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THE TIMES
Le Tissier's goal was always to remain loyal
by Bill Edgar and Nick Szczepanik
27-02-04
Matt the golfer with fans Zul and Ruzaini in Singapore
MATTHEW LE TISSIER provided more enjoyment in the 1990s than perhaps any other Premiership footballer, yet his retirement two years ago was accompanied by discussions of what might have been. While he had no control over the fact that he won only eight England caps, it was his decision to reject the advances of leading clubs and stick with Southampton.
For a brief while there was the tantalising prospect of Guernsey's finest teaming up with Paul Gascoigne at Tottenham Hotspur. "The closest I came to leaving Southampton was in 1990," Le Tissier, 35, said. "I'd just been named Young Player of the Year and Tottenham were interested. They were the team I supported as a boy and that was a move that tempted me more than anything. But I was 21 and there were family reasons for staying. I was quite happy at Southampton. From that point I bedded down at Southampton and had a great life."
There were inquiries later from Liverpool and Chelsea but their interest soon waned once they realised Le Tissier had no intention of leaving the South Coast. A good thing too. Southampton's top-flight status, which they have held for 26 years, owes much to Le Tissier during their struggles in the Nineties, but he points to another factor. "We had an amazing team spirit," he said. "If there was any danger of relegation, the changing-room knitted together. It was fantastic to behold. At no point did anyone resign themselves to relegation."
With Le Tissier in their ranks, there was always hope. His 210 goals included many extraordinary efforts, one of which, against Newcastle United in October 1993, has been chosen by fans as among the best ten since the Premiership was formed in 1992. "I watched it on video for hours afterwards," Le Tissier said. "The ball was played down the line by Kevin Moore, Iain Dowie flicked it on and I had to stick my leg out behind me to collect it. I flicked it past Barry Venison, then I flicked it over Kevin Scott's head and ran round him. The shot was a bit of a scuff."
Le Tissier's decision to stay guaranteed adoration from supporters, and he continues to receive their goodwill in his hospitality work at St Mary's Stadium. If only Glenn Hoddle could harvest similar emotion. The Southampton board met yesterday with the appointment of the former England coach, who walked out to join Tottenham in April 2001, at the top of the agenda. An announcement is expected soon if the directors can be persuaded that the supporters will accept their decision.
The wrath that Hoddle can expect in Southampton is almost as much for ignoring Le Tissier's England claims as for his untimely exit three years ago, so the fact that the team is away to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow will help Rupert Lowe, the chairman, who has been the main moving force behind Hoddle's return. By the time the team is back at St Mary's to face Liverpool on Sunday March 14, his appointment might be old news.
Whatever fans make of Hoddle, Le Tissier will always feel welcome at a club he regards as home. "Southampton is a friendly club and I enjoyed being the big fish in a little pond," he said. "I have absolutely no regrets about anything I did."
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