THOUSANDS of football fans may be able to get a train direct to Saints' new Friends Provident St Mary's stadium within five years.

Council bosses revealed the idea as part of a document - St Mary's Design and Development Framework - setting out ideas for regenerating the area of Southampton over the next half-decade.

The stadium rail link will now be discussed this month between Southamp-ton, Portsmouth and Hampshire County Council transport bosses over allocating £1.6 billion of government money to improve transport in the county over the next ten years.

Southampton council transport boss Councillor Richard Williams said: "I'm delighted the framework document has included the possibility for a halt in the Northam area.

"The rail lines are already in place and it's not inconceivable that the old Northam train station could be reopened within five years.

"Nothing I've seen so far has led me to believe that the stadium rail link idea does not stack up.

"We have the money to make it happen, it's more of a question of getting agreement across Hampshire's ruling authorities.''

The Daily Echo has been among those campaigning to see Northam train station reopened for use on match days and as a possible link to Southampton Docks and Ocean Village.

The station, just a goal kick from the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium, closed in September 1966.

Mr Williams added: "The previously quoted figure of £32m for the project is about right. It won't cost much more than it did to build the football stadium.

"We need to be looking at the best ways of making sure people can get to places. That includes getting to football matches."

The calls for a station at the St Mary's stadium are also backed by Southampton Itchen MP and Home Office minister John Denham.

He said: "I'm delighted that the idea is being kept alive. Perhaps it could be included as part of a new line to the city's docks."

Test MP Alan Whitehead added: "It would make it a lot easier for fans to reach the football stadium if the Northam rail station was reopened. I would also like to see a new line include stops at Southampton Docks and Ocean Village."

Perry McMillan, from Southampton Independent Supporters' Association, said: "The rail link is a much needed venture. The difficulties fans had in getting to the recent England game in the city emphasised that."

Southampton Football Club managing director Andrew Cowen questioned where the new station would go.

He said: "There is only a 25-yard space at the back of the Kingsland Stand and that is needed to allow supporters to enter and leave the ground safely."

Mike Hewitson, of the Rail Passengers' Committee for Southern England, said: "We are always happy to see the network expanded. However, will it be cost-effective to open a station given that Saints' home matches are only every other Saturday?"