All About the Saints

On Wednesday (25th July) night a Southampton XI will be the visitors to St James Park to play Exeter City in a friendly. No details of whom will be playing for Southampton, though it is likely to be a mix of reservists, youth and maybe one or 2 first team players. Of course, most people will be hoping that former Grecian youngster and captain Dan Seaborne will be on the team sheet.

The Saints were the first visitors to the Park after we returned to the Football League in 2008. Beating us 3-1 in round 1 of the League Cup.

Southampton were regular opponents in the 50s in the Division 3 (South). Meeting Exeter City 10 times, for which they held the upper hand winning 6, drawing 2, with City only winning 2 games. Prior to that was 4 games in the 20s, where the Saints won twice, drawing once, and losing to Exeter once. We’ve only met in a cup competition twice, the one mentioned above, then prior to that is all the way back to 1925 and round 1 of the FA Cup, when we lost 3-1.

Following Southampton’s parent company being places in to administration in 2009, the Saints were relegated to League 1. We had 2 seasons of games against them, losing 3, drawing 1 and included a Boxing Day fixture which attracted 30,890 spectators. Southampton went on to be promoted back in to the Championship at the end of the 2010/11 season finishing 2nd behind Brighton.

Southampton exited administration by paying all there debts, and could start the season clear of any points penalties. 2 back to back promotions means that Southampton start the coming season in the Premiership which they were relegated from in 2004/05.