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Southampton Football Club was founded by members of the Young Men's Association of St Mary's Church in November 1885.

In 1894 the club joined the Southern League under the name Southampton St Mary's FC and played under that name until 1896 when "St Mary's" was dropped (although the club still retains the nickname "the Saints").

FA Cup Finalists

Between 1897 and 1899, Saints won the Southern League three times in succession and reached the FA Cup final in 1900 and 1902.

Saints Join the Football League

Southern League championships followed in 1901, 1903 and 1904, but it was not until the Southern League was incorporated in 1920 that they would play in the Football League.

After finishing as runners-up in their first season, they won the Third Division (South) championship in 1921 to win promotion to the Second Division.

They would remain at this level for 31 years before relegation in 1953.

Promoted to Division One

The Saints won the Third Division title in 1960, and in 1966 they were promoted to the First Division for the first time in their history.

They stayed in Division One for eight years before dropping back into Division Two in 1974.

FA Cup Winners

While still a Second Division side, the Saints sensationally beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the FA Cup in 1976.

Two years later they were back in Division One and a year later they were League Cup finalists.

First Division Runners-Up

In 1983 Southampton Football Club pulled off a major coup by signing Kevin Keegan from Hamburg and in 1984 they were Division One runners-up and FA Cup semi-finalists.

They were FA Cup semi-finalists again in 1986, and League Cup finalists the following year.

Move to St. Mary's

In 2001 the Saints left the Dell, their home since 1898, to move into the new St Mary's Stadium, close to the church where the club was founded.

They reached the FA Cup final for the fourth time in 2003, but lost to Arsenal.

In 2005 they were relegated to the Championship.

Administration and Relegation

In 2009 Southampton's parent company went into administration. The 10 point deduction which followed ensured that the club were relegated to League One.

Beginning 2009/10 on minus 10 points, the Saints fell just short of the play-off places. They did however win the Football League Trophy, via a 4-1 defeat of Carlisle United, at Wembley.

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