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.”

Photo: Action Images

Block8 added 09:37 - Oct 6 Good stuff it's difficult to out sing opposition fans when our core is split, (Northam & Itchen North) with all the away fans in between. So good luck to them and I hope it thrives. God only knows we need some decent chants, so put your heads together Back of the Chapel & give us something we can all join in with! COYR
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saintbazza added 10:21 - Oct 6 Good call, I don't go down often as I live miles awayb but the atmosphere can be pretty poor and it comes over that way watching on the TV, whereas when we play away we appear to be loud and proud, and that must help the players on the pitch! We do seem to have suffered from the seating and splitting up cores of supporterswho like a song. I tend to go down to the Northam because it does seem to have more atmosphere, so having an alternative area and more songs to sing sounds like a blast!!

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Golac_Nuts added 10:22 - Oct 6 Can you tell me details of which particular Block you're at the back of?
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davenbennett added 10:38 - Oct 6 I am a season ticket holder in the Chapel, row Z, which is about half way up. No problem with people wanting to sing. But what I don't want is that turning into forcing everybody to stand. I am 65, as are my mates, and others around me. I can't stand for the entire game now. One reason I don't go to many away games. Always thought it funny that Arsenal have best seats and biggest leg room - but never get to sit down! One solution could be safe standing, which is being discussed. Just not in the Chapel please!

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ClintWestwood added 10:38 - Oct 6 Hopefully they won't be singing that tired and pointless anti-Pompey song which does nothing to encourage the team.
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felly1 added 12:01 - Oct 6 Hi Golacs Nuts , I think its block 15 right at the back. Chapel Stand
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mattlegod added 13:43 - Oct 6 This can only be a good thing. Even this season, there has been times when the atmosphere was lacking and the away support has been more vocal which always disappoints me. I have always questioned the thought process of putting the away fans next to our "most vocal" set of supporters, so to have another area separate to that can only help spread the noise, songs and support.

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cocklebreath added 13:50 - Oct 6 Dave bennet it’s one it’s only block 15
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highfield49 added 17:24 - Oct 6 I have a lot of sympathy with davenbennett with regard to older, and less able bodied, supporters being marginalised by inconsiderate people who feel that it is their right to stand during the game without thought for others. Admittedly it's easier to sing and cheer when you're on your feet and I don't want to discourage anyone from doing so provided that younger and older supporters in the vicinity are not deterred from attending matches. Safe standing provision could well be the answer that suits everyone but at least leave the lower seating areas free for people who, literally, are unable to stand up for the entire match.

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Block8 added 18:14 - Oct 6 ClintWestwood couldn't agree more 😩
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Bowlercow added 18:50 - Oct 6 We must be the only team in the country that doesn't have an end Why couldn't the away fans go in Itchen North and leave that whole end to us The police would be satisfied because they would still be near to their transport
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bigmart added 19:58 - Oct 6 Perhaps these guys could make up some words to the tune of Tenpole Tudor's "Swords of a thousand men" (The boys from Southampton)
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AnonSaint1 added 20:02 - Oct 6 Hi all, Tom here (BOTC). Great article. Those of you stating you can’t stand/ don’t want to - Please don’t worry. This initiative is to get the back few rows standing and leading chants (hopefully safe standing). We’ve gone to the back so we don’t block anyones view. The majority of the Chapel will remain seating! So don’t worry but feel free to join in with the chants! Cheers. UTS!

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ItchenNorth added 07:39 - Oct 7 The apeal of the Itchen North Stand is being next to the away fans and having an active role in creating an atmosphere so away fans know St Marys is here. We can't really hear the home end Northam End sing much (they do of course but it's all blocked out for us), because of our signing in the Itchen and away fans singing. The away end must think the same; it's Itchen North signing or no other part of the ground (to them). I welcome BOTC and hope it takes off. If the club were to put in safe standing in 2 or 3 blocks down there, I might even be tempted to move.

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Newdawn2014 added 11:04 - Oct 8 I love this and I really hope it`s a success I also sit in the Northam and it seems that the passion is waning , would love to see New Chants type competition or similar . good luck COYS
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