Well, that's pretty much it. Relegation is all but confirmed, but let's be honest, we've had a good time over the past 11 years haven't we? If you'd have said to me back then, we'll spend 11 years in the top flight, I'd have been over the moon. From the 8-0 demolition of Sunderland, the 6-1 win against Villa or the smashing of Pompey in their own back yard. From Inter Milan and a cup final, to our first game back at City. Records were smashed, and memories were made. This is a place to share the good times. The memories. The happy days. The moments we look back on in dark times like this. I'll start with one of my favourites.
It’s been a hell of a journey. The promotion years up to the PL and then beyond were genuinely some of the greatest years of my life. I will never forget going to the games every week and seeing us smash everyone with my Grandad. (Saints were his true passion as a season ticket holder for over 50 years). I remember the pitch invasion when we beat Coventry. I remember being nearly in tears when SRL scored for England. I remember the San Siro and the European away days. My grandad is sadly no longer here, and in a way I am glad he passed away when saints were still flying high. But I will always remember this era - the journey from league one and beyond with happy memories of spending so much time with him - my best mate. It really is the end of an era. Who knows what comes next…so many changes. Hopefully more wins next season. Players that play for the shirt, the city and give us something to cheer about. The only thing that never changes.. we will always be saints fans.
Because of work my first year with a season ticket was the Puel season. My memories aren’t quite as fond .
The first season under Poch. The gradual change in expectation, when wins were no longer a total shock. The progression of confidence. Koeman years, tadic mane Pelle. Then the Puel season, going away to the emirates and to Wembley, with my dad who is no longer with us. Come to think of it that may have been our last away match together.
What a few years eh? The 8-0 Sunderland, Mane's hat trick, the 3-2 with Liverpool from 2-0 down. Taking Mini Lincoln to his first Saints game, followed a few years later with his little sister and as he's got older away trips, just the two of us! What players we had in red and white over that time, Van dijk, Tadic, Pelle. Wanyama. The Koeman years were very very special, built on the backs of Lambert, Schneiderlin and Lallana and Nige getting us there in the first place. I really hope we can get some players in who we fans can feel an affinity with again. 'Till the next time Premier league
Being third going into April. Top of the league. Shane Long's fastest goal. All those Romeu challenges! Also some of the grafters who were not the stars but great players for the club: Davis X2, Sharp, Adkins etc. Let's hope for a better season next year.
- Simon Brotherton's commentary when the third goal goes in (I think) - "and Southampton are going up!" And Nigel speechless with pride after that game. - a marauding front three of Pelle, Mane and Tadic - particularly vivid is away at Chelsea; the quick feet of Tadic turning Ivanovic inside out in front of the traveling fans. - The Mane hat trick - 2-0 down at home at half time to Liverpool when my then 7 year old turns to me and says 'don't worry dad, we'll probably win 3-2'. My then 7 year old receiving a 15 minute lecture from me on the history of Saints and our ability to make comebacks. My then 7 year old son getting to choose what we had for tea that night as part of my feeble apology for the aforementioned lecture. - 8-0 - our brief European stint.
Poch and Koemen times were special. Good attacking football and a clear identity. League cup was a great day out.
It's been a hell of a ride. Let's be honest, we were spoiled under Poch and Koeman with the football on offer and the players we had. The Europa League was great fun, even if we didn't go as far as we should have done. A couple of trips to Wembley (not including the Leicester game as we couldn't go to that) and so close to a first major trophy since 1976. Even our very first game back in the PL was a joy to watch even though we lost. The way we took the game to Man City at the Etihad was thrilling. I think that was JWP's first ever league game for the club as well. Not strictly PL but the pitch invasion when we sealed promotion was epic as well.
There have been many highs and lows since I have been a Saints fan and I would say more highs than lows. We are never going to be a Man City/United but I am ok with that. The only real low for me was administration but even that turned into a high because we may not of had Markus buy us had we not. As for SR yes they have made bad decisions this season which have cost us but they have ploughed money into the club and hopefully they will learn from their mistakes and hopefully with the footballing brain of Jason Wilcox coming in they will. We could have got SISU a few years ago so anyone who have doubts abouts SR should ask Coventry City supporters about what it was like under SISU.
Those years between our first season in League One in 2009-10 and the second Koeman season in 2015-16 were a kind of golden age which none of us will ever forget. Each season we finished higher than the one before, and saw some fantastic players playing some fabulous football. A reminder of our record in those years: 2009-10 7th in League One + JPT winners (after starting on -10 points) 2010-11 2nd in League One and promotion 2011-12 2nd in Championship and promotion 2012-13 14th in Premier League 2013-14 8th in Premier League 2014-15 7th in Premier League 2015-16 6th in Premier League Definitely the best period in my long life as a Saints fan, which includes our first ever season in the top flight in 1966-67, winning the FA Cup, and the almost-double in 1984. Just as our relegation from the Premier League in 2005 and our brush with extinction in 2009 was followed by that regeneration, let’s hope our dwindling fortunes since 2016 culminate with this demotion. A reboot and a refresh is obviously overdue.
We still hold the record for the fastest goal in the Premier League. Long may it never be broken (except by another Saints player when we return).
Sadly i had to work on that famous day in 1976 but the trip to Milan would take some beating. From the scene in the afternoon down by the canal to the match itself. I was in the fortunate position of enjoying hospitality which was pitchside behind and to the side of the Milan bench. to see 10,00 Saints giving it welly up in the stands was a sight to behold and made us so proud. Frank De Bouer was just in front of us going apoplectic in the first half as we ""murdered them", but sadly got his team much more organised in the second half. Oh to dream of days like that again, but at 75 will i see them??
