Mail Sport, with input from our readers, aims to identify the greatest player of all time from each of the 20 Premier League clubs.
Today, we turn our focus to the legendary figures of Southampton, ranging from record-appearance holder Terry Paine to the iconic Matt Le Tissier.
Once you’ve decided who deserves the title of the all-time best, it’s time to cast your vote…
Southampton’s sole significant trophy came in 1976 when they made an astounding upset against Manchester United in the FA Cup final as a Second Division side. However, the club’s charming location on the south coast has always attracted top talent, with many homegrown stars choosing to remain.
Terry Paine holds the record for most appearances for the club, featuring in an impressive 816 matches for the Saints from 1957 to 1974.
Terry Paine is the club record appearance holder, turning out for the Saints 816 times
Mick Channon brought energy and quality to the Saints side under Lawrie McMenemy
Recognized by England manager Sir Alf Ramsey, Paine earned 19 caps for the national team and was part of the 1966 World Cup squad, participating in their initial victory of the tournament against Mexico before Ramsey shifted the formation to implement a ‘wingless wonders’ strategy.
His legacy was further cemented when he was named one of the 100 English footballing legends during the Football League’s centenary celebration in 1998.
The primary beneficiary of Paine’s precise crosses was center-forward Ron Davies, often hailed as the best header of the ball during his time.
Davies netted 153 goals for The Saints from 1966 to 1973, attributing his aerial skills to an early manager at Chester who had him practice jumping over hurdles while wearing army boots.
His record of 37 First Division goals in the 1966/67 season remains unmatched in the top flight, a feat not even surpassed by Erling Haaland. The subsequent season, he shared the Golden Boot with George Best.
The pinnacle of Saints history undoubtedly occurred in 1976 when they achieved one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup finals. Notably, it was also the final attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
While Bobby Stokes scored the decisive goal, the standout player for Lawrie McMenemy’s squad was Mick Channon, who rose through the youth ranks at The Dell and made his debut at just 17 years old in 1966.
Channon, who later found success as a horse racing trainer, infused the Saints team with energy and flair, renowned for his signature windmill goal celebration.
Keegan’s move from Hamburg to Southampton was one of the most startling in English football
Channon remains the club’s all-time leading scorer with 222 goals, bridging different eras from the Paine-led team of the 1960s to the Wembley triumph, and into McMenemy’s star-studded lineup of the early 1980s, which featured renowned England internationals Kevin Keegan and Alan Ball.
Keegan’s transfer from Hamburg is perhaps the most shocking in English football history, while Ball showcased his exceptional skill during two spells at the club, having won the World Cup at just 20 years old.
McMenemy was also innovative in his recruitment strategy. Yugoslav defender Ivan Golac was acquired in 1978 from Partizan Belgrade, marking the club’s first overseas signing, and he remained for eight years, briefly interrupted by a stint at Manchester City.
‘Beautiful football, beautiful supporters, beautiful days,’ is how he reminisced about his time on the south coast. As a talented defender for his time, he created valuable partnerships with Ball and Channon, contributing to Southampton becoming one of the most entertaining teams of their era.
Yugoslav defender Ivan Golac arrived in 1978 from Partizan Belgrade as the club’s first overseas signing
Matt Le Tissier is one of Southampton’s most recognisable names and spent his entire club career on the south coast
Winger Danny Wallace provided a refreshing contrast to the high-profile signings of the 1980s, making his debut at just 16 years of age and amassing over 200 appearances before moving to Manchester United, where multiple sclerosis regrettably hindered his potential.
For Southampton, achieving 27 consecutive years in the top flight between 1978 and 2005 was a remarkable feat, particularly considering the hefty competition from larger clubs as the Premier League was established and budgets skyrocketed.
Matt Le Tissier played a crucial role in their success. An extraordinarily talented player, Le Tissier had enough brilliant goals to fill an entire Goal of the Season competition, showcasing a variety of chips, volleys, and dribbles.
When the Saints transitioned from The Dell to St Mary’s in 2001, Le Tissier marked the occasion by netting the winning goal in the last match at The Dell against Arsenal. ‘A very special moment in my life, not just my career.’
Despite interest from many of the country’s top clubs, Le Tissier chose to stay on the south coast, solidifying his place in the club’s legacy.
Even Le Tissier would admit he wasn’t the hardest worker, but teammates like Jason Dodd allowed him the space to shine in crucial moments.
Dodd, who played under 13 different managers during his 16-year tenure until 2005, consistently delivered, proving invaluable to Saints as they exceeded expectations, following a bargain acquisition from non-league Bath City for just £15,000.
Rickie Lambert was top scorer at St Mary’s in four consecutive seasons and later moved to Liverpool
Adam Lalllana has returned to Saints after they secured promotion to the top flight
Southampton fell to League One in 2009 but their return to the Premier League was largely fueled by the contributions of Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, who both shone during successive promotions under Nigel Adkins.
Lallana, a talented and hardworking midfielder, has played for Liverpool and England, but he returned to his original club this summer after Saints secured promotion back to the top flight.
Lambert finished as the top scorer at St Mary’s for four consecutive seasons, including during both promotion campaigns and their first season back in the Premier League.
A strong center-forward known for his effectiveness in front of goal and from the penalty spot, he was named the Championship’s Player of the Season in 2012, outpacing contenders such as Lallana, Peter Whittingham, and Wilfried Zaha, and was ultimately signed by Liverpool.
To express your choice for the greatest Southampton player, click on the voting button or email greatest@dailymail.co.uk if you wish to propose someone not on the shortlist.
We will announce the results of the greatest all-time player for each of the 20 Premier League clubs before the start of the 2024/25 season.
