SOUTHAMPTON - St Mary's Stadium (32,689 -> 44,000)

[Saints]

During a meeting with some supporters, Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese reportedly mentioned the club is in the process of being in early discussions with Southampton city council with regard to expanding St Mary's stadium into a 44,000 seater arena (currently 32,000)

It's generally thought this would entail two new upper tiers behind both goals.

[Harry1990]

Oh ok was anything mentioned about the rfu funding some of the expansion as it will be a venue in 2015? Sure it has been rumoured before

[Saints]

No, I don't believe so. I think the RFU are only assisting the developments of full time Rugby stadiums in time for the World Cup.

In the past the Saints chairman has said a couple of times he would prefer to rebuild from scratch a complete new stadium as the current one is a bit cheap and cheerful and lacking in design flair and facilities, possibly buying up some of the adjacent land so it was more in line with the waterfront, which would make it a more attractive venue for bars and restuarants outside of matchdays. However, the gasometers can't ever be moved, same goes for the railway line, so it is a bit hemmed into the current plot of land.

[Saints]

These are a couple of possible ideas on expansion created by fans (they are not official designs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppy65d5QHcI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAp3sxpkqI

[RMB2007]

Ah, the football club that once erected a statue of Milan Mandarić outside their stadium. Not sure it's needed, but at least any expansion of the stadium would make it more 'unique', rather than being the bog-standard bowl type stadium that it currently is.

[djharvey]

Think 44,000 is a realistic expansion if southampton get back to the top flight, probably wont get that week in week out but it is fair to say that for the bigger games they could get close if they are also playing fairly well.
They are the best supported team south of London and seem to have a very good youth set-up.
Hope they can get this expansion off the drawing board, it would also help to give the stadium a bit more character.

[djharvey]

This is a pretty cool possibility!

Stadium Markus Liebherr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o9PX...eature=related

[Lupin III]

Wait people in here talking positive of this?

Its not that long time ago the club went down to 3rd. tier because of economic problems, I cant see this as a good idea.

OK I see that visually it is, but relistically its a dangerous path in these crisis times, besides I am aware that Southampton has been in top flight for many years, but before St.Marys they were a small top flight club only attracting max. 10K, I can be in doubt if a 44k is viable.

[djharvey]

Originally Posted by Lupin III

Wait people in here talking positive of this?

Its not that long time ago the club went down to 3rd. tier because of economic problems, I cant see this as a good idea.

OK I see that visually it is, but relistically its a dangerous path in these crisis times, besides I am aware that Southampton has been in top flight for many years, but before St.Marys they were a small top flight club only attracting max. 10K, I can be in doubt if a 44k is viable.

Southampton were restricted for many years with a ground capacity that gradually reduced as more seating was introduced, when all seater rules finaly came in they were restricted right down to a 15,000 capacity.
When they moved into their new 32,000 capacity stadium they immediately had average attendances of over 30,000 for several seasons up until being relegated.
With the new investment taking place and the feel good factor, there is no reason (promotion dependant) they could not get regular attendances of 35,000+ and towards 40,000+ for the more attractive games.
Their avarage attandance so far this season is over 25,000 in the Championship.

[kerouac1848]

Originally Posted by Lupin III

Wait people in here talking positive of this?

Its not that long time ago the club went down to 3rd. tier because of economic problems, I cant see this as a good idea.

That's not really to do with the stadium though.

OK I see that visually it is, but relistically its a dangerous path in these crisis times, besides I am aware that Southampton has been in top flight for many years, but before St.Marys they were a small top flight club only attracting max. 10K, I can be in doubt if a 44k is viable.

I could be wrong, but even at the Dell I don't think Southampton averaged below 15k (rounded up) during the worst attended years and that was a notoriously small ground. They've averaged at least 20k in the past couple of seasons and that is in the 3rd tier (and got crowds at around 95% of capacity last time they were in the PL).

If Sunderland can get over 40k than so can Southampton in theory if prices are kept reasonable given the clubs have comparable catchment areas and the South Coast is less economically depressed than the North East.

32-44k is a bit of a jump though, they should probably do it stand-by-stand, so going first to around 38k, but getting planning permission for 2 expansions.

[bigbossman]

It's a good idea in some ways, for instance upper tiers would mean they can close the stands if they get relegated and the capacity would be back to 32,000, but why behind the goal?

Originally Posted by kerouac1848

That's not really to do with the stadium though.

It was definately a contributor to their relegation from the prem.

However the difference is aren't they being bankrolled now so they won't have to take on debt to build it? This is the sort of investment football wants not what's happening at Man City.

I could be wrong, but even at the Dell I don't think Southampton averaged below 15k (rounded up) during the worst attended years and that was a notoriously small ground. They've averaged at least 20k in the past couple of seasons and that is in the 3rd tier (and got crowds at around 95% of capacity last time they were in the PL).

It was the all seating of the dell which was the problem. It held 25,000 in 1989. They pulled decent crowds (relatively) until then too.

Originally Posted by Lupin III

OK I see that visually it is, but relistically its a dangerous path in these crisis times, besides I am aware that Southampton has been in top flight for many years, but before St.Marys they were a small top flight club only attracting max. 10K, I can be in doubt if a 44k is viable.

Post null and void.

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

[Mr_Andersonn]

Southampton could potentially go top of the championship again tonight and play Leicester City. But what an awful turnout from the saints fans.

Is there some kind of boycott going on?

Would a 44,000 capacity stadium really be required?

[Annaezett]

Any render?

[WesTexas]

I do not like when there is no pictures! YES im a 3rd grader! I want PICTURES! who wants to read words words words!?!?!?!!?!

[GunnerJacket]

Certainly sounds a more plausible option than Portsmouth for any future World Cup bid, and that may be why they're aiming for 40k+ with any expansion. If you're going to do it, do it right.

[carlspannoosh]

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tothe92/with/5519503821/


It's one of the saving graces of these cookie cutter type stadiums that expansion is relatively easy and no doubt it would add a bit more character.

[RMB2007]

From the UK section:

Originally Posted by Matthew Le God

The Liebherr estate have huge plans for the club! First the £15 million spent on upgrading the existing Staplewood training ground and category 1 academy.


Staplewood Training ground in the New Forest - currently under construction

Now this...

(the stadium images are taken from the DVD that comes with the 2012/13 season tickets)











A clearer image from the DVD...



Still in the very early stages, but looks impressive.

[Harry1990]

Hope this expansion gets built soon :-) before 2015

[www.sercan.de]

nearly a new stadium

[GunnerJacket]

Would be a great boon to a future WC bid to have a nice 40k seater in the south, and it can only help the FA/Premiership if more and more metro areas can grow their clubs. There's only so much of London/Manchester/Liverpool that viewers can take, I imagine, and we need to keep the fan interest among younger generations for all those clubs not endowed by Sibneft or Abu Dhabi.

Hope Pompey gets their act together as well because this was a solid rivalry.