I don't have the answers (sorry), but I would be interested to know the answers to any of these questions if you are keen on honing your research skills! I know that there are teams within the football league that we have never played [four currently, I think], however, out of those teams which we have played, who have we not played for the longest? Who are the lowest ranked team, still in existence, that Southampton have played? How many times have Southampton been top of the top division in England and when was the last time? An answer to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated .
Back in 1960 when we were promoted from the third division, we played Newport County and Halifax Town. Have we played either of them since? I've done very little research, but I suppose either of those could be the answer to the first question, and maybe Halifax for the second. Edit: Scratch that. Merthyr Town 0-1 Southampton - 1st May 1922 http://www.southampton-mad.co.uk/results_fixtures/1921_1922/merthyr_town/index.shtml Beat that.
Well Merthyr Town currently play in the Southern Football League Division One South & West, so there's a good chance they're the answer to the second question. And yeah, I now realize we're looking for current Football League teams for the first question, so Newport Co. and Halifax are out.
I think the earliest [and perhaps only] time Saints have been top of the league is in 1981-82 season, when Keegan, Channon & Co hit the summit on 30/01/82, after winning away 1-0 at Boro, and stayed there until they lost away to [guess who..?] Spurs 2-3 on 27/03/82. They went back to the top the following game, for one week, after winning at home 4-3 against [guess who again..?] Stoke City. That was the season where Steve Moran got his major injury, missed the final 22 games, and Saints never adequately replaced his quality, in an era with no transfer window. They could had their pick..! The team played very well indeed without Stevie, but missed his acute poaching skills, actually finishing 7th after dropping like a stone in the final few weeks.
I think I've got the answers to the first two questions now, after some pretty thorough research. Everyone feel free to try and beat what I've got, but I'm fairly confident. We haven't played Barnet since 1954. I've been fairly thorough, and I'm pretty sure that's the answer to the first question. In February 1897 we played Heanor Town away in the FA Cup and won 1-0. They've existed since that day, without ever dissolving, and currently play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, which is in the 9th tier of English football. In November 1895 we beat Marlow 5-0 in the FA Cup. They have also existed continuously since then, and play in the Hellenic Football League Premier Division, which is also in the 9th tier of English football.
Joe, if we are being really harsh, Barnett are (as of Saturday) pout of the football league!!! Come on let's make it even tougher! All these teams are part of the football pyramid, not the Football League.... Being very pedantic. They all have to be part of their local FA which means part of the FA, but abide by their local league and local FA rules. So Joe, despite your excellent research, I'm calling void
Have we ever played Aldershot........Would they be the lowest ranked team if we have..........? What about Crawley Town.....?
30 January 1897 FA Cup Round One, and a replay on 2nd February - against Heanor Town, who are currently in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division (level 9, while Merthyr Town are at level8)
No, I don't think we did. We were some way behind with games in hand if I remember. I don't recall any feeling that we could actually win the title.
I'm convinced I remember us going top at some point in the 1968 - 69 (or round about then) season but I can't find any record of it. Anyone else remember that?
The question is "who is the lowest ranked team, still in existence, that Southampton have played?" I don't see why those rules you speak of should apply. Heanor and Marlow are ranked, they exist, and we've played them. As for Barnet, they're technically still in the league until the entire football season ends, but if we want to do this for the start of next season, Newport County will get promoted if they beat Wrexham on Sunday (I think) so then it'll be them instead of Barnet.
Not that I'm aware of it FLT, but I'll look it up. EDIT: Nope, 2nd and on 3 occasions too, including the finishing position, of course. We were never lower than 9th all season, and mainly inside the top 5 or 6 for most of it.
His name is Duncan Holley, although I'm not sure whether he is still the official historian since the change of ownership. He's written or co-written many books on Saints, including the tome, In That Number. My copy is well thumbed.
