Southampton FC's memorable opening matches to the season

From 1966 to 2011, these matches will no doubt be thought of fondly by those who remember the incredible performances on display.

In each case, red and white gladiators battled heroically in two arenas - both in The Dell and later at St Mary’s.

Southampton 1-1 Manchester City - August 20, 1966

It was a momentous occasion for Saints on August 20, 1966, as they took to the pitch at The Dell for their very first top-flight game. This was the result of a successful campaign in which they had gained promotion to the old first division alongside Manchester City, who had just pipped them to the Second Division title by five points.

The opening match of the new season was an appropriate one, with City providing the opposition. Not surprisingly, the game ended in a draw, leaving both sides with honours even.

Terry Paine in action in 1966. (Image: Echo.)

What was surprising was that despite it being a landmark event, only around 20,000 people attended to witness it.

Terry Paine opened up with a goal for Saints just before half-time, yet Mike Summerbee equalised ten minutes after restarting play.

Parading their new star acquisition Ron Davies, who cost a hefty £55,000 from Norwich, the Saints had the upper hand in terms of territory. However, City held firm and Harry Dowd made an incredible save at the end of the match to keep Paine from scoring again.

Southampton 2-0 Manchester City - August 16, 1980

The Dell was abuzz with anticipation on August 16, 1980 - the day of Kevin Keegan's first match for Southampton. The excitement had been building for weeks leading up to this momentous occasion and fans could hardly contain their enthusiasm.

Kevin Keegan was a sensation in English football, having been crowned European Footballer of the Year. Lawrie McMenemy, manager of Southampton FC, had made an incredible move to bring him over from Hamburg.

The atmosphere was electric as 23,000 supporters descended on The Dell to greet Southampton's newest signing. It was an incredibly warm day and the air inside the stadium was thick with anticipation. Everywhere you looked there were people wearing red and white, all in high spirits.

Kevin Keegan leading out the Saints team. (Image: Newsquest)

The Saints were a force to be reckoned with during the match against Manchester City, thanks in no small part to the presence of Keegan. An impressive attack, which included the talents of Keegan, Mick Channon and Charlie George, kept City under constant pressure throughout the game. Despite this relentless onslaught, Saints were only able to secure a 2-0 victory.

Though Keegan performed admirably, it was Channon who truly shone with his two goals for Southampton.

Not far behind him in terms of excellence was Graham Baker, a midfielder whose efforts to disrupt the light blues were invaluable. On that particular day, he did as much as anyone to ensure victory.

Southampton 5-1 Queens Park Rangers - August 23, 1986

Southampton Football Club experienced an exhilarating and exciting start to their season in the top flight on August 23, 1986, when debutant Colin Clarke took to the pitch.

An incredible display of attacking prowess was on show at a packed-out Dell as Northern Ireland's young striker, signed from AFC Bournemouth for £400,000 in the summer, netted an impressive hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

David Seaman, a blossoming young goalkeeper for QPR, was unable to prevent the destruction caused by Southampton's big, blond centre-forward from Newry. Despite his best efforts, he was left powerless as the Clarke ran riot.

“It was a dream debut,” said a breathless Clarke afterwards. “We got some early goals, drew them out then took advantage of the extra space they left us.

“I might have had four goals because I had probably my easiest chance late in the game when I tried to get too clever. I tried to dummy Seaman but he read it and I finished up trying to get Glenn Cockerill in instead. And by then the chance had gone.”

Jim Smith, the QPR manager, blasted: “We defended like amateurs. Clarke took his goals well but was given far too much space.”

At 23 years of age, in the same year as Clarke's birth, George Kirby achieved a remarkable feat. He netted four goals in a 6-1 opening-day victory over Charlton Athletic. The 5-1 pummeling of QPR was the best since then.

Colin Clarke battling for the ball in 1988. (Image: Echo.)

Nick Holmes had a reason to rejoice as well. After suffering from an injury for the past year, he was finally able to contribute to the team's success and get his name on the score sheet again after 16 months. Clarke, of course, was also celebrating his own accomplishment.

It was in fact Holmes that began the landslide in the 16th minute and Danny Wallace quickly followed up with another when he fired home from Clarke’s cross.

Clarke's hat-trick started off with a thumping header, the result of a free-kick taken by right-back Gerry Forrest which Kevin Bond had flicked on.

Clarke was a force to be reckoned with both in the air and on the ground. His ability to score goals was remarkable, exemplified by his right-footed strike following a perfectly timed pass from midfielder Jimmy Case.

Clarke and Wallace's contrasting approach bamboozled QPR's back line, and both players were fittingly involved in delivering a fatal blow. After exchanging passes, Clarke capped off the hat-trick with a decisive finish. It was his fourth treble in his burgeoning but short career.

Martin Allen scored a consolation for Rangers, who might have had another late on when they were awarded a penalty which Gary Chivers had saved by Peter Shilton, playing his first game since returning to Saints from World Cup duty in Mexico where he had been famously beaten by Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal. 

Southampton 3-4 Nottingham Forest - August 19, 1995

In an exciting start to the season, Southampton's Matthew Le Tissier netted a hat-trick - yet still ended up on the losing side. Despite his best efforts, it was not enough to secure a victory for Saints.

On a sweltering August 19, 1995, Dave Merrington took charge of his first game as Southampton manager. Saints lost out 4-3 to Nottingham Forest in the hot and torrid affair at The Dell.

The previous season had seen a third-place finish for Forest and they certainly showed their quality when they surged to a 3-1 lead by half-time.

Merrington had done an admirable job instilling a combative spirit in his troops, and it showed as they pushed hard for the entire duration of the second half. In spite of this, their efforts were ultimately thwarted by a disputed goal.

Colin Cooper opened the scoring for Forest in the early minutes, but it was short-lived. Matt Le Tissier soon stepped up to take a penalty after being brought down in the box by Gary Chettle. Despite facing Gary Crossley, who had previously saved one of Le Tissier's penalties, he managed to make no mistake and convert from the spot.

Matthew Le Tissier on the ball in 1995, (Image: Echo.)

Heading into the break, Nottingham Forest began to assert their dominance with a thunderous effort from Ian Woan from outside the box and a well-crafted goal from Dutchman Brian Roy.

Things were looking bleak for Saints until Le Tissier forced Lars Bohinen to bundle him over.

The great man came through again – his 27th successful kick from 28 attempts.

The Saints were in the midst of a valiant attempt to turn the game around when Woan and Roy broke. Roy, who had looked suspiciously offside when the move started, finished off.

Typically Le Tissier had the last say, bending in a free-kick from the edge of the box with the help of a slight deflection. Sadly for Saints, though, it was the last throw of the dice.

Southampton 3-1 Leeds - August 6, 2011

Saints had proudly marched back into the Championship and expectations were high. 

On the evidence of their opening-day destruction of Leeds, it looked clear that they were capable of achieving back-to-back promotion

Performances like Saints produced in the 3-1 victory at St Mary’s on August 6, 2011 couldn’t be ignored as Nigel Adkins’ men sent out an emphatic message to the rest of the Championship – that they were a real threat.

The deadlock was almost broken by the visitors early on, with Jonny Howson receiving a knock down from Ross McCormack in the eighth minute that was volleyed straight at Davis.

Just two minutes later, Dean Hammond delivered the goal Saints deserved for their hard work. Receiving Guly's pass in midfield, Hammond advanced forward and sent a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

The crowd at St Mary's went wild as their team opened the scoring. Even more cheering erupted from the stands 25 minutes later when Saints doubled their advantage on the scoreboard.

Saints celebrating during their win over Leeds in 2011. (Image: Echo.)

Rickie Lambert’s clever pass found Lallana in the box.

With a swift sidestep, Lambert evaded Andy O'Brien and powered a shot with his left foot. The ball flew off the post and nestled in the net for a sublime goal.

The match concluded as a one-sided affair in the 52nd minute, with a stunning goal that surpassed Saints’ first two attempts.

Connolly's perfect ball over the top of the defence allowed Lallana to take control. The striker surged forward with determination, laid off the pass and watched as his Connoly buried it in the far corner of the goal. It was a moment of incredible skill which resulted in a magnificent goal.

After Martin was adjudged to have handled in the area, Gradel put away the resulting penalty in injury-time.