RTG’s totally and utterly (we hope) indispensable guide to this season’s away grounds.
THE OPPO – Southampton
DATE – Monday 9 April
KO TIME – 5.15pm (kickoff time moved for Sky Sports)
THE GROUND – St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton – click here and here for maps of the area – the red circle shows where the ground is.
St Mary’s Stadium is just to the south of the city centre, close to the main A33.
Around 3,200 away supporters are accommodated in the Northam Stand but according to demand, this can be increased to a maximum of 4,700.
TICKETS
Priority for season ticket holders lasts until 3pm on Saturday 24 March – voucher 48 required. General sale will commence at 10am on Thursday 29 March, subject to availability.
Adults £26, senior citizens and U20’s £19 – U12’s – £1.
GOING BY CAR?
Like the recent trip to Plymouth, travelling supporters are looking at another massively long trip – some five to six hours.
From Sunderland do the usual A19/A1/A1(m) route then onto the M1 southbound.
Stay on the M1 to junction 15A in Northamptonshire
Stay on the A43 for around 25 miles, following signs initially for Oxford and the M40 (ie westbound)
Join the M40 at junction 10 and stay on that road for just over five miles
Leave the M40 at junction 9 and take the A34 southbound
Stay on the A34 for around 60 miles then take the M3 joining at jcn 9 (Winchester)
Stay on the M3 for 10 miles then join the M27
Leave the M27 at junction 8.
Southampton FC advise away supporters NOT to take cars into Southampton city centre but to follow signs for the away supporters’ dedicated park and ride service; the signs begin when you leave the M27. The park and ride is available at a charge of £3 per vehicle payable on entry, exit the M27 at junction 8 and follow the AA signs for Away Park and Ride. The car park is secure, stewarded and has toilet facilities. It is a 25 minute bus ride to the stadium. The shuttle bus will drop passengers off and pick-up after the game in Rochester Street and Wilson Street, opposite the stadium on the other side of Britannia Road. Police and stewards will be available to help with directions.
GOING BY TRAIN?
The 8.31am GNER from Newcastle gets to Kings Cross at 11.50am, then nip across town to Waterloo station, and catch the 1.05pm South West Trains service to Southampton which gets there just before 3pm
The 9.35am GNER from Newcastle gets to Doncaster just before 11am; take the 11.04 Hull Trains service to Kings Cross which arrives at 12.44pm. Nip across town to Waterloo station then catch the 2.05pm South West Trains service to Southampton which gets there just before 4pm.
You’re not going to get back home the same night because of the rescheduled kick off – see National Rail’s website for the following day’s train times.
To search for alternative train times and book tickets visit National Rail’s website.
Alternatively ALS are running their usual coach service.
STOPPING OVER?
Southampton Travelodge, Southampton – 0870 191 1711
Premier Travel Inn, Southampton – 0870 238 3308
Holiday Inn Express, Southampton & Southampton West – 0870 400 9670
Holiday Inn, Southampton – 0870 400 9670
Also: don’t rule out staying in Winchester, Portsmouth and Eastleigh which are also close by.
Click here to visit the Southampton tourism website’s accommodation listings. Word of warning: it’s school Easter holidays – hotels and B+B’s will all be busy – ring around as soon as you know you’re going, to sort your accommodation out.
SCRAN AND BOOZE
There’s no shortage of pubs and places to eat in the centre of Southampton and most are happy to serve away supporters. The Coopers Arms is close to the away supporters’ dropping off point, and serves both home and away supporters.
LEND US A FIVER I’M OUT OF CASH
Plenty in Southampton city centre.
LAST SEASON
Finished 12th of 24 with 58 points:
THIS SEASON
P35 W16 D11 L8 F56 A39 Pts 59 GD 17
HOME FORM
P18 W11 D5 L2 F27 A13 Pts 38 GD 14
LAST 6 MEETINGS
11.11.06 Sunderland 1 Southampton 1 (Wallace)
28.01.03 Sunderland 0 Southampton 1
28.12.02 Southampton 2 Sunderland 1 (Flo)
23.03.02 Sunderland 1 Southampton 1 (McAteer)
15.12.01 Southampton 2 Sunderland 0
28.04.01 Southampton 0 Sunderland 1 (Kilbane)
TRIVIA
Their current keeper is former Sunderland keeper, Kelvin Davis – in midfield they have former Sunderland favourite, Chris Makin. Manager is a former Sunderland player of the 1980’s George Burley.
Credits Southampton FC, Southampton City Council, Multimap, Football Ground Guide, Soccerbase, The RAC, National Rail.