A CAR PARK used by travelling Saints fans for home matches at the Dell is to be closed.

Disabled fans and those driving to matches have used the car parks at Springhill Catholic Primary School, which is opposite the Dell, for around 15 years.

The £2.50 charge, paid by around 250 fans to park at the Milton Road site for each home match, has raised thousands of pounds for children at the school, said headteacher Jo Garraty.

But a grant from the Department for Education means the school can finally expand to build a much-needed new entrance, plus library and small hall on the car park. Building work is due to start on November 15.

The few spaces left are to be adopted by the Saints directors for staff and guest parking.

Mrs Garraty said: "It was a wonderful source of income for us as well as establishing good community links. It's a shame for fans and sad for us as well - their support has meant a great deal to us over the years."

Every penny contributed by drivers has gone straight to the school funds. The thousands of pounds raised has paid for IT equipment, improved library facilities, books, music resources and playground equipment.

"I had one phone call from a lady in Gloucestershire to say she was a regular Saints supporter and she just wanted to say thank you for using our site. It's a sad day in lots of ways," said Mrs Garraty.

The school doesn't yet know if their car park will be used as a park-and-ride site when the Dell moves home to Britannia Road in 2001, as the list of sites is still under negotiation.

A spokeswoman for Southampton Football Club said: "If fans ask us where to park instead of Springhill, we will direct them to public car parks in the area."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.