Watford Game Bucks Perception By Selling Out
Saturday, 9th Sep 2017 09:04

It is unprecedented in Saints history to have the first four home games sell out in a season, but history has been made with today's game against Watford selling out on Friday afternoon.

Historically Saints early season home fixtures have rarely sold out, yes they have been near, but the pattern has always seen empty seats at the first home games of a season.

This is not a new thing, The Dell was packed in the final games of the 1965/66 season as we secured promotion to the top flight for the first time, yet for the first game in the old First Division in the following season it was far from full. That was the same in 2012 when we returned to the Premier League, the euphoria of promotion seemed to be quickly forgotten.

Some Saints fans seem to have to see the team entertain before they pop along and offer their support.

The Watford sell out makes it the fourth game in a row to sell out in this season Premier League campaign, yes I know it is only the third home fixture, but the next game against Manchester United is already sold out.

Even the fixture against United which normally is a full house has seen tickets fly out the door in quick time, in recent seasons business has been slower even for United and that game has sometimes not sold out till the last days before the fixture, but this season is different and all the tickets have gone with still over two weeks left befoe the game.

This seems to buck what most thought the trend would be, despite another top 8 finish last season and a Wembley Cup Final, if you read social media you would think that Saints were a club in decline, it was all about those not renewing season tickets etc, indeed some even seemed to take a pride in telling the World that they were not renewing as if it was some sort of badge of honour.

The truth though is that we have a very big hardcore of supporters and although there seems to be a vocal minority whose support of the club always seems to have to be channelled in a negative way, it seems the silent majority do appreciate what the club are doing and that although at times it doesn't seem like it, actually it is in just about it's most succesful period in terms of where it is in the league and it's ability to challenge for honours.

This has meant that the enthusiasm to watch the team seems to be growing at least amongst those who for one reason or not are not season ticket holders, hopefully this trend will continue and the perception of the club will change amongst the supporters who will realise what we are trying to achieve and how we can only achieve it, not by trying to take on the big clubs at their own game, but by our own strategy.

Photo: Action Images

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1970 added 09:32 - Sep 9 That's what happens when you get rid of a very dull and negative manager and keeping our best players makes every-one proud to be a saint coyr 3-1 win today
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skiptonsaint added 11:22 - Sep 9 Good points 1970 although can't help thinking all the VVD press and hype has helped as well. If we had signed someone like Bale back we prob wouldnt of had as many column inches
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dirk_doone added 12:28 - Sep 9

The population of the city is growing and therefore so is the number of potential fans. The stadium capacity has reached its upper limit. The only way to cool interest will be to increase ticket prices so I guess that's what the club will do for nezt season as its policy is to set prices high enough to just fill the stadium and not leave too much surplus demand.

The average home gate is always around 95% of the official capacity because not all away allocations sell out and a few hundred home seats also have to be left empty to meet the requirements of the safety license.

I have no doubt that if an extre tier were added to the Kingsland Stand, we would average 38,000 and the atmosphere would be greatly improved by having a high side to the stadium, which at the moment is too open.

Saints average home gates in the top flight at St Mary's:

2016/17 30,938
2015/16 30,751
2014/15 30,741
2013/14 30,212
2012/13 30,874
2004/05 30,610
2003/04 31,699
2002/03 30,680
2001/02 30,633

helpineedsomebody added 13:09 - Sep 9 the only way to pay what the new owner & his chums have borrowed from a bank in hong kong stay at the top table & wait for the increase of EPL money every 3 seasons /& upgrade st marys to 50, 000 fans . lets hope we have a owner who see s the big picture
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sambat added 14:50 - Sep 9

When the stadium was built it was supposed to be able to be extended due to it's design.
Southampton must think about this very soon surely.
I used to have a season ticket but simply cannot afford it now, so then I was buying tickets for individual matches, however now there are too many conditions to be able to do that now.
If the stadium was extended it should be easier just to buy a ticket when you want to go, and I am sure they would increase the attendance further.
Shame the days of turning up at the Dell and paying on the turnstiles have gone.