h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Since posting my somewhat limited knowledge of the 'Saints' Paul Sturrock has been 'replaced' as manager! Being the first Premier League manager of the season to go. He was replaced by Steve Wigley, who officially can only manage the club for three months. As he has not got the required qualification. Also my 'log in' name has changed from 'Saints76' to 'supersaints1976'. Wonder who 'Saints76' is?
As and when I find out more about 'my' football team I will try and add on to my original posting. Failing that I will try and keep up a short account of how the future goes! Sept 20 2004

02/10/04
Southampton Football Club has thus far managed to win one game, and draw two games this season. They did beat Northampton in the Carling cup 3:0. The next round is against Colchester. At the time of writing the 'Saints' are 17th in the Premier League. It looks like a long hard season is in store. Hopefully at it's end 'we' will still be in the Premier League. Will try to keep an up date on 'our' progress or lack of it as the season unfolds.

19 Dec 2004
As I wrote before, occasionaly I will update the progress, or lack of it(!) of Southampton Football Club. As I write today 'we' lie 2nd from bottom of the Premier League. However the 'release' of Steve Wigley, (who although was a very honest hard working 'Head coach' did not seem to inspire the team) and the appointment of Harry Redknapp hopefully means that the team will turn round and gradually go up the table. With a busy Christmas period coming up, and hopefully the return of some of the injured players I can but hope. After Christmas the FA Cup draw against Northampton (Who were also played in the Carling Cup) should prove an interesting tie. Once again I will endevour to up date this occasionally. Meanwhile if anyone does read this can I wish them a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you want some more of a fans view of Southampton Football Club go to www.saintsfc.co.uk the official web site. Log on to the chat section and read, and reply if you want. All are welcome, even Portsmouth supporters. Just keep it clean, and fun!

17/01/05

Here are some facts I have managed to find out about Southampton Football Club. I must say 'Thank you' to my youngest son for his Xmas present 'Southampton F.C a history from 1908' I will base the following on information gathered from this publication.

Daily Mirror April 29 1908. Southampton 5 Queens Park Rangers 2- The new Southern League champions sent a very weak team to Southampton yesterday, and were beaten by 5 goals to 2. Lewis and Costello scored for the Saints in the opening half, and Bainbridge,Lewis and Jefferies got through after the change of ends. Snelgrove and Walker scored for the Rangers.

Sunday Pictorial Dec 25th 1921

Division III
Southampton 5 Northampton 0

Legue position

Southampton P 19 W 14 Pts 32 (top)



Sunday Pictorial March 25th 1928

Saints' big win

Southampton trounced Barnsley by six goals to one. Barnsley were first to score through Fletcher. After Woodhouse equalised the Saints wore down the Yorkshire defence and scored five more goals through Mackie(three) Petrie and Cribb.

Sunday Pictorial November 4 1928

Southampton's Eight
Blackpool beaten in heavy scoring game

The Sothampton forwards had their shooting boots on with a vengeance at the Dell where they succeeded in beating Blackpool by 8 goals to 2.
Haines and Cribb scored two each in the opening half, and Haines scored twice again in the second half, while Mackie accounted for the other two. Ramsay scored for Blackpool, and Hampton got the second just on time by kicking the ball out of White's hand.

I will continue to add more another day to these accounts. Just to update my account of the season thus far for the Saints. Southampton are now under Harry Redknapp as manager, who took over from Steve Wigley. As Harry Redknapp had previously been manager of Portsmouth this caused a storm. At present Southampton are 19th in the Premier League, having lost Saturday's game against Newcastle by 2 goals to 1. The next league match is against Liverpool where we play at St Marys. Then the next game is in the FA cup 4th round (In the 3rd round we beat Northampton at Sixfields). In the 4th Round we drew Portsmouth, let's hope we win.

22/01/05

Here are some more facts I have found out about Southampton F C.
Div 1 Runners up: 1983/84
Div 2 Runners up: 1965/66 1977/78
Div 3 Champions: 1959/60
Div 3 Runners up: 1919/20
Div 3 (South) Champions: 1920/21

FA Cup Winners: 1976
FA Cup Runners up: 1900,1902,2003

League Cup Runners up: 1979

Biggest Win: 9-3 v Wolves 1965
Biggest Defeat: 0-8 v Tottenham 1936

Most Appearances: Terry Paine 809, 1956-74
Top Goalscorer: Mike Channon 227, 1966-77,1979-82
Most Goals in a Season: Derek Reeves 44 1959-60
Most Capped Player: Peter Shilton 44 (England)

I have gathered these from various sources, some sources give diffrent totals for goals scored by Derek Reeves, one for instance gives him 39 goals, and Mike Channon as 185 goals. I have used where everpossible the higher amount!

22/01/05

To continue with my History of Southampton Football Club, gathered from the book 'Southampton F C A History from 1908'

Sunday Pictorial Feb 16 1936
Double Hat-Trick Shock For Forest

Southampton 7 Notts Forest 2
Hat-tricks by Watson and Holt for Southampton were the feature of this match. The scoring might have been even bigger Edgar headed out a certain goal from Watson in the first five minutes and Peacock missed an easy opening for Forest. Watson headed the first goal for Southampton after eleven minuts but almost immediately Dent headed the equaliser. Watson went on to complete his hat-trick before Masters reduced the arrears. Neal put the home side further ahead just on half time. A penalty for a foul on Watson was converted by Holt who scored two morw goals to complete the second hat-trick.

Daily Mirror Nov 19 1959

Saints owe it to Boss

Southampton 5 Coventry 1

An inspired move by manager Ted Bates gave Saints a Second Round FA Cup place against Southend. With inside left Tom Mulgrew injured he played Terry Simpson for the first time this season. And Simpson who was Saints' left half last season justified Bates's faith with two great goals in this first round replay. Bates's gamble in playing left back Tom Traynor despite a shockinf cold - came off, too Traynor was the best defender on the field. Centre half John Page put Southampton ahead with an eleventh minute penalty kick. Simpso's goals in the twenty fourth and twenty seventh minute gave Saints a 3 -0 lead at ha;f time. Coventry made a promising start to the second half and snatched a quick goal through outside left Daley.
But Saints inside right George O'Brien made it 4-1 after a great run from the half way line; and right winger Terry Paine completed the scoring from a simpson pass.

Before today's game against Liverpool we lie 19th in the Premier League
Played 22 Won 2 Drawn 9 Lost 12. Goals: For,23 Against,39 Points 15

As today is a very special day for me with my youngest son reaching 21 at last. Even though he is a Liverpool supporter I can only hope we don't make his day complete.

Next week we play Portsmouth I will endevour to give a report about the match, hopefully it will be good news.

29 January 2005

Today is the day Southampton Football Club play their nearest, and most bitter rivals.. Portsmouth. To me and most Southampton fans its the biggest game of our seaon. With Harry Redknapp, Jim Smith and Kevin Bond all leaving Portsmouth to join Southampton it is also a very big game to Portsmouth fans. Reports the national press this week had Hampshire Police as allocating 400 officers to the match.

I can only hope that no trouble occurs, and the best team (Southampton , of course!) wins today. I do hope its not a draw!

29/01/05

I will now go on to record a little more history of Southampton Football Club. With acknowledgements to 'Southampton F.C a history from 1908'

Daily Mirror Tues Dec 6 1960

Lights fiasco at the Dell

Southampton 5 Leeds 4
Centre Forward Derek Reeves scored all five Southampton goals in this sensational fourth round League Cup tie which ended an hour late at The Dell last night. The game was twice interrupted by the failure of the floodlights due to a fault outside the ground. And Southampton played most of the game without goalkeeper Ron Reynolds who was taken to hospital with an injured wrist after making a diving save at the feet of a Leeds forward. The lights first went out after only 10 minutes and the 13,000 crowd waited patiently in the gloom while the players tried some shooting practice at one dimly-lit end. After 17 minutes the players went off with the referee and linesmen. but 11 minutes later the lights came back on again, and the game was re-started. within a few minutes Reeves gave Southampton the lead with a header. Then came another stoppage while Alf Jones, Leeds right back was treated for a leg injury. Two minutes later Reynolds was lying injured on the pitch when the lights failed again. This time the ground was plunged into complete darkness. Four ambulance men could just be seen carrying Reynolds to the dressing room on a stretcher. When the game eventually restarted after 34 minutes with the lights at full power Cliff Huxford was in goal for Southampton. But Reeves scored two more to complete his hat-trick giving Saints a 3-0 half time lead. Reeves hit his fourth in the 50th minute, but now Leeds hit back and Noel Payton, John McCole and centre half Jack Charlton scored in a devastating 17 minute spell. Then a Bobby Cameron penalty made it 4-4. but with 60 seconds left Reeves capped a fantastic night by scoring the winner-his fith goal.

More again another day!

31/01/05

Southampton 2 Portsmouth 1

Game played Sat 29 January 2005, Kick Off at 12:30 live on BBC1

As I wrote the other day here is my view of the match played between Saints and Pompey.

It was billed as the clash of the 4th round of the FA Cup, with predictions of trouble at the ground, and after. Mainly due to the fact that Harry Kedknapp was up until very recently manager of Portsmouth (Pompey) Football club. Also the two Chairmen had been ordered to stop their squabbles by the FA.

However despite the above, and probably due to the presence of 400 Police officers, as far as I know very little if any trouble occured at the ground or after.

The game: The first half was vey quite with very few attempts at goal by either side, and despite me being a Saints supporter, I felt that Saints were looking the weaker side. However they did a good job of containing Pompey. Half time soon came I felt a liitle nervous.

Second half: This is where the game came allive with Matthew Oakley scoring in the 54 minute, with a screamer from outside the area. The goalie had no chance. I was just celebrating the fact when Pompey got the ball and went down the other end. Claus Lundekavam was caught off guard, put his arm out to stop Diomansy Kamara, in the area. Kamara went down as if hit by an express train, penalty! Yakubu put the ball past Neimi, by getting the goalie to dive the wrong way. Game on! Then a little later in the game Kamara was running down the field when he tripped up. I think he was looking for a free kick, there was no one nearby. As he fell and sprawled acroos the pitch he scooped the ball back with his hand. The ref Steve Bennett sent him off. Pompey were down to 10 men. The game wore on with more and more bookings being handed out. Still 1 1. The 90th minute arrived! The officials indicated four minutes added on! I was thinking 'We don't need a replay at Fratton Park, please' Then Prutton got down the side line and was attempting to pass when Matthew Taylor stuck his arm out in the penalty area. The referee was not impressed by appeals from the Saints players or crowd. The it was pointed out to him that the assistant Mike Tingey was holding his flag up! The ref crossed to Tingey, the Pompey players were trying to interfere, Higginbotham was across wagging his finger. The ref blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Penalty! The clock was now showing 94 minutes gone! Who would take it? Up stepped Peter Crouch and slotted pass the goalie! The game ran on for about another minute, which seemed like a year. Then final whistle. Saints had won, and are now into the next round.

Teams: Southampton: Anttie Niemi, Paull Telfer, Cllaus Lundekvam, Calum Davenport, Danny Higginbotham, Rory Delap, Matthew Oakley, Anders Svensson, David Prutton, Mikael Nilsson, Peter Crouch. Subs: Andreas Jakobsson, Kenwyne Jones. Booked: Prutton, Telfer, Jones.

Pompey: Kosta Chalkas, Dejan Stefanovic, Arjan De Zeeuw, Linvoy Primus, Aliou Cisse, Garry O' Neil, Richard Hughes, Patrick Berger, Matthew Taylor, Diomansy Kamara, Yakubu. Subs: Ricardo Fuller. Booked: Kamara, Hughes, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Cisse. Sent Off Kamara.

Goals: Oakley 54. Yakubu 57 (pen) Crouch 90 (pen)

31/01/05

Southampton F.C. A history from 1908

To continue with my history of the Saints.

Sunday Mirror January 3 1965

Paine fluffs two penalties

Northampton 2 Southampton 2

What a fantastic promotion battle at Northampton! Southampton had their seventh draw in twelve matches and the home side sacrificed only their third home point of the season. There were 'own goals' by both captains- Tony Knapp put Saints one down before Saints had hardly started and Theo Foley at the 17 minute. There were two missed penalties-both conceded by left back Vic Cockroft and both fluffed by the usually deadly Terry Paine. Goalkeeper Bryn Harvey's saves were his third and fouth penalties he has stopped this season. Strangest of all, each time the England winger boobed Southampton scored immediatly afterwards. Joe Kiernan struck the Southampton woodwork and Charlie Liversey had a 'certainty' scraped off the line by Cliff Huxford. Those were the Midlanders' two pieces of ill fortune but a draw was a grand justice. Southampton looked more dangerous on the move, even against Northampton's formidable defensive screen. But the home side piled on the pressure for most of the second half and there were desperate moments in the Southampton goal. The expected duel between Northampton's solid defence and the lively Saints attack did not devlop for both sides scorned negative football and went all out for goals. The first goal slid down Knapp's body and into the net when he and Ken Leek went all out for a high ball. After 20 minutes Martin Chivers equalised from the corner which resulted from Harvey's first penalty save. 37 minutes later and following his second save O'Brien crossed the ball and Foley sliced it into the net. Within three minutes Branston made it 2-2.

02/02/05
Sunday Mirror Spet 19 1965

Wonder Saints - 9

Southampton 9 Wolves 3

Never have Wolves been so humiliated. In this clash of the two heaviest scoring sides in the division the Wanderers were never in the hunt after Southampton had gone ahead 3-2 at the 25th minute. From then on the home attack was rampant with almost every raid leading to a goal and with the Chivers-O'Brien advances irresistable. Southampton had three goals in a nine minute spell before the half time interval and four goals in the nine minutes directly after. Wolves contributed to their own downfall by their bizzae set-up in defence. Martin Chivers wore the No10 shirt but played centre forward. Yet Ron Flowers chose to mark him while centre half Dave Woodfield went forward to look after nominal No9 Jimmy Melia. It left gaps in the Wolves defence which the fast moving, accurate Southampton forwards exploited to the full. Strangely there was not a goal in the last 30 minutes and most of the late play was in front of the winners goal. Chivers helped himself to four goals, in Southampton's best-ever League victory wingers John Syndenham and Terry Paine got a couple each and George O'Brein besides setting up 4 of the goals grabbed 1 himself. For good measure Paine and Sydenham smacked drives against the woodwork. This remarkable game started with a sensation. A great lob by full back Bobby Thomson bounced off Tony Knapp's head for an 'own goal'. Three minutes later O'Brein slipped Flowers for Chivers to steady himself and net as the goalie advanced. Sydneham made it 2-1 after a controlled darting run past three defenders and a blazing drive which was slightly deflected. But Wolves were back with an equaliser in a minute Bobby Woodruff driving through a ruck of players following a corner. Then the fun really started as the home forwards ran into superb form to provide a goal feast. Paine,O'Brien and Chivers made it 5-2 by half time. In the next quarter of an hour it became 9-3 with Knowles grabbing another for struggling Wolves.

N/B Twice before in the twenties Southampton scored 8. This was their biggest League win to-date (02/02/05).

20/02/05

FA Cup 5th round result. Southampton 2 Brentford 2. Not a good result for the Saints who were 2 0 up at one stage. Full credit to Brentford for a good display, Saints had a last gasp goal disallowed due to it being off-side. But a fair result hope Saints can beat Brentford in the replay. But to be honest a replay is something we could have done without. Now the next game in the league is again West Brom. A game that could decide either team's fate!


Southampton F C A History from 1908

To continue with my attempt to give a little history from the club. With thanks to the above publication, and my son who gave it to me for Xmas. If ever you see this son at least you know I've read the book!

Daily Mirror Tues May 10 1966

Paine heads Saints into First Division
Only a 6-0 disaster against City can stop them now

Leyton Orient 1 Southampton 1

Southampton are in the first Division. Only an incredible disaster can destroy their dream now. Thousands of their fans swelled Orient's crowd to the biggest of the season last night and poured on to the pitch after they had snatched the one point they needed with a Terry Paine goal. They lifted Paine on to a human chariot and stood chanting for their team and manager Ted Bates to come back from the dressing room. Saints must lose 6-0 against Manchester City on Saturday to have all last night's excitement and achievement shattered - and that surely cannot happen. Southampton were in trouble after only 11 minutes. Caught up in the momentum of their own attack they were suddenly wide open as Orient right winger Harry Gregory sprinted through to bring a fine save from goalkeeper Campbell Forsyth. It was a let-off but the relief lasted only for one minute. A similar break cuaght Southampton unaware again, right half Peter Allen going through on a pass from John Smith. This time there was no answer from Forsyth and Southampton were a goal down and struggling. Strangly, with only one point needed the Saints gambled on attacking football. Their marking was poor their covering careless. They might have conceded another goal when Gregory broke clear to fire a fierce shot. Forsyth did well to put it in the crowd for a corner. Occasional flashes from Paine, and some pacy runs from John Sydenham, suggested Southampton could change the situation. But their best effort was a header from centre forward Norman Dean after a Paine free-kick. Paine appealed in vain for a penalty when Orient scrambled athe ball clear with the help of a hand. The goal that Southampton needed so badly came in 52nd minute. Former Orient full back David Webb restored an anxious goalmouth situation, then hit a hopeful ball deep into Orient territory. A mistake by centre half Gordon Ferry - and in went Paine to head his club into the First Division.

5/03/05

Sunday Mirror February 5 1967

Dual revenge for Paine

Southampton 6 W Ham 2

West Ham manager Ron Greenwood watched this spluttering defeat and declared "They all play in the League Cup semi-final against West Bromwich on Wednesday"
With four goals to pull them back I wish them luck. Its a good job they are not playing Southampton again. They never had a chance at the Dell. Yet Greenwood said "I hit them verbally after the mid week Cup defeat by Swindon but I will defend them now. A team that can come back after being four goals down deserve praise". Hammers were trailing 4 nil at half time but get some support from Southampton manager Ted Bates who depite his team's glorious victory said "West Ham are still a good side". All of which makes Saints' win much greater.

Hammers will rightfully say they should have been a goal up in the first minute when Johnny Bryne blasted an open-goal shot well wide. They might have reasonably say they were unlucky to be two goals down in the 18th minute. Full back Denis Hollywood's twenty yard shot in the third minute was covered by Jim Standen but it struck Martin Chivers and was deflected into the net. 15 Minutes later Ron Davies went on a 20 yard run to crack a brilliant shot past Standen, but he should have been penalised for pushing centre half Ken Brown before getting the ball. But there can be no hard luck stories about the rest. Skipper Bobby Moore was at fault when he brought down Terry Paine. Paine who had superbly dribbled past Ron Boyce and Jack Burkett before being stopped by Moore, scored from the spot.

In the 35th minute Southampton went further ahead when Chivers got in a tremendous header from a great pass by Paine. West Ham's defence had taken a pounding in the first half. They looked a little better as the game reopened but in the 57th minute were five down. Once again Paine went sprawling in the penalty area this time by Eddie Bovingdon, and again he picked himself up to ram home the spot kick. Geoff Hurst scored his 37th goal of the season to pull one back for Hammers in the 60th minute but Chivers hit back in the 75th. One minute later a twenty yarder beat David MacLean for Hammers second.


Above taken from 'Southampton F.C A history from 1908'

Latest up date on current games. Southampton beat Brentford 3-1 in a mid week Cup replay. They now go on to meet Manchester United in the quater finals at St Mary's. If they win that game semi final's are this year being played at Cardiff. In the league the next game is at St Mary's against Spurs. With Saints 3rd from bottom and needing points to catch up with Crystal Place who are fourth from bottom. With not many games to go I am getting a little worried that 'we' may go down.

19/03/05

No Premier League game for Southampton today, as they play Middlesbrough Sunday. Although with many teams near Southampton's league placing losing if Southampton win tomorrow they could go one place up the league. They would then be 17th. Safety!!!

19/03/05

Daily Mirror 13/11/69

Southampton 5 Vitoria Gulmares 1

Southampton get a win to put them in the last sixteen in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup Southampton win *-$ on Aggregate. However Southampton are still in trouble in the League, with League Cahmpions Leeds due to visit them at the Dell next Saturday.


Daily Mirror 22/11/1971

Southampton lose at Everton by 8 goals to 0. Then go onto warn next week's opponants Manchester United that they will"Beat them next Saturday" Despite Man Utd being 3 points clear at the top of the League!

Mirror Sport 9/10/1974

Southampton 5 Derby 0.

Southampton beat Derby in the 3rd round of the League Cup, with Mike Channon and Peter Osgood showing their skill and ability


Saturday 1 May 1976

Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 (Bobby Stokes in 81st minute)

In my book there are about seven pages devoted to this win. I intend to give my own personal glimpse of how it felt.

The day of the match I was in charge of a Jewllers shop in Southampton, the shop was in Above Bar, near the Post Office. We were not allowed to close by Head Office, however one of the women went next door to a TV shop and borrowed a TV. At 3:00 the TV was on, the street outside was deserted! The first half was an exersise in containing Man Utd. Just the very game Saints should be playing! The second half was much better for Saints, and when Bobby scored we all cheered. I then locked the shop door and closed early (Don't tell Head Office anyone reading this). My car had a 'Saints for the Cup' sticker in the back, which drew a cheer from the quickly forming crowd on the streets. As I drove home every bridge had Saints fans on it Cheering.

Then Sunday 2 May came,Saints did a victory tour of Southampton. I was at the Dell as the Team Coach arrived. (Trev's Travels provided it in those days) Saw Peter Rodrigues get off the coach with the Cup, and really can't remember much more till I found myself outside the Civic Centre. Where by now thousands were gathered. The team were in an open top bus. We were all singing and shouting. The Mayor of Southampton promised the team a 'plot of land in Southampton for the new ground' (Local elections were looming this may have had something to do with it!). We all cheered and went home. To go back to the Dell for a friendly match against QPR, with Stan Bowles playing. Of Course the Cup was paraded round the ground. Goodness only knows what the score was at the end I've no idea. Even then I didn't care.

The Cup was later paraded around Eastleigh, and Ford's Factory. Where production hit an all time high. Then finally in about January of the following year the Cup was displayed for a few weeks at Southampton City Library, along with the Tenants Caledonian Cup which Southampton had also won. The next year Saints were back at Wembley this time for the League Cup Final against Nottingham Forest, which unforunatly Saints lost

As there was no Football for a week, I have not caught up with the latest news concerning Southampton Football Club.

The last time Saints played they won the first away game of the season against Middlesbrough. The fial score being Middlesbrough 1 Southampton 3. This week we take on Chelsea, I hope for at least a draw.

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From the Daily Mirror of Sept 16 1976. Southampton 4 Marseilles 0

Mick Channon scores three goals, giving Saints their first major win since the Cup final. Peter Osgood scored from a cross supplied by Steve Williams. Saints gave away a penalty wihich had to be retaken only for Ian Turner to save. Late in the game Mick Channon is brought down in the penalty area. He then got up to drive in the spot kick.

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From the Daily Mirror of Sept 30 1976 Olmpique Marseilles 2 Southampton 1 (Agg Southampton win 5-2)

Hugh Fisher was sent off in the final minute for a bad tackle in this first round second leg tie. Also sent off was the french striker Emon. Southampton were involved in a brawl with players slinging punches, and the French fans running riot, hurling beer-cans and bottles on to the pitch. After the game Lawrie McMenemy had to call for the police as a dressing window was smashed . The police had to baton charge the crowd outside, as fireworks and smoke bombs were thrown on the pitch. The only goal scored during the game by Southampton came from David Peach. Olympique had been given hope when Nogues scored then Peach scored in the 70th minute, with Emon scoring a late winner it was not enough Saints had got through to the next round. Peter Osgood and Bobby Stokes were both booked.

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More another day!

23/04/05

First an up-date on the season so far for Southampton F.C.
Having lost to Chelsea, but having played really well despite the 3 0 score line, Saints then played Aston Villa.

The first half was all Southampton with the half time score 2-0. However, the second half was very poor. With Villa scoring 3 goals. Final score Saints 2- Villa 3.

The next match mid -week was against Bolton. With Southampton coming back from 1 nil down to draw 1-1. Norwich and Crystal Palace had poor games. However, West Brom have yet again overtaken Southampton to be fouth from bottom. Also they have a game in hand.

Southampton's next game is against the dreaded 'Skates' or Portsmouth to those not in 'the know'. Kick Off Sunday at 12. Report to appear on here after that.

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Southampton F.C a History, cont:-
Daily Mirror Thursday 21/10/1976

Cup Winners Cup

Carrick R 2 Southampton 5

Mick Channon scores twice, and sets up the other three goals. Carrick gave Saints more trouble than they ever thought with the game at 1-1 before Mick Channon killed them off. He had already passed the ball to Bobby Stokes to score after 10 minutes. Before Gary Reid who had been working night shift in a tyre factory made a fine run to pass to Gary Erwin 1.1. Then Channon took over, taking a pass from Peter Osgood 1-2. Then Channon passed for Jim McCalliog to head home 1-3. Carrick hit back with Gary Prenter heading in Tom Cullen's cross 2-3. Southampton looked in trouble when they pulled of Bobby Stokes and put on Pat Earles. In the 80th minute Earles took a pass from Channon and passed on to Osgood 2-4, Five minutes later Osgood passed on for Channon to score 2-5.

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Daily Mirror Thursday Nov 4 1976

Southampton 4 Carrick 1 (agg: 9-3)

Mick Channon missed the game through injury and was replaced by Austin Hayes who scored twice with Steve Wiliams and Bobby Stokes scoring the other goals for Saints. Carrick had their goal scored by Gary Reid.

More another day!

01/05/05
Since my last up-date on Southampton football club, the team has played Portsmouth, and lost 4 -1. Then this Saturday just gone 30 April they played Norwich. As this was a bottom of the table clash, it was vital that to avoid relegation Southampton won. So it was hardly a good start to go behind 1-0 within the first few minutes of the game. However within a few more minutes Southampton caught up. 1-1. The first half ended 3- 3. The second half was not so busy with goals, however Henri Camara came on and scored,in the dying minutes of the game. With 3 minutes added on time, the tension was almost unbearable. But the Saints won the day. By doing so they climb out of the bottom three on goal difference. Next game is against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Another bottom of the table clash!
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A history of Southampton Football Club (cont)

Sept 17 1981 'Daily Mirror'

Limerick 0 Southampton 3

Southampton's Steve Moran, aged 20 crushes the part timers in this first round UEFA Cup tie. When he met a cross from David Armstrong. then Moran scored again with a pass from Mick Channon. Moran, who scored 21 goals last season was in fine form. David Armstrong scored the third in 78 minutes with a nice one- two involving Graham Baker.

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October 22 1981 'Daily Mirror'

Southampton 2 Sporting Lisbon 4.

With manager of Sporting lisbon Malcolm Alison having a triumphant return to English soccer. Southampton have little hope of progressing futher in the competition. Lawrie McMenemy said 'We've now got to score three goals away from home, and I'm trying to remember the last time we did that' Nick Holmes scored an own goal, With Kevin Keegan ,and Mick Channon scoring for the Saints. In November(November 4 1981) Saints went to Sporting Lisbon but as the game ended 0 - they were out of the EUFA Cup.

More another day!

14 May 2005

Since my last posting about Southampton Football Club. The team won against Norwich in a very tense game, which started badly but Norwich scoring a goal. The first half ended 3 -3 . The second half was not quite so exciting. However Southampton scored towards the end to win 4 -3. This took them out of the bottom 3.

The next game was against Crystal Palace, who were in the bottom 3 and one point less than the Saints. Once again the game started with Crystal Palace scoring. We were now in trouble! However within seconds Palace had handled the ball in their area. Peter Crouch took the penalty, and after re-spotting the ball scored. 1-1. Into the second half and Palace again took the lead. The game wore on and injury time came. Saints had to score to stay up! Then from a missed chance by other players, Higginbotham scored. Game over! The only problem being that Norwich had beaten Birmingham. They were now 4th from bottom..

The position now is that any of the four bottom clubs can go down, or stay up. West Brom needing to win and all others lose. Crystal Palace can either win, or draw if Norwich lose. If Norwich win Palace are down. Norwich only have to win and they are safe, they can afford a draw if the others lose. Southampton are in the same situation as Palace. If we win then we need Norwich to do no more than draw. If we draw we need Palace to at least draw, Norwich to lose, and West Brom to lose. If Saints lose they are down.

Of course the last game of the season for Saints is a nice easy home game against Manchester United!

The game to played Sunday 15 May kick off at 3. Its going to be nervy!

The season ended in Southampton being relegated, as the bottom club.
As they lost to Man Utd 2-0. Palace, and Norwich go down as well. The History project I had started on here is now going in to cold storage, as the summer is here.

My favourite score lines of all times would be:

Man Utd 0 Saints 1. 1 May 1976, we win the Cup.

Southampton 6 Man Utd 3 Oct 1996.

Southampton 3 Arsenal 2. Last league game ever at the Dell. Matthew Le Tissier comes on and scores his 209th goal in 534 appearances. Also scoring the last ever league goal at the Dell.

Southampton 9 'England' 9. Mat Le Tiss ends his time at Southampton. With a host of stars playing. Best of all I was there!

Now I will leave this until next season. When Southampton F.C play in the Coca Cola Championship, hopefully for just the one season.

On a little note. Paul Sturrock left Southampton, and took over at Sheff Weds. Who yesterday won the play offs to get promoted to the same league as Southampton. Good Luck to 'Luggy' wonder how we would have done under him? He could have hardly done any worse than get us relegation, could he?