I was a regular at The Dell from the late seventies to the early nineties with a season ticket for much of that time. I was in my early teens when I first was taken by my now late Dad who finally gave into my long standing pleas after the FA Cup win and really came up trumps a couple of years later with the season tickets!

We lived in Poole at that time so always made a day of it and went shopping (no West Quay but Plummers, Tyrrell & Green, Owen & Owen were regular haunts), and perhaps a pub lunch before the match. Dad used to park near the old Polygon Hotel, now also gone, but can’t remember the exact name of the road. Evening midweek games were more of a rush and often had to do a very quick change act out of my school uniform and bolt down the meal Mum had ready before the drive to Southampton and 7.30 pm kick off!

Mum also became a season ticket holder for the last couple of seasons. The Dell became and represents a big part of my life at that time, when the football results were one of the major issues in life! I still have my scrapbooks which I so diligently kept in that era and so many truly great memories. From my later teens onwards I caught the train from Poole to Southampton to watch the reserve games with free entry using my season ticket, such was my devotion!

My friends, (some of whom I met at The Dell and remain friends with to this day), and I regularly collected autographs in The Dell carpark and took photos of each other with our favourite players to be developed in time for the next visit to the ground and hopefully autographed! It was a great time to be a Saints fan and The Dell will always have a place in my heart as associated with good times in my life and wonderful memories.

One such is when Dad and I were queuing up to claim our seats for a Cup tie and I spotted Mark Dennis so went to ask for an autograph. Sadly neither of us had a pen so I re-joined Dad in the queue. Next thing Dad has Mark Dennis tapping him on the shoulder asking if he can give me a kiss in lieu of the autograph, and permission was granted!! In short The Dell can never be replaced in my affections.