Southampton FC pioneers LED floodlights

Installation is taking place ahead of the start of the forthcoming season.

It comes 63 years after the club’s old ground, The Dell, made history as the first in England to have permanent floodlights installed.

Delivered by Eastleigh-based lighting developers Vision Accendo, the new system will provide a higher quality of broadcast lighting as well as significantly reducing the amount of energy used when compared to traditional metal halide floodlights, the club says.

Unlike the previous halide system, the new LEDs can be instantly switched on and off without the need for a warm up period, which further adds to the system’s energy saving credentials.

Stadium facilities manager Mark Humby said: “Since being introduced to Ian Williams and Calvin Caunter of Vision Accendo back in February, we have worked very closely to make sure we reach all the technical criteria stipulated by the Premier League. It has been a frantic but extremely interesting four months.

“Our first issue was to make sure the stadium roof structure could take the added weight of the new floodlight system required to produce the correct lighting levels.  During this process I have been introduced to the technical term ‘flicker’ which only causes an issue during slow motion and super-slow motion footage. By using a top quality LED product we have all but removed this issue which can be seen on the majority of sporting footage that’s produced under floodlit conditions.

“We can now look forward to installing a superior innovative lighting solution that will enhance the viewing experience of both the fan in the stadium and the armchair supporter.”

On 1st October 1951 The Dell became the first venue to host a competitive match under floodlights when Southampton reserves faced Tottenham Reserves in a Football Combination fixture.

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