Historical cult hero: Southampton – Francis Benali
Matthew Le Tissier is the name that comes to most people’s minds when asked to name a Southampton hero.
A one club man, 540 games and 209 goals, there is a reason that he is nicknamed ‘Le God’ on the South Coast.
So who to pick for the title of ‘Cult Hero’ at Southampton? A one club man, a few less appearances and 208 fewer goals, there is only one man: Francis Benali.
Benali was born in Southampton and always seemed destined to make it at the Saints. He joined as a schoolboy at the age of 14 and made his debut on October 1, 1988, a goalless draw against Derby at the Dell.
He scored just one goal during his Saints career, a header from a Le Tissier free-kick against in a 2-1 win over Leicester in 1997.
What he lacked in the talent and skill that Le Tissier had in abundance, he more than made up for in heart and desire. And that is why he is loved by the Southampton faithful.
“I wasn’t the best of players,” he said in an interview in 2017. “But, hopefully, over the years the supporters recognised my commitment, my efforts and my desire to bring success to our club.
“Apart from a loan spell I spent my entire career at the club. I was born and raised in this city as well, so I’m very much a local boy and I went on to play for my hometown team. I think perhaps they saw me as one of them, represented out on the football pitch.
Picture: Getty Images
“What I lacked in any creativity and flair I made up for in other areas. My professionalism, the way I prepared myself and trained led by example as an individual both on and off the pitch.
“It’s a good job we did have a player like Matt in the team to score the incredible goals because we wouldn’t have achieved without him, but my job was the basic workmanlike stuff that had to be done as part of a team unit.
“And through it all, I was very proud and honoured to play for the club in which I was raised.”
Football may have changed in the decade or so since Benali decided to hang up his boots and now defenders are expected to be more technical.
The days of a defender who could defend and work hard appear to be over, but that does not mean players like Benali should be forgotten, instead he should be cherished. A one-club man who went on to play for his local club and stay there for the whole of his career.
Southampton may not have been the most successful of clubs during Benali’s time, in fact they were often beating the odds to avoid relegation. And if there was one player who personified the club during that time it was Francis Vincent Benali.
