Why 300 people competed for £2,000 in a St Mary's penalty shootout

On Sunday, over 300 supporters took part in a last person standing penalty shootout competition, with a £2,000 prize up for grabs.

The idea was born out of the club's desire to allow as many people to play on the pitch before it is ripped up today, ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season.

Everyone from full-kit you-know-whos to people in jeans and regular trainers took part under the sweltering summer sun.

All participants were assigned a goal ahead of a difficult first round. To progress, you had to score three penalties in a row.

I took two penalties during my time playing as a teenager and scored both of them down the middle, although that was not the intention on either occasion.

My view before taking my first penalty. (Image: SDE) Robert Vermeer stood behind me in the queue, and while I was feeling nervous, he was the picture of confidence.

Taking part with his two sons, Rio and Nixon, it was a nice Father's Day occasion, which had the potential to be a great occasion.

"When you've had as many years of father experience as I have, nothing fazes you," Robert confessed as a fellow competitor saw their effort saved.

"These two are football mad, and I'm money mad, so hopefully the combination of the two means we can win," he added with a smile.

Stepping up, I planned to tuck my effort into the bottom left corner, but the nerves took over, and my effort went flying off the crossbar and into the Kingsland Stand.

Robert and his family went next and had no luck either, as all three were knocked out, although Rio managed to score his first, while the other two bit the bullet at the first attempt.

Albert Coe, sporting a 2023/24 Saints home shirt and a pair of fashionable shorts, was much more successful. 

He was the first to secure his spot in the second round after converting all three penalties in the goal assigned to those with green wrist bands.

"I was nervous, but I was also confident," he said, sitting in the Kingsland alongside his family, waiting for his next kick.

Albert's wristband after scoring his seventh penalty in a row. (Image: SDE) "I thought there would be more people going through to the next round, so I'm quite happy with that. I've got a chance."

Albert went through after watching his brother, Matt, have his first penalty saved by an ultra-competitive goalkeeper.

"I'm a bit jealous," he admitted. "It would have been nice to score the first one, but at least one of us has gone through."

So will Albert and Matt split the money if the former holds his nerve and wins the whole thing? "I might buy him a drink," the younger brother quipped.

Very few progressed beyond a difficult first round. Fewer than 10 competitors who were shooting into the goal in front of the Northam were successful.

😂#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/xcfJldPEmp

— George Rees-Julian (@rees_julian) June 15, 2025

By the end of the first round, around 50 people were left standing and entered a straight knockout elimination process.

And the numbers dropped quickly from here. Players who scored again remained on the pitch, and those who missed made the disappointing walk back to the stands.

The participants remaining after two rounds of penalties. (Image: SDE) Penalty takers are always advised to pick a spot and stick to it. That's the technique Saints legend Rickie Lambert used while scoring all 34 of his penalties for the club.

Matthew Hopkins took that to the extreme. Although he was wearing a pair of denim shorts, he couldn't seem to miss.

"I've put all of my penalties down the right side," he confessed, hoping the goalkeepers couldn't hear.

"I'm feeling quite confident now that we are down to the last 20, but the keepers might catch on soon. I'm not sure about my left side."

With 17 penalty takers still standing, everyone was moved to the Northam End, and spectators surrounded the goal, ramping up the pressure.

And unfortunately for Matthew, the goalkeepers did eventually clock onto his tried and tested technique at this stage.

Albert also bit the bullet at this point in the afternoon. Having become a dad earlier in the week, he was denied a perfect Father's Day present when his penalty was saved.

People ran out of places to put their penalties, and with more and more friends and family packing the pitch, numbers dropped rapidly until just two remained.

The final four participants in the St Mary's penalty shootout competition. (Image: SDE) James Bickle joined in for a laugh with his friend. He was wearing regular Reebok trainers and drank a rum and Coke in the concourse before the event started.

His opponent, Elliott Chapman, who wore a classic 1989-90 yellow Draper Tools third shirt, which showed the experience edge he held over his 19 year old foe.

They both held their nerve for a few attempts before youth won out. After James converted three more penalties, Elliot was denied by the goalkeeper.

"I wasn't even thinking about winning," James beamed after being showered with congratulations.

Penalty shootout winner James (left) and his friend. (Image: SDE)"Me and my mate turned up for a laugh. We thought we would take one penalty, miss and then go home."

There was no malice from runner-up Elliott either. The pair had already agreed to split the winnings between them.

"I'm disappointed, but it was a great event. I'm happy to get to the final two. I didn't feel the pressure until I saw my son. I was more than happy to shake his hand."