Southampton famously lifted the FA Cup in 1976 when a Bobby Stokes goal was enough to see off Manchester United, heralding an era of success on the south coast. They emerged as a team of real potential under Lawrie McMenemy and finished in their highest ever league position in 1984 when they were runners-up to Liverpool. During their early years the Saints lifted the Division Three (League One) title in 1960 and were also Division Three South champions way back in 1922.
They first achieved top flight status in 1966 and remained among the game’s elite for eight years until relegation followed in 1974. However, McMenemy built an exciting side of Southampton players that not only lifted the FA Cup but also gained promotion in 1978. A League Cup Final appearance followed in 1979 and the signings of players such as Alan Ball, Kevin Keegan, Peter Shilton, Mick Channon and Charlie George ensured the Saints were a force to be reckoned with.
Top six finishes were a regular feature under McMenemy but the Saints became more adept at flirting with relegation during the 1990s, although they still maintained their Premier League status.
However, the 21st century appeared to herald a return to the good times for Southampton as they moved to a plush new stadium and finished eighth in the Premier League in 2003, reaching the FA Cup Final to boot under Gordon Strachan. But in 2005 they were relegated to the Championship under Harry Redknapp and they have languished in the second tier ever since, only surviving the drop into League One on the final day of last season.
Mick Channon is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with a whopping 185 goals during his time at The Dell and Matt Le Tissier is a close second with 162, but there is a long way to go before the Saints can return to the glory days.
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