Images captured nearly a quarter-century ago by the Echo, offer a nostalgic glimpse into St Mary's Stadium as it stood in its pristine, newly-built state.

The journey to this modern arena was the culmination of extensive planning and consideration of various potential locations.

Ultimately, construction began in June 2000 at the site of the former gas works in St Mary's.

The ambitious £32 million project was completed just over a year later, with Southampton Football Club officially receiving the keys to what was then named the Friends Provident St Mary’s Stadium on July 31, 2001.

The stadium, boasting a state-of-the-art design and a capacity of approximately 32,000 seats - variously reported as 32,384 or 32,689 upon opening - was already well on its way to completion by the end of 2000.

The first match at the new ground took place on August 1, 2001, against RCD Espanyol.

The opening of St Mary's marked the dawn of a significant new chapter for the club and its dedicated fanbase, providing a modern home after their departure from The Dell.

Photographic galleries from shortly after the stadium's inauguration, including views of the player's tunnel, showcase the facility in its original, untouched condition.

Over the intervening years, St Mary's Stadium has naturally undergone various changes and redevelopments, ensuring that the views captured in those early images represent a unique moment in the club's history, unlikely to be seen again.