Fans Receive Letters Warning Of Possible Closure Of Itchen North Stand ! But Are They To Blame ? Saturday, 21st Nov 2015 10:03 Saints supporters who sit in the Itchen North stand at St Mary's have been sent a letter warning of possible consequences should recent bad behaviour continue. The club have stressed that the letter they have sent to supporters who sit in the Itchen North is not aimed at all, but at the minority who the club see as causing a problem in recent matches this season. The main incident that has resulted in the FA warning Saints of possible sanctions concerns a flare being thrown onto the pitch from the Itchen North during the fixture against AFC Bournemouth. The letter warns that whoever was responsible could get a football banning order and a criminal record, and that bringing a pyrotechnic into a football stadium is "a very serious crime and...a very dangerous thing to do". "The trouble has reached a level and seriousness that could result in our having to close several of the blocks in the area," The Itchen North Stand especially Block 1 which is right next to the away section is potentially the most volatile in the ground and it does often see a degree of "banter" with the away section, however 99% of it is fairly good natured and there have been no incidents either inside or outside the ground of note. With regard to the flare that was thrown, of which there really can be no argument, whether you see pyrotechnics as part of the atmosphere as they are in Europe or not, the fact remains they are illegal and that throwing them is seen as dangerous to other spectators. But of the other incidents comments from supporters who sit in that area have been saying on social media that these are due to one reason and one reason only and that is away supporters at certain games being in that section. Perhaps the most serious incident this season took place at the Manchester United game when one of the executive boxes was occupied by United supporters and they celebrated loudly and abusively when they scored, leading to an incident. Supporters who were there have said that this was instigated solely by the United fans and that the Stewards presumably acting on Club orders did not deal with it, it seemed that the club was not prepared to eject those in corporate hospitality whatever their behaviour and they were allowed to continue watching the game and goading Saints supporters. Other incidents have been from away fans being in the Itchen North general seating area, whilst it is sad that in the 21st Century rival fans cannot sit together, the fact remains that there is an unwritten rule that if you go into the away sections as an away fan, you keep quiet and watch the game, if you do so there are no issues as no one knows who you are, the problem occurs when these supporters stand up and loudly cheer goals etc. As I said it is a sad situation, but again the fault does not lie with the Saints supporters but those who have allowed them to buy tickets in this area and when they have sown themselves not to remove them, it is not a major problem in fairness, in that it only occurs when certain teams play at St Mary's and usually because these supporters have not been near their own team's home ground in years. So although the club have been at pains to stress that it is not all supporters and indeed they have to be seen by the FA as tackling a problem, I can say whet the club is unable to and that is there are some of the most passionate fans of the club in that section, who make a lot of noise, but that doesn't mean that they are hooligans. Again whilst Pyrotechnics cannot be excused, the supporters cannot be blamed for trouble instigated by non Saints fans. So carry on Itchen Stand making a lot of noise and supporting your team. Just don't throw ay flares. Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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