PORTSMOUTH v SOUTHAMPTON NPower Championship, 18 December 2011, at Fratton Park Link to BBC Sport Prieview: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16129448.stm Last season: n/a Last League meeting at Fratton Park 24 April 2005, Premier League Pompey 4-1 Saints Who are Ya? (some of this information is courtesy of wikipedia) Originally formed as St Mary’s Young Men’s Association FC, St Mary’s Fc and later Southampton St Mary’s, they took the name Southampton FC after winning the Southern League in 1897, a year before moving to The Dell. Saints, along with Pompey, were founder members of the newly formed Third Division South in 1920, gaining promotion in their second season. They remained in the 2nd tier until 1953, when they dropped back into the Third Division South. A top half finish in 1958 ensured they began the next season in the Third, rather than the newly formed Fourth Division. Promotion in 1960 was followed six years later by another, giving them their first taste of top flight football in 1966. Their first adventure at the top lasted eight seasons, before dropping back into the Second Division. Their arguably finest hour came two years later when, as a Second Division [Championship] side, they lifted the FA Cup after an historic victory over Manchester Utd. 1978 saw them promoted once again and a 27 year stay in the top flight ensued. In 2009 Saints went into administration and suffered relegation to the third tier for the first time in nearly 50 years. They finished 7th in League One the following year, despite a ten point deduction, without which they would have made the Playoffs. The runners up spot last year saw them back into the Championship, a division they’ve taken by storm up to now, going into this match as league leaders. Highest League Finish: 2nd in the First Division [Premier League] 1984 Lowest League Finish: 14th in the Third Division [League One] 1959 and in Third Division South 1956. Honours: 1st Tier [Premier League]: Runners Up 1984 2nd Tier [Championship]: Runners Up 1966, 1978 3rd Tier [League One]: Champions 1922 (Third Division South), 1960. Runners Up 2011. FA Cup Winners 1976. Runners Up 1900, 1902, 2003 League Cup Runners Up 1979 Johnsons Paint Trophy Winners 2010 Zenith Data Systems Cup [Full Members Cup] Runners Up 1992 Yesteryear 22 August 1987, First Division [Premier League] Pompey 2-2 Saints This was the first ever Top-Flight meeting between the two sides. Southampton League finish: 5 years ago (2006-07): 6th in the Championship (Playoff Semi-Finals) 10 years ago (2001-02): 11th in the Premier League 15 years ago (1996-97): 16th in the Premier League 20 years ago (1991-92): 16th in the First Division [Premier league] 25 years ago (1986-87): 12th in the First Division [Premier League] Random Fact: In 1974 Southampton were the first side to be relegated from the top flight for finishing third from bottom. Up until then it had been two up-two down. Current odds (Friday Morning) from SkyBet POMPEY: 11/5 SAINTS: 6/5 DRAW: 12/5
Hi devo - nice to see you back, and trust you had an enjoyable holiday ! I must take you to task though for neglecting to mention that it took a Pompey born lad in Bobby Stokes to win the FA Cup for the Saints - very pertinent and important point that, to my mind
Excellent preview as always, dev,for the match on Sunday- I am going to the match, so good to hear some facts
I would like to say a Southampton lad helped you on your last Cup success WP but alas even with all the young home produced youngsters we seem to sell on, we couldn't help you out. But then when your Buying a trophy , you have to spend club breaking amounts of money.
