The North Stand's first evening spent in the surroundings of the South Stand has to go down as a success. The songs boomed out across the ground and from all reports the noise certainly made an impact.

The new Finidi song's appearance certainly helped get things going while the stunning performance on the pitch put everyone in the right mood. TWTD has been informed that the author of the Finidi song was one Clive White.

Outside there were a few teething troubles with some fans unaware that they were supposed to enter the South Stand from Constantine Road, presumably accounting for the incredible queues outside turnstiles 1-6 on Portman Road. Perhaps this needed (and still needs) to be emphasised more by the club.

Other fans found themselves at the head of the queue only to be told that their ticket book was for the Britannia or Cobbold Stand. After queuing at the ticket office to change them they returned to the queue once more.

It was a bit difficult to hear what was being said on the PA, although those in other stands said that it boomed out very loudly indeed where they were. Perhaps with work still being carried out on the South this is something that will be rectified before the stand is deemed complete.

Exiting the stand wasn't as easy as the swift trip down the stairs followed by the stroll on to Sir Alf's Way we have all got used to but that isn't a surprise what with being miles up in the sky and everything.

Some fans were still unhappy about being moved away from mates, but overall the experience seemed to go well, although most North Standers I have spoken to will still want to move back to the North as soon as they can. Perhaps the added atmosphere will have a good effect on that end of the ground when North Standers make their way back to their own end.

As for those who were in the North last night, they didn't make much noise did they?

Matt Holland has been called up for Ireland's squad for the Group Two World Cup qualifing game with Holland at Lansdowne Road on September 1st.

Squad: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (Charlton), A Kelly (Blackburn), G Kelly (Leeds), Staunton (Aston Villa), Harte (Leeds), Dunne (Man City), Doherty (Tottenham), O'Brien (Newcastle), Roy Keane (Man Utd), Carsley (Coventry), McAteer (Blackburn), Holland (Ipswich), Kilbane (Sunderland), Finnan (Fulham), Kennedy (Wolves), Reid (Millwall), Duff (Blackburn), Quinn (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Leeds), Connolly (Wimbledon), Morrison (Crystal Palace).

Photo: Action Images

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