Matt Le Tissier - Tribute
Matt Le Tissier has been a legend at Southampton. He retired at the end of the 2002 season, but Saints fans will never forget how, almost single-handedly at times, he kept Saints in the Premiership. Over 32,000 paid tribute tribute at his testimonial in June 2002.
Saints fans have taken Matt Le Tissier to their hearts. They know that when he comes on the pitch, something very special could always happen - for 17 years he's been producing the goals that have kept Saints in the top flight. It'll be an emotional night at St Mary's when he bids farewell at his testimonial on 14th May.
It all started whilst playing football with Guernsey Schools, Vale Recreation. While touring with the Under-15 side, Matt was spotted by Southampton. He joined Saints as an apprentice in May 1985 and turned professional in October 1986 and has stayed a loyal Saint ever since.
Le Tissier playing for England in 1990 In his first season he scored a hat-trick on a snowbound pitch against Leicester and never looked back. In [屏蔽]/90 he became the club's penalty taker - he built a reputation for almost faultless spot-kicking.
In the following year he became the P.F.A. Young Player of the Year and received the award from Terry Paine, the famous Southampton winger. Matt has been credited with keeping Saints in the Premiership almost single-handedly throughout the 1990s with a series of crucial match-winning goals.
The fans certainly appreciated those skills, and Matt's loyalty to one club - almost unique in modern football. Throughout his career he was linked to bigger clubs - former Chelsea chairman Matthew Harding was reportedly willing to break the transfer record to take him to Standford Bridge - but Matt stayed on the South Coast. Matt scored his 100th Premiership goal on April 1st 2000, a minute from the end of the game against Sunderland at the Dell.
Much to the consternation of Southampton fans, Le Tissier was more-or-less overlooked by successive England managers. He was selected to play for his country a total of eight times. He was last in the starting squad for the World Cup 1-0 defeat by Italy at Wembley in 1996. Despite scoring hat-trick in an England 'B' international friendly, Matt was not selected for the 1998 World Cup squad.
After a series of calf and knee problems he gradually slipped out of the Saints team but was selected in the starting line up for the last ever league game at the Dell against Arsenal. As if it had been written with a fairytale ending, Le Tissier scored a spectacular winner with a left-foot shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area.
To mark his contribution to the club staying in the top flight of English football, Matt took his place alongside Ted Bates for the official opening of the new St Mary's Stadium in August 2001.
Matt announced his retirement in March 2002. Such was the esteem in which he was held, over 30,000 Saints fans to say a final farewell to Matt during an emotional testimonial match at St Mary's.
Southampton lined up against a side of England all-stars.
The England team included Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Paul Gascoigne - all keen to pay tribute to the player affectionately known as 'Le God' to South Coast fans.
It was a return to Southampton for other Dell favourites like Tim Flowers and Neil Ruddock.
Gazza paid tribute to Matt, saying:"The guy's a genius. It's kind of sad when you have to end your career and pack it all in, but this guy's had it all and seen it all, he's been brilliant. I think he could have played more games for England - he was definitely England-class."
The first half saw Matty playing for the England XI before switching to Saints for the second half to play his last 45 minutes in the red and white of Southampton.
Substitute appearances included current and former Saints bosses Gordon Strachan and Alan Ball.
Kevin Keegan came off the bench to score a penalty, before giving his shirt to a young unsuspecting Saints fan who took to the pitch for a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to play alongside some of the greats of English football.
Matt's young son Mitchell also played at the end of the second half and put four goals past Neil Moss - prompting chants of 'Sign him up' from the Chapel End.
Former Arsenal star Ian Wright paid tribute to the fans who turned out: "It's a real privilege to play in front of the Southampton fans. I've caused them a few problems over the years but they gave me a marvellous reception. They've shown Matthew a lot of love and respect and it's really nice to be here."
After the final whistle the night ended with a selection of Matt's best goals shown on the big screen accompanied by Frank Sinatra's 'My Way'.
The man himself bowed out, thanking his family and the fans, who he said were the reason he stayed with the one club throughout his career: "As the song says, I did it my way, but I like to think I did it your way too."
FACTS
Matt's favourite musician is Shania Twain, he is a big fan of the Austen Powers films and his favourite other sports are golf and snooker.
求翻译
02年退役叻，我居然当时没听过
