Southampton As Seen By SaintStarkeroo

1) How long have you been a Saints fan?
As long as I can remember - Im 29 now, so probably 22 years!

2) Can you remember your first game?
I'm terrible at remembering years but think it must have been around 89/90 season - at the Dell. A 2-2 draw with Everton, both teams centrebacks got the goals, Russel Osman for us and think it was Dave Watson for them - brilliant day, and then I was hooked!

3) What is your most memorable moment as a Saints fan?
Bit of a random one but the one that sticks in my mind is the great escape year - last game of the season at home also against Everton, had to win to stay up - Marian Pahars double did the job…the buzz around the place was amazing, and I had no voice for days after. Immense!

4) And the worst moment?
I was travelling, so in NZ for the relegation match v United so was gutted but not as bad as if I'd been at home, could shut myself away from it! Id have to say Derby away play off semi final, losing on penalties - it was there for us, at our end…..Viafara pulling up his shirt to reveal 'sorry I ruined the party'…Rasiaks late goal, Bests scandalous own goal, that mug Bywater taunting the Saints fans, their fans on the pitch taunting the Saints fans, then getting drenched after the game, still in pieces. Horrible!!

5) Who are your favourite current Saints players?
As a centreback myself I'd have to say Jose Fonte - far too good for this level, oozes class. Great to have a centreback you can rely on (barring Gillingham away when he was apparantly ill). Followed closely behind by Lallana, he oozes skill and typifies the old & new Saints!!

6) Which former player do you wish hadn't moved on/retired?
So many, wouldn`t really know where to start…back in the day Shearer and Wallace, more recent Walcott and Bale. But again id say it would either have to be Dean Richards, I remember him being immense for Saints, bit suspect for pace, but absolutley solid in the air, won everything!! Got great funds for him, but we started to leak soft goals after he left. Also Killer Svensson, what a player and man!! The fact that every Saints fan clung to the hope that he would be back for us, for so long, just about sums up how loved he was by the fans!! A true rock.

7) Which player do you think was the worst to ever put on the famous red and white?
Alan Bennet - first game of season v Palace at home, beautiful sunny day! Every one anticipating a good start to the season - he let James Scowcroft (a 3 goal a season player at best) bag a hat trick in one of the most in-ept defensive displays ive ever had the misfortune to watch. 1-4 defeat. Im sure there are worse but that one sticks in my mind.

8) What is the best goal you have seen Saints score?
I surely cant go through these questions without including Matt Le Tiss. I would have to say for me, the goal against Wimbledon. Possibley Neil Maddison/Jim Magilton (?) rolling the ball back and with his first touch Matt flicking the ball up, and second dispatching a long half volley past Hans Segers…what a goal! Le God! Unbelieveavle

9) What is the most memorable game you've seen?
FA Cup semi final at Villa Park v Watford. What a great day, didn`t stop singing over and over 'we shall not be moved', sun was shining, Ormerod scoring…top day!

10) Pick us your dream Saints XI.

4-3-3

Niemi
Bridge
Richards
Svensson
Golac
Le Tissier
Berkovic
Case
Shearer
Keegan
R Davies

Thank you SaintStarkeyroo for such vivid recollections.

If anybody else would like to have his/her say, please send me your answers to these questions by email to, sfcforever@hotmail.co.uk.

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