In a season that has started brightly for Saints, it seems that our stars on the pitch are being outshone by the floodlights above it, according to some Saints fans.

Today's Daily Echo is carrying a story about the St Mary's floodlights after they were contacted by a longstanding St Mary's season ticket holder.

Having sat in the same St Mary's seat for many years and been a season ticket holder for over four decades Penny Ridley will know a floodlight when she sees one, but at half time all the talk amongst her and her friends was glaringly obvious, it was the brightness of the newly upgraded St Mary's floodlights.

Speaking to the Daily Echo she said

“At half-time at St Mary’s at the weekend the usual chat went on amongst us season ticket holders — a group of 10/15 who’ve had the same seats for ten years or so.

“The ONLY topic of conversation for the next fifteen minutes was the effect the floodlighting was having on our viewing pleasure.

“Our area is in and above row W behind the goal in the Chapel Stand, grandstand views with only the disabled section in front of us.

“We all agreed, especially those who wear glasses, that it was very difficult to watch the match comfortably.

“The halogen lights seemed to be mini-laser lights — shining straight into one’s eyes.

“My old Saints baseball cap used to keep out the floodlight glare, but you’d need a hat with a straight level brim to keep the piercing lights at bay.

“My arms were aching after 100 minutes of shielding my eyes.

“It wasn’t just us oldies (we’ve had our season tickets for 43 years) but the youngsters as well.”

Personally I have to say that I didn't notice the floodlights at all on Saturday, i was fairly high up in the stand but nothing struck me as being too bright apart from the Saints two goals.

So what about everybody else, did you notice the brightness ?

Photo: Action Images

simmo400 added 12:57 - Sep 29 Can only agree. The lights were irratating mainly you noticed it because before it was never an issue. I sit in row EE in kingsland.
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jameslastfan added 13:05 - Sep 29 I was row L in Kingsland and funnily enough I looked up and thought they look bright. Didn't affect the game and actually, had I not read this I wouldn't have remembered but, now you mention it....
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Zambucco added 13:16 - Sep 29 I noticed when I was sat in the Itchen fairly low down. But my seat is CC block 42, and although it was commented on before the game, nobody complained during. I think it must effect people at different levels. I must say that if my seat was the one I used in the Itchen I would be complaining as they were a major distraction as they seem to be aimed at the crowd and not the pitch. I think it would help if they were put in the same place as the light they replaced.

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Consigliere added 13:58 - Sep 29 I think this may depend on where you sit in the ground. I didn't notice it from my seat in the Itchen last Saturday but I was aware that the lights were glaringly bright at the Emirates ground, when all the Saints supporters were quite low down - indeed almost looking up at the pitch from the seat I had there (not that anyone was sitting down that evening). Have all the grounds upgraded their lights? I wonder whether there may some new directive or regulation which requires a certain degree of brightness? Time for a bit of Google searching?

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abingdonsaint added 14:16 - Sep 29 Didn't bother me, but they are bright. I understand that there has been a directive to upgrade floodlights at Premier League grounds for TV requirements. Most clubs have simply added more lights, but Saints have installed very costly state of the art LED lighting (the only club to do so I believe!) Should see the goals flying in at night games much better now!
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bigrob68 added 15:36 - Sep 29 i'm in the northam stand aa, and i too thought the lights were aimed more at the crowd than the pitch.
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SaintNick added 15:57 - Sep 29 perhaps its the lights behind the goals that need looking at, those on the side didnt seem to notice as much
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gpsgm added 19:16 - Sep 29 I'm in the Chapel row X so near the fans that brought this up. I found the lights above the Northam a bit bright and had to concentrate on not looking at them. I wondered if it would be different for an evening game. I wasn't really sure why they were on Saturday, was it that dark?
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philipa added 22:16 - Sep 29 Was at the game in Saturday v QPR and I thought the lights were too bright or poorly angled! They seem to be shining right into spectators eyes. I was in family stand row BB
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ssxsaint added 13:57 - Sep 30 I agree. We are Itchen Row Z and the lights from behind the Northam goal were a distraction. It wasn't an issue on Saturday but I anticipate problems when it is dark.
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Whatsforpud added 19:20 - Sep 30 Why do they have the lights on in every match? For afternoon kick-offs in August, September, April and May, it would be better if they weren't switched on at all.
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