Never Minds The Transfers Here's The Free Ice Creams !

Forget the headline, life has to go on regardless of Saints deadline day events, but there is free ice cream on Saturday for Saints supporters courtesy of Virgin Media.

I would imagine that some people will take offence to the fact that on a day so serious as the transfer deadline that Saints have announced that there will be free ice cream for those going to the Burnley game on Sunday, but hey life is far too much fun to take everything that seriously, so I for one welcome Virgin Media's initiative to give us all a free cone on Sunday.

Saints’ Main Club Sponsors are providing free ice-cream to supporters ahead of the match, at St Mary’s, to make opening day that little bit sweeter.

There will be five vans located around the outside of the stadium, serving from 11am up until kick-off.

The generous offer is the latest from Virgin Media to help make Southampton supporters’ matchday experience all the more enjoyable.

There were also be a host of other activities at St Mary's for fans to enjoy ahead of the opening game of the season, with Saints Brass on hand, a keepy-up challenge in a special panna cage, and Saints Foundation testing your knowledge with a special quiz for supporters.

A bit of good news for Saints supporters and yes it isn't Chairman Gao telling us his five year plan or his cultural revolution, but it is making things a little more palatable on Sunday although some would probably prefer that the club took out all the toilet seats, forgot to put loo rolls in the cubicles and spread mud over the concourses so they could have something to moan at.

It is understood that the offer is limited to one cone per person, although with the number expected to take up the offer expected to be large (Please see the Daily Echo's Readers Letter article on Monday for details) the ability of ice cream vendors to spot people coming up a 2nd 2rd or 4th time is questionable.

It should also be noted that the picture on the club website is not indicative of the free ice cream that will be available. It is hoped that club kit provider Under Armour will sponsor chocolate flakes and sauce, please refer back to the club website for details.

What to read next:

Returning Pompey defender reflects on 'lonely place' as he looks to kick on
One of Pompey's returning casualties has spoken of the tough time he has had on the sidelines.

Fratton foursome give fans and manager good news - but one Pompey new boy is crocked
Pompey's treatment room is starting to thin out somewhat - although it does now have a new casualty.

Pompey's 1985-86 season: Bans, crushes, a Carlisle nightclub and an agonising end
Everything has a spin-off these days, so why should View From The North Stand not follow suit? If you don't know, that's the name of my column in the Pompey programme, now in its 18th season in its current guise.

Quick on the draw: Would one more point suit Pompey against Sunderland?
Pompey have been quick on the draw upon their return to the Championship. Three games - and all have ended all-square.

Who comes in? Pompey and new boys head for the Riverside
Pompey head to Middlesbrough this weekend and there will almost be as much interest in what happens at 2pm as 3pm.

Two games in - and Pompey have concerns among the excitement
Pompey are two games into the season - and it's fair to say that most fans would have said 'yes please' if offered a point from Elland Road and a League Cup exit at the hands of Millwall in those two opening tussles.

Two proper clubs going toe to toe - why Leeds v Pompey excites Mousinho
A visit to Leeds might be one of Pompey's toughest looking trips of the season as they begin life back in th Championship - but John Mousinho is happy with the hand the fixture computer has dealt them.

Luton at lunchtime - Sunday in Sunderland: it's your latest Pompey fixture changes for Sky
A lunch date with Luton, a Sunday in Sunderland and a potentially unlucky trip to Derby - they're all part of Pompey's rearranged fixture list as the new TV deal takes hold.

Jacob in, Jack out - all-change in Pompey's left-back department
It's one in one out in the left-back department as Pompey continue reshaping their squad with two weeks to go before the Championship season begins.

Pompey's week with the non-league neighbours off to fine start
Pompey's non-league neighbours tour is under way and it's a case of so far, so good as boss John Moiusinho reflects on a victory and a good workout at Gosport and looks forward to what he hopes will be more of the same at Havant on Friday and Bognor on Saturday.