gio1saints Posted June 26 Posted June 26 Discussion on Adam Lallana elsewhere got me thinking on this as I’d say he is in the top twenty. But where? And what’s the criteria? Future /previous glory at other clubs / internationally can make a big difference - I’m going to give it a try off top of my head so apologies for missing some out and I’m allowed to come back and edit these names! 1. MLT ( no arguing allowed) 2. Shearer ( mainly for England and Premiership goals) 3. Shilton ( our best ever goalie so also no arguing allowed) 4.Bale ( who won EVERYTHING as a player) 5. Paine ( appearances) 6. Keegan Eng captain & pfa player of the year AT Saints! 7. Channon 8. Ball ( he won a World Cup so don’t argue!) 9. Van Dyke ( our best ever CB) 10. Ron Davies legend 11. Mane multiple title winner 12. Adam! 13. Sir Rickie Lambert (because) 14. Luke Shaw 15. Theo 16. JWP ( direct free kicks and consecutive matches) 17. Tadic (class) 18. Jose Fonte 19. Chivers 20 Bates/Franny legend. 🤣 That was my first off top of my head version. So please calm down it’s only for fun. Now to check google ChatGPT grok Siri and Alexa plus no doubt get schooled by MLG and Saints historians shortly! 😇
Turkish Posted June 26 Posted June 26 Is this list the top 20 players who have ever played for Saints or is this the top 20 players of what they achieved whilst at Saints or something else? It appears to be a mix of and lacks consistency. For example you've go Bale in at second who had one good season at Saints never achieving anything whilst here, Shearer at second whose best ever goal tally whilst at Saints was 13 but both went onto achieve great things. You could argue that Shearer and Bale are not even in the top 50 of what they achieved at Saints but no doubt went onto become great players elsewhere. The confusing issue here is you then include JWP at 16 who has achieved very little in his career aside from being a fans favourite with us. You also include Fonte who with all respect is not even fit to lace Mark Wrights boots. For us to provide a comprehensive list we need more clarity as to the qualification criteria as your current list is, at best, a hodgepodge. 6
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 Yes T it’s entirely subjective and there’s no clear rules just my top of the head opinion. You can make up your own criteria, for fun, and see how it matches up. Someone like Bale and Mane did v little for us for instance but got wardrobes full of medals. Mark Wright good shout. It was not his fault he got his leg broke in the semi. Always liked him The ginger Beckenbaur.
VectisSaint Posted June 26 Posted June 26 1 hour ago, gio1saints said: Discussion on Adam Lallana elsewhere got me thinking on this as I’d say he is in the top twenty. But where? And what’s the criteria? Future /previous glory at other clubs / internationally can make a big difference - I’m going to give it a try off top of my head so apologies for missing some out and I’m allowed to come back and edit these names! 1. MLT ( no arguing allowed) 2. Shearer ( mainly for England and Premiership goals) 3. Shilton ( our best ever goalie so also no arguing allowed) 4.Bale ( who won EVERYTHING as a player) 5. Paine ( appearances) 6. Keegan Eng captain & pfa player of the year AT Saints! 7. Channon 8. Ball ( he won a World Cup so don’t argue!) 9. Van Dyke ( our best ever CB) 10. Ron Davies legend 11. Mane multiple title winner 12. Adam! 13. Sir Rickie Lambert (because) 14. Luke Shaw 15. Theo 16. JWP ( direct free kicks and consecutive matches) 17. Tadic (class) 18. Jose Fonte 19. Chivers 20 Bates/Franny legend. 🤣 That was my first off top of my head version. So please calm down it’s only for fun. Now to check google ChatGPT grok Siri and Alexa plus no doubt get schooled by MLG and Saints historians shortly! 😇 Anyone who puts Channon 7th needs seriously arguing with, you cannot be serious. Personally will always think he was better than MLT. Also don't recall Dick van Dyke ever playing for us, not even as a sweeper. I guess youth influences your list, given it omits Steve Williams and Rod Wallace. 🫢 1
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 Stevie Williams is my favourite saints player of all time. Just loved his attitude. nobody close to his mf tenacity since then imo. Bad move to Arsenal and being played out of position for England put paid to him. So not quite in my top twenty best players overall. Rodney’s brother Danny was much better - imo.And he’s pretty close too. Fastest player I’ve seen at Dell. I’ve never seen a Channon highlights video ( unlike numerous mlt montages) but his goal celebration is certainly #1 all time for saints and he’s been / was v influential as an Eng player. Apologies for my spelling VVD incorrectly but I did expect pedantry of that nature so no harm done. 😁
Badger Posted June 26 Posted June 26 4 minutes ago, gio1saints said: I’ve never seen a Channon highlights video ( unlike numerous mlt montages) but his goal celebration is certainly #1 all time for saints and he’s been / was v influential as an Eng player. Apologies for my spelling VVD incorrectly but I did expect pedantry of that nature so no harm done. 😁 I posted one on here the other week. 1
franniesTache Posted June 26 Posted June 26 My 20 would be Le Tiss Channon Ron Davis Terry Paine Nick Holmes David Armstrong Ricky Lambert Mark Wright Shilton Niemi Pahars Beattie Ball Moran Schneiderlin Van Dijk Michael Svensson Bertrand Steve Williams Keegan Would've maybe included Danny Wallace, Golac and Flowers in there too and you could make a case for Bridge 2
Holmes_and_Watson Posted June 26 Posted June 26 4 minutes ago, Badger said: I posted one on here the other week. I guess it's time to tell you that we don't read your posts. I didn't even read the one that prompted this post. It's pure coincidence if this post seems to follow on from it. 🙂 1
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 17 minutes ago, Badger said: I posted one on here the other week. Sry Badger. Channon is a Saints superstar but I never felt he was as good as MLT. And I thought Shilts as a goalie was more world class than Channon. Some of mine ARE dubious- are Mane&Bale really valud Saints players? - but there’s no denying they won more medals after saints than we have ever had in our entire history. I claim a slice of the credit for saints and rank them high accordingly. Poor reason perhaps but ho hum.
benjii Posted June 26 Posted June 26 My top 20 favourites. Not necessarily the best. The ones I enjoyed watching the most. Emotions. For example, Shearer doesn't make it as I can barely remember him playing for us. Didn't think for too long. 1. MLT 2. Beattie 3. Lambert 4. Pahars 5. Niemi 6. Bale 7. Doddsy 8. M Svenson 9. Lallana 10. Belmadi 11. Jay Rod 12. Ekelund 13. Bridgey 14. KWP 15. Mane 16. Ostenstad 17. Kachloul 18. Marsden 19. Oakley 20. Guly
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 (edited) I like it- an emotion based list! Surely Danny Wallace? For Emo value I’d have SRL tops closely followed by Marian and Steve Moran. Edited June 26 by gio1saints
benjii Posted June 26 Posted June 26 My top 11 in a team. ---Jay Rod---Lambert---Beattie---- -----Pahars----MLT------Belmadi----- Bale----Svensson--Doddsy--Lallana --------------Niemi---------------
benjii Posted June 26 Posted June 26 2 minutes ago, gio1saints said: I like it- an emotion based list! Surely Danny Wallace? I'm not old enough to have seen him. I saw Rod Wallace a few times and thought he was brilliant, but I can't really identify with him the same as the others.
benjii Posted June 26 Posted June 26 My best actual XI from my top 20. -----------Lambert--------- Mane-------MLT-------Bale -------Ekelund----Oakley--- Bridgey--Svensson-Dodd-KWP ------------Niemi------------
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 (edited) It’s disgusting and I’m outraged no mention of Mark Dennis. Heroic player nasty as anything dirty as anything. Fantastic. Not like our sweet and lovely fullbacks today. Back then the job was to maim or destroy your opposing winger. He was good at it. Made Dodd, Benali and Ruddock look angelic. Maybe Stevie Williams was as nasty. Maybe. Edited June 26 by gio1saints 2
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 Seems to me we were better when we were nasty. When did we get so nice to opponents?
Badger Posted June 26 Posted June 26 13 minutes ago, gio1saints said: It’s disgusting and I’m outraged no mention of Mark Dennis. Heroic player nasty as anything dirty as anything. Fantastic. Not like our sweet and lovely fullbacks today. Back then the job was to maim or destroy your opposing winger. He was good at it. Made Dodd, Benali and Ruddock look angelic. Maybe Stevie Williams was as nasty. Maybe. Dennis was a cult figure at the time, and a bit of an icon. But best 20 Saints might be stretching it, even for me as one of his biggest fans at his time with the club. (Perhaps he could have been had he stayed for longer). Could put John McGrath in same category. (In my view, but probably not widely held). 2
Holmes_and_Watson Posted June 26 Posted June 26 20 favs Nick Holmes Dave Watson Some other folk... 🙂 Mick Channon Ronnie Ekelund Matt Le Tissier Steve Williams Oriel Romeo Kevin Keegan Mick Mills Danny Wallace Steve Moran Ricky Lambert Antti Niemi Michael Svensson Tim Flowers Marians Pahars Alan Ball Jimmy Case David Armstrong Chris Nicholl
Toussaint Posted June 26 Posted June 26 Not sorted, but mine are Ivan Golac Matt Le Tiss Joe Jordan Mark Dennis Alan Shearer Jimmy Case Dave Watson Steve Williams Kevin Keegan James Beattie Graziano Pele Anti Niemi Tim Flowers Michael Svenson Danny Wallace Rod Wallace Francis Benali Marian Pahars Jason Dodd Wayne Bridge 1
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 11 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said: 20 favs Nick Holmes Dave Watson Some other folk... 🙂 Mick Channon Ronnie Ekelund Matt Le Tissier Steve Williams Oriel Romeo Kevin Keegan Mick Mills Danny Wallace Steve Moran Ricky Lambert Antti Niemi Michael Svensson Tim Flowers Marians Pahars Alan Ball Jimmy Case David Armstrong Chris Nicholl So 1983/84 give or take a few players lol. Have to say I agree. Our best vintage. 1
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 7 minutes ago, Toussaint said: Not sorted, but mine are Ivan Golac Matt Le Tiss Joe Jordan Mark Dennis Alan Shearer Jimmy Case Dave Watson Steve Williams Kevin Keegan James Beattie Graziano Pele Anti Niemi Tim Flowers Michael Svenson Danny Wallace Rod Wallace Francis Benali Marian Pahars Jason Dodd Wayne Bridge Joe Jordan!!!!!! We had Joe Jordan the monster. He’d show our upfront lightweights what it’s all about. Talk about defending from the front! Harassing the defenders by biting their ears off tearing their arms off and such like. Him and Dowie mind. 😁😇 1
Holmes_and_Watson Posted June 26 Posted June 26 2 minutes ago, gio1saints said: So 1983/84 give or take a few players lol. Have to say I agree. Our best vintage. I really should have had Golac in there. A period of sheer class in our history. 🙂
gio1saints Posted June 26 Author Posted June 26 1 minute ago, Holmes_and_Watson said: I really should have had Golac in there. Our ONLY period of sheer class in our history. 🙂 Corrected it for you. 😁
Holmes_and_Watson Posted June 26 Posted June 26 7 minutes ago, gio1saints said: Corrected it for you. 😁 Oh, I don't know... Nicholl's time with Le Tissier, the Wallace's, Shearer and Rideout; Under Koeman; Poch's system clicking; Ekelund and Le Tissier in the better bits of Ball in charge; That first moment of foresight in Anders Svensson's first pass, before he realised his team mates weren't good enough to see it. 🙂 2
Saint Fan CaM Posted June 26 Posted June 26 4 hours ago, gio1saints said: Discussion on Adam Lallana elsewhere got me thinking on this as I’d say he is in the top twenty. But where? And what’s the criteria? Future /previous glory at other clubs / internationally can make a big difference - I’m going to give it a try off top of my head so apologies for missing some out and I’m allowed to come back and edit these names! 1. MLT ( no arguing allowed) 2. Shearer ( mainly for England and Premiership goals) 3. Shilton ( our best ever goalie so also no arguing allowed) 4.Bale ( who won EVERYTHING as a player) 5. Paine ( appearances) 6. Keegan Eng captain & pfa player of the year AT Saints! 7. Channon 8. Ball ( he won a World Cup so don’t argue!) 9. Van Dyke ( our best ever CB) 10. Ron Davies legend 11. Mane multiple title winner 12. Adam! 13. Sir Rickie Lambert (because) 14. Luke Shaw 15. Theo 16. JWP ( direct free kicks and consecutive matches) 17. Tadic (class) 18. Jose Fonte 19. Chivers 20 Bates/Franny legend. 🤣 That was my first off top of my head version. So please calm down it’s only for fun. Now to check google ChatGPT grok Siri and Alexa plus no doubt get schooled by MLG and Saints historians shortly! 😇 I’m taking this list as those who have played for Saints at some point, had some affinity to the club and had really careers whether before, during or after. With that criteria most of this list I’d have to agree with, although I’d make the following changes (not observing a particular order)… 1. Shearer was hardly here for 2 minutes and has never particularly recalled his time with us with any fondness. Would sub in Beattie. 2. Fonte was instrumental in our rise through the leagues under Markus’ watch, however in terms of pure class I’d have to chose ‘Killer’. 3. Not sure I’d agree on Bates/Franny, although they’ve clearly got a piece of Saints history around them. I’d actually reserve this spot for a future star - for example, despite his teammates putting in a poor shift, Fernandes was a shining star last season and in my view will have a stellar career injuries permitting. It would be awesome if that journey had a bit more longevity at Saints. 1
Gloucester Saint Posted June 26 Posted June 26 1 hour ago, gio1saints said: So 1983/84 give or take a few players lol. Have to say I agree. Our best vintage. My first season of being a supporter… 1
tttdcs Posted June 26 Posted June 26 (edited) Not in order but enjoyed watching these 20 .... Mick Channon Matt Le Tissier George Lawrence Ivan Golac Mark Dennis Nick Holmes Steve Williams Jimmy Case Steve Moran Alan Ball Phil Boyer David Armstrong Bobby Stokes Chris Nicholl Alan Shearer Anti Niemi Marian Pahars Peter Shilton Ricky Lambert Oriel Romeo Edited Friday at 17:06 by tttdcs (EDIT: MLT was listed twice and BS for FAC goal watched on tv) 3
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted June 26 Posted June 26 Glad to see Ivan getting a few mentions. I idolised him as a kid 3
John B Posted June 26 Posted June 26 6 hours ago, Turkish said: Is this list the top 20 players who have ever played for Saints or is this the top 20 players of what they achieved whilst at Saints or something else? It appears to be a mix of and lacks consistency. For example you've go Bale in at second who had one good season at Saints never achieving anything whilst here, Shearer at second whose best ever goal tally whilst at Saints was 13 but both went onto achieve great things. You could argue that Shearer and Bale are not even in the top 50 of what they achieved at Saints but no doubt went onto become great players elsewhere. The confusing issue here is you then include JWP at 16 who has achieved very little in his career aside from being a fans favourite with us. You also include Fonte who with all respect is not even fit to lace Mark Wrights boots. For us to provide a comprehensive list we need more clarity as to the qualification criteria as your current list is, at best, a hodgepodge. Terry Paine did more for Southampton over the last sixty years getting us to Div 1 with Martin Chivers and getting a World Cup winners Medal. Martin was a fine player too better I think than Shearer and Lambert Most of the others performed well at other Clubs with Shilton Bale VVD and Keegan being outstanding Peter Osgood was a fantastic player until he broke his leg did not achieve much with the Saints except of course an FA Cupp winners medal
Captain Jack Posted June 27 Posted June 27 This list has made me smile remembering some of the legendary players we have had over the years. But top of the list for me would be Little Bobby Stokes. For a club that has only won one major trophy in its history, ths man who scored the winning goal - for a second dovision club - to win the cup, should be top of the pile. It doesnt matfer what else he did, or even that he went to P*ompey! The rest of the 76 cup team make up the next 11 places! 3
gio1saints Posted June 27 Author Posted June 27 15 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said: My first season of being a supporter… Excellent choice. We were really, really good. It was no fluke short lived one off period, our team(s) were full of great all time players and we were one of the best, if not quite the best, teams in the country for certainly 18-24-36 months. 2
OldNick Posted Tuesday at 08:54 Posted Tuesday at 08:54 Not many have put Rodney Wallace in theor selection. It is a surprise as I feel the Rod Wallace and Mlt combination was as exciting a partnership I have seen (Ekelund was marvellous as well) Ron Davies must be top for me and I suggest for most who started going in the late 60's like myself. Top scorer in the top league 2 seasons as far as I recall. 4 goals at Old Trafford against a team with Charlton Law and Best. Bowyer as well again top goalscorer in the top division. Channon, MLT, Moran, Armstrong, Niemi, Shilton, Michael Svenson all make it. 1
BarberSaint Posted Tuesday at 09:11 Posted Tuesday at 09:11 Saint Mary, Saint Francis, Saint Augustin, Saint Sammy, etc. 1
spyinthesky Posted Tuesday at 13:28 Posted Tuesday at 13:28 As the man with the wooden leg said, 'It is a matter of a pinion'😆 No mention of Charlie Wayman ('Up The Middle For Charlie', as many Saints of the 1950's would shout) Further back Ted Drake was a top striker of his day.
OldNick Posted Tuesday at 14:10 Posted Tuesday at 14:10 39 minutes ago, spyinthesky said: As the man with the wooden leg said, 'It is a matter of a pinion'😆 No mention of Charlie Wayman ('Up The Middle For Charlie', as many Saints of the 1950's would shout) Further back Ted Drake was a top striker of his day. I think unless you have had the honour to see them play Its hard to put them on the list, I am lucky to have seen Big Ron and Mick Channons early years (Terry Paine late in his day) although Im sure Id like to swap the years to be younger!!!! 1
spyinthesky Posted Tuesday at 14:56 Posted Tuesday at 14:56 36 minutes ago, OldNick said: I think unless you have had the honour to see them play Its hard to put them on the list, I am lucky to have seen Big Ron and Mick Channons early years (Terry Paine late in his day) although Im sure Id like to swap the years to be younger!!!! Nick, Quite right. Like you I have been fortunate to have seen the likes of terry Paine, Ron Davies, Martin Chivers, etc in their prime as well as all the newer players. Perhaps one day there will be some sort of computer programme that could match up talents from previous generations to properly assess their respective talents. The great players from the 30's/40's and early 50's would undoubtedly be unable to match the size, work rate and style of play todays players. However I wonder how our modern, nicely coiffured and tattooed bunch would have coped with playing with old styled boots, kit and ball in a mudbath back in the 1930's when shoulder charging, physical attacks on the goalkeeper etc were part of the game?? 1
miserableoldgit Posted Tuesday at 16:01 Posted Tuesday at 16:01 On 26/06/2025 at 13:40, franniesTache said: My 20 would be Le Tiss Channon Ron Davis Terry Paine Nick Holmes David Armstrong Ricky Lambert Mark Wright Shilton Niemi Pahars Beattie Ball Moran Schneiderlin Van Dijk Michael Svensson Bertrand Steve Williams Keegan Would've maybe included Danny Wallace, Golac and Flowers in there too and you could make a case for Bridge Where would Sydenham be on you list, out of interest?
CheshireSaint Posted Tuesday at 16:22 Posted Tuesday at 16:22 Shilton - Raised the profile of Southampton FC and England stalwart whilst at Saints Burridge - Crackers (funny). I remember being at Anfield when he singlehandedly kept out a title winning Liverpool somehow and spoiled their title reception celebrations somewhat Niemi - The flying Finn. He made saves that just shouldn't have happened. Dennis - Crackers (vicious) Watson - Pure commitment Nicholl - As above and managed us fairly successfully Ball - We may have had him coming down but he still gave his all for Saints as a Player and Manager Keegan - Could have chosen anywhere but came to Saints Danny Wallace - The best of the Wallace brothers IMO Moran - Should have had senior international recognition Channon - Read Shilton Williams - Fierce for a slight fella, great engine and vison. Brilliant all round midfielder who should have been proper famous Case - Did a lot for Saints and the brilliant crop of players coming through at that time Le Tissier - The most naturally gifted English player ever Paine - Never saw him play in the flesh but purely from other testimony's and his playing record Davies - As above and also played for Chester (my local team) Lambert - My favourite modern day player and his goal for England seconds after making his debut, is arguably my favourite moment in football ever, I went mental Benali - Hard not to factor in what he did after Saints but even prior to that, made up for lack of natural ability with a fierce determination, rarely matched Clarke - A bit left field but I was a teenage striker when he signed and he started like a rocket. I witnessed a brace at Old Trafford in a 2 nil win which was rather memorable Rodrigues - Anyone that scores a goal whilst sat on his @rse (palace away) is a legend in my book. Without the injuries, who knows. Every time he got going, he seemed to get injured As for Lallana, his antics toward the end of his Saints career mean he will never be the legend he should have been. Special shout out to Bobby Stokes. Bit sad not to get in there despite scoring the goal that won us our only senior cup.
franniesTache Posted Tuesday at 16:37 Posted Tuesday at 16:37 34 minutes ago, miserableoldgit said: Where would Sydenham be on you list, out of interest? I'm too young to have seen him play so i'll defer to others there, Ron Davies was my grans favourite player so i heard all the stories about him, likewise she loved Paine so heard all about him too. Sydenham and Chivers were mentioned a lot but not in the same way so i don't know as much about them.
Cabrone Posted Tuesday at 17:30 Posted Tuesday at 17:30 My top 21 (who's counting) based on Saints form and only for players I've seen live .. Niemi Shilton Mark Dennis Nathaniel Clyne Wayne Bridge Van Dyke Michael Svensson Deano Case Williams Tadic Schneiderlin Dave Armstrong MLT Rod Wallace Lambert Pelle BT Steve Moran Danny Wallace Sadio Mane
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