Southampton Braces Itself For First European Invasion Since 1977 Monday, 27th Jul 2015 10:50 Saints prepare for their first mass influx of away supporters in a European game since Anderlecht back in 1977. Although Saints have played in European competition many times rarely have we been drawn with a team that has brought a large contingent with it. That is set to change with the visit of Vitesse. The last time it did happen was when we played Anderlecht in the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners Cup back in March 1977, we had taken a sizable contingent to Brussels a fortnight earlier and the Belgium club reciprocated with a a big following coming over and making itself heard. Since then the clubs we have drawn in European competition have generally not brought that big a following, even Hamburg a big club in Europe back then did not bring anything like a travelling army and only had a few hundred in the seats. Steau Bucharest back in 2003 had barely any supporters in the ground and most of those were ex pat Romanians. But that is set to change with the visit of Vitesse, they have reportably sold all of their 1,700 tickets and are coming in force. Their official supporters coaches are due to arrive in Southampton at 10am and they then have the day in the City before the game, before leaving straight after the match. Some will undoubtedly make there own way and be here on the Wednesday evening. Unlike our visit to Arnhem there appears to be no attempt to set up a fans area and they will be free to wander around, however it seems Southampton police are going to create a little zone for them and alongside Yates on Above Bar, the usual designated away pub, the police are telling them to also go in The Spitfire and The Frog & Parrot, all within 100 metres of Yates on Above Bar, this will enable the police to keep things in check. It should be an occasion to be enjoyed, those clubs who regularly have played in Europe over the past decade or so are used to what we are about to experience, cheap travel has meant that it is not only the English clubs who travel en masse as used to be the case prior to the ban on English Clubs in Europe back in the 80's. Now many teams from many countries like to travel to follow their club, hopefully this will be a good natured invasion from the Dutch, who themselves are no strangers to trouble at games both domestically and abroad, however Vitesse are not one of the clubs in Holland with a reputation so things should be fine. So Vitesse are coming to enjoy themselves and hopefully our supporters will join in the spirit of the occasion, Southampton City centre is likely to be very lively on Thursday afternoon as the Vitesse fans after taking in the culture of the Bargate and Sea City museum and perhaps an ice cream in Mayflower Park will look to do some heavy partying Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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