Southampton hosted Italian giants Inter Milan at St Mary’s in the Europa League last Thursday, in one of the biggest games in their history.
Claude Puel’s side claimed an all-important win to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition, which would be another step forward on the incredible journey they have been on over the past few years.
Quite unbelievably, it is just six years ago that the Saints entertained Dagenham & Redbridge in a League One fixture. They ran out 4-0 winners on the night, with a certain Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring a brace.
That was the time the club started to build the momentum that has seen them reach the heights they are at today.
Alongside players like Jose Fonte, Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert – who all later became Premier League regulars – who were some of the other key men back in that era, and what are they doing now?
Issuing their long-overdue moment in the limelight, we take a look at Saints’ forgotten League One heroes. After all, their Europa League dream wouldn’t be possible if these five hadn’t achieved promotion to the Championship back in 2011.
RICHARD CHAPLOW
The central midfielder was always one of the biggest characters in the dressing room and a key part of the Saints side that won promotion from League One to the Championship in the 2010/11 season under Nigel Adkins.
Chipping in with four league goals, his all-action displays and energy were well-appreciated by supporters.
The 31-year-old is currently plying his trade for Orange County Blues in the United Soccer League.
DEAN HAMMOND
One of Chaplow’s midfield teammates was Hammond, who captained the side as they achieved promotion to the Championship.
While he wasn’t always technically the greatest, he was a leader in the middle of the park and part of the core that quickly grasped that winning mentality.
Like Chaplow, he also chipped in with four league goals. But Hammond is now a free agent after being released by League One outfit Sheffield United during the summer.
DAVID CONNOLLY
Despite suffering a number of injury problems during his time at St Mary’s, as he had also done in the years leading up to his Southampton move, the former Republic of Ireland striker added a touch of class when he was on the field.
Often deployed alongside Rickie Lambert, the intelligent duo quickly developed a telepathic understanding, with Connolly scoring three goals in 15 appearances in the promotion-winning campaign.
Following spells with local rivals Portsmouth, Oxford United and AFC Wimbledon, the attacker retired in 2015.
LEE BARNARD
When Connolly wasn’t fit or in form, it was Barnard who played up top with Lambert, making a big impression as Saints were promoted to the Championship.
His playing style wasn’t too dissimilar to Jamie Vardy’s and as well as his tireless work, he could finish too.
Saints supporters may have thought that Barnard would progress further up the leagues than Lambert at the time, but it wasn’t to be and the 32-year-old is now playing for Braintree Town in the National League.
GULY DO PRADO
Ok, you got me. He may have been a cult hero and gone on to appear in the Premier League for Saints, but we can’t do a round-up of the club’s League One heroes without including the Brazilian.
Guly was an integral part of the team that was promoted from League One, scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 34 appearances.
The forward is currently on loan from Ituano FC to Botafogo FC in his home nation.
