10 Greatest Southampton Players in Football History [Ranked]

Southampton, a club rich in history, has spent much of its time in the top tier of English football, enjoying periods of success and even winning the FA Cup in 1976. Known for its outstanding academy, which has produced stars like Gareth Bale and Adam Lallana, the Saints have been home to some of England's finest talents. After falling to League One, Southampton bounced back with consecutive promotions in 2011 and 2012 to return to the Premier League. With legends like Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier gracing the pitch, choosing the top 10 Southampton players of all time wasn't an easy task, but here are Betimate's picks.

Ranking Factors

• Performances for the club
• Overall Career at Southampton
• Record for the Saints

10. Kevin Keegan

Years at the club: 1980-1982

In a surprising move in 1980, Kevin Keegan joined Southampton shortly after captaining England at Euro 1980. His time at the south coast club proved to be highly successful. In his first season, he helped Southampton achieve their best-ever league finish by securing sixth place, as the team scored an impressive 76 goals in the 1980/81 campaign. Keegan's second season was even more remarkable, as he netted 30 goals across all competitions and won the PFA Player of the Year award, with the Saints even topping the league in April. Unfortunately, their form dipped, and they finished seventh, but Keegan's individual contributions were exceptional.

After a fallout with manager Lawrie McMenemy, Keegan left after two years to join Newcastle. However, his legacy at Southampton remains firmly etched in the club's history.

9. Alan Shearer

Years at the club: 1988-1992

Alan Shearer announced himself as a future goalscoring legend with a hat-trick on his full debut for Southampton. Although his most successful years came after leaving the club, Shearer made a significant impact during his time at St Mary's.

While with Southampton, Shearer earned his first England call-up and won the club's Player of the Year award in 1991, showcasing the potential that would later define his career. His impressive performances caught the attention of the media, both domestically and internationally, as well as other clubs. This ultimately led to Blackburn breaking the British transfer record in 1992 to sign Shearer for £3.6 million, a move that would shape his future at just 21 years old.

8. Virgil van Dijk

Years at the Club: 2015-2018

Virgil van Dijk established himself as one of the Premier League's greatest defenders during his time at Southampton. After impressive stints with Groningen and Celtic, the Dutchman joined the Saints in 2015 for around £13 million—a savvy move given the considerable interest in him.

Van Dijk made an immediate impact, winning Player of the Season in his first year and earning the club captaincy shortly thereafter. His exceptional performances quickly earned him recognition as one of the league's top defenders, drawing attention from England's biggest clubs. After just two and a half years at Southampton, he was signed by Liverpool for a reported £75 million, setting a world record fee for a defender. Van Dijk’s time at Southampton served as the launchpad for what has become an extraordinary career in football.

7. Rickie Lambert

Years at the club: 2009-2014

Rickie Lambert became a goalscoring sensation at Southampton, capable of netting from all positions on the pitch. He is particularly renowned for his perfect penalty record, converting all 34 of his attempts, making him one of the most lethal players from the spot in football history.

Lambert joined Southampton from Bristol Rovers in 2009, and immediately made an impact by becoming the club's top scorer in his first season with 36 goals. His remarkable tally made him the top scorer across England's top four leagues for the second consecutive season. Lambert played a crucial role in helping the Saints achieve promotion, first to the Championship in 2011 and then to the Premier League in 2012, cementing his place as a club legend.

Though he earned a move to Liverpool in 2014, his career declined after leaving Southampton, where he had undoubtedly played his best football, securing his legacy as one of the club's greatest ever players.

6. Terry Paine

Years at the club: 1957-1974

Happy th birthday, Terry Paine! 

A true #SaintsFC legend! pic.twitter.com/UNjW6bCrwO

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 23, 2019

Southampton’s all-time record appearance maker, Terry Paine, is a true club legend, which earned him the title of Honorary President of Southampton in 2013.

Paine etched his name in the club’s history in 1966, scoring the crucial goal in a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient that secured the Saints' promotion to the First Division. That achievement alone would have guaranteed his place in the club's folklore. Later that year, Paine also earned a place in footballing history by winning the World Cup with England, making one appearance in the group-stage match against Mexico.

Paine’s career was a testament to his loyalty to Southampton, and his ability to consistently deliver precise passes, often described as "landing a ball on a sixpence," made him a fan favourite. His legendary status within the club is undeniable, and his influence on Southampton remains a defining part of their history.

5. Mick Channon

Years at the club: 1965-1977, 1979-1982

A true #SaintsFC legend! 

Wishing Mick Channon the happiest of birthdays!  pic.twitter.com/PkuuKcxu2Y

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 28, 2021

Ranked second on the club's all-time leading scorer list, Mick Channon was a standout figure for Southampton during two spells with the club. After retiring, Channon became a successful horse trainer, but his impact on the Saints as a player remains unforgettable. With 48 appearances for England and 21 goals to his name, he was a key figure for both club and country.

Known for his iconic windmill celebration, Channon was Southampton's top scorer for seven consecutive seasons, solidifying his place in the club's history. His goalscoring prowess was evident on the international stage as well, earning him a reputation as one of the most feared forwards of his time.

With a suite named in his honour at St. Mary's, Channon remains a highly respected figure at Southampton. As the club's second all-time top scorer, his legacy is cherished and will be remembered fondly for years to come.

4. Ron Davies

Years at the club: 1966-1973

Seven years on from his passing, we today remember all-time #SaintsFC great Ron Davies.

Here he is scoring four of his 153 goals for the club, in an incredible 4-1 win at #MUFC in 1969: pic.twitter.com/VrGrTkySWY

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 24, 2020

Regarded as "the finest centre forward in Europe" by Matt Busby in 1969 after scoring four goals against Manchester United, Davies was undoubtedly a special talent for Southampton.

Signed in 1966 for a club-record fee of £55,000, Davies arrived with high expectations, and he swiftly lived up to them. In his first 41 games, he netted 37 goals, finishing his debut season as the league's top scorer. Over the course of his career, he scored nearly 150 goals for the club, making his transfer fee look like a bargain. Davies became one of the most prolific forwards in English football, cementing his place in Southampton's history.

3. Alan Ball

Years at the club: 1976-1979, 1981-1982

Alan Ball, a true Southampton legend, is revered for both his playing and managerial contributions to the club. Joining in 1976 from Arsenal, despite interest from other clubs, Ball immediately endeared himself to the Saints faithful with his passion and commitment.

He played a crucial role in the club's promotion to the First Division in 1978, featuring in all but one game that season. His time with Southampton saw remarkable achievements, including a runner-up finish in the 1979 League Cup. Ball returned to the club in 1981 after being persuaded by Kevin Keegan and Mick Channon, and played a pivotal part in a team that came close to winning the First Division title. His devotion to Southampton and his memorable career make him a cherished figure in the club's history.

2. Peter Shilton

Years at the club: 1982-1987

Peter Shilton, England's all-time record appearance maker with 125 caps, is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. His time at Southampton was a standout chapter in his illustrious career, where he helped guide the club to three semi-finals and a remarkable second-place finish in the First Division.

Known for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities, Shilton was a towering presence in goal and was unfortunate not to achieve more success during his time with the Saints. His performances earned him Southampton's Player of the Year award in both 1985 and 1986, and he became a vital figure for the club, regularly thwarting opposing forwards. Not only is Shilton regarded as one of Southampton's best-ever players, but he is also considered one of England’s finest goalkeepers of all time.