Southampton F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Southampton Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | The Saints | |||
| Founded | 21 November 1885 (as St. Mary's Y.M.A.) |
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| Ground | St Mary's Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 32,384 | |||
| Owner | Sport Republic | |||
| Chairman | Henrik Kraft | |||
| Manager | Russell Martin | |||
| League | Premier League | |||
| 2018–19 | Premier League, 16th of 20 | |||
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Southampton Football Club is a professional football team from Southampton, Hampshire, England. The club plays in the Premier League, which is the top football league in England. They earned their spot in the Premier League after winning the 2024 EFL Championship play-off final.
Southampton's home stadium since 2001 has been St Mary's Stadium. Before that, they played at The Dell. The team wears red and white shirts. They are known as "The Saints" because the club started as a church football team at St Mary's Church. Southampton has a big rivalry with Portsmouth, called the South Coast derby, because the cities are close and both have a long history with the sea.
The club was founded in 1885. They joined the Southern League in 1894 as Southampton St. Mary's, later shortening their name. Southampton won the Southern League six times and reached the FA Cup final in 1900 and 1902. In 1920, they became one of the first teams in the Football League Third Division. They were promoted in 1921–22 and stayed in the Second Division for 31 years.
In 1960, they won the Third Division championship and were promoted to the First Division in 1966. Even though they were a Second Division team, they famously won the FA Cup in 1976, beating Manchester United 1–0. They returned to the top league in 1977–78. Southampton reached the League Cup final in 1979 and finished second in the First Division in 1983–84.
The club was one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992. They reached another FA Cup final in 2003. After 27 years in the top league, they were relegated in 2005 and again to the third tier in 2009. Southampton won the Football League Trophy in 2010 and then earned two promotions in a row in 2010–11 and 2011–12, returning to the Premier League. After 11 years in the top league, they were relegated in 2023 but quickly returned to the Premier League in 2024.
Contents
- Club History: How the Saints Began
- Early Days and Southern League Success (1885–1920)
- Joining the Football League and Promotions (1920–1966)
- Reaching the Top League and FA Cup Glory (1966–1977)
- Back in the First Division (1977–1992)
- Premier League Years and Relegation (1992–2005)
- Outside the Top League (2005–2012)
- Back in the Premier League, Relegation, and Return (2012–Present)
- Club Identity: Crest, Anthem, and Kits
- Stadium and Training Facilities
- Rivalries: The South Coast Derby
- Club Records and Statistics
- Players
- Club Management
- See also
Club History: How the Saints Began
Early Days and Southern League Success (1885–1920)
Southampton Football Club started on 21 November 1885. It was founded by members of the St. Mary's Church of England Young Men's Association.
In the beginning, the team was called St. Mary's Y.M.A. They played many of their first games on The Common. Important matches, like cup games, were played at the County Cricket Ground or the Antelope Cricket Ground.
The club changed its name to St. Mary's F.C. in 1887–88. Then, in 1894, when they joined the Southern League, they became Southampton St. Mary's.
To play in the League, Saints signed professional players. After winning the Southern League title in 1896–97, the club became a company and was renamed Southampton F.C..
Southampton won the Southern League championship three years in a row from 1897 to 1899. They won it again in 1901, 1903, and 1904. During this time, in 1898, they moved to a new stadium called The Dell. It cost £10,000 to build. They played there for 103 years.
The club reached its first FA Cup Final in 1900, but lost 4–0 to Bury. Two years later, they lost 2–1 to Sheffield United in the 1902 final replay. Reaching these finals made Southampton famous. In 1909, a Spanish club bought 50 Saints shirts, which is why their colors are now red and white.
Joining the Football League and Promotions (1920–1966)
After World War I, Southampton joined the new Football League Third Division in 1920. This division split into South and North sections a year later. The 1921–22 season was a big success, as they won promotion. This started a 31-year period in the Second Division.
In 1925 and 1927, they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They lost to Sheffield United and Arsenal.
During World War II, a bomb hit The Dell pitch in November 1940. This forced Southampton to play some home games at their rivals' ground, Fratton Park in Portsmouth.
Southampton almost won promotion in 1947–48 and 1948–49, finishing third both times. In 1953, they were relegated back to Division 3 (South).
It took until 1960 for Southampton to get back into the Second Division. Derek Reeves scored 39 goals that season. In 1963, a huge crowd of 68,000 watched them lose 1–0 to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final.
Reaching the Top League and FA Cup Glory (1966–1977)
In 1966, Ted Bates' team was promoted to the First Division as runners-up. Martin Chivers scored 30 goals that season.
Ron Davies joined the team and scored 43 goals in his first season. Saints stayed in the top league for eight years. Their highest finishes were seventh place in 1968–69 and 1970–71. These finishes allowed them to play in European competitions like the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and the UEFA Cup.
In December 1973, Bates stepped down, and his assistant Lawrie McMenemy took over. Southampton was one of the first teams to be relegated under a new system in 1974.
Under McMenemy, Saints started to rebuild in the Second Division. They signed players like Peter Osgood and Jim McCalliog. In 1976, Southampton reached the FA Cup final at Wembley. They beat the favored Manchester United 1–0 with a goal from Bobby Stokes. The next season, they played in Europe again in the Cup Winners' Cup.
Back in the First Division (1977–1992)
In 1977–78, with Alan Ball as captain, Saints finished second in the Second Division and returned to the First Division. They finished comfortably in 14th place in their first season back. The next season, they reached the League Cup final, losing 3–2 to Nottingham Forest.
In 1980, McMenemy signed European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan. Even though Keegan only played for two years, Saints had an exciting team with players like Alan Ball, Ted MacDougall, Mick Channon, and Charlie George. In 1980–81, they scored 76 goals and finished sixth, their highest league finish at the time. The next season, Kevin Keegan helped the club reach the top of the First Division. Southampton led the league for over two months. However, they finished seventh. Keegan scored 26 goals that season before being sold to Newcastle.
Southampton continued to improve under McMenemy. With players like Peter Shilton (the England goalkeeper), Nick Holmes, and Steve Moran, they achieved their highest-ever league finish as runners-up in 1983–84. They were only three points behind champions Liverpool. They also reached the FA Cup semi-final, losing to Everton.
They finished fifth the next year. However, due to the Heysel Disaster, English clubs were banned from European competitions. If not for this, Southampton would have qualified for the UEFA Cup.
McMenemy left in 1985 and was replaced by Chris Nicholl. A key player during this time was Matthew Le Tissier, who joined the first team in 1986–87. He was voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 1990. Another exciting young player was Alan Shearer, who scored three goals against Arsenal in 1988 at just 17 years old. Shearer became a regular player by 1990 and was sold to Blackburn Rovers in 1992 for a record fee.
Premier League Years and Relegation (1992–2005)
Southampton was one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992–93. For most of the next ten seasons, they struggled to avoid relegation. In 1995–96, they stayed in the Premier League by a small difference in goals. Important wins against Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers helped them survive.
Graeme Souness became manager and signed foreign players like Egil Østenstad and Eyal Berkovic. A highlight was a 6–3 win over Manchester United at The Dell in October. Souness left after one season, and Dave Jones took over.
In 1998–99, they were near the bottom of the table but avoided relegation on the last day. This was called the "Great Escape." In 1999, Southampton got permission to build a new 32,000-seat stadium in the St Mary's area. The Dell, their old stadium, was too small for expansion.
During the 1999–2000 season, Dave Jones left. Glenn Hoddle became manager and kept Southampton safe from relegation. He then moved to Tottenham Hotspur. Stuart Gray took over and oversaw the move to St Mary's Stadium for the 2001–02 season. In the last game at The Dell, Matthew Le Tissier scored the final league goal in a 3–2 win against Arsenal. Gray was later replaced by Gordon Strachan, who helped the team finish 11th.
In 2002–03, Southampton finished eighth in the league and reached the FA Cup final, losing 1–0 to Arsenal. James Beattie scored 24 goals that season. Strachan resigned in 2004. After two more managers, Harry Redknapp became manager in December 2004. He had just left their rivals, Portsmouth. Southampton was relegated from the Premier League on the last day of the season in 2005, ending 27 years in the top league.
Outside the Top League (2005–2012)
In November 2005, Harry Redknapp left to rejoin Portsmouth. George Burley became the new manager. The club spent a record £6 million on new players. The season saw young player Gareth Bale join the team. Southampton finished sixth and lost in the play-off semi-final.
In 2008, George Burley left to manage Scotland. Nigel Pearson took over and saved the club from relegation on the final day.
Financial problems continued, and more players were sold. In April 2009, Southampton's main company went into administration (a type of financial difficulty). They were given a 10-point penalty for the next season. The club faced bankruptcy until a buyer was found. In June, the club was sold to an overseas buyer, controlled by Markus Liebherr. Nicola Cortese was brought in to manage the club's business. In July 2009, Alan Pardew was appointed manager. They signed striker Rickie Lambert.
Southampton started the 2009–10 season in League One, the third tier of English football, for the first time in 50 years. They started with -10 points because of the administration. In March 2010, Southampton won their first trophy since 1976, beating Carlisle United 4–1 at Wembley to win the Football League Trophy. They finished seventh in the league.
For the club's 125th anniversary, a new home shirt was released in 2010. It was based on the original 1885 kit. On 11 August, Markus Liebherr died, but the club's future was secure. Pardew was dismissed, and Nigel Adkins became manager. The club was promoted to the Championship in May 2011.
Returning to the Championship for the 2011–12 season, Southampton had their best start in 75 years. They won 13 home league games in a row, setting a new club record. In April 2012, Southampton won promotion to the Premier League. The final game of the season set a record attendance at St Mary's Stadium with 32,363 fans. Lambert was the Championship's top goalscorer with 27 goals.
Back in the Premier League, Relegation, and Return (2012–Present)
Southampton returned to the Premier League for the 2012–13 season. After a strong start, manager Nigel Adkins was replaced by Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino. Southampton finished 14th that season and eighth the next.
At the end of the 2013–14 season, Pochettino left for Tottenham. The club appointed Ronald Koeman as his replacement. In the last game of the 2014–15 season, Sadio Mané scored three goals in just 176 seconds against Aston Villa. This was the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history. The club finished seventh, their highest Premier League rank at the time, and qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League. The next season, Southampton finished sixth, qualifying for the Europa League group stages.
In June 2016, Koeman left for Everton, and Claude Puel became manager. The club reached the EFL Cup final in 2017, losing 3–2 to Manchester United. Puel was replaced by Mauricio Pellegrino. The club sold Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool for a record £75 million. Pellegrino was sacked in March 2018, and former player Mark Hughes helped the club avoid relegation. Hughes was later replaced by Ralph Hasenhüttl, who guided the club to a 16th-place finish.
In August 2017, Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng bought an 80% share of the club.
Southampton suffered their worst-ever defeat on 25 October 2019, losing 9–0 to Leicester City at home. This happened again on 2 February 2021 against Manchester United at Old Trafford. These are tied for the biggest defeats since the Premier League started. The players and staff gave up their wages from the Leicester match and donated them to charity. Despite a tough start, Southampton finished 11th in 2019–20, their highest point total since 2015–16.
In January 2022, Gao sold his 80% stake to Sport Republic, a group financed by Dragan Šolak. Southampton finished 15th in 2021–22.
In November 2022, Ralph Hasenhüttl left, and Nathan Jones took over. Jones was sacked in February 2023 after a poor run of results. Rubén Sellés became caretaker manager but could not save the team from relegation on 13 May.
On 21 June 2023, Russell Martin was appointed manager. Southampton returned to the Premier League at the first attempt, beating Leeds United in the 2024 play-off final.
Club Identity: Crest, Anthem, and Kits
Club Crest
The club first used the same crest as the city of Southampton. But in 1974, a competition was held for fans to design a new one.
The winning design, by Rolland Parris, was used for about 20 years. It was slightly changed later for copyright reasons.
- The halo at the top refers to the team's nickname, "Saints."
- The ball shows that it's a football club.
- The scarf represents the fans and the team's colors.
- The tree stands for the nearby New Forest and Southampton Common.
- The water shows Southampton's connection to rivers, seas, and oceans.
- Below that is a white rose, which is the symbol of the city.
In the mid-1990s, the football on the crest was changed from an old-style ball to the black and white panel ball we see today.
On 13 May 2010, a special crest was released for the club's 125th anniversary. It featured gold outlines and the years 1885 and 2010. This badge was used on the team's shirts for the 2010–11 season.
Club Anthem
Southampton's team song is "When the Saints Go Marching In". Since the club's nickname is "the Saints," they are one of the few teams that sing the original song lyrics without changing them.
Kit Manufacturers and Sponsors
Thirteen companies have sponsored Southampton's shirts since advertising was allowed in English football. The first sponsor was Rank Xerox in 1980. Other sponsors have included Flybe, Virgin Media, and Sportsbet.io. Since 2024, Rollbit has been the main shirt sponsor. P&O Cruises is the sleeve sponsor.
Since 2024, Puma has made Southampton's kits. Other past manufacturers include Umbro, Admiral, and Adidas. From 1999 to 2008, and again in 2014–15, the club made its own brand of kits called Saints.
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (front) | Shirt sponsor (sleeve) |
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| 1974–1976 | Umbro | No sponsor | No sponsor |
| 1976–1980 | Admiral | ||
| 1980–1983 | Patrick | Rank Xerox | |
| 1983 | Air Florida | ||
| 1984–1987 | Draper Tools | ||
| 1987–1991 | Hummel | ||
| 1991–1993 | Admiral | ||
| 1993–1995 | Pony | Dimplex | |
| 1995–1999 | Sanderson | ||
| 1999–2006 | Saints | Friends Provident | |
| 2006–2008 | Flybe | ||
| 2008–2010 | Umbro | ||
| 2010–2011 | No sponsor | ||
| 2011–2013 | aap3 | ||
| 2013–2014 | Adidas | Veho | |
| 2014–2015 | Saints | ||
| 2015–2016 | Adidas | ||
| 2016–2017 | Under Armour | Virgin Media | |
| 2017–2019 | Virgin Media | ||
| 2019–2020 | LD Sports | ||
| 2020–2021 | Sportsbet.io | ||
| 2021–2022 | Hummel | ||
| 2022–2023 | JD Sports | ||
| 2023–2024 | Mairon Freight UK | ||
| 2024–present | Puma | Rollbit | P&O Cruises |
Stadium and Training Facilities
The club's first home ground was the Antelope Ground (1887–1896), followed by the County Cricket Ground (1896–1898).
From 1898 to 2001, Southampton played their home games at The Dell. This stadium was built just for the club. It was updated many times. In 1950, it became the first ground in England to have permanent floodlights. After a report about stadium safety, The Dell was changed to an all-seater stadium. It could hold about 15,000 fans, which was too small for a top-league team. This led to the move to a new home.
St Mary's Stadium has been the Saints' home since August 2001. It can hold 32,689 people. It is one of the few stadiums in Europe that meets UEFA's Four Star rules. The stadium has also hosted international games. The most people ever at the ground was 32,363, for a game between Southampton and Coventry City in April 2012.
The club's training facilities, called Staplewood Campus, are in Marchwood, near the New Forest. The current facilities opened in November 2014 and cost about £40 million. The main building is named after the club's former owner, Markus Liebherr.
For a few seasons, the club's Under-21 team played at Eastleigh's stadium, Ten Acres. This continued a long partnership. Now, Southampton's youth teams play at Staplewood and St. Mary's. Some Under-23 cup games are played at Totton's Testwood Stadium, where Southampton Women play their home matches.
Rivalries: The South Coast Derby
The South Coast Derby is the name for matches between the Saints and their big rivals, Portsmouth. Portsmouth is a city just 19 miles (31 km) from Southampton. These games are also called the Hampshire derby. Including games from the Southern League, the two clubs have played 71 times. Southampton has won 35 games, and Portsmouth has won 21.
Club Records and Statistics
Longest Winning Run
- 10 matches (League): 16 April 2011 – 20 August 2011
- 11 matches (All competitions): 16 April 2011 – 20 August 2011
Longest Unbeaten Run
- 22 matches (League): 30 September 2023 – 10 February 2024
- 25 matches (All competitions): 30 September 2023 – 10 February 2024
Longest Home Winning Streak
- 19 matches (League): 12 February 2011 – 29 November 2011
- 21 matches (All competitions): 12 February 2011 – 29 November 2011
Biggest Wins
- Home:
- 11–0 against Northampton Town, 28 December 1901 (Southern League)
- 11–0 against Watford, 13 December 1902 (Southern League)
- 8–0 against Northampton Town, 24 December 1921 (Football League Third Division South)
- 8–0 against Sunderland, 18 October 2014 (Premier League)
- Away:
- 8–0 against Newport County, 25 August 2021 (EFL Cup)
- 6–0 against Carlisle United, 22 January 1977 (Football League Second Division)
- 6–0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, 31 March 2007 (Football League Championship)
- 6–0 against Oldham Athletic, 11 January 2011 (Football League One)
Biggest Losses
- Home:
- 0–9 against Leicester City, 25 October 2019 (Premier League)
- Away:
- 0–9 against Manchester United, 2 February 2021 (Premier League)
Highest Scoring Football League Game
- 9–3 (at home) against Wolverhampton Wanderers, 18 September 1965 (Football League Second Division)
Record Home Attendance
- 32,363 against Coventry City, 28 April 2012
Player Records
Most Appearances
- Terry Paine – 815 games: 1956–1974
Most Goals
- Mick Channon – 228 goals: 1966–1977, 1979–1982
Most Goals in One Season
- Derek Reeves – 44 goals: 1959–60
Most Goals in One Match
- Albert Brown – 7 goals: against Northampton Town, 28 December 1901
Youngest Player
- Theo Walcott – 16 years, 143 days. Against Wolverhampton Wanderers, 6 August 2005
Oldest Player
- Willy Caballero – 41 years, 122 days. Against Blackpool, 28 January 2023
Highest Transfer Fees
- Spent: Kamaldeen Sulemana – £22 million paid to Rennes.
- Received: Virgil van Dijk – £75 million received from Liverpool.
Players
Current Squad
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Players Out on Loan
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The Saints Under-21s and Academy
Southampton has a very successful youth academy. It has teams for players from ages eight to 21. Many players who came through the club's youth system have gone on to play for their national teams. These include England players like Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Ward-Prowse, Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, and Theo Walcott. Also, Wales winger Gareth Bale and Ireland striker Michael Obafemi came from the academy.
Famous Former Players
Club Management
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Managerial History
See also
In Spanish: Southampton Football Club para niños
