Badger

Or: It's good though that some often unreliable sources are writing that we are looking to crack on with our transfer plans during this current pandemic. Hope they're correct that we are actively planning to recruit but we all know that this speculation leads to disappointment in normal times so I won't get my hopes up.

Black (or dark grey)

Interesting but watching that I thought he'd probably cause a few interruptions to games for refs to review VAR on some of his challenges, and end up with a few reds in the EPL especially against the protected species, Liverpool, Manc Utd etc. Confirmed at the end though, 73 appearances, 19 yellow cards, and 2 reds. Good wild kicking out at 3.08.

Ronnie Ekelund ?

I remember Peter Adamson (from Coronation St) coming on the pitch at half time v Wrexham c1974. FA Cup tie we lost 1-0.

Gerry O'Brien.

Few random memories, but not for the game: Wigan away in the cup (for the weather going up there) 1987 - Leicester at home, won 4-0, but second half played in a blizzard, which I then had to drive home in (living near Newbury at the time). 1977 Burnley at home, won 2-0, but during play in the second half they announced Red Rum had won the Grand National so crowd under East Stand burst into song singing his name. 1978 October/November Norwich at home- RAF Dog Display Team. Policeman watching the spectacle of someone running across the pitch started marching towards the "intruder" to be called off by the stadium announcer "Will the Policeman please leave the pitch, this is an RAF dog display..". Other memorable games have been alcohol infused especially in the 1980's. Sheff Weds away in the Quarter Final, and the following season going to Orient were good.

Colin Boulton (on loan from Derby).

Was the traditional away kit through the 1960's. It may have even started in the 1950's. Nothing spectacular, amber shirts (same colour collars and cuffs), black shorts. Yellow and blue was a fashion 'must have' strip worn by just about everyone from about 72/73. I first saw us wear that early 73 at a pre-season friendly at Reading. So if there's a reason to remember that match it's the first sight of our fashionable away kit. That and watching a full scale punch up on an open terrace before kick off. Remember my Dad laughing with some Reading fans next to us saying "Christ, this is a friendly..." Another thing from that meaningless fixture was watching the Saints team arrive off the coach outside Elm Park. Saw this massive bloke get off, no idea who he was at the time. Later realised it was Ted Bates heir, bloke called Lawrie something or other. Oh and Saints lost 2-0.

******** !!!

GK: Yashin RB:McGrain CB:Beckenbauer CB:Passerella LB:Maldini MF:Ball MF:Xavi MF:Platini AM:Cruyff (free role) F: Cubillas F: Pele Admittedly, McGrain is a final throw of the dice.

I've watched that game on youtube a few times can't imagine the game being played in those conditions now. Shame its in black and white. I've not seen any colour footage of Saints in their amber and black away kit from the 60's/early 70's.

Roma players forego (not defer) four months salary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52347123

Scored a hat trick away at Man City so wasn't always crap. Having looked him up I've seen that he scored 7 goals in 20 games in his first season with us (signed towards the end of the season as I recall). Rather like a Micky Evans, came in did a job for for a while then fell back down the leagues.

Alan Ball was out on his own as Saints captain in my lifetime. Jimmy Case was the closest thing to him. Terry Paine was captain when I first started following Saints but I don't think he comes close to Alan Ball in being able to change the direction of play on the pitch and motivate those around him.

I don't think Dowie was as bad as people painted him, although he never managed to overcome the following: - not being photogenic ... - not being Alan Shearer - being a Branfoot signing - being a lump of a CF With those four insurmountable obstacles he was never going to win any popularity stakes at The Dell.

Drinking - possibly apt for a number of players by reputation - Hollywood, Dennis, and Statham. Penis - Lee Todd was a pr!ck but can't recall if RB or LB.

David Speedie should be added to the woeful list.

Another Ralph-read. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11397629/ralph-hasenhuttl-southampton-johan-cruyff-total-football/

On a similar theme, until comparatively recently there used to be a smell of tar when driving on the Totton flyover when visiting down there. Was this from the same location near Fawley or something more local to Totton. As for pubs, have fond memories of a pub crawl arounf Totton and Eling, especially the two opposite each other, from recollection Village Bells, and is it the Rufus ?

No. Yes.

Assuming the Kachloul answer to be correct, I'll throw this one into the mix: Which Saints player had been a ball boy in the 1966 World Cup Final ?

Two in the first game, two in the last (Arsenal last game at The Dell). None in between.

See Rupert adding his two-penneth....

Good for her, it shows a human side, which is prefereable to the inscrutable majority owner whose interest and intention nobody has any idea about.