Southampton could open a fan park in March

Steele confirmed that discussions are underway with Southampton City Council regarding the prospect of creating an area for supporters to meet before a match.

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Speaking at the club’s fans’ forum, Steele said: “We are working with the council on a fan zone in the south car park.

“We hope to get approval for that within the next month or two depending on any other conditions we have to go through to launch that.

Ralph Krueger (left), Paul Belverstone (2nd left), Ralph Hasenhuttl (right), Toby Steele (2nd right) speak at Saints' fans' forum

“We may launch that in the spring, we wouldn’t launch it now when the weather is like it is, or we could launch it at the beginning of next season.

“But we have plans to do that.

“We already have our outlined plans of what it would look like and we hope to be able to do that.”

Another topic that Steele covered at the event concerned the possibility of opening a community centre outside St Mary’s.

Saints’ aim is to attract supporters to the area on non-match days as well as when the team are playing.

However, the gas site where this could be built, is currently owned by a developer.

The bonus for Saints regarding this is that Southampton City Council believe whatever is built on the location must benefit the club.

“Longer term, I often get asked about the gas site adjacent to St Mary’s,” Steele continued.

“At the moment, there is a developer who has the option to buy and develop that site, but the council recognise that that site has to be for the benefit of the football club as well given its close location.

St Mary's Stadium

“We are in discussions with that developer about how we can get benefit through that site, whether it be a fan park or a community centre as well.

“It will be something that can help bring fans on a match day or a non-match day to this part of town.

“That is a longer-term plan, a three-to-five-year proposal. But we are working with them, and as and when we get plans of that, we will communicate that out to fans and keep you involved.

“There is a lot of potential for around the stadium.”