The send-off at Winchester Cathedral was outstanding. It was an autograph-hunters’ paradise as household names from every era of the game turned out to pay their respects, with hundreds of fans crowding outside to hear the service relayed over speakers. And the news coverage was incredible. It showed how highly he was thought of—and the sad thing is that I don’t think he ever realized that while he was alive. He was a fantastic player, great company and the best manager I ever had. He had as much belief in my ability as I had. He wasn’t interested in the many things I couldn’t do, he just focused on what I could do well and how he could fit that into the team. It wasn’t often in my career that a manager had that faith in me and it meant a lot.
I loved spending time in his company. Very often I wouldn’t even join in the conversation but just listen. He had such enthusiasm for life. He was inspiring. And he was a brilliant after-dinner speaker. Not everyone in the squad liked his methods, but you get that at every club under every manager. But he was brilliant for me.
Matt Stats
Born: Guernsey, October 14, 1968
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 13.5st (though for some reason the club scales kept saying 14st)
Nickname: Tiss, Le God.
Family: father Marcus, mother Ruth, brothers Mark, Kevin, Carl, wife Angela, children Mitchell, Keeleigh and Ava, dog Bella
Appearances: 540
Goals: 209
Honours
Eight England caps (see page 282)
Barclays Young Eagle of the Year 1990
PFA Young Player of the Year 1990
Saints Player of the Year 1990, 1994, 1995
ZDS Cup runners-up medal 1992
Footballers Golf Classic 2007
MBN After-dinner Speaker of the Year 2008
England caps
Denmark H 1-0 March 9, 1994 (on as sub, 67 mins)
Greece H 5-0 May 17, 1994 (on as sub, 62 mins)
Norway H 0-0 May 22, 1994 (on as sub, 77 mins)
Romania H 1-1 Oct 12, 1994 (played 90 mins, all of the subs must have been used)
Nigeria H 1-0 Nov 16, 1994 (on as sub, 78 mins)
Republic of Ireland A 0-1 Feb 15, 1995 (started, match abandoned, 27 mins)
Moldova A 3-0 Sept 1, 1996 (on as sub, 81 mins)
Italy H Feb 12, 1997 (withdrawn, 61 mins)
Hat tricks
Leicester H 4-0 March 7, 1987
Norwich H 4-1 Feb 27, 1990
Wimbledon A 3-3 March 17, 1990
Chelsea A (ZDS Cup) 3-1 Jan 29, 1992
Oldham A 3-4 May 8, 1993
Liverpool H 4-2 Feb 14, 1994
Norwich A 5-4 April 9, 1994
Huddersfield H (League Cup) 4-0 Oct 5, 1994 (scored all four goals)
Nottingham Forest H 3-4 Aug 18, 1995
Russia B (Loftus Road) 4-1 April 21, 1998
Penalties
1989-90
Wimbledon H 2-2 Sept 30
QPR A 4-1 Oct 14
Chelsea A 2-2 Nov 18
Millwall A 2-2 Dec 2
Sheffield Wednesday H 2-2 Dec 30
Oldham H 2-2 (League Cup) Jan 24
Wimbledon A 3-3 March 17
Coventry H 3-0 April 28
1990-91
Wimbledon A 1-1 Nov 3
QPR A 1-2 Feb 23
Chelsea A 2-0 March 23
Sunderland H 3-1 April 13
Derby A 2-6 May 4
1991-92
Luton A 1-2 Sept 4
Nottingham Forest A 3-1 Oct 26
West Ham H 2-1 (ZDS Cup) Jan 7
Chelsea A 3-1 (ZDS Cup) Jan 29
1992-93
Middlesbrough H 2-1 Aug 29
Gillingham H 3-0 (League Cup) Oct 7
Ipswich H 4-3 March 13
Nottingham Forest H 1-2 SAVED damn him! March 24
1993-94
Coventry H 1-0 Jan 15
Liverpool H 4-2 (two pens) Feb 14
Norwich A 5-4 April 9
Blackburn H 3-1 April 16
West Ham A 3-3 May 7
1994-95
Spurs A 2-1 Sept 12
Nottingham Forest H 1-1 Sept 17
Huddersfield H 4-0 (League Cup) Oct 5
Norwich H 1-1 Nov 2
Sheffield Wednesday A 1-1 Jan 2
Luton H 6-0 (FA Cup) Feb 8
Spurs A 1-1 (FA Cup) Feb 18
Spurs H 2-6 (FA Cup) March 1
1995-96
Nottingham Forest H 3-4 (two pens) Aug 18
Blackburn H 1-0 April 6
1996-97
Leicester A 1-2 Aug 21
Sunderland H 3-0 Oct 19
Sheffield Wednesday A 1-1 Nov 2
Sheffield Wednesday H 2-3 Feb 22
1997-98
Barnsley H 4-1 Nov 8
Coventry H 1-2 Feb 18
Everton H 2-1 March 7
Newcastle H 2-1 March 28
1998-99
Nottingham Forest H 1-2 Aug 29
1999-2000
Sunderland H 1-2 April 1
Fat stats
The M-Plan diet:
Breakfast: Sausage and egg McMuffin
Lunch: Jacket potato with tomato ketchup and as much cheese as I could nick from the players’ canteen
Afternoon: Two cans Coca-Cola (not diet), pack of crisps, bar of chocolate
Tea: Chicken Kiev, chips, beans, pint of Coke
Dream Team
Matthew Le Tissier in free role and 10 hard workers.
Best Saints XI
Tim Flowers
Jeff Kenna Claus Lundekvam Michael Svensson Francis Benali
Jimmy Case Chris Marsden
Ronnie Ekelund Rod Wallace
Matthew Le Tissier
Alan Shearer
Manager: Alan Ball
Saints XI I would least like to play in
Chris Woods
Ray Wallace Peter Whiston Tahar El Khalej Graham Potter
Matthew Le Tissier (in midfield holding role)
Sergei Gotsmanov Kleber Chala
Ali Dia Paul Moody Agustin Delgado
Manager: Ian Branfoot
Hard Men XI
John Burridge
Barry Horne Neil Ruddock Francis Benali Mark Dennis
Jimmy Case Terry Hurlock Chris Marsden
Mark Hughes
Iain Dowie Alan Shearer
Manager: Graeme Souness
Fittest XI
John Burridge
Paul Telfer Ken Monkou Francis Benali Micky Adams
Sergei Gotsmanov Carlton Palmer Barry Horne Rod Wallace
Brett Ormerod Alan Shearer
Hospital XI
Ian Andrews
David Howells Barry Venison Scott Marshall John Beresford
Perry Groves Ronnie Ekelund Mark Draper David Hughes
Agustin Delgado Marian Pahars
Pundits XI
Peter Schmeichel
Phil Thompson Ruud Gullit Alan Hansen
Paul Merson Jamie Redknapp Graeme Souness Charlie Nicholas
Matthew Le Tissier
Andy Gray Alan Shearer
Manager: Martin O’Neill
Worst refs
1. Roger Milford (once booked me in the tunnel for arguing after the final whistle)
2. David Axcell
3. David Elleray
4. Jeff Winter
5. Neale Barry
Best refs
1. Paul Durkin
2. Dermot Gallagher
3. Errr…That’s it.
My top 10 goals
1. Blackburn A 2-3 Dec 10, 1994
My all-time favourite goal, mainly because it was against my old mate Tim Flowers. I beat a couple of men and hit the ball from 35 yards. It went exactly where I wanted it to go, in the top left corner. And it left Tim floundering helplessly. But, as he always reminds me, they won the game.
2. Arsenal H 3-2 May 19, 2001
Just beaten into second place by the Blackburn goal. I had a strong feeling I was destined to get the last goal at The De
ll, and I hit it perfectly—despite Chris Marsden’s attempts to get in my way.
3. Coventry A 1-1 Oct 13, 1996
Live on Sky I hit a 30 yard shot which bent away from Steve Ogrizovic and into the top left corner before he could even move.
4. Newcastle H 2-1 Oct 24, 1993
The first of my two goals that day. Iain Dowie’s header dropped behind me and I stuck out my foot and managed to flick it forward, with the sole, before lobbing it over Barry Venison and steering a shot on the run into the far bottom right corner. It was a slight scuff which is why this goal isn’t higher in the list. Being a perfectionist, it rankles that it wasn’t a crisp shot.
5. Liverpool H 4-2 Feb 14, 1994
The sweetest half-volley I ever struck. It came after just 27 seconds and I absolutely smashed it past Bruce Grobbelaar into the bottom right corner.
6. Liverpool A 2-4 Oct 30, 1993
Even the Kop applauded as I turned Mark Wright inside out and back again in front of them, before firing a left-foot shot across goal and just inside the right-hand post.
7. Wimbledon H 1-0 Feb 26, 1994
Towards the end of a dour game, Jim Magilton rolled a free-kick back to me 25 yards out. I flicked the ball up and hit it on the volley, over the wall and just inside the right post.
8. Newcastle H 2-1 Oct 24, 1993
My second goal in the match, and my best ever double. I controlled the ball on my thigh, turned and hit a sweet dipping 20 yard volley inside the far right post.
9. Norwich H 4-1 Feb 27, 1990
The second goal in my hat-trick as I beat my old mate Andy Townsend and then got past him again, before shooting in off the base of a post.
10. Manchester United H 6-3 Oct 26, 1996
A perfect lob over Peter Schmeichel. I remembered he had been lobbed by Philippe Albert the previous week, so I gambled he’d be in the same position. After beating a couple of men, I chipped the ball without even looking and it dipped just under the bar.
What the Fans Say
Thank you, Matt, for all the wonderful memories, held even closer in these troubled times. You were a legend on the pitch and you still are off it. Love watching the laughs you have on Soccer Saturday.
Matt and Holly
My most recent happy memories of supporting Saints are filled with joy from watching the most skilful English player to have come through in the last 30 years. His vision and technique were ahead of his time, and I had the pleasure of watching him play for my team! What a decent, witty bloke as well, who would have a laugh with opposing supporters, especially in his latter years!
Dave Carr, Andover
Back in 1995 I was running the school football team at Mansel Juniors. We won through to the final stages of the Hampshire Soccer Challenge to be played at The Dell, before Saints’ game against Sheffield Wednesday. Unfortunately, we were playing in rags and were desperately in need of a new kit for our big day. Not only did Matt provide us with a new gold and black kit, but he promised us a slap-up lunch at Celebration Plaza if we won. With an offer like that my team couldn’t fail to win the final. Matt was true to his word, gave the kids a great lunch, chatted away to them for a good hour and even waited on their tables! I’ll never forget the smiles he put on those kids’ faces—thanks Matt.
Mark Nutting, Southampton
Quite simply, Le Tiss was an absolute legend and my hero growing up. He provided so many of my greatest memories from the Dell era and it is a real shame we never really got to see him at St Mary’s. How we could do with him now! I have lost count of the amount of breath-taking goals he scored. I don’t think I will ever witness another Saints player quite like him in my lifetime.
Kevin Willsher, Hedge End
Watching you play football has been one of the genuine pleasures of my life. Thank you for sticking with us—we may be unglamorous, we may have always been last to be shown on Match of the Day, we may not have won much…but with you in the team we didn’t much care.
Sue
The first time I met Matt Le Tissier was on a cold, blustery day in Belfast. I was mascot for the team that day prior to a surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Linfield, albeit in a friendly. I will always have fond memories of taking a penalty against my Saints hero prior to kick off—only to have him save it with an audacious back heel! A wonderfully nice man, and the football speaks for itself.
Steven Smith, Newcastle upon Tyne
Matt Le Tissier is quite simply the best player I have ever seen at Southampton. With his laid-back attitude on the pitch, he oozed confidence and gave the fans hope when we thought there was none.
It was not just his ability to score from anywhere and in any situation that we loved, but his all round play, his creativity, his touch and his ability to find space in the most packed midfield. He is, quite simply, class.
Aaron Swain, Dunstable
Le Tiss, Le God, Le-gend! Thank you for your loyalty, dedication and the unbelievable memories you have given me and all Saints fans to cherish forever. The debt we owe you for single-handedly saving us from relegation each season can never be repaid, your hero status will never be equalled, and your loyalty and genius will never be matched. You inspired me to love football and forever support Southampton Football Club, while your legacy continues to give me faith in integrity and decency in football. A great man and simply the greatest footballer ever to grace the game.
Martin Hiley, Southampton
There is only one word to describe a talent like Matt’s: unbelievable! He is a true one-off, not just because of his passing, his touches, his incredible penalty record, his set-pieces and his sensational goals, but also because of his presence and the hope he gave to both a struggling team and struggling fans. He is a warm, helpful person who would give anything to make someone’s day. He also does a fantastic job on Sky where he is as witty and articulate as he is in person.
Tim Hiley, Southampton
What a privilege it has been to witness the majesty and brilliance of Matt throughout his career. I shall never forget the moments of magic that had the whole crowd gasping week in week out. The fact that he was loyal to Saints throughout his career and almost single-handedly kept us in the Premier League year after year adds another dimension to the esteem in which all Saints fans hold him. The last goal ever at The Dell is the epitome and pinnacle for me. So glad I was there. He is truly a great bloke, too. A genius.
Claire Taylor, Hertfordshire
What can you say about Matt Le God but simply a genius and a true legend.
Roger Hill
Thank you for all you did for the Saints. Thank you for your loyalty. You were the greatest player I have seen and you should have won many more caps for England, but their loss was our gain. Your hat-trick against Norwich at The Dell the best I have ever seen. I even got to play against you when you went to Eastleigh. You nutmegged me and called it, which I loved.
Coxy, Fareham
When I was 12 I saw Matt, my hero, in Sainsbury’s. I stood by his jeans for five minutes patiently waiting for him to finish paying, and he almost missed me until he tripped over me! But he wasn’t angry enough to refuse an autograph which I still have 12 years later! I wanted to be like him, and from that moment forward I stopped caring about my hair.
Doug Clutterbuck, Woolston
Matt used to live a few doors away from me when he first started playing for the reserves. We had a party one Saturday night and I invited him over, not really expecting him to turn up. He did arrive, albeit rather late, but with a couple of bottles of Brut champagne. Not really what my mates were used to drinking and they made an impromptu grand prix-type celebration and sprayed it all over the kitchen. I never got to taste the Brut but Matt’s football really was champagne!
Gary Gibbens
Matthew Le Tissier showed loyalty to Southampton FC which you just do not see any more in the modern game. Watching him play was a breath of fresh air. He could change a game with the slightest flick or goal from nowhere. Quite possib
ly the laziest player I have ever seen play but at the same time the most amazingly gifted player to ever pull on the red and white shirt. He was never given a proper chance for England but I know that, if he had, he would be as much of a legend to England fans as he is to Southampton.
Scott Ingate, Woolston
Matt, it has been a real privilege to witness many of the special moments you provided in a Saints shirt, even if one of them cost me over £200 when my specs got trampled in the Archers during the celebrations of your last-minute equaliser against Newcastle in 1997. Even my eight-year-old son always insists on having number 7 on his shirt, and he has only seen you play on DVD. Thanks for all the wonderful memories.
Andrew Parry, Massachusetts, USA
I’ll never forget an injured Le Tiss (I think he had delayed having surgery until the end of the season) coming on as sub in our must-win home game against Blackburn at the end of the 1996-97 season. We were 1-0 up but struggling to hold on when Matt was brought on hopefully to provide another bit of magic. With 15 minutes to go and practically on one leg, Le Tiss cut in from the left touchline and provided the sort of finish only he could. His celebration was more of a hobble as he went over to the fans—it was obvious that he was in pain—and it clearly highlighted what set him apart from most other players, namely that it meant as much to him as it did to all of the fans. Brought tears to my eyes—what a legend!
Steve Hall
One of my favourite Le Tiss memories was his hat-trick against Liverpool on St Valentine’s Day 1993, the first home game under Alan Ball at The Dell. After Ian Branfoot got sacked it seemed like a weight had been lifted off Matt’s shoulders, and he took precisely 27 seconds to score a cracker from the edge of the box past the diving Grobbelaar. We were 2-0 up after six minutes when debutant Craig Maskell scored. Two Le Tiss penalties in a 4-2 win in the driving snow made it a magical night and the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. There may have been more important games but this seemed like a turning point in Matt’s and Southampton’s history.
Taking le Tiss Page 26