The period featured in this second Southampton Vintage post mirrors almost identically the one spent by the club during its first spell in Division One under manager Ted Bates.
Martin Chivers scored the goals that took Southampton to promotion in 1966 and subsequently Ron Davies scored the goals that took the club to several respectable top ten finishes and even European football on two occasions. Bates stepped down late in 1973 and his successor Lawrie McMenemy was unable to save the club from relegation at the end of the 1973-74 season.
Terry Paine, Southampton 1966
Mick Channon, Southampton 1970
Hugh Fisher, Southampton 1971
Tommy Jenkins, Southampton 1971
Tom Jenkins, Southampton 1971
Jimmy Gabriel, Southampton 1971
Brian O’Neil, Southampton 1972
Jim Steele, Southampton 1972
Eric Martin, Southampton 1973
Hugh Fisher, Southampton 1973
Paul Bennett, Southampton 1973
Sad to say but the only thing I remember best about them was seeing Leeds take them apart 7-0 in 71-72. That aside, as a kid, Channon was one of my favourite strikers.
That’s Southampton’s entire decade to non-followers encapsulated in two games – the FA Cup Final win and a 7-0 battering at Elland Road!