Voting has now closed to select new members for the Saints Voice supporters’ panel.
The panel is looking for up to 4 new members to join them in meeting with key staff at the club three-to-four times each year
The group was set up in 2018, to provide fans with an avenue through which they could raise issues and discuss ideas directly with the club.
Their input and feedback helped shape a number of plans, including around ticketing, retail and matchday entertainment, both for last season and moving into the new campaign.
Some of the positive developments in their first year included the reintroduction of a loyalty price for Season Ticket renewals for 2019/20, as well as food and drink discounts for Season Ticket holders now being valid up until kick-off, rather than 30 minutes before each match.
A wider availability of beer tokens on matchdays also emerged out of discussions in the Saints Voice meetings, while their feedback to Virgin Media around the potential to increase the focus on home fans helped shape the exciting Super Saints initiative that celebrates the loyalty of the club’s supporters.
Balanced and thoughtful feedback around the prospect of relocating away fans was also submitted, while improved communication around awareness of Under-23s home matches at St Mary’s was acted upon.
The panel are seeking a diverse group to ensure representation from across the fanbase. Below are 4 groups of applicants and we are inviting you to vote for one person from each group. Every fan with a supporter number will have the opportunity to vote.
GROUP 1
- Callum Ford
I have been a Saints fan since birth and have attended near on every game since 2006, managing over 50 away trips as well. In February 2011, I also had the privilege of being a Saints mascot. I would represent young adults community by encouraging a new generation to get down to St Mary’s and support the boys.
- Courtney White
I’ve been to every single ground nearly that I can think of and I enjoy meeting away fans from different cities, communicating with them to also enhance the away atmosphere at the stadium. I’d represent not just football fans as a whole, but I’d represent people from all different backgrounds.
- Ian Fraser
I had a rough year due to illness but I still managed to attend nearly every home game and an away match. I would represent Saints almost as a brand ambassador, asking other fans at match days as a volunteer to get as many opinions as possible to feed back to the panel.
- Aaron Gough-Filer
I've been a fan for 13 years and had a season ticket for nine of them. I had my season ticket in the Northam through the promotions and the gradual rise to the Premier League. My whole life revolves around Saints and I love the club with all my heart. I would represent Saints by bringing more fans to the games and bringing across all the talking points to ensure that the club moves on in the best way possible.
GROUP 2
- Alan Graham
I've been going to watch Saints from my first season in 1959/60 and have been a season ticket holder from the first day at St Mary's. From 2006, I have been a disabled ambulant supporter so could represent both the disabled and the young, as I often take a young person to both home and away matches.
- Malcolm Lovejoy
I was born in Southampton where I have spent my whole life. I was first permitted to go to The Dell on my own December 1959 and have been a supporter ever since. Rarely missing home games since then, and since my teens many away games as well. I have always extolled the pleasure I get from supporting Saints wherever I go and make it quite clear where my football allegiances lie. I enjoy talking to other club's fans as well, of course, as our own fans
- Rosemarie Robinson
I am a 67 year old gay woman who still works full time and who has supported Saints since the age of 11. I have had the same seat since St Mary’s opened, even for the nine years I worked in Jersey and could only attend a limited amount of matches a season. I would relay opinions and suggestions on things we discuss as fans, such as the quality of food, drink, prices and connectivity in the stadium.
- Ken Williams
I've been a season ticket holder since 09/10 season with a gap of three seasons when I was a safety steward. I had to cease that activity when I needed a new knee and regained my season ticket last season, renewing this season. I am now in the over 65 category with slight physical difficulties so would represent the older age group having seen matters from both inside the club and now as a supporter.
- Mike Young
I'm a lifelong supporter and I am as excited today as I was when I was 14 when the team runs out.I'd represent long distance Saints fans and over 60s. I think I can add a voice for the traveler coming into Southampton and on the impact events that clash with home games , like college open days, have on travel plans. This is a great opportunity for the club to engage with fans and it would be a privilege to be involved.
GROUP 3
- Nick Biddlecombe
I went to my first Saints game on my 10th birthday and was hooked, and have had a season ticket for the last 16 seasons. I am in a wheelchair after a diving accident ago 19 years so I feel I could provide a real insight into the challenges disabled supporters can face attending both home and away fixtures. I am also prepared to speak out on these issues to ensure supporters, both able-bodied and disabled get the greatest enjoyment from being a Saints fan
- Will Dawe
I currently run the supporters group 'Saints Archive' and do regular podcasts with Total Saints Podcast. I've been supporting the club since I was 13 and would be a champion for Saints FC history, fans on a lower income, as well as disabled supporters.
- David Parsons
I have been a Saints fan all my life. I'm a season ticket holder and also attend as many away games as I can. I would represent supporters by bringing everyone together; one goal one vision. I support all communities including gay, bi, straight, black, white, and people with disabilities. Lets enjoy being positive about our club to make things better and look for continued improvements
- Lisa Dootson-Gill
As an avid fan and season ticket holder for over 20 years, I attend fixtures both home and away, rarely missing a game. If nominated, I would represent all members of the Saints fan base - we’re all fans together and it’s important that each of us are heard so we can help make our great club, even better. I consider myself to be extremely approachable, a great listener, very objective and if voted onto the panel will help take your comments, issues and ideas forward to improve our supporter experience even further.
GROUP 4
- Dave Johnson
I've been a fan of the club since 1976 and have seen the very highs and the very lows, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much had we won all the time. I care passionately about the club, and about the way that the club interacts with the fans. I could be of benefit to both the club and the fans by attempting to bring both together on some of the key issues. I would like to think I’m reasonably level-headed but I do have a sense of passion for getting things done.
- Kelly Morse
I’ve supported the club since I was seven years old when my dad took me to my first game. I have been a season ticket holder since I was 10 years old and have traveled up and down the country attending away games, as well as travelling to Europe. I can represent Saints from a family point of view; my teenage girls love attending games with me and I feel I can have good input in regards to helping maintain the club's family feel. I engage with a lot of our fans in person and on social media also.
- Ian Trodd
I have been a Saints supporter for the past 36 years, attending games home and away. I also attend our Under 23 games as much as possible, as well as fans forums. As a 36 year old, I feel I understand the needs of the younger and older fans. My family are all Saints fans and their ages range from baby to mid-70s. I am very passionate about my club and our supporters and would love this opportunity to attend and participate.
- Shona Brooks
I have been supporting Saints for a considerable amount of time, and I've been there through the good times and the bad times. Supporting the team, home and away, in England and Europe has been a pleasure and I will always look to continue the journey. I would represent not only the fans, but also the club in getting the Southampton name out to the rest of the world. Saints are a family club so I would like to represent them for all they stand for and make sure we build the club as one.
- Nick Kemp
I won first prize in the early 80s, writing about Saints. I went to home games with a mate then got my first Saints job in 1987 and worked for Saints up to 2012 selling programmes. I'll represent all Saints fans who want a fan champion, but especially the older fan, the fan with not so much cash in their pocket, and the fan who wants to keep the traditions and embrace the club's history.
Voting is now closed.
Share this: