Southampton fans plan special players’ welcome for St Mary’s playoff semi-final

One of Southampton’s finest days at St Mary’s Stadium to date was their recent playoff semi-final second leg against West Brom, in their 2023/24 promotion-winning campaign.

On that hot May evening, the atmosphere started building hours before kick-off, with Southampton fans in their thousands gathering by the Ted Bates statue. It truly set the tempo for the night.

And it’s set to happen again next Tuesday, as Middlesbrough visit the south coast in an all-or-nothing matchup for both sides. 

A very special welcome

Upon joining Southampton in August 2025, former West Bromwich Albion winger Tom Fellows said, "I remember playing in the play-offs and the stadium [St Mary’s] was rocking, it delayed the arrival of our coach. It was a really good atmosphere. I'm looking forward to playing in front of them and hopefully the atmosphere is just as good."

This time around, Fellows is set to be on the other side of proceedings, and in the Southampton team bus as it drives through a flurry of red smoke - as Saints fans are planning to deliver a similar welcome to their players next Tuesday.

An intimidating atmosphere

The atmosphere created on the night was special, and former Saint Adam Armstrong later called it the best he’d ever witnessed. "The second leg of the playoffs, at home against West Brom. That was top. The best bit was when we got the bus from the Harbour Hotel down to the stadium, it was unbelievable. I think it set the tone for what happened that night."

Even West Brom manager at the time, Carlos Corberan, found the experience overwhelming. “We were on the bus for 15 minutes waiting to find the entrance to the stadium. I don’t know why nobody came to help us or followed normal protocol. I didn’t expect it, and I don’t think it should have happened.”

If Southampton are to create the best chance of getting to the Championship playoff final, their fans will play a huge part in getting them over the line.

Pipping Middlesbrough to fourth place and having the home second leg could prove to have been vital, making their win over Preston North End on the final day of the season look huge in hindsight.

Saints boss Tonda Eckert may have played down this fact, telling BBC Sport, “For me it doesn't make a big difference [on having the home second leg]. Obviously there might be a small advantage, but it doesn't matter. For us it was just important to win today and go to the play-offs with that feeling of winning."

But for Southampton fans, having the second leg under the lights should prove to be huge, and they must rally behind their team. While the Northam is always in fine voice, if the other three quarters of the ground can also comply, matching the atmosphere of two years ago should be easy.

Everybody surrounding the club will be hoping for a repeat of the last playoff semi-final almost exactly two years ago, before marching on to Wembley and doing the same.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow