fax No: 0116 247 0585
Ticket Office: 0844 815 5000
Ticket Office Fax No: 0116 229 4404
Club Nickname: The Foxes
Pitch Size: 110 x 76 yards
Year Ground Opened: 2002
Home Kit Colours: Blue & White
Official Web Site: www.lcfc.co.uk