Southampton FC - The highs and lows of 138 years

But why does the club have the nickname the Saints?

Today’s Southampton FC has its roots in a club formed in November 1885 by members of St Mary’s Church of England Young Men’s Association.

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Club president Basil Wilberforce was Rector of St. Mary’s from 1871-1894. His evangelical grandfather had successfully led campaigns against slavery. Basil’s father had been Chaplain to Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert.

Southampton St. Mary’s, joined the Southern League in 1894 winning the league three times between 1897 and 1899, and again in 1901, 1903 and 1904. They were FA Cup finalists in 1900 and 1902.

Previously playing on the Common, the Antelope Ground in St. Mary’s Road and the County Cricket Ground In Northlands Road, Saints moved to their own stadium called The Dell in 1898.

Founder members of the new Football League Third Division in 1920, they won promotion to the Second Division in 1922. Promotion to the First Division was narrowly missed in 1949 and 1950.

Relegation in 1953 sent the Saints back into Division 3 (South). Saints regained Second Division status in 1960.

Division 1 football came to The Dell in 1966, when manager Ted Bates’ team were promoted as runners-up. Bates was replaced by his assistant Lawrie McMenemy in 1973.

The club then became the first victims of the new three-down relegation system in 1974. Terry Paine left the club after 18 years and over 800 league and cup games.

The most memorable day in Southampton FC’s history came in 1976 when they were still a Second Division side. McMenemy led them to win the FA Cup for the first time with an against the odds 1-0 victory at Wembley over firm favourites Manchester United.

In 1978, Saints gained promotion back to Division 1.

Saints were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the 1979 League Cup final.

In 1980 the signing of Kevin Keegan, twice European Footballer of the Year, from Hamburg, stunned the football world. The Saints finished sixth in the 1980-81 season.

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In the 1983-84 season they were First Division runners-up to Liverpool. They also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, losing to Everton in extra time.

Southampton finished fifth in 1984-85, qualifying for European football. They reached the FA Cup semi-finals again in 1986 losing to Liverpool.

McMenemy left in 1985 to be replaced by former Saints player Chris Nicholl.

Matthew Le Tissier was named PFA Young Player of the Year in 1990. The one club man went on to score 161 goals, including 47 penalties.

In 1992, Southampton were founding members of the Premier League.

The last league game at The Dell was played on 19 May 2001. The winning goal was from fan favourite Matt Le Tissier to secure a 3-2 win over Arsenal. Saints then moved to the new 32,000-seat St. Mary’s Stadium.

Under manager Gordon Strachan, Saints lost the 2003 FA Cup final to Arsenal.

Harry Redknapp then came from bitter rivals Portsmouth. He was unable to stop Southampton from being relegated on the final day of the 2004-05 season following a 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

In 2009, Saints were relegated to League 1, the third level of English football. In financial administration, the club was bought out by Swiss-based, German-born entrepreneur Markus Liebherr. Sadly, he died in August 2010, by which time Saints were holders of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Premier League football returned to St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday 25th August, 2012, when Saints faced their first home game back in the top-flight against Wigan Athletic losing 2-0.

In 2015/16 under Ronald Koeman, they ended the campaign in sixth, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League for the second year running. They also reached the 2017 EFL Cup final, losing 3-2 to Manchester United.

In 2017 Gao Jisheng purchased a controlling interest in Southampton FC from Katharina Liebherr. In January 2022, his shareholding was purchased by Sport Republic.

Martin Brisland is a tour guide with SeeSouthampton.co.uk