A PUBLIC meeting to discuss the problems in the Northam Stand at St Mary's will be held in Southampton tonight.

There have been several flashpoints this season with fans ignoring and protesting against the ban on standing.

The authorities have taken a much tougher stance on enforcing the ban this season and have warned supporters that they may close the entire stand if problems persist.

Police have clashed with fans in both of the last two home games against Manchester City and Fulham, although many supporters feel the authorities have been unnecessarily heavy-handed.

Saints managing director Andrew Cowen, chief superintendent Graham Wyeth, city councillor Richard Williams - the cabinet member responsible for the environment and transport - and Nick Illingsworth will all be in attendance.

The meeting has been organised Illingsworth, the chairman of Southampton Independent Supporters' Association, amid fears that the authorities are seriously considering shutting the entire stand.

Cllr Williams said: "We are currently looking into a stadium monitoring panel report into the recent games.

"This is an ongoing problem and we are trying very hard to resolve it. We're only looking at a small minority of fans, up to about 200, who persist in standing up and are in breach of season ticket conditions and ground regulations."

Chief supt Wyeth added: "We desperately want to get back to the times when the police had such a good and positive relationship with all Saints fans."

Tonight's meeting starts at 8pm and will be held at the Maple Leaf Club next to the old Polygon Hotel in Southampton.