Review by Huddersfield Town fan James Jessop

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

Went last minute as my original plans for the day had been cancelled due to weather. A new stadium for me too which is always provides a good buzz.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

Drove. Was an easy enough drive but traffic getting into Southampton was awful. Took 30 mins to go 2 miles.

If you drove, was it easy to find car parking and make your way to the stadium?

Car parking was really easy. Plenty of council run multistory car parks in the city and was only £4.50 for the day. Took 15 minutes to walk to the ground from the one I parked in with plenty of restaurants/bars passed on the walk.

Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?

Didn’t go into any as was in a rush due to traffic but the city centre is really friendly. Full of life, very clean and a good vibe.

Where did you eat on your away day and was it good value?

Had a burger and chips from the van outside the away end. Was decent enough but a bit pricey as you’d expect from a hot food van.

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

Not much leg room but not a concern when standing for the game. View was excellent. No obstructions, can see everything clearly. Sun was directly on us though so maybe a hat or sunglasses next time!

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

Best atmosphere I’ve experienced yet! Both fans made plenty of noise. It helped it was a 5-3 thriller of course. Great banter and nonstop noise. Really great game!

How friendly were the home fans out of 10?

Didn’t see any issues so 10/10!

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

Easy. Got back to car park quickly. Traffic leaving Southampton was hectic again though!

How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?

£25 ticket
£50 in fuel but others chipped in so about £25
£13 on food
£4.50 car park

Other than the food price can’t complain!

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

Absolutely. I’ll be going again next time we play them!

Review by West Brom fan Adam Hunter

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

A ground I’d never visited with my sons. Big focus this year on getting to as many away days as possible.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

Drove with family and friends, steady drive, free flowing traffic.

If you drove, was it easy to find car parking and make your way to the stadium?

Followed the A335. Traffic started to build up but snuck into a little place called Drummond Drive, free to park, no double yellows and provided access to the Itchen River, Boardway Walk or along the main road where the pubs were situated.

Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?

Walked to The Guide Dog. There were very few away fans in there as it’s predominately a home pub. The older crowd were relaxed and the choice of beers good. No issues whatsoever. Good pub, good fans. Lots of other pub choices around the area that are welcoming.

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

Good away end. The crowd of home fans in the Itchen Stand have got good banter. Cracking match, the noisiest fans was dependent on who was on top in the game.

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

Good atmosphere overall. Cracking match. Deserved at least a point, but there you go!

How friendly were the home fans out of 10?

10/10. No issues at all. We were interrupted by a Southampton fan on the way out when I told my son we’d been robbed by not getting at least a point and he agreed! Had a chat about Southampton’s past season, good eggs overall!

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

Easy, due to the fact I’d parked away from the ground. There was a slight delay along the A335 which we’d expected, but after that it was plain sailing.

How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?

£160. Another one of those 3 hr + travel away games so not one I’d do every season. Another ground ticked off that I hadn’t previously visited.

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

Yes! An easy drive down, free parking options and plenty of welcoming pubs. Nice ground, a bit generic and lacking in old fashioned character but modern and a great view of the pitch.

Review by Leeds United fan Max

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

To support the best team in the world.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

We travelled by coach which was great.

Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?

Had a pub stop in Eastleigh which was not bad.

What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?

It was alright. Kingfisher isn’t my preference though when getting a pint.

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

Away end is in a decent area of the stadium, but we didn’t like the stewards.

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

Atmosphere was poor.

How friendly were the home fans out of 10?

8/10.

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

Was pretty straight forward.

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

Honestly think it’s the worst stadium I’ve been to in term of the way they treat the away fans.

Review by Wolves fan Y Southall

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

Was in Poole with a friend and as we are wolves fans we thought we’d go to the game and it made our weekend catch up better.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

We got the train and it was easy.

If you got the train, how easy did you find it to make your way to the stadium from the station?

Got a taxi , which was a bit pricey at £11 for 2 miles.

Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?

Had few pints at various bars in Southampton before game.

What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?

The beer was pretty decent and only £4.50 a pint, which is cheaper than my local in Cornwall.

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

Away end was decent and spacious. The view we had from Row NN was fantastic. The only bad point was getting in was very slow because of the random checks and the fact there was just one queue system for all turnstiles.

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

We were loud but the home fans didn’t make much noise until they went 2-0 up and as soon as we pulled one back they went quiet again and most had left early as we went on to win 3-2.

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

Took ages to get out the ground. It was like we had been locked in without being informed. I’d say it took 15 minutes at least.

How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?

£30 ticket, travel £85, beer and snacks £120 – always worth it to watch Wolves away.

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

Yes, the home fans we met were great and helpful and had a laugh with us. If you haven’t been here yet, you must!

Review by Chelsea fan Owen Young

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

I prefer going to away games to be with the true fans and not tourists. I love the atmosphere and people who enjoy to sing as much as I do.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

I drove and it was very easy. Parked in main shopping car park.

Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?

Yates’, which was the designated away pub. Class atmosphere, loads of Chelsea songs and beer.

Where did you eat on your away day and was it good value?

KFC – shocking service.

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

Not too bad, decent view.

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

Class away support. Saints fans were very poor.

How friendly were the home fans out of 10?

8/10

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

I found it really easy to get away after the game, not much traffic congestion.

How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?

£26.50 ticket, £6 KFC, £15 petrol.

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

Yes, definitely!

Review by Swansea fan Dean Thomas

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

First game of the new season, and like all football fans I was full of optimism and looking forward to the start of a new campaign.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

Travelled by car down to Southampton, which was a relatively straightforward trip and after leaving after 9.30am we arrived at St Mary’s shortly after 1pm.

If you drove, was it easy to find car parking and make your way to the stadium?

This was my second visit to Southampton so was quite familiar with the area around the ground and how limited parking is in the vicinity. A tip for away fans is to head towards the Marina area and park there. It’s roughly a 10 minute walk to the ground but you then avoid the traffic at end and was back on the motorway and away from ground in 20 minutes after game.

Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?

One or two pubs along the way to the ground from the marina but headed towards the ground to pick up some food and drink. The Prince of Wales Pub looked an ideal stop for those looking for a pre-match pint.

What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?

Standard football ground food inside, plenty of choice and prices as you come to expect now.

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

Swansea took up our allocation of 3,400 on the day and the away end offers a good view of the action situated behind the goal. Tv’s and bookmakers add to the pre-match entertainment in the concourse area.

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

Swans fans were in fine voice in the lead up to the game and continued throughout the game despite not having much to shout about. Some good friendly banter with Saints fans was enjoyed too.

How friendly were the home fans out of 10?

7/10

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

Excellent, with no segregation of supporters and most fans headed back to their buses and away from the ground. Congestion can be encountered if heading back to city centre.

How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?

Roughly 65 pound, which is good value.

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

Southampton is highly recommended for an away trip. Stewarding and Policing low key but friendly which is rare to see as an away fan.

Is there anything else you think is worth mentioning to away fans?

St Mary’s is a welcoming away ground as any I have visited. There are a good mix of supporters around ground and a friendly atmosphere.