1985–86 Southampton F.C. season

September 2024 Southampton F.C. 1985–86 Alan Woodford Chris Nicholl The Dell First Division 14th FA Cup Semi-final League Cup Fourth round Super Cup Group stage David Armstrong (10) David Armstrong (16) 19,784 v Liverpool(15 March 1986) 9,085 v Birmingham City(6 November 1985) 15,034 3–0 v Manchester City(7 September 1985)3–0 v Queens Park Rangers(26 October 1985)3–0 v Arsenal(7 December 1985)3–0 v Wigan Athletic(25 January 1986)3–0 v Birmingham City(6 November 1985) 0–7 v Luton Town(19 October 1985) _southampton8586h _southampton8586h _southampton8586h _southampton8586h _southampton8586h FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 _southampton8586a _southampton8586a _southampton8586a _southampton8586a _southampton8586a 99ccff 99ccff 99ccff 00003d 99ccff 1984–85 1986–87 The 1985–86 Southampton F.C. season was the club's 85th season of competitive football and their 16th in the First Division of the Football League. Following the departure of Lawrie McMenemy in the summer, 1985–86 was the first season to feature former player Chris Nicholl as manager. The Saints had a disappointing first campaign with Nicholl, finishing 14th in the First Division table – their joint lowest position since their 1979 promotion to the top flight. Outside the league, the club reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the second time in three seasons and the fourth round of the League Cup. The team were due to compete in the UEFA Cup, but English sides were banned following the Heysel Stadium disaster. In its place, Southampton played in the only incarnation of the Super Cup, but failed to make it out of the group stage. Southampton's squad at the start of the 1985–86 campaign remained much the same as the previous season, with full-back Mick Mills the only major departure in the summer. Nicholl signed a number of youth players before the season started, including Matt Le Tissier, and brought in Glenn Cockerill, Jon Gittens and Gerry Forrest later in the season. He also signed goalkeeper Tim Flowers on loan towards the end of the campaign, with the deal made permanent the next summer. The team's league performance was poor throughout most of the season, as they picked up just 12 wins and suffered 20 defeats, failing to climb past 13th in the table and ultimately finishing one place lower – their worst performance since 1978–79. The campaign also included one of the club's heaviest league defeats, as they lost 0–7 to Luton Town. Outside the league, Southampton performed well in the FA Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons. After easing past Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic, the Saints beat Millwall and Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively. In the semi-finals, they faced First Division title hopefuls (and eventual winners) Liverpool, losing 0–2 thanks to two goals in extra time. Liverpool went on to win the tournament, beating local rivals Everton in the final. In the League Cup, the Saints edged past Millwall and Birmingham City (after penalties and a replay, respectively), before facing elimination at the hands of Arsenal in the fourth round, again after a replay. In the Super Cup, Southampton were eliminated in the group stage after finishing bottom of their group, with no wins, one draw and three defeats. Southampton used 27 players during the 1985–86 season and had 13 different goalscorers. Their top scorer was David Armstrong, who scored 16 times in all competitions. Danny Wallace was the club's second-highest scorer with 15 goals, followed by Steve Moran on ten in all competitions. Armstrong featured in the most games during the campaign, missing just one fixture in the league. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton played in all but five league games, and at the end of the season became the first player to win the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award for a second (and second consecutive) year. The average attendance at The Dell in 1985–86 was 15,034 – a significant drop from the previous year. The highest attendance was 19,784 against Liverpool; the lowest was 12,500 against Nottingham Forest. Background and transfers thumb|upright|Southampton signed Matt Le Tissier on apprentice terms in May 1985. He would go on to make 540 appearances and score 209 goals – the second highest in the club's history. thumb|upright|Tim Flowers was signed on loan at the end of the season. His deal was later made permanent and he would go on to play over 250 games. The summer transfer window ahead of the 1985–86 season was relatively quiet for Southampton. The sole departure was 36-year-old full-back Mick Mills, who left the Saints to take on the role of player-manager at Stoke City.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/mick-mills/ Mick Mills SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 Joining the Saints squad were three youth players. First to join was 16-year-old attacking midfielder Matt Le Tissier, who moved from Vale Recreation in May and signed as an apprentice.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/matt-le-tissier/ Matt Le Tissier SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 He was followed by two 16-year-old left-backs, Allen Tankard and Andy Cook, in June and July, respectively, both of whom joined as part of the Youth Training Scheme.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/allen-tankard/ Allen Tankard SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/andy-cook/ Andy Cook SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 In August, striker Stuart McManus was briefly loaned out to Third Division side Newport County.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/stuart-mcmanus/ Stuart McManus SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 In October, with the club having struggled in the league thus far, Southampton signed midfielder Glenn Cockerill from Second Division side Sheffield United for £200,000 and defender Jon Gittens from Midland Combination side Paget Rangers for £5,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/glenn-cockerill/ Glenn Cockerill SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/jon-gittens/ Jon Gittens SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 Towards the end of the season, goalkeeper Tim Flowers was brought in on a short-term loan from Third Division strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season, with the deal made permanent come the summer.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/tim-flowers/ Tim Flowers SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 Phil Kite was loaned out at the same time to Middlesbrough in the Second Division,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/phil-kite/ Phil Kite SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 while striker Alan Curtis spent a month on loan at Stoke City, under new manager Mills.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/alan-curtis/ Alan Curtis SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 Players transferred in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Matt Le TissierEnglandMF MidfielderENG Vale RecreationMay 1985FreeMatt Le Tissier signed as an apprentice in May 1985, before turning professional in October 1986.Allen TankardEnglandDF Defendernone (free agent)June 1985FreeAllen Tankard signed as a youth player in June 1985, before turning professional in May 1987.Andy CookEnglandDF Defendernone (free agent)July 1985FreeAndy Cook signed as a trainee in July 1985, before turning professional in July 1987.Glenn CockerillEnglandMF MidfielderENG Sheffield UnitedOctober 1985£200,000Jon GittensEnglandDF DefenderENG Paget RangersOctober 1985£5,000Gerry ForrestEnglandDF DefenderENG Rotherham UnitedDecember 1985£100,000https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/gerry-forrest/ Gerry Forrest SaintsPlayers.co.uk 10 September 2024 Phil ParkinsonEnglandMF Midfieldernone (free agent)December 1985FreeHolley Chalk 2003 614 Players transferred out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Mick MillsEnglandDF DefenderENG Stoke CityMay 1985Free Players loaned in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Tim FlowersEnglandGK GoalkeeperENG Wolverhampton WanderersMarch 1986End of season Players loaned out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Stuart McManusScotlandFW ForwardENG Newport CountyAugust 1985September 1985Alan CurtisWalesFW ForwardENG Stoke CityFebruary 1986March 1986Phil KiteEnglandGK GoalkeeperENG MiddlesbroughMarch 1986End of season Notes Pre-season friendlies Prior to the start of the 1985–86 season, Southampton played seven friendlies. The first three were as part of a short West Indies tour, during which they beat domestic league rivals Manchester United 1–0, the Trinidad and Tobago under-21 team 7–3, and local side Trintoc 4–0.Holley Chalk 2003 429 Upon their return to England, the Saints thrashed Alliance Premier League side Weymouth 6–0 in a testimonial match and faced three Third Division sides – beating Bristol Rovers 2–0, losing 0–1 to Brentford, and holding Plymouth Argyle to a goalless draw. Friendly 24 May 1985 Manchester United 0–1 Southampton Lawrence W Friendly 26 May 1985 TRI Trinidad and Tobago U21 3–7 Southampton Armstrong Puckett Jordan W Friendly 28 May 1985 TRI Trintoc 0–4 Southampton Jordan Case Lawrence W Lawrence & Arnold Testimonial 27 July 1985 Weymouth 0–6 Southampton Puckett Wallace Case own goal Weymouth W Friendly 31 July 1985 Bristol Rovers 0–2 Southampton Armstrong Moran Eastville Stadium Bristol W Friendly 7 August 1985 Brentford 1–0 Southampton Griffin Park London L Friendly 12 August 1985 Plymouth Argyle 0–0 Southampton Home Park Plymouth D First Division 1985–86 Football League thumb|upright|left|Peter Shilton played well in goal throughout the season to help keep Southampton out of the relegation zone and became the first two-time Player of the Season award winner as a result. Southampton started their first season under Chris Nicholl poorly, picking up just four points from their first six games and immediately dropping down the table close to the relegation zone. Points were gained in a 1–1 draw on the opening day with Newcastle United, a goalless draw at home to Aston Villa, and consecutive 1–1 draws against Ipswich Town and West Ham United,Holley Chalk 2003 186 both of whom had finished within two points of the relegation zone the previous year.https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1984-85.html Season 1984–85 RSSSF 11 September 2024 David Armstrong quickly established himself as the club's lead goalscorer during the fixtures, scoring four of their first six goals in the league. The team's first win came in September, when they beat the recently promoted Manchester City 3–0 at The Dell, after which Nicholl praised the performance of his defenders.Holley Chalk 2003 187 By mid-October, the South Coast side had only picked up one more victory: a 3–1 win over Watford in which Steve Moran scored his fourth league hat-trick for the club (only Ron Davies had scored more in the top flight, with five First Division hat-tricks). A subsequent 0–1 loss at title challengers Liverpool had left the club 17th in the table,https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/12-october-1985/ League Division One table after close of play on 12 October 1985 11v11.com 11 September 2024 after which Nicholl brought in midfielder Glenn Cockerill and defender Jon Gittens to bolster the struggling squad. After Cockerill and Gittens' arrivals, Southampton faced their heaviest defeat of the season, losing 0–7 to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. Despite the heavy defeat, the club bounced back with three wins and a draw from their next four games, including a 3–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers, a 1–0 win over last season's third-placed side Tottenham Hotspur, and a 1–0 edging of strugglers Birmingham City. The end of November saw Southampton mark the club's centenary at home to defending league champions Everton, which ended in a close-fought 2–3 loss in which the visitors overturned a 1–2 disadvantage over the last 15 minutes to secure the win.Holley Chalk 2003 188 At the beginning of December, Gerry Forrest was signed and the Saints beat Arsenal 3–0 at home, with goals coming from Kevin Bond, Armstrong and Moran. After the last few games of 1985 – two away defeats and a 3–1 win over Nottingham Forest – Southampton had reached a season-high position of 13th in the First Division table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/26-december-1985/ League Division One table after close of play on 26 December 1985 11v11.com 11 September 2024 1986 started with two wins and a draw from four fixtures, including a New Year's Day 3–1 victory over bottom-placed West Bromwich Albion and a 1–0 win over fellow strugglers Ipswich Town.Holley Chalk 2003 189 However, it took until mid-March for the Saints to pick up their first win on the road in the league, defeating Queens Park Rangers 2–0 at Loftus Road thanks to goals from debutant Stuart McManus and Cockerill; this would be one of only two away league wins during 1985–86, the other coming five weeks later at Birmingham City who by that point had almost confirmed their relegation to the Second Division. Several marginal 0–1 defeats in the final stages of the season – including against Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United – saw Southampton unable to make it above 14th in the league again, with their position confirmed by defeats against title chasers Everton (1–6) and mid-table side Tottenham Hotspur (3–5) in the final two games of the campaign (during which Keith Granger and Mark Blake made their first team debuts). List of match results 1 17 August 1985 Southampton 1–1 Newcastle United Puckett 42 Beardsley 49 pen. The Dell Southampton 16,401 D 2 20 August 1985 Arsenal 3–2 Southampton Caton 5Robson 47Woodcock 67 Armstrong 65 82 Arsenal Stadium London 21,623 L 3 24 August 1985 Nottingham Forest 2–1 Southampton Metgod 20Birtles 44 Armstrong 63 City Ground Nottingham 12,643 L 4 27 August 1985 Southampton 0–0 Aston Villa The Dell Southampton 14,220 D 5 31 August 1985 Ipswich Town 1–1 Southampton Cranson 18 Armstrong 85 pen. Portman Road Ipswich 11,588 D 6 3 September 1985 Southampton 1–1 West Ham United Curtis 51 McAvennie 81 The Dell Southampton 14,477 D 7 7 September 1985 Southampton 3–0 Manchester City Case 10McCarthy 64 o.g.Lawrence 83 The Dell Southampton 14,308 W 8 14 September 1985 Chelsea 2–0 Southampton Dixon 34Canoville 79 Stamford Bridge London 16,711 L 9 21 September 1985 Southampton 1–1 Coventry City Armstrong 71 Gibson 60 The Dell Southampton 12,674 D 10 28 September 1985 Manchester United 1–0 Southampton Hughes 77 Old Trafford Manchester 52,449 L 11 5 October 1985 Southampton 3–1 Watford Moran 17 23 70 The Dell Southampton 14,172 W 12 12 October 1985 Liverpool 1–0 Southampton McMahon 59 Anfield Liverpool 32,113 L 13 19 October 1985 Luton Town 7–0 Southampton Nwajiobi 5Stein 31 55 89 pen.Hill 33Preece 59Daniel 88 Kenilworth Road Luton 8,896 L 14 26 October 1985 Southampton 3–0 Queens Park Rangers Wallace 3 84Cockerill 71 The Dell Southampton 15,615 W 15 2 November 1985 Southampton 1–0 Tottenham Hotspur Puckett 67 The Dell Southampton 17,740 W 16 9 November 1985 Leicester City 2–2 Southampton Smith 3Lynex 65 pen. Armstrong 30Puckett 56 Filbert Street Leicester 8,080 D 17 16 November 1985 Southampton 1–0 Birmingham City Wallace 67 The Dell Southampton 13,167 W 18 23 November 1985 Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Southampton Chapman 20Marwood 70 Wright 81 Hillsborough Stadium Sheffield 18,955 L 19 30 November 1985 Southampton 2–3 Everton Cockerill 1Moran 70 Lineker 29Heath 75Steven 82 The Dell Southampton 16,917 L 20 7 December 1985 Southampton 3–0 Arsenal Bond 29Armstrong 65 pen.Moran 67 The Dell Southampton 15,052 W 21 14 December 1985 Newcastle United 2–1 Southampton Roeder 29Beardsley 79 Moran 69 St James' Park Newcastle upon Tyne 19,229 L 22 20 December 1985 Southampton 3–1 Nottingham Forest Moran 35 37Armstrong 74 Carr 44 The Dell Southampton 12,500 W 23 26 December 1985 Oxford United 3–0 Southampton Leworthy 23 29Aldridge 61 Manor Ground Oxford 11,266 L 24 1 January 1986 Southampton 3–1 West Bromwich Albion Cockerill 47Wallace 58Armstrong 83 Varadi 68 The Dell Southampton 13,154 W 25 11 January 1986 Manchester City 1–0 Southampton Phillips 85 Maine Road Manchester 21,674 L 26 18 January 1986 Southampton 1–0 Ipswich Town Wallace 50 The Dell Southampton 13,164 W 27 1 February 1986 Aston Villa 0–0 Southampton Villa Park Birmingham 8,456 D 28 8 February 1986 Southampton 1–2 Luton Town Armstrong 65 Newell 29Stein 88 The Dell Southampton 13,740 L 29 22 February 1986 Coventry City 3–2 Southampton Brazil 55Pickering 58Bennett 79 Wright 17Cockerill 38 pen. Highfield Road Coventry 10,881 L 30 1 March 1986 Southampton 1–0 Manchester United Cockerill 81 The Dell Southampton 19,012 W 31 11 March 1986 Queens Park Rangers 0–2 Southampton McManus 23Cockerill 42 Loftus Road London 14,521 W 32 15 March 1986 Southampton 1–2 Liverpool Lawrence 49 Wark 53Rush 59 The Dell Southampton 19,784 L 33 22 March 1986 Southampton 0–1 Chelsea Pates 62 The Dell Southampton 15,509 L 34 29 March 1986 West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Southampton Thompson 70 The Hawthorns West Bromwich 7,324 L 35 1 April 1986 Southampton 1–1 Oxford United Aldridge 35 Wright 43 The Dell Southampton 15,350 D 36 8 April 1986 West Ham United 1–0 Southampton Martin 26 Boleyn Ground London 22,531 L 37 12 April 1986 Southampton 0–0 Leicester City The Dell Southampton 13,403 D 38 19 April 1986 Birmingham City 0–2 Southampton Wallace 42Cockerill 70 St Andrew's Birmingham 5,833 W 39 26 April 1986 Southampton 2–3 Sheffield Wednesday Case 54Wallace 76 Shutt 6Shelton 64Hart 89 The Dell Southampton 15,365 L 40 29 April 1986 Watford 1–1 Southampton West 43 Townsend 12 Vicarage Road Watford 11,868 D 41 3 May 1986 Everton 6–1 Southampton Mountfield 9Steven 29Lineker 30 35 64Sharp 51 Puckett 59 Goodison Park Liverpool 33,057 L 42 5 May 1986 Tottenham Hotspur 5–3 Southampton Waddle 9Galvin 29 35 50Allen 74 Wallace 22Mabbutt 41 o.g.Maskell 64 White Hart Lane London 13,036 L Final league table First Division y SOU RSSSF Results by matchday table b Round Ground H / A / A / H / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / A / A Result D / L / L / D / D / D / W / L / D / L / W / L / L / W / W / D / W / L / L / W / L / W / L / W / L / W / D / L / L / W / W / L / L / L / D / L / D / W / L / D / L / L Position 15 / 18 / 20 / 19 / 20 / 19 / 14 / 15 / 17 / 20 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 18 / 16 / 15 / 14 / 14 / 15 / 15 / 14 / 13 / 13 / 13 / 14 / 14 / 14 / 14 / 15 / 14 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 15 / 15 / 15 / 15 / 14 / 14 / 14 / 14 / 14 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 11v11.comhttps://www.11v11.com/league-tables/ 11v11 league table generator 11v11.com 10 September 2024 FA Cup 1985–86 FA Cup Southampton entered the 1985–86 FA Cup in the third round against Middlesbrough, who were struggling in (and later relegated from) the Second Division. The top-flight side dominated possession and chances early in the game, with Danny Wallace opening the scoring after 11 minutes.Holley Chalk 2003 383 Don O'Riordan equalised for the hosts, before Wallace doubled his tally and put the Saints back ahead on 40 minutes from a Glenn Cockerill assist. The visitors continued to apply most of the pressure after the break, with Wallace finally completing a hat-trick and securing his team's first away win in 10 months after 89 minutes. In the fourth round, Southampton hosted Wigan Athletic, who were vying for promotion from the Third Division. After a first half which saw chances for both sides to break the deadlock, it was the Saints who struck first in the 68th minute through Cockerill, who headed in a cross from David Armstrong to put the top-flight side 1–0 up. It was the season's leading goalscorer Armstrong himself who converted next, first scoring a rebound from a penalty less than five minutes from full-time, then adding a third for his side in the last minute when he headed in a corner from Mark Dennis.Holley Chalk 2003 384 Another home tie followed in the fifth round, this time against Second Division opponents Millwall, past whom the Saints had edged on penalties after two goalless legs in the League Cup just a few months earlier. Like its predecessors, the game ended 0–0 despite being "fiercely contested", with neither side able to convert a chance on goal. In a replay played just over two weeks later at The Den, Southampton finally scored a single goal to beat Millwall and advance to the sixth round – Wallace scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute, following a "stunning move" involving numerous players. In their fourth FA Cup quarter-final in ten years, Southampton travelled to face another Second Division side, Brighton & Hove Albion, just five days after the victory over Millwall. Despite the hosts dominating the opening of the game, the Saints scored against the run of play through Steve Moran, who scored for the first time since December after just 14 minutes.Holley Chalk 2003 385 The visitors took control of the game after their opening goal, with Cockerill doubling their lead five minutes before half-time. Despite chances aplenty for either side in the second 45 minutes, the score remained 2–0 and Southampton progressed. Southampton were drawn in their second FA Cup semi-final in three years against defending First Division champions Liverpool, in a tie played at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium White Hart Lane. The Merseyside team enjoyed the majority of early chances, with goalkeeper Peter Shilton and full-back Nick Holmes preventing strong chances on goal. Shortly before half-time, centre-back Mark Wright broke his leg, which prevented him from finishing the season or playing in the upcoming 1986 World Cup. A goalless second half saw the sides progress to extra time, during which talisman Ian Rush scored twice for the Reds to knock Southampton out and send Liverpool through to their seventh FA Cup final (which they would later win, a week after winning the league, securing the double as a result). Round 3 13 January 1986 Middlesbrough 1–3 Southampton O'Riordan Wallace 11 40 89 Ayresome Park Middlesbrough 12,012 W Round 4 25 January 1986 Southampton 3–0 Wigan Athletic Cockerill 68Armstrong 87 90 The Dell Southampton 14,462 W Round 5 15 February 1986 Southampton 0–0 Millwall The Dell Southampton 16,356 D Round 5 Replay 3 March 1986 Millwall 0–1 Southampton Wallace 16 The Den London 10,625 W Round 6 8 March 1986 Brighton & Hove Albion 0–2 Southampton Moran 14Cockerill 40 Goldstone Ground Hove 25,069 W Semi-Final 5 April 1986 Southampton 0–2 yes Liverpool Rush 100 105 White Hart Lane London 44,605 L League Cup 1985–86 Football League Cup Entering the 1985–86 League Cup in the second round, Southampton faced Millwall of the Second Division. The first leg, at The Den, ended in a 0–0 draw thanks to a "stunning" performance by Saints goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who saved a second-half penalty to keep his clean sheet.Holley Chalk 2003 290 The second leg also ended goalless, even after extra time, with the tie decided by a penalty shootout which was won 5–4 by the First Division side. In the third round, Southampton played Birmingham City at St Andrew's, holding the hosts to a 1–1 draw to force a replay at home. They won the replay 3–0, thanks to two goals from David Armstrong (one a free kick, the other a penalty) and one from Wallace; late on, Armstrong missed a second penalty for a chance to finish a hat-trick. Southampton's fourth round tie against Arsenal also ended in a draw necessitating a replay at home, which the visiting Gunners won 3–1 thanks to goals from Martin Hayes, Charlie Nicholas and Stewart Robson. Round 2 Leg 1 25 September 1985 Millwall 0–0 Southampton The Den London 7,958 D Round 2 Leg 2 7 October 1985 Southampton 0–0 yes 5–4 Millwall The Dell Southampton 9,480 W Round 3 29 October 1985 Birmingham City 1–1 Southampton Kennedy 25 Puckett 13 St Andrew's Birmingham 4,832 D Round 3 Replay 6 November 1985 Southampton 3–0 Birmingham City Armstrong 34 39 pen.Wallace 60 The Dell Southampton 9,085 W Round 4 19 November 1985 Arsenal 0–0 Southampton Arsenal Stadium London 18,244 D Round 4 Replay 26 November 1985 Southampton 1–3 Arsenal Armstrong 59 pen. Hayes 56Nicholas 71Robson 75 The Dell Southampton 14,010 L Super Cup Football League Super Cup With English sides banned from UEFA competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster, teams that had qualified for either the 1985–86 European Cup, 1985–86 UEFA Cup or 1985–86 European Cup Winners' Cup were included in the inaugural (and only) Football League Super Cup. Due to their league position the previous season, Southampton had qualified for the UEFA Cup, and were consequently drawn in a Super Cup group with league runners-up Liverpool and third-placed team Tottenham Hotspur. The Saints lost both their opening away games 1–2, with Danny Wallace and Steve Moran, respectively, scoring consolations against Liverpool and Spurs.Holley Chalk 2003 301 Southampton picked up a point in the home fixture against Liverpool, thanks to a 79th-minute David Armstrong penalty, before they lost again to Spurs 1–3 in December. Group Stage 17 September 1985 Liverpool 2–1 Southampton Mølby 5Dalglish 29 Wallace 23 Anfield Liverpool 16,408 L Group Stage 2 October 1985 Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 Southampton Falco 14 38 Moran 47 White Hart Lane London 11,549 L Group Stage 22 October 1985 Southampton 1–1 Liverpool Armstrong 79 pen. Walsh 81 The Dell Southampton 10,503 D Group Stage 17 December 1985 Southampton 1–3 Tottenham Hotspur Wallace 54 Falco 9Allen 20Leworthy 84 The Dell Southampton 4,680 L Player details Southampton used 27 different players during the 1985–86 season, 13 of whom scored during the campaign. Attacking midfielder David Armstrong featured in the most fixtures of any player, as well as finishing as the season's top goalscorer – he scored 16 goals in 57 appearances across all three competitions, missing only one game in the league.Holley Chalk 2003 190 Peter Shilton finished with the second-most appearances of the season, playing in 52 of the 58 games, while Danny Wallace finished as the season's second-highest goalscorer, with 15 goals in all competitions. Squad statistics NamePos. Playing positionNat. NationalityLeagueFA CupLeague CupSuper CupTotalApps. AppearancesGls. GoalsApps. AppearancesGls. GoalsApps. AppearancesGls. GoalsApps. AppearancesGls. GoalsApps. AppearancesGls. GoalsDavid ArmstrongMF MidfielderENG41106263415716Steve BakerDF DefenderENG130506020260Mark BlakeDF DefenderENG1000000010Kevin BondDF DefenderENG341604030471Kevan BrownDF DefenderENG0000000000Jimmy CaseMF MidfielderENG362606030512Glenn CockerillMF MidfielderENG307620020389Eamonn CollinsMF MidfielderIRL0000100010Alan CurtisFW ForwardWAL10(1)100502017(1)1Mark DennisDF DefenderENG240403020330Gerry ForrestDF DefenderENG220000010230Jon GittensDF DefenderENG4000000040Ivan GolacDF DefenderYUG90000010100Keith GrangerGK GoalkeeperENG2000000020Ian HamiltonMF MidfielderENG0000000000Nick HolmesMF MidfielderENG260603020370Joe JordanFW ForwardSCO120002020140George LawrenceMF MidfielderENG12(9)23(1)0101(1)017(11)2Craig MaskellFW ForwardENG0(2)10000000(2)1Stuart McManusFW ForwardSCO2100000021Steve MoranFW ForwardENG24(4)8413(1)03134(5)10Phil ParkinsonMF MidfielderENG0000000000David PuckettFW ForwardENG13(2)4204(1)11(1)020(4)5Peter ShiltonGK GoalkeeperENG370606030520Allen TankardDF DefenderENG3000000030Andy TownsendMF MidfielderIRL25(2)10(3)0302(2)030(7)1Danny WallaceFW ForwardENG34(1)864513248(1)15Mark WhitlockDF DefenderENG12(2)000202016(2)0Mark WrightDF DefenderENG333606040493Players with appearances who ended the season out on loanPhil KiteGK GoalkeeperENG3000001040 Most appearances RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupSuper CupTotalStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsTotal1David ArmstrongMF Midfielder410606040570572Peter ShiltonGK Goalkeeper370606030520523Jimmy CaseMF Midfielder360606030510514Mark WrightDF Defender33060604049049Danny WallaceFW Forward341605030481496Kevin BondDF Defender340604030470477Steve MoranFW Forward244403130345398Glenn CockerillMF Midfielder300600020380389Nick HolmesMF Midfielder26060302037037Andy TownsendMF Midfielder25203302230737 Top goalscorers RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupSuper CupTotalGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGPG Goals per game1David ArmstrongMF Midfielder104126361416570.282Danny WallaceFW Forward83546152315490.313Steve MoranFW Forward82814041310390.264Glenn CockerillMF Midfielder7302600029380.245David PuckettFW Forward4150215025240.216Mark WrightDF Defender3330606043490.067George LawrenceMF Midfielder2210401022280.07Jimmy CaseMF Midfielder2360606032510.049Craig MaskellMF Midfielder12000000120.50Stuart McManusFW Forward12000000120.50Alan CurtisFW Forward1110005021180.06Andy TownsendMF Midfielder1270303041370.03Kevin BondDF Defender1340604031470.02 References Bibliography Chalk Gary Holley Duncan A Complete Record of Southampton Football Club: 1885–1987 Derby, England Breedon Books 10 August 1987 978-0907969228 Chalk Gary Holley Duncan Bull David All the Saints: A Complete Who's Who of Southampton FC Bristol, England Hagiology Publishing 28 November 2013 978-0992686406 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 Juson Dave Aldworth Clay Bendel Barry Bull David Chalk Gary Saints v Pompey: A History of Unrelenting Rivalry Bristol, England Hagiology Publishing 10 November 2004 978-0953447459 External links Southampton F.C. official website Category:Southampton F.C. seasons Southampton