SAINTS may be deep in a relegation battle, but that has not stopped fans from all over the world flocking to St Mary's.

A group of Saints fans, including one from Texas and a large contingent from Finland, that know each other through chatting on the message boards on the club's official website, met up at St Mary's last Saturday.

The meeting, which several local fans who use the message boards helped to arrange, was a chance of a reunion for some and a first meeting in person for others.

Their reasons for supporting Saints were as varied as the countries the fans came from.

Peter Sandy, a local Saints fan who helped organise the event, said: "It has been a bit of a logistical nightmare as you can imagine, sorting out flights, hotel rooms and tickets."

Olli Teirila, who made the journey from the Finnish capital of Helsinki and who was celebrating his sixth anniversary with girlfriend Anna Karkkainen, said: "I've been supporting Saints since 1989.

"I held a presentation on the Titanic at school and the name Southampton kept popping up - the Titanic made me do it.

"I've been an avid Saints supporter ever since.

"It's my fourth time in Southampton; I went to The Dell for the first time in 1997, when they beat Tottenham.

"I've also been to Fulham and QPR, but I've never seen fans as friendly as these ones here in Southampton.

"We are all a big family here and that's what I love about Saints."

Timo Kivist, who also flew in from Helsinki, said: "When you're on the message boards for two years, even if you haven't met them before, you get to know them better than your workmates."

Timo's long love of Saints stemmed from a surprise win he saw them record while watching one of their televised games.

"I first saw them play on a black and white television against West Ham, who had a great team. I fancied them to beat Saints, but as it turned out Saints won 3-2 and there's been no turning back since.

"The first Saints player that caught my eye back then was Nicky Holmes."

Austin Britt, who journeyed to the south coast all the way from Austin(!) in Texas in America especially for the game, said: "This is my first time at St Mary's.

"Up until this year in the States we only really got Manchester United games (on television), but we've finally got to the point where we actually have Premiership games on television.

"I just appreciate the way Saints play, although everyone else in the States root for the big clubs.

"Kevin Phillips is my favourite player. The way he and Crouch play back and forth is great."

Austin added: "Getting to this game wasn't at all difficult to sort out. The people on the message boards were very helpful and I called up the club who were very helpful too.

"I want to make it at least an annual thing. If we can make it to the FA Cup Final I'll be there."

Kimmo Nekkula, another of the entourage from Helsinki, said: "This is my first time in England and my first Saints game.

"I'm here because of Timo and Olli and they told me that Saints fans are very good people."

Kimo, whose favourite player is Peter Crouch, added: "I met Timo and Olli in a sports bar when they were wearing these red and white shirts watching Saints play and that's where it all started for me."

Steve Barrow, a local Saints fan, said: "It just goes to show the power of the internet."