Meet Saints Voice

Who I feel I represent: 

Season Ticket Holders
Travelling Fans (not based locally)
Female Fans
Young Fans
Families
LGBT
Fans with disabilities

Bio: 

I started coming to watch the Saints when I was 7, eating pasties at The Dell with my dad. I worked in the ticket office for 2 years. Now as a season ticket holder in the Kingsland/Northam corner, I travel from SE London every game. I've followed Saints far and wide and would love to be able to represent other fans; their views & opinions. I'm particularly passionate about female supporters and changing the old fashioned view of women and football that I still come across. Southampton football club has been a big part of my family and I have immediate family members that are both homosexual and have disabilities. As a result I am keen to be a voice for other passionate Saints fans, and make sure that the club continue to strive to include all fans, and encourage them to march on together no matter their gender or story.

Who I feel I represent: 

All fans
Fans living away from Hampshire
Fans who travel to away matches

 

Bio: 

Originally from Andover, I went to my first Saints game in 1995 and have regularly attended from that point. I moved from Hampshire to other parts of the country when I was 19 and am therefore in the group of supporters for whom attending matches is a link back to family, friends and the Saints community.

I applied to be on the panel to help encourage and preserve the aspects of the club that have been important to me over the years. Performance on the pitch is clearly the biggest driver to a positive experience for fans but how Southampton FC organise and present other aspects can also make a difference. In my view, the club should prioritise the promotion of vocal support and atmosphere (without manufacturing it) as well as making it as easy as possible for fans to attend by acting or lobbying on issues such as ticket allocation and pricing. I’m proud to be part of a fan base that, at its best, can fill grounds with an intense and welcoming atmosphere and try to use this role to ensure that our ideas to encourage those moments are heard.

Who I feel I represent: 

Season Ticket Holders
Families
Female Supporters

Bio: 

I have been a Southampton season ticket holder since the late 1980's so I certainly know about the ups and downs of being a Saints fan. I come from a family of Saints mad fans, I was only in my late teens then but have continued to support them through thick and thin. Together with my family which includes both of my parents, my brother, sister and my children we travel down to Southampton from Fleet for every home game as well as a fair few away games.

I believe that I have a good grasp on what’s important to a wide cross-section of the fan base. As one of the original members of the Saints Voice Panel I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute and provide feedback to new ideas and be a voice for our fans with the aim of improving Southampton Football Club and helping to strengthen its relationship with the fans.

 

Who I feel I represent: 

Families
The Chapel/Family Stand
Fans from ethnic minority groups
Members/Junior Saints
Fans who don't currently live in Southampton
Fans who actively make use of social media (forums; Twitter)

Bio: 

My name is Mark and I’ve followed Saints for nearly 40 years. During this time, I have experienced our ascension from League 1 back to the Premier League and European football, as well as the dark days that preceded that, in dropping down the divisions and heading into administration. I can proudly say I’ve been there to see us regularly beat the so-called ‘big boys’; miraculously escape relegation for season after season in the 90s; lift a trophy at Wembley; cheer special goals and, most significantly see my son lead the side out, as mascot. I’m always talking about Saints in some way and think Saints Voice could be a great way to channel some of the ideas and opinions I, and other fans, have! I’d love to be able to cover all things Saints, from beer to boardroom, and represent a broad cross section of our fans.

Who I feel I represent: 

All fans

 

Bio: 

Hello Everyone, my name is Yasmin. I have been a Saints supporter since I could walk. I follow Saints home and away.

I am known as being the 'Optimist' as I can always see the positives in every situation. I use a lot of social media to enhance the reputation of our beloved Saints FC. I'm very open-minded, a good listener and its very refreshing to hear other people’s views and opinions. I am very analytical and will always consider the pros and cons of any situation and I am always open to change. I feel very strongly about every facet of our club and I would like to represent ‘all’ fans whether they are season ticket holders or ones who follow the club from home (wherever in the world that is) and certainly any fan who is not confident enough to express their thoughts and feelings themselves.

Who I feel I represent: 

Over 60s
Season Ticket holders
Fans who travel to away matches
Overseas fans (Son supports Saints all the way from Australia)

 

Bio: 

My first match was in February 1968, aged 8, standing on the Milton End with dad. We lost, but I was hooked, and have followed Saints everywhere since. Kingsland season ticket holder, with wonderful trips to Bucharest, Milan, Prague, Arnhem, Israel; perhaps slightly less wonderful trips to Carlisle, Hartlepool, Tranmere, Midtjylland! I love the Saints, but we don’t get everything right, and I will help Saints Voice bridge the gap that can easily grow between club and fans. I am a doctor who lives and works locally, talks constantly about Saints, and regularly speak at meetings, so can promise to strongly promote our views to the club.

Over the first 4 years of Saints Voice, despite interruptions by Covid, I believe we have helped senior management of the club to fully understand the importance of loyal fans; the real impact of ticket pricing; distribution of away tickets; improving the pre-match experience; making the club a key and sustainable part of the community; and the importance of communication with all the fan base. With new owners, and a new supporter services team, I will continue to help Saints Voice ensure the fan voice is very clear.

Who I feel I represent:

Young Families
Season Ticket Holders
Travelling Fans
Kingsland North

Bio: 

I’m a football fanatic and season ticket holder, attending virtually every game, home and away. I’ve been involved with women’s football both playing and as secretary for nearly 24 years, and a league fixtures secretary, so have a well-rounded view of the game.

Football should be accessible all with no discrimination. Communication is vital, must be clear, concise and regular. I’m a good listener, patient and approachable. so perfect skills to be a part of Saints Voice.

Who I feel I represent: 

Supporters with a keen interest in Saints history
Supporters on a low income
Disabled supporters

Bio: 

I currently run the supporters group 'Saints Archive' and do regular podcasts with Total Saints Podcast. Been supporting the club since I was 13. I am a champion for Saints FC History Fans, and lower income Disabled Supporters.

Who I feel I represent: 

Supporters over 60
Female Supporters
LGBTQ Supporters
Vocal Supporters
Supporters that engage with the Saints Foundation

 

Bio: 

My father and brothers were season ticket holders at Dell. I went to my first match aged 11 when we moved back to Southampton.

I plan to relay opinions and suggestions on things we discuss as fans - quality of food and drink, prices of everything, connectivity in stadium, stewards performance, plus lots more. I like to see transparency in all things.

Who I feel I represent: 

Female supporters
Season ticket holders
Young fans / fans under 30
Fans who use social media (Twitter, Facebook etc)
Supporters living away from Hampshire

 

Bio: 

I attended my first game in 2005, aged 8, with my Dad after receiving tickets as a Christmas present and despite losing 0-1, from then onwards St Mary's had me hooked! I've been a season ticket holder now for over 10 years and attend a handful of away games each season and have been lucky enough to see Saints play at Wembley three times in cup games. In 2019 I moved to Bristol with my partner, so we tackle the M4 every home game and I continue to sit with my Dad in the Kingsland stand. It's the perfect location for those away days in the midlands!

Primarily, I feel like I represent female fans and I want to make the club a safe, equal space for everyone. I'm currently the Southampton ambassador for HerGameToo, which is a campaign run by football fans to raise awareness of sexist abuse in and around the beautiful game. I plan to work with the club to relay any reports of sexist abuse back to the club, report back to the club on how the experience can be improved for female fans and connect with female supporters to create a safe hub.

I'm an approachable individual and passionate communicator, who always listens to other people's ideas, opinions and problems which is why I would love to represent and speak for Saints fans of all genders, ages and backgrounds. I feel that Saints Voice and the growth of the panel is a fantastic opportunity for the club to continue marching in the right direction for the future of the fans.

Who I feel I represent: 

Southampton Women's Supporter Group
Women Season Ticket holders
All fans attending women's matches home and away

 

Bio: 

I applied to be part of the panel as I have been a Saints fan for as long as I remember going back to the days of ’76, I have watched the club over the years and was a season ticket holder at St. Mary’s from 2009-2020 for the men and have been season ticket holder / going to games since the re-formation of the women’s team in 2018.

In October 2021 I started doing in match score reports via @SaintsFCWomen twitter handle, I handed this over the to the club to better interact with the fans on match days and get more coverage out to the fans regarding the women’s team.

I Co-founded the Southampton FC Women Supporters Group (@sfcwomenfans on Twitter) in January 2022 and have been working hard with the supporters and the club to create the best atmosphere and links, to better the match day experience for everyone.

I travel to as many women’s games as possible across the country and am willing to talk to all supporters home and away to find out what can be done better and how we as a supporters group can aid in this, I feel being on the panel would help in relaying these messages and information to the club.

Who I feel I represent: 

Season Ticket holders
Fans who travel to away matches
Younger fans
Fans who attend with family
Itchen Stand

 

Bio: 

I am a 25 year old season ticket holder with my dad in the Itchen stand. I am a local supporter and passionate fan who has supported the club all my life. I am a keen believer in transparency and communication and I hope my involvement with Saints Voice will help the club connect to all fans.

Supporting Saints since a young age, I attended my first game at The Dell in 2001. I then got my first season ticket aged 5, when Saints moved to St Mary’s. I attended my first away game at Arsenal in 2003 and since then I regularly attend 7 to 10 away games a season.

Who I feel I represent: 

Supporters with learning disabilities, due to line of work
International supporters
Season Ticket holders
Fans who travel to away matches

 

Bio: 

Hi, I’m Laurentiu (Lorenzo). Growing up in Romania meant watching the Premier League on the TV, only ever dreaming about going to the great stadiums I saw, until I moved to the UK seven years ago. Laying roots in Southampton, I soon became an avid Saints fan, going to both home and away games. Becoming a season ticket holder last year meant I was able to commit to supporting my team every game and got to go to seven away games too! Outside of football I enjoy gaming and paddle-boarding!

I plan to bring diversity, and honest opinions from the fans.

Who I feel I represent: 

LGBTQIA+ fans
Disabled fans
Female fans
Students
Local fans

 

Bio: 

I work and live in the city and have close ties to the club through my job, as well as being part of Rainbow Saints and an ambassador for the No Place for Homophobia campaign.

I became a Saints fan in 2012 when a friend at the time took me to my first ever match. In 2011 I went through a trauma the same night as a (now ex) Southampton FC player and his recovery journey helped me with mine. The club helped to put us in contact and we eventually met up and became friends, and we still talk to this very day.

Going to matches and supporting Saints, as well as watching this persons recovery, was literally life saving for me. I never thought I would feel safe at a football match but being at St Mary's stadium was a comfort and still is to this day.

I didn't attend matches for many years due to lack of money and losing connections with people I used to go with, until Max and Will set up Rainbow Saints and I joined. Now I am part of a wonderful group of people who I know I can go to matches with or even just chat about them with.

Everything since being part of Rainbow Saints has been incredible from being on the news, pitch side interviews, to now having two huge photos of my face on the side of St Mary's from doing the kit launch.

I know there's still a long way to go when it comes to inclusivity within football, and also within the community and that's what I strive to do. Get the conversations happening, spread more awareness and education, and let people know they are not alone and they have a safer space to be part of.

I'm hoping that in being part of this group we can get those messages out there more and look forward to seeing the changes we can make.

Who I feel I represent: 

Members who would like to attend more matches
Who attend with young children
Supporters who want to see Safe Standing at St Mary's
Who arrive early and want to improve the overall experience
Who want to work on links with community football

 

Bio: 

Going to Saints has been a huge part of my life since 1998. I’ve seen different administrations make bad decisions, on small and large issues, which I feel could have been avoided by better communication with supporters.

I regularly attend Saints matches with my father and my 7 year old son. I help run a community football club in Hampshire. In my professional life, I have worked with the SGSA and on Government’s Fan Led Review of Football Governance.