 Tuesday, 19th Jul 2011 11:13 No one should be in any doubt of Benali's right to be included in this list. Francis Benali remains an iconic figure in the Club's history, his playing career spanned 15 years from his debut as a 19 year old in 1988 to his final competitive appearance away to Millwall in the 2003 FA Cup run, inbetween he played 341 (48) games for the club scoring only once, but that goal is perhaps the 2nd most loved amongst Saints fans of a certain age. Attending Bellemoor school in Shirley, he was originally a striker, gaining England schoolboy caps at this level, indeed prior to his first teram debut he rarely played anywhere but up front for the reserves, but with his elevation to the top flight he found himself used as a full back or left sided midfield player. After making his debut he found his way blocked by first Derek Statham and then Micky Adams, but in 89/90 he ousted Adams from the left back slot and played the lions share of games there that season, Adams having to play in midfield. In 90/91 Adams was often preferred but Francis kept on in there and by 91/92 would often be left back with Adams ahead of him in the midfield, for the next eight years he would be a fixture in the Saints team only injury or more often than not suspension keeping him out of the side, it would only be the emergece of Wayne Bridge as a full back as opposed to winger in 2000 that would finally end his run as first team regular, but approaching 32 he had had a good run. Yes Francis had his faults and like many home grown players these were latched upon by some sections of the crowd quicker than they would have been if committed by an expensive signing, but the Saints supporters grew to realise over the years that here was a player who never gave less than 100%. Its easy to forget how good Benali actually was, of course there are a lot more illustrious candidates in this left back series, however as the number 3 who played the most games in this little club that says a lot about the man. Those who would perhaps look to belittle his achievements should perhaps consider this, he played under 9 managers all of whom picked him (in fairness the last three Hoddle, Gray & Strachan had the luxurry of Bridge but considered him a vital squad member. Those first six managers all at some point signed left backs, Adams, Charlton, Potter, Todd, Hiley & Colleter all arrived as potential replacements and Adams & Charlton aside all left without playing significant numbers of games. In many respects benali as much as le Tissier came to signify Saints in the 90's on one hand you had the silky skills of le God and on the other you had the steel of Benali, both played there parts. Those of us lucky enough to be regulars at the Dell perhaps remember Francis for two great moments, the first was his testimonial in 1997 where a sold out Dell saw Saints take on an ex Saints XI, part competitive match, part pantomime, Francis surprised everyone by scoring what was a cracking goal from outside the area. The second moment came a little over six months later when he scored the only competitve goal of his career against Leicester City, Le tissier had a free kick on the left, why Benali was in the penalty area no one knows, why Leicester didnt pick him up was stranger, but Le tiss saw the run, landed the ball perfectly on Francis's head who did the rest perfectly, followed by a goal celebration that could be best described as unbridled joy.
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