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Saints Greatest Ever Player
Saints Greatest Ever Player
Wednesday, 5th Sep 2012 08:45

Who would you vote for in a poll for Saints greatest ever player, here we look at a few candidates in no particular order.

Its possible that some Saints fans yet to reach their twenties would vote for Rickie Lambert as their choice as greatest ever Saints player, whilst its undoubted that Rickie's contribution to Southampton Football Club has been immense, in the context of this article I dont think he is yet to achieve a fraction of what the names I am about to put forward have for this club.

Sadly I dont think he will, if only for the fact that as he approaches 31 he is running out of time, hopefully I will be proved wrong, certainly if in a few years time he is still at St Mary's and has three seasons in the Premier league behind him, then he would be in the running, but for the moment, he is a little behind.

Simiarly I would not put forward the name Kevin Keegan into the equation, Keegan was undoubtably one of the greatest players to play for Southampton, joining at the peak of his career, but there is a subtle difference in being the greatest to play and being the greatest, undoubted though that Keegan's contribution to this club, two short seasons isnt quite enough to get him into the shortlist.

So lets look at a few contenders for the title and the reasons why they should be considered, this possibly isnt the definitive list, there are many contenders for the title, but I feel I have mentioned the most obvious.

Perhaps the first contender at least in terms of chronological order should be Bill Rawlings, Bill who ? I hear you say and its true that most would not have heard of him, let alone seen him play, but Rawlings career, straddled the last season of the Southern League days and our fledgling start to our League career, he played 294 league games for the club scoring 156 goals a record that stood for many years and even now he is still fourth in the all time scoring charts for Saints, such was his prowess that he was capped by England despite Saints being in the third division, he was in big demand and eventually left for Manchester United in 1928, however aged 32 he had had his best years for Saints

Ted Bates should also get a mention here, whilst its true to say that playing wise he was never one of the superstars of the team and he was one of a band of players whose best years were lost to the second world war, he still played over 200 league games for the club and scored 63 goals in them, but as we all know his achievements after finishing his playing career and his service to the club have to be taken into account, greatest player, perhaps not, greatest ever club man overall, undoubtably.

Terry Paine is next up, its fair to say his 709(4) League appearances for Saints will be never overtaken, that represents 17 seasons of rarely missing a game, sad to say I dont think we will ever see that, his 160 league goals puts him 3rd in our all time scorers list, Paine was to Southampton what Bobby Charlton was to Manchester United, he deserves to be uttered in the same breath as any of our greats.

John Sydenham is the wild card in this pack, a contemporary of Paine, his talents were often overshadowed by his colleague on the other wing, many say that he left the club a little prematurely, however 341(1) league games, 37 goals and a massive number of assists stakes his claim for greatness.

Mick Channon was Mr Southampton to a certain generation of football supporters, his first spell at the club spanned 11 years and he added another 3 seasons to that after returning from Man City, 507(1) league appearances and 185 goals in that time  still make him Saints record goalscorer and a big contender in this poll in that he is one of only two nominee's who have a Winners medal to their name, I dont think I need to remind anyone what one it is.  

Ron Davies would be another who would get a big vote from older Saints fans, especially those in the Orange County Saints, in the late 60's Ron was arguably the best centre forward in Europe and Sir Matt Busby no less was desperate to sign him, Ron's career at the Dell spanned seven years in which time he played 239 league games and hit 134 goals in the process, a decent total given that for much of that time he was playing in a struggling team and that his skills as a provider are often overlooked, Mick Channon didnt get to be top scorer for Saints without help elsewhere.

Nick Holmes was the quiet man, that being the case his contribution to the club is often overlooked, only Paine and Channon have played more league games and not only did Holmes like Channon get an FA Cup inners medal in 1976, but he added to that with a goal and a runners up medal in the League Cup in 1979, the only Southampton born player to feature in this list and a one club man to boot, Nick Holmes deserves his name in this list for many reasons, modesty would be one of them. 

Peter Shilton was a player who whatever club he was at was respected, but not particularly liked, that was the case at the Dell and even though he gave us five years sterling service at a time when he was undistbutably the World's top goalkeeper, he was not a man the fans warmed to, in many respects he is the odd man out in this list, he played less than the others and left the club in some what controversial circumstances, never seeming to mention or care about us again, but he does deserve to be put forward in that when he played for us he was second to none and he rarely put in a bad performance.

Matt Le Tissier needs no introduction, like Paine in the 60's and Channon in the 70's, during the 1990's he was not only Saints fans favourite player, but most of the rest of the country, undoubtably the most skillful man to put on a Saints shirt, despite playing in a side that struggled for most of his time here, he still scored enough goals, 161, to make him Saints 2nd all time top scorer and with over 400 league games to his credit in the top five of Saints appearances, if the last few years of his career hadnt been blighted by injury he would have almost certainly overtaken Mick Channon as top scorer and probably have pushed himself up to second behind Terry Paine in the appearances chart.

Le Tissier though has one attribute that perhaps pushes him above the other candidates and that is the fact that long after his playing career had ended he remained a son of his adopted City, his work in the media, keeping Saint on the lips of the nation as we languished in the Championship and worse, meaning that in an age when the Premier is king, say the word Southampton and most football fans will still reply Le Tissier.

Last on this list is perhaps the most surprising, Jason Dodd, however like Holmes, Dodd deserves his plce for a long and distinguished career at the Club, 372(27) league appearances in a career that spanned 16 years after his debut in October 1989 as a raw 18 year old signed from Bath City reserves, like Le Tissier injury cut short the latter part of his career, although he had just turned 34 when he pulled on a Saints shirt for the last time, one of the crimes at this club that Harry Redknapp should be tried for was his disgraceful treatment of Dodd and we all watched as a series of disinterested mercenaries aided Redknapp as he took us to relegation whilst Dodd was shipped off to Plymouth on loan, Im not saying that Dodd would have kept us up, but he would have done a better job than those Twitchy selected.

Add to that his service to the club after his playing career ended both as a coach and even caretaker manager and Dodd is a worthy contender to this title.

 So thats my top ten for the title of Saints greatest ever player, Im not saying its the definitive list, there are at least another ten who could feel agrieved at not being mentioned, older fans will perhaps put forward the likes of Bill Roachford, Derek Reeves, George O'Brien, some will say what about Chris Nicholl, even Claus Lundekvam for well over a decade at the Club, perhaps James Beattie, but I do feel that whatever my ommisions, the ultimate greatest ever Saints player is in this list.

I have picked the players, not just for the odd individual feat, if i did then Bobby Stokes would definately be featured, but for a more overall contribution over a long period of time, Shilton put in a mere five years at the club and his is the shortest period of service, I thought his status in World Football deserved a place though, as said, Rickie Lambert could well be on this list, but I think it should be about players that have given service over a longer period rather than current ones who have yet to put that time in, hopefully in another five years I might repeat this article and Lambert's name will be on it, even better if it also includes Jamie Ward-Prowse.

So what do you think of my nominations, Im interested as to why Saints supporters will agree or disagree and the reasons why !  

       

     

       

 

       

Photo: Action Images



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redblooded added 11:12 - Sep 5
All of the above....it is not just the amount of goals a players scores or the number of appearances he makes.
There is a connection made between fans and a player, each generation has its hero(s) and Ricky Lambert today is one of these and therefore he must be included. There may be others currently playing, if fans feel an affinity with a player or players, and if enough fans feel the same these also must. Be included.

As to the "best ever" player, that answer again will change with every year, let alone each generation. Those of the past must be remembered and celebrated, but for me it is first "Le God", and then "Ricky". But ask me tomorrow and again my decision may change as I think back to others not mentioned, such as Kevin Keegan, Peter Osgood, Steve Wiliams, and others my memory has a struggle to remember.
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ThereIn76 added 12:24 - Sep 5
Wot, no Alan Ball? The only World Cup winner we've ever had, captain in our 77-78 promotion season, took over as manager when we were relegation certs and kept us up, brought out the best in Le Tiss - where would we have been without him?
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bstokesaint added 12:38 - Sep 5
Being a from 1987 fan it's Le Tissier all day long for me. Witnessed virtually his whole career and there is no doubt how much he loves the club. The Pinnacle attempted takeover aside, no-one could have done more for the club.

I also want to include Antti Niemi. Schemichel aside, I haven't seen a better goalkeeper in the Premier League. Awesome player and a steal.
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eusebio added 12:38 - Sep 5
T Paine
M Channon
M LeTiss
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SanMarco added 13:17 - Sep 5
Eusabio's 3 are the great players who if you mention them to anyone the word 'Southampton' will quickly spring into their minds. Reading the article it seems that we are being asked to consider the 'Mr Southampton' aspect as well as playing quality so it is those three for me with Paine number three and the other two tied at number one. These three tick both boxes: quality and club identification.

Keegan may have been better than Paine but you think 'Liverpool' or even 'Newcastle'; with Ball it is 'Everton' or 'Arsenal' while as is suggested in the article with Shilton you just think 'Shilton'

Surprised that Dave Watson and Mark Wright not mentioned amongst the defenders...
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st_bangkok added 13:27 - Sep 5
I would add Benali to the list also as in many ways he is the same as Dodd, being he was here so long, always gave his all and in my opinion was no where near as bad as many seem to make out. Loyal, great competitor and one the fans warmed to. Also an old school buddy so there!
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SaintNick added 13:33 - Sep 5
there are many to choose from and I considered Keegan, Ball, Watson & Wright for many reasons but discounted themfor some of the reasons sanmarco gave as well as number of appearances I sort of had an unnofficial 200 or more league appearances as the benchmark, only Shilton in my list had less
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SaintNick added 13:33 - Sep 5
I would also add i was very close to having benali on the list
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Scummer added 15:30 - Sep 5
I would discount Shilton and Keegan like you say as when you say their names, it isn't necessarily Southampton that comes to mind. I'm not saying that is the only criteria (otherwise Ali Dia would be on your list...), but I think that is key.

For me it is Le Tiss, for the magical moments and the pure level of club loyalty in an age where that is such a rare thing.
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landsdownsaint added 15:47 - Sep 5
What about Gaston Ramirez...TBC
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Whatsforpud added 22:37 - Sep 5
Whenever Paine is mentioned, Sydenham is also mentioned. Sydenham was faster, but nearly always tried to beat his man on the outside. This became somewhat predictable to some of the better right backs. Paine on the other hand was about as two-footed as you could get. You never knew which way he would go to get his crosses in. And what a crosser of the ball! I believe that he made Ron Davies the player he became. It is interesting to note that Paine was awarded all his England caps as a second division player. By the time he got into the First Division with Saints in 1966, Ramsay had dispensed with conventional wingers. Getting 19 caps in the 2nd tier will never be repeated.

Paine or Le Tissier? Different skills - too close to call.
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Whatsforpud added 22:44 - Sep 5
Whenever Paine is mentioned, Sydenham is also mentioned. Sydenham was faster, but nearly always tried to beat his man on the outside. This became somewhat predictable to some of the better right backs. Paine on the other hand was about as two-footed as you could get. You never knew which way he would go to get his crosses in. And what a crosser of the ball! I believe that he made Ron Davies the player he became. It is interesting to note that Paine was awarded all his England caps as a second division player. By the time he got into the First Division with Saints in 1966, Ramsay had dispensed with conventional wingers. Getting 19 caps in the 2nd tier will never be repeated.

Paine or Le Tissier? Different skills - too close to call.
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dirk_doone added 08:38 - Sep 6
Channon followed by Paine and Le Tissier Lambert may go on to be considered in the same class as Ron Davies but to do that he'd need to finish Premier League top goalscorer 2 seasons running. Players like Benali and Dodd were with us for a long time but they weren't great players. In fact they were barely even average players.
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JimmySteal added 10:28 - Sep 6
Had a soft spot for Jimmy Case myself.
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JimmySteal added 10:30 - Sep 6
They asked Lawrie the same question and he said Jimmy Steele. Won't argue with that.
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thingummy added 19:02 - Sep 6
Of home grown/ long standing players, Steve Williams has to be considered. He was imperious and (IMO) the most influentual player in the team that finished 2nd in 1984. In fact I would say he is my favourite out and out midfielder since the mid-70s

Of the current crop, i think Lallana is the other one - he stayed when he could have gone and has that flair I associate with many of the great Saints players. If he stays, I think he will be on the list for sure.

The Shilton point is a good one - we had the best goalie in the world but for me I would take Niemi in my all time 11 of those I have watched

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thingummy added 19:07 - Sep 6
Forgot to add that Le Tiss is the answer for me ..... in the age of mercenary footballers to do what he did for us and provide so many breathtaking moments. it still makes me smile

The fact that most of the rest of the country felt the same way says a lot.
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forallthesaints added 13:24 - Sep 10
To separate Channon, Le Tiss and Paine, you'd have to mark out of 1,000 and they'd be one point behind each other. On those lines it's Channon, Le Tiss and Paine. And Ron Davies would be about three points behind Paine. I loved Holmes for his service and efforts (Glenn Cockerill was similar but stayed too long) but he was a journeyman and for service you'd have to mention a host of others like Hughie Fisher, Lundekvam, John McGrath. Benali was a great servant but never a great player. Dodd was a heap better than him.

As far as defenders go Wayne Bridge was one of our best. He played a lot of games for us before going for fame and fortune at Chelski. Didn't he hold the record for consecutive appearances?

But Channon is top of the pile for his longevity of service, his flair as a player, his good humour on and off the pitch, his very good England record.

And to ThereIn76 I would say that but for injury earlier in the tournament Paine would have been in the 1966 final.
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