Page "St Mary's Stadium" Paragraph 22

In recent seasons the club's lower league position has had an impact on attendances, although the visit of Exeter City on Boxing Day, 2009 in a League One fixture attracted an attendance of 30, 890.

During the 2009 – 10 League One campaign, attendances increased significantly, attracting 29, 901 against Milton Keynes Dons in the Football League Trophy and then, just 4 days later, 31, 385 in a South Coast derby against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

The overall average attendance for the league season was 20, 982, a near 3, 000 improvement on the previous season despite being a league lower.

During the 2010-11 League One campaign, the team was strongly backed by fans and attendances rarely went below 18, 000.

The lowest league attendance during this season was 18, 623 against Yeovil, while the highest league attendance during the season was 31, 653 against Walsall.