St. Mary's Stadium
St. Mary's
UEFA
Location	Southampton, England
Coordinates	50°54′20. The Union of European Football Associations (Union des associations européennes de football is the administrative and controlling body for European football. Southampton ( IPA /ˌsaʊθˈhæmptən/ is the largest city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. 99″N, 1°23′27. 80″W
Broke ground	2000
Opened	August 2001
Owner	Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC
Operator	Southampton F.C.
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	£32 million
Former names	The Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium
Tenants	Southampton
Capacity	32,689[1]
Field dimensions	112 × 74 yards

St Mary's Stadium is the home of Southampton F.C. in the city of Southampton. Other names In Arabic, the month is called أغسطسص ʾUġusṭuṣ or آب ʾĀb; usage varies from place to place and Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC is the parent company of Southampton Football Club Ltd. Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. Southampton ( IPA /ˌsaʊθˈhæmptən/ is the largest city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England It is a UEFA 4-star rated stadium and with a capacity of 32,689 is the largest football stadium in the south of England, outside of London. The Union of European Football Associations (Union des associations européennes de football is the administrative and controlling body for European football.

Southampton were relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2004-05 season and have remained at that division of English football since. The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short or the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons This has seen a reduction in the average crowd size to around 23,500, although attendances have fluctuated from 17,500 to 32,000.

Contents 1 Brief History 2 Description 3 Name 4 Capacity 5 The Ted Bates Statue 6 Notable matches 7 Non-footballing use 8 Expansion 9 Location 10 Facts and Figures 11 References 12 External links

Brief History

After a lengthy and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to build a new 25,000 seater stadium and leisure complex at Stoneham, on the outskirts of Southampton, the city council offered the club the chance to build a new ground on the disused gas work site in the heart of the city, about one and half miles from The Dell. Southampton ( IPA /ˌsaʊθˈhæmptən/ is the largest city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England The move was cited as the club returning home, due to the fact that the club was formed by members of the nearby St Mary's Church, as the football team of St. Mary's Church Young Men's Association before becoming Southampton St Mary's FC, and eventually Southampton FC.

Construction started in December 1999 and was completed at the end of July 2001, with work on the stadium itself and improvements to local infrastructure cost a total of £32 million.

The Saints have been in residence since August 1, 2001 when they moved from the The Dell, which for the final years of its life, held just over 15,000 spectators - less than half the size of the new stadium. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Dell in Milton Road Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club between 1898 and 2001 The first match was played on 1 August 2001 against RCD Espanyol, with the Spanish side winning 4–3. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a Sports club based in Barcelona.

The first competitive hat trick at the stadium was not scored by a Saints player, nor was it scored in a game involving Southampton FC. That honour goes to former Aldershot Town striker Stafford Browne, who scored three goals in the Shots' 3–1 victory over Havant & Waterlooville in the Hampshire Senior Cup final on 1 May 2002. Aldershot Town Football Club is a Football League club based in Aldershot, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English Association football team based at West Leigh Park in Havant, Hampshire. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[2]

Description

The stadium is a complete bowl, with all stands of equal height. There are two large screens at either end that can be seen from any seat.

The stadium has four stands, which are named after the areas of Southampton they face, when looking from the centre circle. The main (east) stand is the Itchen Stand, and faces the River Itchen. The River Itchen is a River in Hampshire, England. It flows from mid-Hampshire to join with Southampton Water in the city of Southampton The opposite stand is called the Kingsland Stand. Behind the south goal is the Chapel Stand, and to the north is the Northam Stand.

At the rear of the Chapel, Kingsland and Northam Stands, there is a continuous, translucent 'panel' that is designed to allow light to access the pitch. A large section of the roof at the Chapel Stand, at the southern end of the stadium is also translucent, for the same reason

At the rear of the Itchen Stand, there are 42 executive boxes, and a police control room. The stand also houses the club's offices, changing rooms, press facilities and corporate hospitality suites. The four main hospitality suites are named after some of Saints' greatest players:

• Terry Paine
• Mick Channon
• Bobby Stokes
• Matt Le Tissier

The Northam Stand is home to the majority of the more vocal supporters, as well as visiting fans. Terence Lionel Paine MBE (born 23 March 1939 in Winchester) was an English footballer Michael Roger 'Mick' Channon (born 28 November 1948 in Orcheston, Wiltshire, United Kingdom) is a sportsman who enjoyed a career Bobby Stokes ( January 30, 1951 - May 30, 1995) was an English footballer. Matthew Paul "Matt" Le Tissier (born 14 October 1968 is a retired footballer who played for Southampton and England. Visitors can be given up to 4,250 seats (15 per cent of the capacity) for cup games, and up to 3,200 for league matches.

Name

The official ground name at opening was 'The Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium'. Friends Provident plc ( manages a Life assurance business mainly based in the United Kingdom and with offices throughout the world Initially the club wanted the ground to be named purely after the sponsors, but fan pressure influenced the decision to include a non-commercial title, and hence the ground is now nearly always referred to simply as 'St Mary's'. It is a rare example of fans successfully influencing club stadium naming policy in recent years, and one which earned Southampton fans respect amongst many other football fans. In 2006 the new sponsor Flybe. Flybe Limited is a British Airline based at Exeter International Airport, England. com did not choose to purchase the naming rights to the stadium, meaning it reverted to the name 'St Mary's Stadium'.

Capacity

The ground has an all-seated capacity of 32,689, including the press and directors boxes. Seating capacity refers to the number Because of the segregation between home and away fans in the Northam Stand, it is unlikely the full capacity will ever be reached for a competitive Southampton match.

The current record attendance was for the match between Southampton and Arsenal on December 29, 2003, when 32,151 spectators attended. Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.

The lowest crowd for a Southampton F. C. first team match came on Tuesday 11 March 2008 against Leicester City, when just 17,741 attended. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common PLEASE NOTE This section is the introduction Please do not add too much detail here ^[3]

The Ted Bates Statue

On Saturday March 17, 2007, the £102,000 statue to commemorate club stalwart Ted Bates was unveiled, outside the front of the Itchen Stand. Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Edric Thornton "Ted" Bates MBE ( 3 May 1918 – 28 November 2003) was a former Southampton F The statue has been widely condemned by supporters due to it being out of proportion, and not an accurate likeness of the former club President.

Acting chairman, Leon Crouch has since said that he will help fund any a replacement or remedial work, in association with the Ted Bates Trust, who were overseeing the collection of funds, commission and erection of the statue. Leon Crouch (born 16 August 1949) is an English businessman He was acting chairman of Southampton F The 11-foot statue was made by sculptor Ian Brennan.

The statue was removed less than a week after its unveiling. The replacement statue was unveiled on Saturday 22 March 2008. Events 238 - Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperor. ^[4]

Notable matches

The St Mary's Stadium has hosted one full England international match, a 2-2 draw between England and FYR Macedonia in October 2002. The English national football team represents England in international football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football The Republic of Macedonia national football team is the national football team of the Republic of Macedonia and is controlled by the Football Federation David Beckham and Steven Gerrard scored for England. David Robert Joseph Beckham, and is also a member of the England national team. Steven George Gerrard MBE (ˈdʒɛrɑd born 30 May 1980 Whiston Merseyside) is an English football player Alan Smith was sent off in the match. Alan Smith (born 28 October 1980 in Rothwell, Leeds, West Yorkshire) is an English professional footballer currently playing for

There has also been an international between Japan and Nigeria.

The stadium hosted European football in September 2003, when the Saints faced Steaua Bucharest in the first round of the UEFA Cup. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered FC Steaua Bucureşti is a Romanian professional football club from Ghenceasouth-west Bucharest. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The stadium has hosted an England under-21 match. This was held on February 5, 2008. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common When England played Republic of Ireland. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. England won 3-0.

The stadium has also hosted the Alan Ball Memorial Cup; part of the ITV 4 series The Legends. ITV4 is a UK Television station which launched on November 1, 2005, the channel began broadcasting 24 hours a day The game was between England Legends and Scotland Legends. The game was held on May 5, 2008. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The game ended 2-0 to England Legends who retained the cup.

Non-footballing use

As is common for modern day stadia, St Mary's is also used as a conference facility, with hospitality suites available for this purpose most days of the week.

In the Northam Stand the Saints Study Support Centre - a club run initiative to help school children outside of class - can be found, along with the offices of Southampton City Training, a quasi-council run organisation which helps young people get vocational training.

The stadium has also held film premières for movies such as Casino Royale, as well as music concerts by Elton John in 2005 and Bon Jovi in 2006. Casino Royale ( 2006) is the twenty-first film in the James Bond series; it is directed by Martin Campbell and the first to star Sir Elton Hercules John CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 is an English pop / rock Singer, Composer Bon Jovi is an American Hard rock band from Sayreville New Jersey. There was a tribute to Elvis Presley in August 2007 and Southampton fan Craig David played at St Mary's on 25 October 2007, although neither in the main bowl of the stadium. Craig Ashley David (born 5 May 1981) is an English R&B Singer-songwriter. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Bon Jovi have announced that they will be returning to St Mary's on 11 June 2008. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[5]

Expansion

All stands bar the Itchen can be built upon and expanded if ever deemed necessary, which would give an approximate capacity of around 50,000. However this would cost a similar amount to how much it cost to build the stadium in the first place.

Location

Despite the name of the stadium, it is actually located in the Chapel area of the city - not St Mary's. The address of the stadium is:

Southampton Football Club
St. Mary's Stadium
Britannia Road
Southampton
SO14 5FP

Facts and Figures

Average Attendance:

2007-08: 22,253 (The Championship)^[6]
2006-07: 23,556 (The Championship)
2005-06: 23,614 (The Championship)
2004-05: 30,610 (The FA Premier League)
2003-04: 31,699 (The FA Premier League)
2002-03: 30,680 (The FA Premier League)
2001-02: 30,633 (The FA Premier League)
Record Attendance:
32,151 v Arsenal, December 29, 2003

Biggest Saints win at St Mary's
6-1 v Tranmere Rovers, League Cup October 2, 2002
4-0 v Hull City, Championship 8 December 2007

Biggest Saints defeat at St Mary's
0-4 v Manchester United, FA Cup March 12, 2005
Highest Scoring Games at St Mary's
6-1 v Tranmere Rovers, League Cup October 2, 2002
4-3 v Norwich City, Premier League April 30, 2005
3-4 v Leeds United, Championship November 19, 2005
5-2 v Yeovil Town, League Cup August 23, 2006
4-3 v Birmingham City, Championship November 29, 2006
5-2 v Barnsley, Championship February 17, 2007
2-5 v Lazio, Friendly July 28, 2007

References

External links

• Satellite image of St Mary's Stadium from Google Maps
• Review St Mary's at the Football Ground Guide
• Up The Saints' guide to St Mary's
• Saints Forever's guide to St Mary's
• Saints Forever's Pub Guide
• The Official Website of Southampton FC.

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