 |
 |
Southampton Club Profile
|
 |
 |
 |
Southampton : Quick Links
|
Click on the links below to go directly to the relevant parts of the guide :
Club Background;
We've Met Before;
Photo Galleries;
Club News;
Club Statistics;
Club Information;
Directions To The Ground;
Web Resources;
Food And Drink;
Local Amenities
|
|
|
|
Southampton : Club Background
|
It's taken a long long time, but Yeovil Town is finally going to its bigger neighbours down the road to play Saints in a league fixture. As far as we can tell the records show we only made one visit to Southampton's former ground, The Dell, and that was to play then League club Aldershot in a second F.A.Cup replay tie. We had to wait until 2006 before we were drawn together in a cup tie, and by then Saints had moved to St Mary's. However now our rise and their decline sees the two clubs in the same division.
| | | Yeovil's first visit to Southampton's ground, which in 1955 was The Dell, but not to play the Saints.
|
The club traces its roots back to the team formed in 1885 by members of St. Mary's Church Young Men's Association. Originally called Southampton St. Mary's, the club joined the Southern League in 1894. At that time, with the Football League almost exclusively recruited from Northern and Midland clubs, it would be wrong to consider the Southern League as 'non-league' in the way we think of it today. It was composed of extremely powerful clubs, and amongst those Southampton was in the elite. They won the Southern League championship for three years running between 1897-99 and again in 1901, 1903 and 1904. In 1898 they lashed out the then very considerable sum of £10,000 to build themselves a stadium, The Dell. The club would remain on the site for 103 years. The club also reached two F.A. Cup Finals during this period, 1900 and 1902, but failed to lift the trophy on both occasions.
In the years running up to the First World War Saints were on the decline, increasingly also-rans in the Southern League, a league which itself was weakening as leading clubs gradually switched to the Football League. After the Great War Southampton themselves made the move, becoming founder members of Division Three (Division Three South from 1921) in 1920. They were runners-up the first season, and Champions the second, promoted to League Two. There they spent seventeen seasons up to the outbreak of the Second World War.
When the Football League resumed in 1946 Saints had six good or solid seasons at the second level until rather unexpectedly relegated back to Division Three South in 1953. They were still there when the divisions were restructured in 1958, but doing well enough to be placed in the new national Division Three. The following season, 1959-60, they took the title and were back into the Second Division.
In 1966 they reached the top flight for the first time, promoted to Division One under the late Ted Bates, who would manage the club for a total of eighteen years. They stayed there eight seasons, getting into Europe twice, but were then relegated in 1974, shortly after Bates' departure. And it was as a Second Division club that they achieved their most memorable feat to date, defeating red hot favourites Manchester United in the 1976 F.A. Cup Final.
Lawrie McMenemy was the man who had stepped into Bates' shoes, and after the F.A. Cup triumph he took Saints back into the First Division as Division Two runners-up in 1977-78, and to a League Cup Final, where they were defeated by Nottingham Forest, in 1979. They remained in the top tier of English football for twenty-seven consecutive years. To keep the fans amused there were a few, usually brief, European forays, rather more regular last day escapes from relegation, and a Final appearance in the Zenith Data Systems Cup in 1992.
In the mid-Nineties Rupert Lowe took over as chairman. Off the pitch he masterminded the move from The Dell to the new St Mary's Stadium. It's a spendidly appointed home. Trouble was the cost was equally er, splendid, and Saints have been literally paying the price ever since. On the field he could not resist increasingly meddling. The turn over in managers began to get ridiculous, and although there was another F.A. Cup Final appearance in 2003, where they lost to Arsenal, by 2005 Southampton had been relegated to the second tier. In a bitter battle Lowe was finally forced to fall on his sword and resign in 2006, shortly ahead of a vote for control of the club he was going to lose. One minor casualty in the war was to the benefit of Yeovil Town. In the on-going politics physio Jim Joyce was forced out, and moved to Huish Park.
The chaos at St Mary's reached levels of utter farce, with chairmen and boards bitching and battling in public, coming and going within months, and then Lowe returning as the supposed saviour. If his first spell had been controversial this one was unmitigated disaster, and by the time he was ejected for the second occasion more managers had come and gone, Saints were relegated to League One, in administration, deducted ten points and teetering on the brink of liquidation. The administration dragged on and on and on, with supposed buyers popping up all over the place but mostly turning out to be publicity hungry fantasists. There was a fire sale over the summer as players were shipped out to meet immediate bills and to get them off the wage costs. Just as it appeared that for once it wasn't wolf being cried and a seriously large club was actually going to collapse completely and go out of business a white knight, in the form of a Swiss industrialist, did gallop over the horizon, and the club has survived to fight another day. His pockets are reputed to be deep, and will need to be, as the financial problems aren't likely to evaporate away over night.
One of the new regime's first acts was to recruit yet another new manager. Ex-Glover Alan Pardew is the man charged with over-coming Southampton starting the season on -10 points and getting them out of League One in the right direction. Their start to the campaign is already suggesting it may take more than one season.
Back to Top of Page
|
| Southampton : We've Met Before | Previous Results for Yeovil Town First Team vs Southampton
| 27/02/1956 | Home | Frnd | D | 2-2 | | | Elder, Own Goal | | 12/08/1974 | Home | Frnd | D | 2-2 | 2048 | | | | 14/05/1976 | Home | Test | L | 0-4 | 3700 | | | | 04/08/1987 | Home | Frnd | W | 1-0 | | | | | 19/05/1995 | Home | Test | L | 3-5 | 2482 | | | | 21/07/2000 | Home | Test | L | 0-2 | 2471 | | | | 26/07/2005 | Home | Frnd | L | 1-3 | 5761 | | Way | | 23/08/2006 | Away | CC1 | L | 2-5 | 20653 | | Gray 30, Harrold 90 | | 19/09/2009 | Away | CCL1 | L | 0-2 | 19907 | | | | 17/04/2010 | Home | CCL1 | L | 0-1 | 7484 | | |
Results Summary For Yeovil Town First Team vs Southampton
| Home | Away | Overall | | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 26 |
Back to Top of Page
|
|
Southampton : Club Information
|
St Mary's Stadium,
Britannia Road,
Southampton
Hampshire,
SO14 5FP.
(Click for map)
Telephone Number : 0870 2200000
Fax : 02380 727727
Email: sfc@saintsfc.co.uk
Executive Chairman : Nicola Cortese
Club Secretary : Ros Wheeler
Press Officer :
Manager : Alan Pardew
Capacity : 32,689
Seated : All-seater stadium
Covered Terrace : N/A
Colours : shirt - red and white stripes, black trim; shorts - black with white trim;
socks - red and white hoops
Record Attendance : (at St Mary's) 32,104 v Liverpool, Premier League, 18/01/2003
Nickname : The Saints
|
Ticket Prices :
Glovers fans will be allocated blocks in the Northam Stand with prices set as follows:
adult £22.00; aged 17-21 and over 60 £17.00; aged 13-16 £10.00; aged 12 or under: £5.00.
There are also discounts available for those buying an adult and junior ticket pair as follows:
adult plus 13-16 year old £27.00; adult plus child aged 12 or under £22.00.
There has been no mention anywhere we have seen that there aren't walk-up sales available to visiting supporters on the day - the match has certainly not been declared all-ticket for away fans as our last visit was - but equally there's absolutely zilch that we can find on the Southampton Official Site as to whether away fans can buy tickets on the day, and if so how they go about it. With ticketing the most crucial issue for every fan - as without one there's no seeing a match - and for clubs - it's their bread and butter - it beggars belief every time we come across sh*te ticketing information on Official Sites. And it happens more often than one would believe.
Update (15/09/09): Tickets will be available to away supporters on the day. Purchase from St Mary's Ticket Office No.3. Note, however, that sales will be CASH ONLY.
(Our thanks to Jordan Sibley, a Glover who works for the opposition, for taking the time and trouble to pass on this information.)
Disabled Info: Each visiting club receives an allocation of tickets, and disabled supporters should contact Huish Park Ticket Office. In total the away Northam Stand has 9 upper tier wheelchair / enabler places; there are 14 wheelchair / enabler places in the lower tier, plus 6 seats for ambulant disabled and 14 seats for the visually impaired. Wheelchair users are charged £22.00 with an assistant admitted free of charge.
Disabled car parking at St Mary's is limited and pretty much restricted to season ticket holders. However a disabled badge 'Drop off / Pick up' point is available. This is in Melbourne Street (in the nearby trading estate). Access to the stadium is then via Chapel Road and Granville Street.
N.B. : this facility is only for vehicles displaying a disabled badge up to two hours prior to a match and one hour afterwards, and for drop off / pick up only. It does not prefer parking rights, and any vehicle so doing is liable for towing away.
If you have enquiries on wider issues the disabled co-ordinator at St Mary's can be contacted by phone on 023 8072 7777, by fax on 0870 2200179 or by e-mail at disability@saintsfc.co.uk.
|
Back to Top of Page
|
|
Southampton : Directions To The Ground
|
General
Southampton is a significant city of around 220,000 on the South coast at the end of the M3. It's 68 miles from Huish Park door to St Mary's door. However note that Britannia Road, and often other streets around the stadium, is closed on matchdays. The club strongly recommends people arriving by car do not head close towards the ground unless they have a specific pass for one of the nearby car parks. The immediate area is subject to heavy congestion. Visiting supporters are encouraged to use the dedicated park and ride service specifically for away fans.
By Road
From M27 Eastbound
Leave the M27 at Junction 5 (signed Airport) and take fourth exit off the roundabout heading to Southampton along the A335 (Stoneham Way which then merges left onto Thomas Lewis Way). Head straight along this road for roughly three miles until it becomes Bevois Valley Road, and then Onslow Road. At the end of this road go straight on at the traffic lights and then turn left onto the dual carriageway (Dorset Street). Continue along this road until you pass the Royal South Hants Hospital on your left and the British Gas offices on your right.
At the roundabout take the second exit into Six Dials. Go into the right hand lane of the dual carriageway and continue along through the traffic lights and into Kingsway (following A33 on road signs). After approximately a quarter of a mile take the fourth left into St Mary's Street. Follow bend to the right into Chapel Road (St Mary's Church will be on left hand side) and continue to the end of the road. Turn left into Marine Parade and the stadium is approximately 600 yards on the left.
From M27 Westbound
Exit the M27 at Junction 8 and then turn left at the roundabout. Follow the dual carriageway on the left hand side and on approaching the next roundabout take 3rd exit (A3024) and follow this road into Southampton (approximately 4.5 miles).
Cross the Northam Bridge, and at the set of traffic lights after the bridge turn left into Princes Street. Follow this road right to the end to get to the stadium.
From M3
Drive to the end of the M3 southbound and get onto the M27 eastbound. Leave the M27 at Junction 4 and follow the signs to get on the A33 into Southampton. Continue along this road (The Avenue) for around 3 miles to the end. The road merges into Dorset Street - continue along until you get to a roundabout. At the roundabout take the second exit (signed Six Dials), and on the dual carriageway stay in the right hand lane and continue along through the traffic lights into Kingsway (still A33). After approximately a quarter of a mile take the fourth left into St Mary's Street. Follow bend to the right into Chapel Road (St Mary's Church will be on left hand side) and continue to the end of the road. Turn left into Marine Parade and the stadium is approximately 600 yards on the left.
Park & Ride
There is a dedicated park and ride service specifically for away fans. The park and ride site will start operating two hours before any kick off time and costs £5.00 per vehicle (up £2.00 from our last visit). This car park is stewarded and has toilet facilities. Bus services are provided to and from St. Mary's Stadium. The journey takes twenty-five minutes. We assume it is in Hampshire - just. The shuttle buses drop off pre-match and pick up post-match in Rochester Street and Wilson Street, opposite the stadium on the other side of Britannia Road.
To find this service :
From M27, exit at Junction 8;
Follow signs for Southampton, A3024;
Follow the A3024 for approximately 200 yards to the Tesco roundabout;
Take the second exit following signs for Woolston (A3025) into Hamble Lane;
After approximately 100 yards, turn right at the mini roundabout going back up Hamble Lane, turning almost immediately left into the SFC car park entrance.
From the M3, continue to the end of the motorway then follow signs for the M27 East, continue to Junction 8, then as above.
Parking
As well as the Park & Ride scheme detailed above the following information may be of use :
Around the stadium parking is heavily restricted, with roads closed on matchdays and residents parking schemes in operation. Vehicles illegally park will be towed.
Council run pay car parks within reasonable walking distance of the stadium (distance varies but allow around twenty to thirty minutes) can be found at :
West Park Road
Lime Street
Grosvenor Square
Eastgate
These are General Purpose Tariff B, and suitable if you're pretty much just coming for the game itself. Giving yourself walking time etc. a four hour stay will cost £4.20.
Bond Street is probably the nearest long-stay car park for the stadium if you are planning to make a day of it in Southampton. It is Tariff I and up to nine hours would be £3.00.
Details of all council car park charges can be found here
The club has car parking available on a match by match basis, at a number of locations away from the stadium. What you pay is determined by how far you are prepared to walk. The closer it is the higher the price, with three categories. Charges are £6.50, £4.50 and £3.00. Walking time varies between about ten minutes and about twenty minutes. The parking is available from two hours before kick-off and up to one hour after. This parking must be pre-booked. Tickets are on sale through St Mary's Ticket Office and on the Credit Card hotline, both on 0870 2200150.
There are two club car parks at the stadium, North and South. Take note that the stadium North car park will close to vehicles entering two hours before kick-off, and remains closed to vehicles departing until approximately forty-five minutes after the final whistle. If an away fan using private transport you can pretty much write these off anyway - you are very unlikely to be able to gain access, except possibly as a motorcyclist (see below).
The stadium has 175 free motorcycle spaces in the North and South car parks. You can apply for a day pass on 02380 711966.
By Rail
From Yeovil Junction there's generally a flurry of trains early in the morning from 06.26 onwards, then one South Western Trains service an hour at twenty past from 8.20 through to 12.20 (which would be the last that allows you to make kick-off) for Salisbury. Change there for First Great Western. Journey time is from just over one and a half to a little under one and three-quarter hours depending on connections. Trains back depart Southampton Central at ten minutes past the hour up until 21.10 (change at Salisbury), with around an hour and a half total journey time. The very last train out of Southampton Central with a connection at Salisbury (49 minute wait) to get you back to Yeovil on the Saturday is the 21.38 - arrive Yeovil Junction 23.51
For south-eastern based Glovers there's a good direct service from Waterloo on South West Trains. Four trains an hour leave Waterloo for Southampton throughout the morning, with the fastest taking one hour and fourteen minutes. Return services post-match are on the hour and half past the hour. The last train back to London is the 23.00, but this stops absolutely everywhere and takes nearly two and half hours, arriving Waterloo at 01.26. The last reasonably quick return service is the 22.00, which takes one hour and twenty-three minutes.
There are shuttle bus services in operation on matchdays from Southampton Central Station and from the Town Quay Ferry Terminal. These services commence from two hours before kick-off and continue to run until kick-off. The service is also in operation after the match to take passengers back to the railway station / ferry terminal. The service is not a numbered bus service and simply says "Stadium Shuttle" on inbound journeys and "Rail/Ferry Shuttle" on outbound journeys.
The railway shuttle service picks up from the Commercial Road side of the station outside Blechynden Terrace. The ferry shuttle picks up from the main bus stop at the terminal. As we haven't managed to definitely confirm where the shuttles leave from for the return journey, do check with the driver that where you are dropped off is where you will indeed be picked up post-match.
Show your match ticket in order to use the shuttle bus service free of charge. Of course if you are buying on the day this service is unavailable to you. Travel Line on 0871 2002233 for any queries.
St Denys Station is slightly closer to the ground than Southampton Central, but unless your train happens to be stopping there anyway the minimal saving on walking probably isn't worth the effort of getting there, and also there's no free shuttle bus service.
By Bus
The former free bus vouchers attached to tickets system has been ended. In its place is a booklet of discount vouchers. As, presumably, these are obtained from St Mary's, even if visiting supporters are theoretically eligible it means in practice the scheme is now excluding away fans. Should you manage to get hold of a matchday travel booklet the vouchers give £1.00 off a Southampton Dayrider ticket (so £2.00 instead of £3.00) and £2.20 off a Solent Dayrider (£4.00 instead of £6.20). The vouchers are valid on all Bluestar, Solent Shuttle and Wilts & Dorset services in the designated areas.
Amongst services running close to the stadium on Northam Road, with the bus stop about two minutes walk from the stadium, are :
Nos. 3 and 18 (Bluestar)
Nos. 9, 11C and 12C (First Southampton)
For further information on bus services contact :
First Southampton Bus Company - 02380 224854
Bluestar and Wilts & Dorset - 01983 827005
Additionally there is a shuttle service on matchdays for rail and ferry passengers. See above in the Rail section.
By Coach
The GWSC coaches will depart Yeovil Bus Station at 9.15 a.m. and will leave from Huish Park at 9.30 a.m.
Boooking via Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570 or Rich Rendell (evenings only) on 01935 427072.
The Away Travel Club coach will be leaving from the Copse Road End at Huish Park at 10.30 a.m. Call Roger on 07960687075 to reserve a seat.
Taxis
A selection of Southampton taxi companies can be found here.
Back to Top of Page
|
| Southampton : Web Resources | Web Sites
On The Cross
Footy Mad franchise site.
Saints Web
Launched in September 2008 this a nice uncluttered unofficial site with news and views, match reports, and lots of other stuff - oh, and a proper archiving system. There used to be plenty of good general purpose independent sites on the Net in years gone by, but they are becoming rarer and rarer so pleasing to see a relatively new one on the block.
RECOMMENDED.
Southampton FC YEARS
History and stats site. Some useful stuff, though it doesn't seem to have advanced since we visited three years ago so remains very incomplete.
Southampton Football Club Official Site
Three years ago we wrote this: "What far more Official Sites could be like if they weren't saddled with the sh*** that is PTV. It's embarrassing really, with the Football League pushing a sub-standard mono-culture onto its clubs. One hopes the likes of Southampton resist any pressure, stick with their superior product, and tell PTV to get stuffed."
Sadly, for reasons completely beyond us, the excellent bespoke Saints OS is indeed now gone, replaced by PTV. And yep, it's the inferior sh*te mess we predicted.
The Saints Trust
What it says on the tin. Not much doubt where the Supporters Trust's sympathies lay in the battle to oust Rupert Lowe.
The Ugly Inside
This is the on-line presence of the fanzine The Ugly Inside. A major publication that ran from 1988 to 2000, and at its height sold up to 3,000 copies an issue, it then moved to the Net. The Rivals format it chose did it no favours in our opinion, but thankfully the take over and then rapid closure of Rivals by Sky forced them to move home, and it's been to their advantage.
RECOMMENDED.
Up The Saints
Another independent site that isn't part of some franchise chain. Running for eight years it's well put together, was regularly updated, and generally covered most things supporters would want. However it seems to have ground to something of a halt since the summer of 2009.
Vital Southampton
Vital franchise site.
| Web Message Boards
On The Cross
Footy Mad forum. Registration to post. Not exactly busy, but two or three threads a day makes it a hive of activity compared to the average Mad messageboard.
Saints Web Forum
Forum attached to the web site of the same name. Multi-section format, and the busiest Southampton messageboard. However for full access there's an annual £5.00 subscription fee, so maybe not so useful for the average opposition supporter only interested in Saints twice a season.
Southampton Fans Online
Does steady business.
The Ugly Inside
The forum of the website of the same name. Fairly busy messageboard with 924 members at the time of writing, it's no longer Rivals - since they have ceased to be - though it still rather looks like one.
Up The Saints Fans Forum
Forum attached to Up The Saints. Unused.
Vital Southampton
The Vital forum for the Saints. Very little used.
E-Mail Mailing Lists and Newsletters
Local Press
This is Hampshire
The Daily Echo provides the most extensive and in depth coverage of The Saints. This now feeds its coverage into the This is....... network, in this case, as one would expect : This is Hampshire.
|
Back to Top of Page
|
|
Southampton : Food & Drink
|
|
General:
St Mary's Stadium is about 25 minutes walk from the Railway Station, and 15-20 minutes from the City Centre where there is a host of places to eat and drink.
Club Bar :
The stadium is pretty much state-of-the-art, and very impressive. There are bars on the inner concourse, which serve up to fifteen minutes prior to kick-off. A lager and a bitter are offered. The kiosks are open from ten minutes before half-time to ten minutes after. The usual range of football stadium food is available. Reports suggest it is better than the norm. Note that because of licencing restrictions there are two different sorts of kiosks, one serving alcohol and a limited range of food, the other hot and cold soft drinks and a wider range of food.
Each concourse has a betting booth and televisions. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the stadium. You can't pop out for one at half-time either as Southampton has a policy of no re-admissions.
Local Pubs :
There are three significant (in terms of output) breweries in Hampshire, and over half a dozen micros. Gale's is an old brewer in the area, founded in 1847 and was still family owned until last year. It maintains that tradition of both brewing and holding an estate of tied pubs, 111 in total in their case. Unexpectedly bought by another independent family brewery, Fullers, for £92 million in 2005 it remains to be seen how they intend to run it, though it should be safer than if one of the multi-national raper of pubs had got their hands on it.
Ringwood is an example of the more modern type of brewery, focusing on supplying a wide range of outlets rather than its own stable of pubs. Founded as a micro in 1978 producing a few barrels a week it's now up to around 30,000 a year. A decade and a half behind Ringwood, it was founded in 1992, but growing fast and developing an excellent reputation, is the Hampshire Brewery. Around 300 outlets are supplied.
Of the micros one particularly worth mentioning is White Star Brewery. A ten barrel a week plant, it is just around the corner from St Mary's Stadium, off Radcliffe Road.
As you approach the stadium from the city centre there are a number of pubs about five to ten minutes from the ground such as the Oddfellows Arms, Plume Of Feathers and Kingsland Tavern. These are very much home pubs and not particularly recommended for away supporters especially if wearing colours.
| Excellent pub and welcoming to away fans (Pompey possibly excepted)
© Hugh Gleave
|
Bevois Castle: Ten (very brisk) - fifteen (slightly dawdling) minute walk north of the stadium, this pub has bar, games area, lounge, courtyard garden at the back and tables out the front. On our previous visit there was a cheap pool table and a plasma screen showing Sky. There's parking, and very competitively priced food is served lunchtimes, from opening - 2.00 p.m., with the 'Traditional Breakfast' particularly popular. Local real ales King Alfred's Hampshire Bitter, Hidden Quest, Nuptu'ale, Landlord and Hole Hearted were on, plus changing guests from both the locality and further afield. Also Grolsch, Carling, Strongbow, Guinness and Guinness Extra Cold. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. weekdays and Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. on Sunday. Away friendly. New landlord who had only been there a few months when visited. An egg chaser rather than a football fan but very friendly and pleasant.
Bevois Castle, 63, Onslow Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0JL. Tel: 023 8033 0350. Map: Click Here.
|
Chapel Inn: Was the Anglesea Arms, then the Le Tissier Arms Feet, it's now the Chapel Inn. Ten minutes walk to the south of the stadium in Ocean Village it's a major Saints venue littered with memorabilia, but one that shouldn't provide issues for away fans (unlike a few others in this area, which are best avoided). Regular opening is 11.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 11.00 a.m. -12.00 midnight Friday and Saturday, 12.00 noon till late on Sunday.
Substantial 'snacks' menu 11.00 - 3.00, main meals menu 6.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Hog roasts are laid on when Southampton are at home. There's a big screen with Sky, pool table, darts, gaming machines and a juke box. Children allowed.
Chapel Inn, 40, Albert Road North, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 5GB. Tel: 023 8063 1278. Email: chapelarms@tiscali.co.uk. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.
|
Dolphin: Right by St Denys railway station for anyone arriving by that route. Large single bar pub with eight real ales: Adnams Broadside, Bowman Swift One, Gale's HSB, Ringwood Best Bitter and guests, often from the Wychwood and Timothy Taylor breweries. Has Old Rosie cider. Food available lunchtimes (1.00 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.) and evenings (6.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.) - except Mondays. It's wise to get there early to eat; everything is freshly cooked on the day, so once they run out of something that's it. Has an external smoking area in a large beer garden and own parking. Opening is: 4.00 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. Monday; 4.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. Tuesday; 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; noon - midnight Friday and Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Children welcome until 6.00 p.m.
Dolphin, 30, Osborne Road South, St Denys, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 2EZ. Tel: 023 8039 9369. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.
|
Duke of Wellington: If you're down in the sea front area and you want real ales, a couple of streets back is probably the oldest pub in Southampton. There are six hand pumps, with Ringwood Best Bitter and Wadworth IPA and 6X as regulars. An extensive menu, both snacks and main meals, is available lunchtimes (12.00 noon - 2.30 p.m.) and evenings (6.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.). Wheelchair access (via the back door) and children allowed. Opens 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday).
Duke of Wellington, 36, Bugle Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2AH. Tel: 023 8033 9222. Map: Click Here.
|
Eagle: Traditional style pub in the city centre about half way between Southampton Central and St Mary's. Has Whitbread Flowers (oh dear) as the house real ale, but also three guests. Opening 10.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m Monday - Saturday (sometimes to 12.00 midnight Friday and Saturday), 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Pool table, darts, plasma screen TV with Sky Sports. Snacks available throughout the day, main menu lunchtimes and early evenings.
Eagle, 1, Palmerston Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 1LL. Tel: 023 8033 3825. Map: Click Here.
|
| Could have been an 'off day' but the real ale was poor
© Hugh Gleave
|
Encore: Those arriving at Southampton Central railway station in the past may well have dropped in to The Victory as the first pub they saw. No longer, it is no more as of summer 2006. A little further from the station, on the north side, is this one. Large pub on split levels and part of the Mill House Inns chain. A fair all-rounder, it has Fosters, Kronenbourg, Stella Artois, John Smiths Smooth, Guinness, Dry Blackthorn Cider and three or four changing real ales (though only two when visited, and not well kept). Opening hours are 10.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10.00 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. Thursday, 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 midnight Friday and Saturday, 11.00 a.m. - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, 4.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. and Tuesday - Friday, 4.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m., there's a 'Happy Hour' with discounted prices on certain drinks. Food of the 'pub fayre' genre, with an extensive menu of main meals and snacks served between 10.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 11.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. on Sunday. Children are welcome whilst food is being served, there's Sky Sports and Premiership Plus on three TVs and a Big Screen, a pool table, wheelchair access, and an outdoor smoking area (pretty much the street really). Debit and credit cards accepted. Can get very busy if there's something on at the theatre as it's right next door.
Encore, 22 - 26, Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1GE. Tel: 023 8022 5687. Fax: 023 8022 4297. Email: encore.southampton@millhouseinns.co.uk. Map: Click Here.
|
Frog & Frigate: Not rushing home after the match? Open 5.00 p.m. - 4.00 a.m. (restricted access after 1.30 a.m.) Monday - Saturday, 7.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m. Sunday. Live music or DJ sets (mainly Sixties and Seventies) most nights, and free CD juke box in between. Kronenberg 1664, Carlsberg Extra Cold, Guinness (ordinary and Extra Cold), San Miguel, Stella Artois, Stongbow and Fuller's London Pride on draught. For people who like drinking sickly liquidised kiddies sweets there's a range of cocktails at £4.00 a pint. 'Happy Hour' 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m., 50p off all pints and bottles, £1.00 off cocktails. Table football and darts. Ten to fifteen minutes walk south of the stadium.
Frog & Frigate, 33, Canute Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3FJ. Tel: 023 8033 5959. Email: frogandfrigate@aol.com. Map: Click Here.
|
Giddy Bridge: One of three Wetherspoon outlets in Southampton (see Standing Order below). This one is around ten minutes walk from the ground and slightly more convenient for the away end. Opening is 9.00 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. every day. There's an outside patio area where smoking is still allowed, and it has a Child Certificate (although see Standing Order again as to whether this is a helpful piece of information). Tries harder than many Wetherspoons do these days to stock more than just the standard range, with guest ales from all around the country. Also has two ciders: Old Rosie and Weston's Organic Vintage.
Giddy Bridge, 10–16, London Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 2AE. Tel: 023 8033 6346. Map: Click Here.
|
Guide Dog: Back-street Victorian drinkers hostelry just off the main route from St Denys station to St Mary's, and a couple of hundred yards further away from the stadium than the Bevois Castle (above). There are seven hand pumps, five for guests plus the house beers of BowmanSwift One and Fuller's ESB. Food is usually put on on matchdays but not otherwise served. Opening is 3.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. on weekdays, 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday.
Guide Dog, 38, Earl's Road, Bevois Valley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 6SF. Tel: 023 8022 5642. Map: Click Here.
|
King Alfred: Closest pub to the stadium, and as such, though convenient for the away end, pretty much a home pub. Used to segregate supporters, with home fans in the main bar and away fans in the small upstairs bar, using match tickets as the check, but we have been informed via the Green Room that this is no longer the case. Has Sky TV.
King Alfred, 51-53, Northam Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0PD. Tel: 023 8063 0130. Map: Click Here.
|
Kolebka: With around 500 pubs on our profiles database to date this was a first: a Polish pub. Why a Polish pub in Southampton we haven't a clue. Perhaps they didn't either as the Polish theme and food seems to have disappeared in the intervening time. Opens Sunday - Thursday 3.00 p.m. - 12.00 midnight, Friday and Saturday 3.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m. Has three real ales, Young's Bitter and two guests. There's a decked terrace and courtyard garden. Live music on Fridays and Sundays, an extensive jukebox the rest of the time.
Kolebka, 40-42, Bevois Valley Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0JR. Tel: 023 8021 1115. Map: Click Here.
|
Platform Tavern: Virtually built into the city walls and close by the Isle of Wight ferry terminal (well we know one Glover who will be coming across), the cafe part of the establishment opens from 8.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon when the pub part takes over until 11.00 p.m. Food in the pub is served from 12.00 noon - 8.00 p.m. (12.00 noon - 5.00 p.m. Sunday). Big on music, mainly jazz and blues. The regular real ales are Fuller's London Pride and Itchen Valley Godfathers, plus a changing guest. Also Amstel, Fosters, Budweiser, Guinness, Caffreys and Stowford Press Cider on draught.
Platform Tavern, Town Quay, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2NY. Tel: 023 8033 7232. Email: stewart@platformtavern.com. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.
|
South Western Arms: This is CAMRA country. Local Pub of the Year three times in a row and a national finalist in 2003. Right by St Denys station, the other side of the tracks from the Dolphin (above). Real cider is not common in Southampton and this is one of only three entries in this selection that serves it. That stocked varies but there's almost always one on. There are up to ten beers on handpumps. Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Butcombe Bitter, and Sharp's Cornish Coaster are the regulars, plus changing guests from all over the country. Food is restricted to snacks though there are barbeques in the garden in the summer. On two floors, the upstairs has juke box, pool, table football and TV. Serious drinking pub, but children are allowed in the upper part or garden, which has a heated smoking area. Opening is 12 noon - 11.00 p.m. Sunday - Thursday, noon - midnight Friday and Saturday.
South Western Arms, 38-40, Adelaide Road, St Denys, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 2HW. Tel: 023 8032 4542. Map: Click Here.
|
Standing Order: Another Wetherspoon in Southampton (see Giddy Bridge above), right in the heart of the city centre. About fifteen minutes walk to the ground. Opening is 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 midnight Sunday - Thursday, 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. This one states no Child Certificate, but who can tell what that means? Wetherspoon's child policy is chaotic, with seemingly different rules in every establishment and the presence or absence of a Child Certificate appearing to have no bearing on what is happening on the ground in each pub. It's something the chain needs to sort out. Has an outside area.
Standing Order, 30, The High Street, Southampton, Hampshire. Tel: 023 8022 2121.
|
The Hobbit: Open 12.00 noon - 3.00 a.m. Monday to Saturday, 12.00 noon to 2.00 a.m. Sunday. 'Happy Hour' 12.00 - 8.00 p.m. Split levels, two bars, huge beer garden and live entertainment every night. Pool, machines, real ale etc. in the upstairs bar, stages in the downstairs bar and the garden. Food is burgers, hot dogs and chips served 9.00 p.m. - 1.30 a.m. Probably helps if you are a student, or at least like students. About fifteen minutes walk north of the ground.
The Hobbit, 134, Bevois Valley Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0JZ. Tel: 023 8023 2591. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.
|
| Really pleasant friendly establishment both sides of the bar
© Hugh Gleave
|
The Old Farmhouse: There are very few pubs really convenient to St Mary's but this is more convenient than most. It's about a ten to fifteen minute walk to the away end. The present building was built as a farmhouse in 1611, but has been a pub since 1843. There was a pool table, table football and a juke box inside when we last visited, a large beer garden and some car parking outside. A big screen and Sky Sports was promised back in the spring of 2006 and so should be installed by now. Freshly prepared home cooked food is done to order. There was a selection of an Archers, London Pride and Spitfire as the real ales when visited. Keg draught was John Smith's Extra Smooth, Boddington's, Guinness, Fosters, Carling, Kronenbourg 1664 and Strongbow. Children allowed. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Food is served 11.30 a.m. - 2.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. Monday - Friday, 11.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m. Saturday, 12.00 noon -3 .00 p.m. Sunday.
The Old Farmhouse, 39, Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0EG. Tel: 023 8039 3513. Map: Click Here.
|
Waterfront Bar: Fairly up-market Bar/Restaurant with food mainly in the British style. Largish terrace out front for nice weather. Down on the Itchen in Shamrock Quay, a yacht building yard, it's tucked off the main thoroughfares for fans and so rarely gets large groups of supporters descending.
Waterfront Bar, Shamrock Quay, William Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 5QL. Tel: 023 8063 2209. Map: Click Here.
|
| Highly recommended - excellent beer perfectly kept
© Hugh Gleave
|
Waterloo Arms: Wrong way from Southampton Central for the ground, but at ten minutes from the station lovers of good beer may consider it worth the walk. It is on a bus route into the centre. A Hop Back Brewery outlet with a full range of their excellent beers : GFB, Best Bitter, Crop Circle, Entire Stout, Summer Lightning and whatever seasonals happen to be available. They also stock several changing guest ales. There's an L-shaped bar, and a large conservatory at the back which leads into a paved garden for smokers. Children allowed until 9.00 p.m. in the conservatory or garden but not in the bar. Food is available lunchtimes and evenings, though not on Saturdays, and there's wheelchair access. Opening is 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. every day.
Waterloo Arms, 101, Waterloo Road, Freemantle, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 3BS. Tel: 023 8022 0022. Map: Click Here.
|
Wellington Arms: Drinkers pub, no food. Five regulars - Adnams Bitter, Fuller's London Pride, Greene King Abbot, Ringwood Best Bitter and Wychwood Hobgoblin - plus two changing guests. Hoegaarden and Leffe Blonde cater for more continental tastes. Paved garden with seating for smokers. Opening 12.00 noon - 11.30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 12.00 noon - 12.30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Could have stepped back into the Fifties, the interior gave the appearance of being entirely unchanged since then. The beer was excellent, which is what matters however.
Wellington Arms, 56, Park Road, Freemantle, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 3DE. Tel: 023 80220356. Map: Click Here.
|
Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :
Well they're not West Country, but they are undoubtedly Southern. In fact we're the Dirty Northern B*st*rds.
Top-Tip :
If driving get there early to sort the parking out.
Back to Top of Page
|
|
Southampton : Local Amenities
|
Local Guesthouses and Hotels
Go to A1 Tourism's Online Guide
to find Guest Houses/Hotels in the town and surrounding areas.
Other Points Of Interest
Much of historical Southampton was flattened by bombing during the Second World War, and the urban developers destroyed the rest. There's nothing wrong with Southampton, but as a city it's not a very exciting one: average interest, average culture, average shopping, average nightlife. Very, er, average.
[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]
Back to Top of Page
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
