Neil Ruddock gives Southampton his Stomp of approval

‘Razor’ went down in Saints folklore for celebrating his winning penalty against Newcastle United on April 1, 1989 with what became known as the ‘Ruddock Stomp’.

Saints, without a win in 18 games, were drawing 0-0 with their fellow strugglers at The Dell when Rod Wallace won an 89th-minute penalty – with regular spot-kick taker Derek Statham out injured.

“There was a lot of pressure, I clearly remember it even now,” recalls Ruddock. “Everyone looked at each other as if to say I ain’t taking it!

“The ball was being thrown around like a hot potato so I grabbed it and put it on the  spot. I remember looking up at my dad who had his head in his hands shaking his head. But luckily enough I scored. I didn’t score many goals so didn’t know what to do.

“I put my hands in the air and just started jumping up and down. Saints fans were soon wearing Ruddock Stomp t-shirts! We stayed up and Newcastle went down.”

Neil Ruddock in action for Saints

Saints took 16 points from their last nine games to finish 13th, six points above the relegation zone, while Newcastle finished well adrift at the bottom.

A similar six-pointer awaits Saints at Huddersfield on Saturday, but Ruddock believes the club’s first win under Ralph Hasenhuttl will already have given the club the lift they need.

”I was at Anfield on Sunday for Liverpool v Man United with a couple of Tottenham fans so we watched Saints v Arsenal in the box beforehand,” he said.

“We’d backed Shane Long to score so were all dancing when he put it in the back of the net. We couldn’t believe it when he was flagged offside!

“Southampton looked like they were sixth in the league and Arsenal looked like they were down the bottom. They deserved it for the way they pressured and closed down Arsenal.

“They worked so hard and you have to put that down to the manager and his first week’s training.

Neil Ruddock at Royal Hussars at Tidworth in April 1990

“It’s not all about when you’ve got the ball. The most important thing is that when you ain’t got the ball you go and get it back quick.

“All the best teams in the world get it back quick. That wasn’t just any win. Beating Arsenal will have given Southampton an extra ten per cent and it’s great for them that Danny Ings is playing again.

“If you’ve got a player like him you’ve always got a chance. Southampton are lucky to have him. The Liverpool fans loved him but after his terrible injury they signed Sadio Mane, Firmino and Mo Salah. He should be playing for a top-six team.”

As a fellow centre-half, Ruddock was pleased to see Jannik Vestergaard bounce back from his Cardiff City clanger with his best performance for Saints alongside the outstanding Jan Bednarek.

“He’s a big lad who comes across as an old-fashioned centre half and he’s found it hard,” continued Ruddock. “He needs faster feet, his feet are too slow - and that’s coming from me!

“So he’s got to work a bit harder on that but he impressed me on Sunday. He made a great tackle in the box and he read the game well so you can see there’s a player in him.

“Hopefully the confidence he takes from Sunday means we see more of that from now on.”

Ruddock made 130 appearances for Saints after arriving in a £200,000 move from Millwall in 1989.

“I came to Southampton as a raw lad and left a few years later as a man and a seasoned professional,” continues the 50-year-old. who bought his first property in Hedge End.  “I had John Burridge behind me, Derek Statham at left-back. Russell Osman next to me, and in front of me I had Jimmy Case, Glenn Cockerill then Danny and Rod Wallace and Alan Shearer.

“So there was a good mix of old and young. For me, it was the best place I could have gone to learn my trade. 

“I loved it. Chrissy Nicholl was the manager for the first couple of seasons and as a former centre-half he taught me a lot. 

“But I learnt the most from Jimmy Case, including how to drink. Jimmy had won the European Cup but was also the hardest footballer in the world. If anyone took any liberties he would absolutely destroy them.

“When Jimmy left they signed Terry Hurlock so you were well looked after! It was perfect for me. I arrived as a young man and left as a seasoned professional. It was a great place.”

Neil Ruddock climbs above ex-Saint Andy Townsend

Ruddock is still in touch with some of his Saints teammates including Shearer, who is is godfather to his children, and Le Tissier, who replaced him as the club’s penalty taker after the back-to-back misses that followed his Stomp heroics.   

“I made Le Tissier the greatest penalty taker after missing against Forest and Wimbledon,” smiles Ruddock, who moved to Tottenham for £750,00 at the end of Ian Branfoot’s first season in charge. He fell out of favour after headbutting Notts County’s Craig Short in December 1991.

“I was put me on the transfer list and made to train with the kids, but Southampton went through a bad time so I was put  back in the team. Branfoot wanted me to sign a new contract but I said ‘too late I’m going to Tottenham. 

“Southampton have always been a selling club. Alan Shearer soon left [for Blackburn], Rod Wallace had already gone to Leeds and Tim Flowers joined Shearer at Blackburn a year later. That’s 30 years ago and Southampton are still a selling club.  But it was a great place to learn your trade.”

Razor Ruddock was speaking at The Sportsman’s Christmas Party. Play the Perfect 10 to win £10,000 free at www.thesportsman.com 18+ terms apply.