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The 50 Greatest Southampton Players


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Tommy Jenkins FFS. He was another cameo player of little substance. Leaving out George O'Brien, unbelievable, he was in a different class to Derek Reeves. Reeves missed so many goals whilst George was a deadly finisher. Reeves scored freely in the third division but that his level.

 

Ted Drake? Eric Day?

Agree about Tommy Jenkins, one of the most frustrating players ever, couldn't believe he was the first name I read. I thought then I would not like the list but actually cannot fault it much, and deffo agree with the top 5. As always with these things the list is biased to the modern era, I think CB Fry is a major omission although I did not see him play :) I would also agree about George O'Brien. Personally despite his Pompey and Spuds connections I would have to include Joe Jordan as well. I would also have thought Theo would have got an honorary mention, but I guess he left too soon.

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we've got tommy, tommy, tommy, tommy jenkins on the wing, on the wing

Tommy, Tommy jenkins, tommy jenkins on the wing

Tommy, Tommy jenkins, tommy jenkins on the wing

we've got tommy, tommy, tommy, tommy jenkins on the wing, on the wing...

 

 

Was talking in another thread about Tom Jenkins, and how frustrating he often used to be. Such skill, yet he often would try to beat just one more player. The Times snippet brought it all back. Have to admit, when he was on song, he was a joy to watch. Another forgotten Saint, by today's crowd. :)

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Great list - personally i was please to see Steve Williams up towards the top of the list.

I loved watching him at the Dell, he used to humiliate players from the other team with his skills - just what young fans (at the time) like me wanted to see.........

 

Steve Williams was quite simply one of the best midfield players ever to pull on a Southampton shirt.

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Quote,

'It was always going to be between Le Tiss and Mick, but as much as Le Tiss was the epitome of Saints in the 1990s, so Channon was the backbone of the club in the 1970s. It's a generational thing. Those aged in their 30s would vote Le Tiss: those in their 50s for Channon'.

 

And I would write, those in their 60s might have said No 1 was Terry.

 

Yes we would Norm, but I am also surprised that there was no place for George O' Brien.

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Couldn't find a decent argument to disagree with most of that table. Michael Svensson, I would have included, but I can see why the author didn't. But Micky over Matty..? Nope, can't do it. Micky was MY ERA, and I can tell you he wasn't as good as Matty. Micky was very, very special, in the same way as Terry Paine and Ron Davies. But he wasn't a genius. That's Matty's plateau. Room for one only.

 

Thoroughly entertaining read though. I was supposed to be arranging some new furniture this evening, and that has completely gone by the board.

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What a great article. Well done to whoever put that lot together

 

Williams was my number one hero. I think you have to see a player's debut to be completely emotionally tied. I missed Le Tissiers and was too young for Channon's (just).

 

I saw Steve's debut at Fratton park whilst standing in the Fratton End with my Pompey supporting mates. Needless to say he scored an excellent goal which sent them down to the third division... er places you don't want to be when that happens.

 

Whilst moran deserves his place and maybe a lower number O'Brien should be there as well as he was a very similar player.

 

I wonder if any of our players now (other than Davis) will make a similar list in a few years. If they take us up and stay this could be the beginning of a new generation. Lallana/Lambert/Connolly have the potential to be true heros but not in this league.

 

Worst 50 will follow and Frank Saul will be top of my list, to think we got him in exchange for Chivers and a bit of dosh.......

 

Shame david Webb didn't stay as he was a great player.

 

Alan

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Can't find it right now but there's a great picture of him stood in front of the skates at St Marys cupping his ear to them as he's just scored. I'd guess that's the one.

 

No that's a gesture to Pompey fans. If anything, that would have even more greatly endeared Beatts to Saints fans. The article talks about a game against Charlton. Personally, I think that Beatts reputation among Saints fans has been lessend by a few individuals who probably had a few encounters with the bloke and didn't find him as welcoming as they thought he should be.

 

A relative of mine spoke to him once in a Chandler's Ford supermarket. She didn't know who he was, until told later, but found him very obliging and polite. Not the Beatts that gets whinged about here on occasion. The bloke was in the Southampton public eye for most of his time here. He did his job very well, and scored a fair few goals. I tend to cut him some slack, and give my respect, even if he doesn't have it from others.

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What a great article. Well done to whoever put that lot together

 

Williams was my number one hero. I think you have to see a player's debut to be completely emotionally tied. I missed Le Tissiers and was too young for Channon's (just).

 

I saw Steve's debut at Fratton park whilst standing in the Fratton End with my Pompey supporting mates. Needless to say he scored an excellent goal which sent them down to the third division... er places you don't want to be when that happens.

 

Whilst moran deserves his place and maybe a lower number O'Brien should be there as well as he was a very similar player.

 

I wonder if any of our players now (other than Davis) will make a similar list in a few years. If they take us up and stay this could be the beginning of a new generation. Lallana/Lambert/Connolly have the potential to be true heros but not in this league.

 

Worst 50 will follow and Frank Saul will be top of my list, to think we got him in exchange for Chivers and a bit of dosh.......

 

Shame david Webb didn't stay as he was a great player.

 

Alan

 

You did'nt miss Mick Channon because he scored the goal at Fratton to relegate Pompey in 1976.Steve Williams made his dedut in that game.

I was there as well.Did get a bit hairy when that goal went in!!!!

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Ha ha apologies but it was 33 years ago and trust me when you are standing in the Fratton end trying to supress a smile Ghandi could have come on and scored and I wouldn't have noticed.

 

Very hairy day indeed but nevertheless enjoyable.

 

Macca

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Ha ha apologies but it was 33 years ago and trust me when you are standing in the Fratton end trying to supress a smile Ghandi could have come on and scored and I wouldn't have noticed.

 

Very hairy day indeed but nevertheless enjoyable.

 

Macca

 

No apology required macca,I was in the Milton end with the rest of the Saints fans and before that ball had hit the back of the net the Fratton end emptied and they were on their way round.Outside the ground they were kicking the front walls of houses down to arm themselves with bricks.

As you quite rightly say;still an enjoyable night.

I too rated Steve Williams very highly.

Never the same player at Arsenal.

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Tommy Jenkins FFS. He was another cameo player of little substance. Leaving out George O'Brien, unbelievable, he was in a different class to Derek Reeves. Reeves missed so many goals whilst George was a deadly finisher. Reeves scored freely in the third division but that his level.

 

Ted Drake? Eric Day?

 

Don't tell me Jenkins came inside too much for you?

Benali gets in. One of the worst Saints players I have seen whilst we were in the top flight so perhaps Jenkins deserves a little leeway.

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Was talking in another thread about Tom Jenkins, and how frustrating he often used to be. Such skill, yet he often would try to beat just one more player. The Times snippet brought it all back. Have to admit, when he was on song, he was a joy to watch. Another forgotten Saint, by today's crowd. :)

 

I used to sit for a bunch of `older' guys at the back of the chapel for a while and they always used to sing that song at lest once a game. Everyone just stared.

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Looking through the list and the phots...adding a few others we all think should be on there.....

 

Just goes to show why we can be so proud to support such a great team.....Over the next few years a few more names will be added....COYRs

 

Believe me I am Soooooo proud........She calls out again, 'Its only a blooody game..you anorak'.....CAN I PART EXCHANGE.. her for one of the old bench seats from The Dell?

 

COYRs

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Eyes are blue 6ft 2 big Jim Steele is after youuuuuuuuuuu, now that brings back memories, what a lovely read lots of old and not so old players mixed in there, sure everyone has there favorites that have been left out or not as high as you would have liked. Funny i wouldn't have had KK in there as he was only here for 2 seasons and i think it was Mikey C and Stevie Moran that were more important then.

 

As for Beattie, yes he had an attitude but alot of the greats do, whenever we met him he was very polite and happy to chat to young fans sign everything in sight etc etc, plus when he was playing for everton he told me how much Saints mean to him and he was devastated we went down. Does alot of charity work down here still as does Antti Niemi

 

Wheres CMFG these days anyone know

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Great article with some great memories, but I think Matty just has to be #1 (and I absolutely idolised Mick Channon) due, among other things, to the fact that he stayed his whole career.

 

Not so (in my opinion) in fact I'd put Mark Wright above MLT.

Channon gave more to SFC than Le Tissier,in the matter of goals, games and representing his country. Channon fulfilled his full potential, I doubt if MLT really did.He should have played more for his country and faded away less at the end of his career.

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Overall a very good list, but I disagree in a couple of areas.

 

Marsden should be higher. In 02/03 there was a stage where he was getting a weekly MOTD analysis tribute. He was very consistent and one of the most professional players we have ever had.

 

Don't agree with the Kelvin Davis summary. There was a time a few years ago when he was one of the poorest goalkeepers in the Championship and was making schoolboy errors on an almost weekly basis. You have to take your hat off to him though, he has completely turned his form around since then. It's especially credible considering all the abuse he got from his own fans.

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opinions, opinions..... you will never please everyone but the article was a great read and the author has put his case forward for why each player is in there. Bottom line is, what a great list of players. It does make me very nostalgic and if I was reading this 5 months of go i would have been suicidal thinking of how far the club had fallen. Lets hope some of the new breed can go on and bring us as much joy as all these players have.

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Don't agree with the Kelvin Davis summary. There was a time a few years ago when he was one of the poorest goalkeepers in the Championship and was making schoolboy errors on an almost weekly basis. You have to take your hat off to him though, he has completely turned his form around since then. It's especially credible considering all the abuse he got from his own fans.

 

Thought the same myself, the article should have read "In his first season, he was crap. In his second, a bit better. And last season, he was outstanding." Don't think Beatts deserves to be just 1 place ahead of him. Still,good article none the less.

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Pompey have had some pretty good players all the same.

 

I am sure you Could do the Pompey list, Windows...preferably on a Pompey site:D

 

I say this not because of any Pompey slur...but genuinely because I think you may have some overall knowledge of football;) But I suggest all their top list of 50 were trained by the mighty Saints:)

 

COYRs

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I am sure you Could do the Pompey list, Windows...preferably on a Pompey site:D

 

I say this not because of any Pompey slur...but genuinely because I think you may have some overall knowledge of football;) But I suggest all their top list of 50 were trained by the mighty Saints:)

 

COYRs

 

 

 

Noxious content alert:smt080:smt080

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article6059531.ece

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