Southampton F.C. Player of the Season

Last updated

Flynn Downes won the Southern Daily Echo Player of the Season award for the 2023-24 season. FlynnDownes2022.jpeg
Flynn Downes won the Southern Daily Echo Player of the Season award for the 2023–24 season.

Southampton Football Club is an English association football club based in Southampton, Hampshire. Founded in 1885 as St Mary's YMA, [1] they became a professional club in 1891, [2] and co-founded the Southern League in 1894. [3] [4] Southampton won the Southern League championship six times between 1896 and 1904, [5] [4] [6] and were later elected to the Football League in 1920 as co-founders of the Third Division. [7] [6] The Saints finished as runners-up in their first season, [8] and the following year received promotion to the Second Division as Third Division South champions. [9] [6] The club first entered the First Division in 1966, [10] and currently play in its modern-day counterpart, the Premier League. [6] Southampton won the FA Cup in 1976, [11] reached the final of the League Cup in 1979 and 2017, [12] [13] and won the League Trophy in 2010. [6] [14]

Contents

The Southampton Player of the Season award is voted for annually by the club's supporters, who send their choice of player to the Southern Daily Echo , a local newspaper. [15] Since its inception in 1973, 44 different players have won the award. [16] [17] [18] Six of these players have received the accolade for a second time, and to date only Matt Le Tissier has won the award for a third time. [17] [18] Four players have won in consecutive seasons, 32 winners have represented their country at international level, and one winner (Alan Ball) has gone on to become the club's manager. [16] The most recent winner of the award, for the 2024–25 season, is midfielder Mateus Fernandes. [19]

In recent years, the club has also presented its own Player of the Season award, alongside other end-of-season accolades. The most recent winner of the club-run Fans' Player of the Season award is Mateus Fernandes. [20]

Table key

Winners

As of 22 May 2025
1978 winner Alan Ball is the only player to have won the award and gone on to manage the club (from 1994 to 1995). Alan Ball (cropped).jpg
1978 winner Alan Ball is the only player to have won the award and gone on to manage the club (from 1994 to 1995).
Kevin Keegan won the award in 1981-82, the same year he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award. Kevin Keegan 2.jpg
Kevin Keegan won the award in 1981–82, the same year he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.
Peter Shilton was the first goalkeeper to win the award, the first player to win it twice, and the first player to win it in two consecutive seasons. Shilton.png
Peter Shilton was the first goalkeeper to win the award, the first player to win it twice, and the first player to win it in two consecutive seasons.
To date, Matt Le Tissier is the only player to receive the accolade on three occasions (in 1990, 1994 and 1995). Matthew Le Tissier.jpg
To date, Matt Le Tissier is the only player to receive the accolade on three occasions (in 1990, 1994 and 1995).

Southern Daily Echo award

SeasonLevel [A] PlayerPosition [B] NationalityAppsGoalsCapsNotes
1973–74 Div 1 Mick Channon Forward Flag of England.svg  England 60722846 [C]
1974–75 Div 2¤ Mel Blyth Defender Flag of England.svg  England 13670
1975–76 Div 2 David Peach Defender Flag of England.svg  England 282440 [D]
1976–77 Div 2 Steve Williams Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 349276
1977–78 Div 2 Alan Ball Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 2341372 [E]
1978–79 Div 1¤ Malcolm Waldron Defender Flag of England.svg  England 218110 [F]
1979–80 Div 1 Phil Boyer Forward Flag of England.svg  England 162611
1980–81 Div 1 Ivan Golac Defender Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia 19741 [G]
1981–82 Div 1 Kevin Keegan Forward Flag of England.svg  England 804263
1982–83 Div 1 Mark Wright Defender Flag of England.svg  England 2221145
1983–84 Div 1 David Armstrong Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 272713
1984–85 Div 1 Peter Shilton Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 2420125
1985–86 Div 1 Peter Shilton (2) Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 2420125 [H] [I]
1986–87 Div 1 Glenn Cockerill Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 358390
1987–88 Div 1 Derek Statham Defender Flag of England.svg  England 7843
1988–89 Div 1 Jimmy Case Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 272140 [J]
1989–90 Div 1 Matt Le Tissier Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 5402108
1990–91 Div 1 Alan Shearer Forward Flag of England.svg  England 1584363
1991–92 Div 1 Tim Flowers Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 251011
1992–93 Div 1 Tim Flowers (2) Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 251011 [I]
1993–94 Div 1 Matt Le Tissier (2) Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 5402108 [I]
1994–95 Div 1 Matt Le Tissier (3) Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 5402108 [K]
1995–96 Div 1 Dave Beasant Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 10502
1996–97 Div 1 Egil Østenstad Forward Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1093318
1997–98 Div 1 Paul Jones Goalkeeper Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 223050
1998–99 Div 1 James Beattie Forward Flag of England.svg  England 235765
1999–2000 Div 1 Dean Richards Defender Flag of England.svg  England 7970 [L]
2000–01 Div 1 Wayne Bridge Defender Flag of England.svg  England 174236
2001–02 Div 1 Chris Marsden Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 15280
2002–03 Div 1 James Beattie (2) Forward Flag of England.svg  England 235765 [I]
2003–04 Div 1 Antti Niemi Goalkeeper Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 123067
2004–05 Div 1 Peter Crouch Forward Flag of England.svg  England 331642
2005–06 Div 2¤ Claus Lundekvam Defender Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 413240
2006–07 Div 2 Chris Baird Defender Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 79379
2007–08 Div 2 Andrew Davies Defender Flag of England.svg  England 2500 [M]
2008–09 Div 2 Kelvin Davis Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 30100
2009–10 Div 3¤ Rickie Lambert Forward Flag of England.svg  England 23511711
2010–11 Div 3 José Fonte Defender Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 2881550
2011–12 Div 2¤ Rickie Lambert (2) Forward Flag of England.svg  England 23511711 [I]
2012–13 Div 1¤ Morgan Schneiderlin Midfielder Flag of France.svg  France 2611515
2013–14 Div 1 Adam Lallana Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 2836034
2014–15 Div 1 José Fonte (2) Defender Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 2881550 [I]
2015–16 Div 1 Shane Long Forward Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland 2453688
2016–17 Div 1 Oriol Romeu Midfielder Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 25690 [N]
2017–18 Div 1 Alex McCarthy * Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 15501
2018–19 Div 1 Nathan Redmond Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 232301
2019–20 Div 1 Danny Ings Forward Flag of England.svg  England 100463
2020–21 Div 1 James Ward-Prowse Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 4105511
2021–22 Div 1 James Ward-Prowse (2) Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 4105511 [I]
2022–23 Div 1 Roméo Lavia Midfielder Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 3411
2023–24 Div 2¤ Flynn Downes * Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 6630 [O]
2024–25 Div 1¤ Mateus Fernandes * Midfielder Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 4230 [P]

Southampton F.C. award

SeasonLevel [A] PlayerPosition [B] NationalityAppsGoalsCapsNotes
2012–13 Div 1¤ Morgan Schneiderlin Midfielder Flag of France.svg  France 2611515
2013–14 Div 1 Adam Lallana Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 2836034
2014–15 Div 1 José Fonte Defender Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 2881550
2015–16 Div 1 Virgil van Dijk Defender Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 80780
2016–17 Div 1 Oriol Romeu Midfielder Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 25690 [N]
2017–18 Div 1 Alex McCarthy * Goalkeeper Flag of England.svg  England 15501
2018–19 Div 1 Nathan Redmond Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 232301
2019–20 Div 1 Danny Ings Forward Flag of England.svg  England 100463
2020–21 Div 1 James Ward-Prowse Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 4105511
2021–22 Div 1 James Ward-Prowse (2) Midfielder Flag of England.svg  England 4105511
2022–23 Div 1Not awarded
2023–24 Div 2¤ Adam Armstrong * Forward Flag of England.svg  England 142320 [Q]
2024–25 Div 1¤ Mateus Fernandes * Midfielder Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 4230 [P]

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 The official level of competition in the structure of the English football league system.
  2. 1 2 For a detailed description of playing positions, see association football positions.
  3. The inaugural winner of the award.
  4. Received eight caps for the England under-21 team.
  5. Went on to manage the club between 1994 and 1995.
  6. Received one cap for the England B team.
  7. The first non-English and non-British winner of the award.
  8. The first player to win the award twice, and in consecutive seasons.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Won the award on two occasions.
  10. Received one cap for the England under-23 team.
  11. The first player to win the award three times.
  12. Received four caps for the England under-21 team.
  13. Received one cap for the England under-21 team.
  14. 1 2 Received five caps for the Spain under-23 team.
  15. Received six caps for the England under-20 team.
  16. 1 2 Received nine caps for the Portugal under-21 team.
  17. Received five caps for the England under-21 team.

References

  1. Chalk & Holley 1987 , p. 9
  2. Chalk & Holley 1987 , p. 13
  3. Chalk & Holley 1987 , p. 16
  4. 1 2 "Southampton St Mary's". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  5. Chalk & Holley 1987 , pp. 21–35
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Southampton". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  7. Chalk & Holley 1987 , p. 64
  8. Chalk & Holley 1987 , p. 5
  9. Chalk & Holley 1987 , p. 67
  10. Chalk & Holley 2003 , p. 86
  11. Chalk & Holley 2003 , pp. 361–363
  12. Chalk & Holley 2003 , pp. 286–287
  13. "Manchester United 3–2 Southampton". BBC Sport. 26 February 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  14. Shemilt, Stephan (28 March 2010). "Carlisle 1 - 4 Southampton". BBC Sport . Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  15. Leitch, Adam (12 May 2016). "Last chance to vote for your Southampton FC Player of the Season Award 2015/16". Southern Daily Echo . Newsquest . Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  16. 1 2 Kerins, Dan (12 May 2016). "Previous winners of the Daily Echo Southampton FC Player of the Season Award". Southern Daily Echo . Newsquest . Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  17. 1 2 Illingsworth 2007 , p. 71
  18. 1 2 Kelly, Christian (11 May 2002). "Player of the Year - Southampton FC". Saints Mad. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  19. Rees-Julian, George (22 May 2025). "Southampton's Mateus Fernandes wins Daily Echo Player of the Year". Southern Daily Echo . Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  20. "Fernandes wins Fans' Player of the Season award". Southampton FC. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.

Bibliography