1996–97 Southampton F.C. season

October 2024 Southampton F.C. 1996–97 Guy Askham Dave Merrington(until 14 June 1996)Graeme Souness(from 3 July 1996) The Dell FA Premier League 16th FA Cup Third round League Cup Fifth round Matt Le Tissier (13) Matt Le Tissier (16) 15,253 v ManchesterUnited (26 October 1996) 10,737 v Oxford United(18 December 1996) 15,099 4–0 v Middlesbrough(28 September 1996) 1–7 v Everton(16 November 1996) _southampton9597h _southampton9597h _southampton9597h _southampton9597h _southampton9597h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 FF0000 _southampton9597a _southampton9597a _southampton9597a _southampton9597a _southampton9597a FFC526 FFC526 FFC526 1390F1 1390F1 _southampton9597t _southampton9597t _southampton9597t _southampton9597t _southampton9597t F2DDAF F2DDAF F2DDAF F2DDAF 090555 1995–96 1997–98 The 1996–97 Southampton F.C. season was the club's 96th season of competitive football, their 27th in the top flight of English football, and their fifth in the FA Premier League. It was the sole season to feature Graeme Souness as the club's manager, who took over from Dave Merrington in the summer of 1996. After finishing 17th and avoiding relegation on goal difference the previous season, the Saints had another poor campaign as they improved their league position by just one place, finishing a single point above the drop zone. Outside the league, the club were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, but made it to the fifth round of the League Cup for the first time since 1991. This was the last season with chairman Guy Askham, who left in 1997. Following his arrival in July, Souness made several changes to the Southampton squad – notable new signings included Norwegian striker Egil Østenstad, Dutch right-back Ulrich van Gobbel and Norwegian centre-back Claus Lundekvam, while major outgoings included the sales of striker Neil Shipperley, centre-back Richard Hall and winger Neil Heaney. The most infamous transfer activity took place during November, when the club signed unproven Senegalese striker Ali Dia for a matter of weeks, before releasing him again after one 53-minute appearance. All the changes brought mixed results, as the club struggled throughout much of the season, before an unbeaten run of seven games in the final weeks of the campaign secured their top-flight survival. Outside the league, Southampton were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round when they lost 1–3 to First Division side Reading, who had also knocked the Saints out of the League Cup the previous year. In the 1996–97 edition of the latter tournament, the Saints fared much better, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 1991. On the way to the fifth round, they eased past Peterborough United (who were struggling in, and would ultimately be relegated from, the Second Division), beat Third Division club Lincoln City in a replayed third round tie, and made it past First Division side Oxford United (again after a replay). They were ultimately eliminated by another Second Division side, Stockport County, who were on their way to achieving promotion. Southampton used 31 players during the 1996–97 season and had 15 different goalscorers. After one season off the top of the goalscoring charts, Matt Le Tissier finished as the club's top scorer for the sixth time in eight seasons, with 13 league and three League Cup goals. Jim Magilton made the most appearances for a second season out of three, playing in 46 of the team's 48 games during the campaign. Østenstad, who finished just behind Le Tissier on 13 goals, won the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award. The average league attendance at The Dell during 1996–97 was 15,099. The highest attendance was 15,253 against Manchester United in October and the lowest was 10,737 against Oxford United in the League Cup in December. Background and transfers Shortly after the end of the 1995–96 season, manager Dave Merrington was sacked by the Southampton board. The decision was described by club historians in 2003 as an "abandonment" of the manager,Holley Chalk 2003 246 who had saved the club from relegation in the final stages of the season, earning him the Premier League Manager of the Month award for April 1996 (during which the Saints had won three out of their six games).https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/saints-only-just-stay-alive-1345858.html Saints only just stay alive Brenkley Stephen The Independent 5 May 1996 18 October 2024 In a statement to the media, Merrington commented that "To say it's a great shock is a massive understatement ... I'm leaving with deep regret and sadness".https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/merrington-shocked-by-southampton-dismissal-1337226.html Merrington 'shocked' by Southampton dismissal Duxbury Nick The Independent 14 June 1996 18 October 2024 Southern Daily Echo columnist Graham Hiley wrote that "Twelve years of loyal service were wiped out in a terse two-paragraph statement ... The man who brought through Matthew Le Tissier, Alan Shearer, the Wallaces [Ray and Rod] and many others appears to have been ruthlessly discarded like litter left on the terraces." A couple of weeks later, Merrington was replaced by former Rangers, Liverpool and Galatasaray manager Graeme Souness.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/02/newsstory.sport14 Graeme Souness factfile The Guardian 2 February 2006 18 October 2024 thumb|upright|Wayne Bridge started his Southampton career as a trainee in 1996 and would go on to play 174 times for the club. thumb|upright|Graeme Souness' first signing for Southampton was left-back Graham Potter from Stoke City for £250,000. thumb|upright|After losing his status as first-choice goalkeeper, Bruce Grobbelaar left for Plymouth Argyle during pre-season. thumb|upright|Australian midfielder Robbie Slater signed from West Ham United in September and made 38 appearances in his first of two seasons at the club. thumb|upright|Souness signed Dutch centre-back Ulrich van Gobbel from his former club Galatasaray in October for £1.3 million. Souness' first two signings came courtesy of tips from assistant manager Terry Cooper – left-back Graham Potter, who Cooper had managed at Birmingham City in 1992–93, joined from First Division side Stoke City for £250,000,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/graham-potter/ Graham Potter SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 while centre-back Richard Dryden, a member of Cooper's Exeter City team from 1988 to 1991, signed from Bristol City in the Second Division for £150,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/richard-dryden/ Richard Dryden SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Among three trainee signings in July came left-back Wayne Bridge, who would go on to make 174 appearances for the Southampton first team during a five-year stint, before later spells with top clubs Chelsea and Manchester City.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/wayne-bridge/ Wayne Bridge SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Souness also sold five players ahead of the league starting – midfielder Tommy Widdrington moved to Grimsby Town in the First Division for a club record fee of £300,000,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/tommy-widdrington/ Tommy Widdrington SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 out-of-contract defender Richard Hall was snapped up by West Ham United for a tribunal-set fee of £1.4 million,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/richard-hall/ Richard Hall SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 winger Mark Walters moved on a free transfer to Swindon Town, who had been recently promoted to the First Division,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/mark-walters/ Mark Walters SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 defender Derek Allan moved to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Third Division, three years since his sole substitute appearance for the Saints,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/derek-allan/ Derek Allan SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 and goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar moved on a free transfer to third-tier club Plymouth Argyle.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/bruce-grobbelaar/ Bruce Grobbelaar SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Changes to the squad continued throughout the season. At the beginning of September, the club signed three players in three days, as they brought in 19-year-old striker Russell Watkinson from non-league side Woking,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/russell-watkinson/ Russell Watkinson SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Norwegian centre-back Claus Lundekvam from Brann for £400,000,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/claus-lundekvam/ Claus Lundekvam SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 and Australian midfielder Robbie Slater from West Ham for £200,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/robbie-slater/ Robbie Slater SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 The next month, another Norwegian international, 24-year-old striker Egil Østenstad, was signed for £800,000 from Viking,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/egil-ostenstad/ Egil Ostenstad SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 while Dutch centre-back Ulrich van Gobbel, who Souness had signed just nine months earlier at Galatasaray, arrived in a near-record £1.3 million deal.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/ulrich-van-gobbel/ Ulrich Van Gobbel SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Østenstad was brought in to replace Neil Shipperley, who subsequently moved later the same month for £1 million to First Division side Crystal Palace, whom he chose over Portsmouth.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/neil-shipperley/ Neil Shipperley SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Also arriving in loan deals during October were Israeli playmaker Eyal Berkovic, who joined from Maccabi Haifa until the end of the season,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/eyal-berkovic/ Eyal Berkovic SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 and goalkeeper Chris Woods, who came from American club Colorado Rapids until the next March.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/chris-woods/ Chris Woods SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 During November, winger Neil Heaney and striker Frankie Bennett moved to Manchester City and Bristol Rovers, respectively.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/neil-heaney/ Neil Heaney SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/frankie-bennett/ Frankie Bennett SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 The most notable transfer activity, however, was the brief signing of Senegalese striker Ali Dia, who would go down as one of the "worst players" in FA Premier League and world football history.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/aug/06/newsstory.sport16 The 10 worst foreign signings of all time Hills David The Guardian 6 August 2000 18 October 2024 https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37583059/ranking-50-worst-premier-league-transfers-all Ranking the 50 worst Premier League transfers of all time Barnwell Bill ESPN 5 May 2020 18 October 2024 https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-50-worst-footballers-3p37wnlc8bc The 50 worst footballers Murphy Alex The Times 4 July 2007 18 October 2024 After an uneventful early career in mainland Europe, Dia joined English non-league club Blyth Spartans in November 1996, before days later making the five-division jump to Southampton just a few days after his only game for the club.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/aly-dia/ Aly Dia SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 According to reports, Souness was convinced to give Dia a trial after receiving a phone call from someone purporting to be George Weah, the most recent winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award, who claimed that the pair had been teammates at French side Paris Saint-Germain, and that Dia had played (and scored) for the Senegal national team.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c9zz36qrxr6o On this day 25 years ago: Dia's disastrous debut BBC Sport 23 November 2021 18 October 2024 Dia made an "embarrassing" appearance as a substitute when several strikers were out injured,Holley Chalk 2003 504 before he was released after just two weeks.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/ali-dia-story-20-years-on-southampton-souness 'What's this geezer doing? He's hopeless' – the Ali Dia story Smith Alan The Guardian 22 November 2016 18 October 2024 After Christmas, the club spent £500,000 on Northern Irish goalkeeper Maik Taylor, who joined Souness' side from Third Division side Barnet on the recommendation of recently departed manager Ray Clemence.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/maik-taylor/ Maik Taylor SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 In the new year, striker Gordon Watson moved for the same fee to Bradford City, who were fighting against relegation from the First Division having recently been promoted.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/gordon-watson/ Gordon Watson SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Graham Potter, who had been signed only seven months earlier, left Southampton in February for £300,000 (a profit of £50,000) to join West Bromwich Albion, another First Division side. In March, Souness spent another £500,000 to sign Republic of Ireland striker Mickey Evans from Plymouth Argyle to help with the closing stages of the campaign.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/micky-evans/ Micky Evans SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 The same month, Christer Warren – who had earlier in the year spent a week at Brighton – joined Fulham on loan until the end of the season.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/christer-warren/ Christer Warren SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Players transferred in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Graham PotterEnglandDF DefenderENG Stoke City23 July 1996£250,000Wayne BridgeEnglandDF DefenderENG Olivers BatteryJuly 1996FreeWayne Bridge was initially signed as a trainee in July 1996, before turning professional in January 1998.Kevin GibbensEnglandMF MidfielderENG LordswoodJuly 1996FreeKevin Gibbens was initially signed as a trainee in July 1996, before turning professional in January 1998.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/kevin-gibbins/ Kevin Gibbins SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Garry MonkEnglandDF DefenderENG Torquay UnitedJuly 1996FreeGarry Monk was initially signed as a trainee in July 1996, before turning professional the following May.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/garry-monk/ Garry Monk SaintsPlayers.co.uk 18 October 2024 Richard DrydenEnglandDF DefenderENG Bristol City6 August 1996£150,000Russell WatkinsonEnglandFW ForwardENG Woking1 September 1996FreeClaus LundekvamNorwayDF DefenderNOR Brann2 September 1996£400,000Robbie SlaterAustraliaMF MidfielderENG West Ham United3 September 1996£200,000Egil ØstenstadNorwayFW ForwardNOR Viking3 October 1996£800,000Ulrich van GobbelNetherlandsDF DefenderTUR Galatasaray15 October 1996£1,300,000Ali DiaSenegalFW ForwardENG Blyth SpartansNovember 1996FreeAli Dia was signed on a trial basis for a month, although this was cut short after two weeks and he was released.Maik TaylorNorthern IrelandGK GoalkeeperENG Barnet31 December 1996£500,000Mickey EvansRepublic of IrelandFW ForwardENG Plymouth Argyle3 March 1997£500,000Kevin DaviesEnglandFW ForwardENG Chesterfield8 May 1997£750,000https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/kevin-davies/ Kevin Davies SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 Players transferred out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Tommy WiddringtonEnglandMF MidfielderENG Grimsby Town11 July 1996£300,000Richard HallEnglandDF DefenderENG West Ham United19 July 1996£1,400,000Mark WaltersEnglandMF MidfielderENG Swindon Town31 July 1996FreeDerek AllanScotlandDF DefenderENG Brighton & Hove Albion1 August 1996FreeBruce GrobbelaarZimbabweGK GoalkeeperENG Plymouth Argyle12 August 1996FreeNeil ShipperleyEnglandFW ForwardENG Crystal Palace25 October 1996£1,000,000Neil HeaneyEnglandMF MidfielderENG Manchester City23 November 1996£500,000Frankie BennettEnglandFW ForwardENG Bristol Rovers29 November 1996£50,000Gordon WatsonEnglandFW ForwardENG Bradford City15 January 1997£500,000Graham PotterEnglandDF DefenderENG West Bromwich Albion14 February 1997£300,000 Players loaned in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Eyal BerkovicIsraelMF MidfielderISR Maccabi Haifa9 October 1996End of seasonChris WoodsEnglandGK GoalkeeperUSA Colorado Rapids31 October 199625 March 1997 Players loaned out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Christer WarrenEnglandMF MidfielderENG Brighton & Hove Albion11 October 199619 October 1996Frankie BennettEnglandFW ForwardENG Shrewsbury Town25 October 199612 November 1996Paul TisdaleEnglandMF MidfielderENG Huddersfield Town29 November 199614 December 1996https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/paul-tisdale/ Paul Tisdale SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 Christer WarrenEnglandMF MidfielderENG Fulham7 March 1997End of season Players released NameNationalityPos. Playing positionDateSubsequent clubRef.Ali DiaSenegalFW ForwardNovember 1996ENG Gateshead Players retired NameNationalityPos. Playing positionDateReasonRef.Barry VenisonEnglandDF DefenderOctober 1996Retired due to a back injury, subsequently became a television pundit.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/barry-venison/ Barry Venison SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 Notes Pre-season friendlies Ahead of the 1996–97 campaign, Southampton played eight pre-season friendlies. Like the previous season, they started their pre-season preparations with a short tour of Ireland, beating both Cork City and Waterford United 1–0, thanks to goals from Neil Heaney and Gordon Watson, respectively.Holley Chalk 2003 431 This was followed by a 3–1 win over Southern League side Cheltenham Town (in which Graham Potter, who had signed just three days earlier, scored one of the Saints' goals) and two matches at Scottish opposition: a 2–2 draw with Dunfermline Athletic and a 0–1 defeat at Heart of Midlothian. Another 0–1 loss at Wycombe Wanderers of the Second Division was followed by a 1–2 defeat to Oxford United (as part of the Oxford Benevolent Cup pre-season tournament) and a 0–2 loss at Greek side PAOK. Friendly 22 July 1996 Cork City 0–1 Southampton Heaney Turners Cross Cork, Ireland W Friendly 24 July 1996 Waterford United 0–1 Southampton Watson Waterford RSC Waterford, Ireland W Friendly 26 July 1996 Cheltenham Town 1–3 Southampton Potter Shipperley Watson Whaddon Road Cheltenham W Friendly 31 July 1996 Dunfermline Athletic 2–2 Southampton Le Tissier own goal East End Park Dunfermline, Scotland D Friendly 3 August 1996 Heart of Midlothian 1–0 Southampton Tynecastle Park Edinburgh, Scotland L Friendly 6 August 1996 Wycombe Wanderers 1–0 Southampton Adams Park High Wycombe L Oxford Benevolent Cup 8 August 1996 Oxford United 2–1 Southampton Le Tissier Manor Ground Oxford L Friendly 11 August 1996 PAOK 2–0 Southampton PAOK Stadium Thessaloniki, Greece L FA Premier League 1996–97 FA Premier League Southampton had a dreadful start to the 1996–97 season, dropping into the relegation zone immediately after failing to pick up a win in their first seven fixtures.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/23-september-1996/ Premier League table after close of play on 23 September 1996 11v11.com 18 October 2024 After an opening day goalless draw at home to Chelsea, the Saints lost 1–2 at both Leicester City and West Ham United, reduced to ten men in each game as Barry Venison and Francis Benali, respectively, were sent off. Another home draw, 2–2 against Nottingham Forest (the point saved by a last-minute Matt Le Tissier goal), was followed by three straight defeats which saw the South Coast side descend into the drop zone – they lost 1–2 at Liverpool thanks to a goal in the last minute from Steve McManaman, lost 0–1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur thanks to a Chris Armstrong penalty, and went down 1–3 at a high-flying Wimbledon side.Holley Chalk 2003 247 Egil Ostenstad.jpg 350 170 170 15 95 left Egil Østenstad joined in October and finished as the season's second-highest scorer, winning the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award. After this dreadful start, Southampton picked up their first – and biggest – win of the season, when they beat Middlesbrough 4–0 at home (their joint-biggest win in the FA Premier League since August 1993). Matt Oakley scored his first league goal for the club to open the scoring, before a Matt Le Tissier brace either side of half-time and a Gordon Watson strike late on secured the three points. This started a short unbeaten run of five games which continued with a 1–1 draw at Coventry City (in which new signings Egil Østenstad and Eyal Berkovic made their debuts) and a 3–0 win at home to recently-promoted Sunderland (featuring another debut, for centre-back Ulrich van Gobbel). A week after the win, Southampton hosted FA Premier League champions Manchester United, who they beat 6–3 in "humiliating" fashion.https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12445190/southampton-6-3-man-utd-october-1996 25 years on: Southampton 6-3 Man Utd Sky Sports 26 October 2021 18 October 2024 Berkovic opened the scoring after just six minutes with his first goal for the club, before Roy Keane was sent off for United just 15 minutes later, having picked up two bookings for fouls on Southampton players. The hosts took advantage and were 3–1 up by half-time courtesy of Le Tissier and Østenstad, who scored his first goal for the club on the stroke of the break. In the last ten minutes, Berkovic and Østenstad scored again to secure the win – the final goal of the game was initially credited to Østenstad, completing his hat-trick, although it was later judged to be a Gary Neville own goal. On the back of picking up three wins in five games, Southampton suffered their heaviest defeat since October 1985 at the beginning of November when they lost 1–7 to Everton at Goodison Park, with Gary Speed scoring a hat-trick for the hosts.Holley Chalk 2003 248 The following week, the Saints lost 0–2 at home to fellow bottom-half side Leeds United. This game became infamous in the history of the club, as it marked the debut and sole appearance of Ali Dia, who Souness signed on a short-term basis of a fraudulent recommendation he received over the phone. With many of the team's attacking players unavailable due to injury, Dia was brought on when Le Tissier went off with an injury in the 32nd minute; he played most of the remainder of the game, before being substituted off again in the last five minutes. Dia's sole appearance before he was released within just two weeks was described by BBC Sport as "disastrous". Three more defeats followed in a run of five straight losses: 1–2 at Blackburn Rovers, 1–3 at Arsenal, and 0–1 at home to Aston Villa. Southampton ended 1996 with a 3–1 win over recently-promoted Derby County, followed by two more defeats against top sides Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool which saw them drop back into the relegation zone – where they would remain for several months.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/29-december-1996/ Premier League table after close of play on 29 December 1996 11v11.com 21 October 2024 January started with a 1–0 win over Middlesbrough, when Jim Magilton converted a second-half penalty, which was followed by a 2–2 draw at home to Newcastle United in which Le Tissier scored a "25-yard blockbuster" in the last minute to save his side a point. The club remained in the bottom three when they sacrificed winning positions in games against Manchester United (losing 1–2 from a 1–0 lead after ten minutes) and Sheffield Wednesday (losing 2–3 after leading 2–0 at half-time), and were held to draws by Wimbledon, Everton and Leeds United between February and March (the Saints picked up just one win during this run, 1–0 over Newcastle United). Towards the end of March, the club dropped from 19th to 20th (bottom) in the FA Premier League table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/19-march-1997/ Premier League table after close of play on 19 March 1997 11v11.com 21 October 2024 Maik Taylor 11 11 2007.jpg 350 170 170 20 85 right Maik Taylor signed at the end of 1996 and played in goal for the last 18 league games. Southampton responded to their drop to the bottom of the table with a run of seven games unbeaten, including four crucial "six-pointers" against other sides fighting against the risk of relegation. The first win came at the home of Nottingham Forest on 5 April, when new signing Mickey Evans scored his first two goals for the club since arriving the month before, to help the Saints secure a 3–1 win.Holley Chalk 2003 249 After a late-fought 1–1 draw with Derby County, the second win of the run came in a 2–0 home win over West Ham United, with Evans scoring again (followed by Berkovic before half-time). The result saw Southampton climb out of the drop zone, into 16th place, for the first time since December.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/12-april-1997/ Premier League table after close of play on 12 April 1997 11v11.com 21 October 2024 After dropping a 2–0 lead to draw 2–2 at home to Coventry City, the Saints won again when they picked up a 1–0 win over 18th-placed Sunderland, which was followed a couple of weeks later by a 2–0 win over Blackburn Rovers, the latter of which included Matt Le Tissier's first goal in nine games. Like his predecessor Dave Merrington, Souness was named Premier League Manager of the Month for April after an unbeaten month which saw his club secure a chance at FA Premier League survival with three wins and two draws. The Saints went into their final game of the season, against 5th-place Aston Villa, needing either Middlesbrough and/or Sunderland to lose in order to ensure their safety. The game ended 1–0 to Villa, with Richard Dryden scoring a 12th-minute own goal to decide the tie, while Middlesbrough drew 1–1 with Leeds United and Sunderland lost 0–1 at Wimbledon, leaving Southampton in 16th place, one point above the relegation spots. This marked the fourth time in five seasons the club had finished their season within a point of the first relegation place, with results on the final day of the campaign deciding their fate.https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/match-of-my-day-franny-benali Match of my Day: Franny Benali Southampton F.C. 16 April 2021 21 October 2024 Club historians have noted the importance of the signing of Mickey Evans in the closing stages of the season, as he scored four goals in three key games to keep the side's hopes of FA Premier League survival alive. List of match results 1 18 August 1996 16:00 BST Southampton 0–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1776 Chelsea Dodd Le Tissier Morris Wise The Dell Southampton 15,186 Martin Bodenham D 2 21 August 1996 19:45 BST Leicester City 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1781 Southampton Heskey 6 42Lennon Le Tissier 68 pen., Venison 2 82Dodd Dryden Filbert Street Leicester 17,562 Mike Riley L 3 24 August 1996 15:00 BST West Ham United 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1794 Southampton Hughes 73Dicks 81 pen.Bowen Heaney 19Benali 2 83Charlton Boleyn Ground London 21,227 David Elleray L 4 4 September 1996 19:30 BST Southampton 2–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1804 Nottingham Forest Dryden 53Le Tissier 89Heaney Campbell 4, 72Saunders 23Jerkan Pearce The Dell Southampton 14,450 Paul Danson D 5 7 September 1996 15:00 BST Liverpool 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1809 Southampton Collymore 39McManaman 89Bjørnebye Magilton 58Dryden Maddison Slater Anfield Liverpool 39,189 Alan Wilkie L 6 14 September 1996 15:00 BST Southampton 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1822 Tottenham Hotspur Le Tissier Monkou Armstrong 66 pen.Edinburgh Howells The Dell Southampton 15,251 Paul Alcock L 7 23 September 1996 20:00 BST Wimbledon 3–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1836 Southampton Gayle 12, Ekoku 38 73, Kimble Oakley 77Dryden Monkou Selhurst Park London 8,562 Paul Durkin L 8 28 September 1996 15:00 BST Southampton 4–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1843 Middlesbrough Oakley 11Le Tissier 29 48Watson 82Lundekvam Juninho Whelan The Dell Southampton 15,230 Roger Dilkes W 9 13 October 1996 16:00 BST Coventry City 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1855 Southampton Borrows 49Williams 53Dublin 90 Le Tissier 17Dryden Neilson Highfield Road Coventry 15,485 Paul Durkin D 10 19 October 1996 15:00 BST Southampton 3–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1863 Sunderland Dodd 38Le Tissier 53 pen., 58Shipperley 89Berkovic Lundekvam The Dell Southampton 15,225 Gary Willard W 11 26 October 1996 15:00 BST Southampton 6–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1871 Manchester United Berkovic 6 83Le Tissier 35Østenstad 45 85G. Neville 89 o.g.Lundekvam Keane 2 6 21Cantona 18Cruyff 40Beckham 41May 56G. Neville 81Scholes 89 The Dell Southampton 15,253 Jeff Winter W 12 2 November 1996 15:00 GMT Sheffield Wednesday 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1880 Southampton Newsome 14, Le Tissier 50 pen.van Gobbel Hillsborough Stadium Sheffield 20,106 Alan Wilkie D 13 16 November 1996 15:00 GMT Everton 7–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1888 Southampton Stuart 12Kanchelskis 22 35Speed 30 32 72Barmby 57 Østenstad 39 Goodison Park Liverpool 35,669 Mike Riley L 14 23 November 1996 15:00 GMT Southampton 0–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1902 Leeds United van Gobbel Ford 69Kelly 82Sharpe 89Beesley The Dell Southampton 15,241 Keith Burge L 15 30 November 1996 15:00 GMT Blackburn Rovers 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1908 Southampton Sherwood 27Sutton 87, Wilcox Maddison 58Østenstad 61van Gobbel 2 81Monkou Ewood Park Blackburn 23,018 Roger Dilkes L 16 4 December 1996 19:45 GMT Arsenal 3–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1918 Southampton Merson 43Wright 57 pen.Shaw 89Vieira Berkovic 81Charlton Lundekvam Arsenal Stadium London 38,033 Peter Jones L 17 7 December 1996 15:00 GMT Southampton 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1926 Aston Villa van Gobbel Townsend 34Milošević 53Draper Staunton Taylor The Dell Southampton 15,232 Stephen Lodge L 18 21 December 1996 15:00 GMT Southampton 3–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1943 Derby County Watson 9Oakley 13Magilton 89 pen.Benali Slater Dailly 8Gabbiadini Rowett The Dell Southampton 14,901 Paul Danson W 19 26 December 1996 12:00 GMT Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1955 Southampton Iversen 1 30Nielsen 64 Le Tissier 40Neilson Slater van Gobbel White Hart Lane London 30,549 Graham Barber L 20 29 December 1996 16:00 GMT Southampton 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1965 Liverpool Maddison Barnes 76Thomas The Dell Southampton 15,222 Steve Dunn L 21 11 January 1997 15:00 GMT Middlesbrough 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1977 Southampton Blackmore 2 58Cox Emerson Hignett Magilton 59 pen.Berkovic 70Monkou Taylor van Gobbel Riverside Stadium Middlesbrough 29,509 Gerald Ashby W 22 18 January 1997 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/1988 Newcastle United Hughes 35Maddison 88Le Tissier 89 Ferdinand 14, Clark 82Beresford Elliott The Dell Southampton 15,251 Mike Reed D 23 1 February 1997 15:00 GMT Manchester United 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2006 Southampton Pallister 19Poborský 73Cantona 80 Østenstad 11, Berkovic 70Dryden Le Tissier Old Trafford Manchester 55,269 Mike Riley L 24 22 February 1997 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2023 Sheffield Wednesday Østenstad 28Le Tissier 33 pen.van Gobbel 65Monkou Blinker 43Hirst 49 55Booth 78Carbone 88Atherton Pembridge The Dell Southampton 15,062 Mike Reed L 25 26 February 1997 19:30 GMT Southampton 0–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2027 Wimbledon The Dell Southampton 14,418 Alan Wilkie D 26 1 March 1997 15:00 GMT Newcastle United 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2033 Southampton Asprilla Le Tissier 56Magilton Neilson van Gobbel St James' Park Newcastle upon Tyne 36,446 Martin Bodenham W 27 5 March 1997 19:30 GMT Southampton 2–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2044 Everton Slater 59Short 61 o.g. Ferguson 11Speed 27, The Dell Southampton 15,134 Paul Durkin D 28 12 March 1997 19:45 GMT Leeds United 0–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2051 Southampton Lundekvam Maddison Elland Road Leeds 25,913 Gerald Ashby D 29 15 March 1997 15:00 GMT Southampton 0–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2061 Arsenal Monkou 37Slater Hughes 41Shaw 72Parlour Vieira Winterburn The Dell Southampton 15,144 Jeff Winter L 30 19 March 1997 19:45 GMT Chelsea 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2065 Southampton Zola 22Sinclair Benali 12van Gobbel Stamford Bridge London 28,079 Stephen Lodge L 31 22 March 1997 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2074 Leicester City Østenstad 32, 74van Gobbel 48 Heskey 46Neilson 70 o.g.Walsh The Dell Southampton 15,044 Keith Burge D 32 5 April 1997 15:00 BST Nottingham Forest 1–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2083 Southampton Pearce 88 pen.van Hooijdonk Magilton 8, Evans 87 89Benali City Ground Nottingham 25,134 Alan Wilkie W 33 9 April 1997 19:45 BST Derby County 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2088 Southampton Ward 66Trollope Powell 90 o.g.Berkovic Baseball Ground Derby 17,839 Gary Willard D 34 12 April 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2097 West Ham United Evans 13, Berkovic 36Dodd 1 43 Rowland 78Bilić The Dell Southampton 15,244 Steve Dunn W 35 19 April 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 2–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2111 Coventry City Neilson 14Evans 27Østenstad 47, Magilton Ndlovu 62Whelan 74Burrows Huckerby Shaw The Dell Southampton 15,251 Peter Jones D 36 22 April 1997 19:45 BST Sunderland 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2116 Southampton Østenstad 22 Roker Park Sunderland 21,521 Mike Riley W 37 3 May 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2128 Blackburn Rovers Slater 22, Le Tissier 74van Gobbel Sherwood 2 73McKinlay The Dell Southampton 15,247 Gerald Ashby W 38 11 May 1997 16:00 BST Aston Villa 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2137 Southampton Dryden 12 o.g. Villa Park Birmingham 39,339 Gary Willard L Final league table y SOU RSSSF Results by matchday table b Round Ground H / A / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / H / A / A / H / A / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / A / H / H / A / H / A Result D / L / L / D / L / L / L / W / D / W / W / D / L / L / L / L / L / W / L / L / W / D / L / L / D / W / D / D / L / L / D / W / D / W / D / W / W / L Position 13 / 15 / 17 / 18 / 18 / 19 / 19 / 18 / 18 / 17 / 14 / 14 / 14 / 17 / 17 / 17 / 18 / 16 / 19 / 19 / 19 / 18 / 19 / 19 / 19 / 19 / 18 / 19 / 19 / 20 / 20 / 19 / 19 / 16 / 17 / 15 / 14 / 16 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 11v11.com FA Cup 1996–97 FA Cup Southampton entered the 1996–97 FA Cup in the third round against Reading, who were struggling in the lower places of the First Division, and by whom the Saints had been eliminated from the League Cup the previous year.Holley Chalk 2003 405 Despite an early start in which they looked more likely to score, it was the top-flight visitors who suffered the first setback of the game when Reading broke the deadlock in the 19th minute through Jamie Lambert. After the half-time break, the Saints drew level when Egil Østenstad "held off three defenders" to equalise after being set up by Eyal Berkovic.Holley Chalk 2003 406 Reading were back in front within six minutes though, when Darren Caskey volleyed in a header from Trevor Morley. Lambert doubled his tally and made it 3–1 for the hosts late on, when he converted a penalty given for a foul by Francis Benali (for which he was sent off). In the last minute of the game, Southampton were reduced to nine men as Robbie Slater was also sent off, after making a "gesture" to the linesman. Round 3 4 January 1997 Reading 3–1 Southampton Lambert 19 77 pen.Caskey 54Holsgrove Østenstad 49Benali 0 75Slater 0 90 Elm Park Reading 11,537 Graham Poll L League Cup Eyal Berkovic, 2020 (cropped).jpg 170 170 170 0 0 left Eyal Berkovic scored two of his six goals during his loan spell at Southampton in the League Cup third and fourth rounds. 1996–97 Football League Cup Southampton entered the 1996–97 League Cup in the second round against Second Division strugglers Peterborough United. In the first leg, at The Dell, the top-flight hosts won 2–0 thanks to goals in either half from Matt Le Tissier (a 20th-minute left-footer) and Gordon Watson (a chip from a Claus Lundekvam cross in the 81st minute).Holley Chalk 2003 294 The Saints fared even better in the second leg at London Road Stadium, winning 4–0 to take their aggregate win to 6–1. Watson opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark with a volley from a Le Tissier free kick, with Simon Charlton doubling the lead before the break with a volley from a Robbie Slater cross. David Farrell pulled one back for the hosts five minutes into the second half, before long-range shots from Jim Magilton and Richard Dryden extended Southampton's lead as they progressed to the next round. In the third round, Southampton hosted Third Division side Lincoln City, who were playing in the third round for the first time since the 1982–83 season. Despite the gulf between their league standings, it was the fourth-tier side who went into half-time with the advantage, after Mark Hone put them 1–0 up in the 21st minute. Straight after the break, Le Tissier equalised with a 30-yard volley, before centre-back Ulrich van Gobbel scored his first goal for the club with a header eight minutes later. In the final five minutes, Lincoln forced a replay when Gareth Ainsworth scored a second for the team. In the replay at Sincil Bank, Ainsworth put the hosts in front after just nine minutes, with the lead lasting through half-time until the late stages of the game.Holley Chalk 2003 295 It took until the 75th minute for the Saints to equalise, when Magilton scored a penalty given for a foul on Egil Østenstad, which was followed ten minutes later by Watson from a Jason Dodd cross for 2–1, and in the last minute by a long-range Eyal Berkovic effort for 3–1. Southampton were drawn against First Division club Oxford United in the fourth round, this time away. Dryden put the top-flight visitors ahead in the 26th minute for what appeared to be a winner, before former Saint Paul Moody scored in the last minute of the game to force a replay. The replay at The Dell was an evenly-fought affair, with Berkovic's 21st-minute opener matched by an equaliser just before the break from Oxford's Nigel Jemson. Shortly after the break, Dryden scored his third goal of the tournament to put the Saints 2–1 up, before Egil Østenstad made it 3–1 just before the hour mark. Bobby Ford scored another for Oxford straight after Østenstad's goal, but his side were unable to break the deadlock further and were eliminated. In the fifth round, Southampton were hosted by Stockport County, another Second Division side. Despite opening the scoring through Østenstad in the 16th minute, the top-flight Saints went into half-time 1–2 down, after Alun Armstrong and Luís Cavaco scored in quick succession in the 25th and 26th minutes, respectively. Stockport held onto their lead until the last five minutes, when Østenstad scored his – and Southampton's – second to force a replay for a third round in a row. At The Dell, Le Tissier opened the scoring for Southampton after just eight minutes, however the hosts were "outplayed" and conceded twice in the second half – through Brett Angell and Andy Mutch – to face elimination. Round 2 Leg 1 18 September 1996 Southampton 2–0 Peterborough United Le Tissier 20Watson 81 The Dell Southampton 12,467 W Round 2 Leg 2 25 September 1996 Peterborough United 1–4 1–6 Southampton Farrell 50 Watson 32Charlton 35Magilton 55Dryden 78 London Road Stadium Peterborough 8,220 W Round 3 23 October 1996 Southampton 2–2 Lincoln City Hone 21Ainsworth 86 Le Tissier 46van Gobbel 54 The Dell Southampton 14,516 D Round 3 Replay 12 November 1996 Lincoln City 1–3 Southampton Ainsworth 9 Magilton 75 pen.Watson 85Berkovic 90 Sincil Bank Lincoln 10,523 W Round 4 26 November 1996 Oxford United 1–1 Southampton Moody 90 Dryden 26 Manor Ground Oxford 9,473 D Round 4 Replay 18 December 1996 Southampton 3–2 Oxford United Berkovic 21Dryden 52Østenstad 58 Jemson 42B. Ford 58 The Dell Southampton 10,737 W Round 5 22 January 1997 Stockport County 2–2 Southampton Armstrong 25Cavaco 26 Østenstad 16 85 Edgeley Park Stockport 9,840 D Round 5 Replay 29 January 1997 Southampton 1–2 Stockport County Le Tissier 8 Angell 62Mutch 83 The Dell Southampton 13,428 L Other matches Outside the league and cup competitions, Southampton played three additional matches during the second half of the 1996–97 season. The first two, in February and March, saw the Saints lose at two Second Division clubs: 0–2 at Brentford and 1–2 at Bournemouth. The final game took place two days after the conclusion of the league season and saw the club's current first team take on a side of "ex Saints" for defender Francis Benali's testimonial. The game finished in a 7–7 draw, with Benali scoring alongside goalkeeper Dave Beasant, who netted twice. Friendly 14 February 1997 Brentford 2–0 Southampton Griffin Park London L Friendly 7 March 1997 Bournemouth 2–1 Southampton Mickey Evans Dean Court Bournemouth L Francis Benali Testimonial 13 May 1997 Southampton 7–7 Ex-Saints Basham Beasant Benali Berkovic Dowie Magilton The Dell Southampton D Player details Southampton used 31 players during the 1996–97 season, 15 of whom scored during the campaign.Holley Chalk 2003 250, 294–295, 405–406 14 players made their debut appearances for the club, including 12 of their 13 first team signings (Eyal Berkovic, Ali Dia, Richard Dryden, Mickey Evans, Claus Lundekvam, Egil Østenstad, Graham Potter, Robbie Slater, Maik Taylor, Ulrich van Gobbel, Russell Watkinson, and Chris Woods), one signing from the previous season (Neil Mosshttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/neil-moss/ Neil Moss SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 ), and one player making the step up from youth to the first team (Steve Bashamhttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/steve-basham/ Steve Basham SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 ). Six of these – Berkovic, Dia, Potter, Taylor, Watkinson, and Woods – also made their last appearances for the Saints during the campaign, as did mid-season departees Frankie Bennett, Neil Heaney, Neil Shipperley, and Gordon Watson, plus two players sold the next season (Dave Beasanthttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/dave-beasant/ Dave Beasant SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 and Christer Warren), and one player who subsequently retired (Barry Venison). Midfielder Jim Magilton made the most appearances for Southampton during the season, as he had the one before, playing in 46 of the team's 47 games. Matt Le Tissier finished as the club's top goalscorer for the sixth time in the last eight seasons, with 13 goals in the league and three in the League Cup. Østenstad, who finished second in the goalscoring charts with 13 total goals (nine in the league, one in the FA Cup and three in the League Cup), won the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award for 1996–97. Squad statistics No. Squad numberNamePos. Playing positionNat. NationalityLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDisciplineApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoals13px13px1Dave BeasantGK GoalkeeperENG13(1)0104018(1)0002Jason DoddDF DefenderENG2310030261213Francis BenaliDF DefenderENG14(4)0100015(4)0424Jim MagiltonMF MidfielderNIR31(6)4106(2)238(8)5306Ken MonkouDF DefenderNED8(5)0005(1)013(6)0607Matt Le TissierMF MidfielderENG25(6)13106332(6)16508Mickey EvansFW ForwardIRL8(4)400008(4)41010Neil MaddisonMF MidfielderENG14(4)1102(2)017(6)14013Neil MossGK GoalkeeperENG300020500014Simon CharltonDF DefenderENG24(3)00(1)05(1)129(5)12015Alan NeilsonDF DefenderWAL24(5)0005029(5)03016David HughesMF MidfielderENG1(5)0001(1)02(6)01017Paul TisdaleMF MidfielderENG000000000018Matt OakleyMF MidfielderENG23(5)30(1)06(1)029(7)30019Richard DrydenDF DefenderENG28(1)1006334(1)45020Robbie SlaterMF MidfielderAUS22(8)2105(2)028(10)25122Claus LundekvamDF DefenderNOR28(1)0107(1)036(2)05023Darryl FlahavanGK GoalkeeperENG000000000025Paul SheerinMF MidfielderSCO000000000026Matthew RobinsonDF DefenderENG3(4)010004(4)00027Steve BashamFW ForwardENG1(5)000001(5)00028Russell WatkinsonFW ForwardENG0(2)0000(1)00(3)00029Eyal BerkovicMF MidfielderISR26(2)4105(1)232(3)64030Egil ØstenstadFW ForwardNOR29(1)9116336(1)133032Ulrich van GobbelDF DefenderNED24(1)1106131(1)29133Maik TaylorGK GoalkeeperNIR180000018010Squad members who left before the end of the season8Gordon WatsonFW ForwardENG7(8)20(1)04(2)311(11)5009Neil ShipperleyFW ForwardENG9(1)1001(1)010(2)10011Neil HeaneyMF MidfielderENG4(4)100004(4)11012Graham PotterDF DefenderENG2(6)0001(1)03(7)00021Frankie BennettFW ForwardENG000000000031Chris WoodsGK GoalkeeperENG400020600033Ali DiaFW ForwardSEN0(1)000000(1)000Squad members who ended the season out on loan24Christer WarrenMF MidfielderENG0(1)000000(1)000Squad members who retired before the end of the season5Barry VenisonDF DefenderENG2000002011 Most appearances RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsTotal1Jim MagiltonMF Midfielder3161062388462Claus LundekvamDF Defender281107136238Matt Le TissierMF Midfielder256106032638Robbie SlaterMF Midfielder22810522810385Egil ØstenstadFW Forward2911060361376Matt OakleyMF Midfielder2350161297367Richard DrydenDF Defender281006034135Eyal BerkovicMF Midfielder2621051323359Simon CharltonDF Defender243015129534Alan NeilsonDF Defender245005029534 Top goalscorers RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGPG Goals per game1Matt Le TissierMF Midfielder1331013616380.422Egil ØstenstadFW Forward930113613370.353Eyal BerkovicMF Midfielder42801266350.17Jim MagiltonMF Midfielder43701286460.135Gordon WatsonFW Forward21501365220.236Mickey EvansFW Forward41200004120.33Richard DrydenDF Defender12900364350.118Matt OakleyMF Midfielder32801073360.089Ulrich van GobbelDF Defender12501162320.06Robbie SlaterMF Midfielder23001072380.05 References Bibliography Holley Duncan Chalk Gary Bull David 2003 In That Number: A Post-War Chronicle of Southampton FC Hagiology Publishing Bristol, England 0-9534474-3-X External links Southampton F.C. official website Category:Southampton F.C. seasons Southampton Southampton