Southampton, a football team with a rich tradition on the south coast of England, is not only known for its famous youth academy but also for being the birthplace and nurturing of many true legends of English and world football. From top scorers like Mick Channon, Rickie Lambert to natural talents like Matt Le Tissier or Alan Shearer, each name is associated with a golden period in the history of the red-white team. Their contributions are not only measured by goals or titles, but are also engraved in the hearts of fans through their fighting spirit, loyalty and long-term influence. This article, Bestsoccertips.com will review the best Southampton players!
Top 10 best Southampton players
The top 10 Southampton best players are not only legends who left a strong impression with their outstanding talent, but also those who contributed to creating the identity and long-term success of this club.
Top 10: Alan Shearer
Not many players can make a massive impact in their debut match, but Alan Shearer did so spectacularly with a hat-trick against Arsenal, leading Southampton to a 4-2 victory. This achievement not only made him the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the First Division but also served as a remarkable introduction to a promising talent on the brink of shining in the spotlight of English football.
Three years later, Shearer was named Southampton’s Player of the Year in 1991 before making a promising debut for the England national team with a goal against France. During his time at Southampton, he scored 43 goals in 158 appearances modest compared to his later achievements but enough to prompt Blackburn to pay a record £3.6 million transfer fee, the highest in English football at the time. His bright start at Saints became the launchpad for Shearer to become one of the greatest strikers in English football history.
Top 9: Ivan Golac
Ivan Golac was one of the pioneering foreign players at Southampton, bringing a fresh wave from Yugoslavia when he joined the club in 1978. With his technical skill, fiery play, and well-rounded abilities on the right wing, Golac quickly won the hearts of Southampton fans. In his first four years, he played in the 1979 League Cup final, where Southampton lost 2-3 to Nottingham Forest, but his performance was still impressive.
Golac’s energy was evident when he was named Southampton’s Player of the Year in 1981, a great honor for a defender. After leaving to play for three other clubs, he returned to St. Mary’s in 1984 and continued to contribute to the team’s success, helping them secure second place in the Football League, behind Liverpool. With significant impact during both stints at the club, Golac deserves recognition as one of the most influential foreign players in Southampton’s history.
Top 8: Rickie Lambert
Rickie Lambert epitomizes the perfect, reliable striker in modern Southampton history. After joining from Bristol Rovers, Lambert immediately made his mark by scoring on his debut and quickly became the team’s main goal scorer. In his first season, he netted 36 goals across all competitions, showcasing his sharp finishing and considerable influence. Notably, he also became the top scorer across all four tiers of English football in back-to-back seasons, a rare feat for any striker.
Not just effective from open play, Lambert was also renowned for his calmness from the penalty spot, converting every penalty he took for Southampton. Over 230 appearances, he scored 115 goals, an excellent record that was crucial in helping the club gain promotion and maintain their Premier League status. After five stellar years at St. Mary’s, his impressive form earned him a dream move to Liverpool, symbolizing the inspiring journey of one of the best strikers to ever play for Southampton.
Top 7: Terry Paine
Terry Paine is one of the greatest legends in Southampton’s history, remembered not only for his record number of appearances but also for his pivotal moments. His goal in the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient in 1966 helped Saints secure promotion to the First Division, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history. That same year, Paine had the honor of being part of England’s World Cup-winning squad, playing in the match against Mexico, further solidifying his international class.
With 816 appearances and 187 goals, Paine holds the record for the most appearances for Southampton and is the club’s fourth all-time top scorer. His creativity, technical ability, and unwavering loyalty made him an irreplaceable symbol at The Dell. His recognition was cemented when Southampton appointed him as honorary president in 2013, a fitting tribute to his long and immense contributions as a true legend.
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Top 6: Steve Moran
Steve Moran may now be working as a truck driver, but in the past, he was the player who “carried” Southampton’s goal-scoring hopes at the most crucial moments. While this remark is a bit playful, it accurately reflects Moran’s role as a key goal scorer for Saints in the early 1980s, a striker capable of shining in decisive moments and scoring game-winning goals.
In his first full season, Moran impressed by scoring 18 goals in 30 appearances, a strike rate that highlighted his natural instinct for goals. This performance earned him the 1982 PFA Young Player of the Year award, establishing him as one of the brightest young talents in England at the time. While his career didn’t fully fulfill the early promise, his standout moments at Southampton ensure that Moran is remembered as a proud name in the club’s history.
Top 5: Mick Channon
From the football field to the racetrack, Mick Channon is a multifaceted figure but will always be remembered as one of the greatest legends in Southampton’s history. A cornerstone of the club throughout the 1970s, Channon not only excelled in attack but also set an incredible record: 227 goals in 607 appearances, making him the club’s all-time top scorer.
Channon’s distinctive “windmill” goal celebration became synonymous with Southampton’s victories, particularly when he led the team in scoring for seven consecutive seasons. Channon also played in the 1976 FA Cup final and earned 48 caps for England, scoring 21 goals. His impact was felt both at the club level and internationally, with his name permanently etched into the St. Mary’s Stadium through a series of rooms named in his honor, a well-deserved tribute to his irreplaceable contributions as a true legend.
Top 4: Matt Le Tissier
The nickname “Le God” says it all about Matt Le Tissier’s influence at Southampton an immensely talented player with unmatched loyalty. Born in Guernsey, Le Tissier dedicated his entire professional career to Southampton, becoming an irreplaceable icon of the club. During his time there, he also earned eight caps for England, proving his quality and consistency in the domestic arena.
Le Tissier became the first midfielder to score 100 goals in the Premier League, a rare feat for his position, and ended his career with a total of 210 goals for Southampton. Many of these were spectacular goals, demonstrating his exceptional technique and sharp footballing mind. These breathtaking strikes not only helped the team through tough times but also cemented his place in the hearts of fans, earning him a status as a living legend at St. Mary’s.
Top 3: Ron Davies
Ron Davies, one of Southampton’s finest strikers, received rightful recognition from football legend Sir Matt Busby, who described him as “the best center forward in Europe” in 1969. This was a reflection of Davies’ remarkable performance, scoring four goals against Manchester United in a 4-1 victory for Southampton. To secure Davies’ services, Southampton paid a record transfer fee of £55,000, an investment that paid off handsomely for the club.
In his first season at Southampton, Davies scored 37 goals in 41 matches, an impressive feat that made him one of the deadliest strikers in the league. Not only did he contribute with a wealth of goals, but he also helped the team maintain outstanding form throughout his time at the club. Overall, Davies scored 131 goals for Southampton, making him one of the club’s top scorers. Though he left in 1973 for Portsmouth, his legacy at St. Mary’s remains a crucial part of the club’s glorious history.
Top 2: Alan Ball
When a player returns to a club in two separate stints and later leads the team as manager, it speaks volumes about loyalty and dedication and Alan Ball is a living testament to this at Southampton. Joining from Arsenal in 1976, despite other attractive options, Ball showed a special preference for Saints. In the 1977/78 season, he played a pivotal role in helping the club gain promotion, missing only one match during the 42-game campaign.
Not stopping with his on-field contributions, Ball returned to St. Mary’s in 1994 as a manager, bringing with him a fighting spirit and tactical knowledge accumulated over years of experience. His return further solidified his legacy at the club, and alongside the legendary Ted Bates, few have left as lasting an impact as Alan Ball a true icon in Southampton’s history.
Top 1: Peter Shilton
Peter Shilton is one of the greatest icons to ever wear a Southampton shirt, and he also holds the record for the most appearances in world football with 1,390 games. Not only that, he holds the record for most caps for England with 125 appearances, spanning two decades from 1970 to 1990, a testament to his longevity and world-class skill in goal.
During his six years at Southampton, Shilton played a crucial role in helping the club reach three cup semi-finals and finish second in the league, marking the club’s most successful period at that time. His consistent form, excellent reflexes, and composure in big matches made him one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, not just for Southampton but globally.
In Summary
From legendary figures to modern icons, Southampton’s history is a melting pot of talent, dedication and relentless fighting spirit. Each name on this list of best Southampton players has contributed to the club’s unique identity, a team that has always known how to rise up, overcome challenges and leave a deep impression on fans. No matter how much time passes, their moments of glory and tireless dedication will forever be a source of inspiration for future generations at St Mary’s. These players are not only the pride of Southampton, but also a testament to the enduring value of true football.
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