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Welcome Back Dean Hammond
Friday, 7th Nov 2014 09:35

Dean Hammond became the forgotten man of Southampton Football Club when the club returned to the Premier league back in 2012.

As Saints returned to the Premier League some of the players who had battled so hard to get them there found themselves surplus to requirements, indeed of the players likely to be involved tomorrow against Leicester City only 3, Cork, Schneiderlin and Fonte look like playing any part plus Kelvin Davis on the bench.

But perhaps of all the players who left soon after that promotion winning day against Coventry City at St Mary's perhaps Dean Hammond played the biggest part given that he was one of the Club's first signings after Markus Liebherr took over and for 3 seasons he was a mainstay in our side starting 111 league games plus another 13 as sub scoring 10 goals along the way, not to mention over 20 appearances in various cup competitions including a visit to Wembley for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final triumph.

To put all this in perspective Dean perhaps missed about a dozen games or so in total in this period in all competitions, literally for those three seasons he was at that club if Saints were playing Dean Hammond was involved.

His first season saw him virtually ever present after joining in the opening weeks of the season, the next which saw us promoted back to the Championship saw him start 40 matches plus another as sub scoring 4 goals, not a prolific strike rate but vital in their contribution, perhaps the most vital being the second goal in a 3-1 win at Bournemouth.

The promotion season to the Championship saw him make a vital contribution,he started 31 times plus 13 as sub with his only goal coming on the opening day of the season against Leeds United as we won 3-1.

But the euphoria of winning promotion to the Premier league would soon die down and the club made it quite clear that Dean had no future in the squad for the coming season, in the opening two games he was not even on the bench and although he did start against Stevenage in the League cup within a couple of days he was shipped out to Brighton on loan for the season where he was a regular in their side for the season.

In the summer of 2013 he became a free agent and left St Mary's quietly and with little fanfare, given that it was over a year since he had pulled on a first team shirt in a competitive game at St Mary's his farewell to the Saints fans had been that appearance at Stevenage in front of 900 or so.

Many thought he would go to Brighton but it was to the East Midlands and leicester that he headed and once again he helped a club to Promotion to the Premier League , having turned 30 he was not a first team regular, indeed he only started 7 games plus another 22 as sub.

Perhaps Dean thought that again he would find himself an outcast and that he would be that close to a top flight appearance without actually playing, so perhaps he was relieved when he came off the bench on the opening day draw against Everton so that he could finally say he had played in the Premier, but his fairytale would not stop there, since then he has started 7 games for the Foxes, exactly the same number last season and he is enjoying a swansong as he approaches his 32nd birthday in march.

So on Saturday hopefully he will get the chance to run out on the St Mary's pitch again, when he does I hope that Southampton supporters reward him with the warm welcome that his contribution to this football club deserves, such is modern football that perhaps only 2/3 of the capacity crowd tomorrow will have seen him play with any regularity, however those that have should thank him for his contribution to our resurgence in the game and those that perhaps didn't see him play should join in, because without Dean Hammond perhaps none of what they are enjoying in the Premier League would have been possible.

Photo: Action Images



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Winchsaint added 10:16 - Nov 7
Completely agree Nick, although not close to the technical level of our current midfield he always put in a great shift and was a decent tackler too. Deserves a warm ovation.
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schatfield added 10:34 - Nov 7
i liked Hammond a lot too....to be honest, I didnt know he was playing for Leicester these days, I thought he had joined the likes of Andrew Surman at Bournemouth.
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richardmdcooper added 11:59 - Nov 7
So glad to see this article - Hammond was great for us during the promotion years. Along with Lambert and Fonte, he was the key signing for us in League One and was the beginning of the Liebherr era. He was also captain a lot when he played which speaks to his leadership. Really hope he gets a terrific reception at the game tomorrow - a few Deano chants from the Northam wouldn't go amiss
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ChristchurchSaint added 12:30 - Nov 7
Excellent article and nice to see Dean recognised for his contribution during our rise. One of my favourite players in those days- head down, got on with the job and no fuss- a few of the EPL "superstars" could learn a thing or two from Dean ( including one or two of our dubious ex-inmates who decided the grass was greener in the summer!) Hope he gets a very warm welcome!
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WestSussexSaint added 12:45 - Nov 7
Deano was one of my favourite players in the League 1/Championship era. Always gave everything for the shirt even if his technical ability wasnt at the standard of some others (Schneiderlin for example). Glad he has got a chance of PL football and I will give him a cheer on Saturday (as long as he doesnt pop up with a goal!)
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WestSussexSaint added 12:50 - Nov 7
We shouldnt forget that Nigel Pearson is also an ex-Saint and did what he could to keep us in the championship when the club leadership where making a right hash of things. Also glad he has got his PL chance as he is a solid manager. Hope he keeps Leciester up this season but just not at the expense of us on Saturday.
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schatfield added 13:11 - Nov 7
agree with westsussexsaint, Pearson did good by us, and maybe unfairly got let go a tad too soon
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A1079 added 13:17 - Nov 7
I hope Pearson and Hammond get a warm reception. Though we have moved on in all different ways, we should recognise the contribution of those that have helped us in the past and more recently to advance the causes of this club and at the end of the day, put in an honest shift.
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davepid added 19:24 - Nov 7
Dean Hammond was a great servant of the club. We always recognise such former stars.
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cheltenhamsaint added 20:38 - Nov 7
Excellent player for us during his time. Remembering watching MOTD at the beginning of the season and saying "Is that Dean Hammond playing for Leicester?" and being chuffed he got a chance to play in the Premier League
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hedgeend61 added 00:10 - Nov 8
Without the like of Dean Hammond we may never have got where we are now.
Fantastic to see the Fella play in the Premier League, much deserved.
He will get a great reception at SMS, have no doubts.
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