<P> Their home ground since 2001 has been St Mary 's Stadium , before which they were based at The Dell . The club has been nicknamed `` The Saints '' since its inception in 1885 due to its history as a church football team , founded as St. Mary 's Church of England Young Men 's Association , and play in red and white shirts . Southampton has a long - standing rivalry with Portsmouth due to its close proximity and both cities ' respective maritime history . Matches between the two sides are known as the South Coast derby . </P>
<P> Their home ground since 2001 has been St Mary 's Stadium , before which they were based at The Dell . The club has been nicknamed `` The Saints '' since its inception in 1885 due to its history as a church football team , founded as St. Mary 's Church of England Young Men 's Association , and play in red and white shirts . Southampton has a long - standing rivalry with Portsmouth due to its close proximity and both cities ' respective maritime history . Matches between the two sides are known as the South Coast derby . </P>
when did southampton move to st mary 's
when did southampton move to st mary 's
2001
2001