Southampton FC CEO reveals plans 'in place' to 'expand St Mary's'

The club has already made strides to improve the matchday experience ahead of next season with safe-standing and fan facility upgrades.

St Mary's is the biggest stadium in the south-east with a capacity of 32,384, currently slightly reduced due to block closures. 

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent, Parsons hinted at ambitious long-term plans to expand St Mary's amongst other improvements. 

He said: "The hardest part of my job is that we can do the best job behind the scenes but if things go wrong on the pitch, they don’t remember the good things off the pitch.

Saints CEO Phil Parsons has been in the job for nearly a year

"There are plenty of good things going on, we’ve got 50,000 users on our own app, using our platforms which is great.

"I want to make more changes to the stadium longer term, we want to expand St Mary’s eventually and have plans in place to do that.

"Everybody said when the Dell was packed that you wouldn’t fill St Mary’s, and we are filling St Mary’s," Parsons added.

"We are a one-city club and I think we have a big advantage, our fans are good - we all have a bad day and love our football so we get passionate.

"They might throw a bit of abuse at me even though I didn’t play right back that day but never mind!

"For me, it’s about how we create a positive vibe around the place and ensure people enjoy their Saturday afternoons."

Recent planning permission proposals revealed Saints aim to construct a new fan zone, which could be used to broadcast other events. 

The project includes putting up a fan zone marquee with screens and a stage behind the Northam Stand.

A stage, food and drink concessions and a new 4G playing area would be installed behind the Chapel Stand, while a third area would be created behind the Kingsland Stand.