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

legod7 added 12:13 - Nov 21 It seems strange that this letter comes THREE weeks after the Bournemouth game but only a couple of days after the killings in Paris. Perhaps it was a directive from the FA to all clubs to heighten their security . They probably told clubs to have more bag searches etc. The club itself could have decided on the threat of the part closure to show the FA they were taking more security measures.

0

darthvader added 12:41 - Nov 21 Maybe only sell the boxes that end to home fans and not to moron away fans who get drunk and goad and spit on us . If that didn't happen the so called trouble would almost certainly cease .? Generally the atmosphere in our corner is pretty good with the normal away fans . Obviously the smoke flare thing is a separate issue
1

BLEEDRED added 19:36 - Nov 21 If you believe the rumors Local Liverpool fans have bought 2 boxes in the area so could be fun!
0

ItchenNorth added 11:27 - Nov 22 The atmosphere in the Itchen North Stand is always good, in fact I'd say it's the best in the ground purely because of the banter you get with the away end. That's something the Northam Stand never gets from their position in the ground. The problem is mainly corporate hospitality as has been mentioned. Once there was a drive to get fans to sit down, because corporate couldn't see, but now back in the Premier League it's; pawn sandwich eating exec type toffs supporting the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea verbally goading the fans below. Clearly this happens when the away team score, but the club shouldn't be afraid to warn the remove corporate fans. One warning before the game starts to remind those in corporate where they are and what in hospitality is the expected behaviour; or kick them out.

0

ItchenNorth added 11:32 - Nov 22 Oh, and the funnest chant of the game yesterday, when Stoke fans let of a smoke bomb was; Sent you a letter, we're gonna send you a letter, send you a leeeeeetter ! Best bit of the game that!
0

SaintBrock added 13:45 - Nov 22 Mostly only idiots would even contemplate sitting in the Northam, all you ever get from there is tuneless one line chants and an endless stream of foul-mouthed abusive ranting. Just witness the inane remark from ItchenNorth as an example of what the rest of us are up against and he thinks this is funny? The rabble from the potteries were just as bad yesterday so all in all the whole Itchen thing is unpleasant for must decent fans who are subjected to this offensive onslaught for most of the time match are in progress.

-2

ItchenNorth added 16:52 - Nov 22 You do understand what banter is yeah Saintbrook! I define it as fun, a bit of give and take, nothing more. Please explain why anything I've said is insane?!
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Wolverhampton Wanderers Polls