Rickie Lambert: A True Southampton Legend

In life, there will always be setbacks, but if you have the desire and belief to climb the ladder to success, it will come to you. That is the story of outgoing Southampton striker Rickie Lambert who is set to move to his boyhood club, Liverpool. Born in the Kirkby area of the city, Lambert was released by the Reds when he was 15 and has gone on an incredible journey that not even himself could have predicted. However, nobody can take away any of that from a man who never gave a sign of giving up. 

A Week To Remember for Rickie Lambert

There is always a first time for everything as the saying goes and this was certainly the case for Rickie Lambert. The Southampton striker came off the bench to score the winner with his first touch in international football to give England a narrow victory over Scotland at Wembley.



DREAM DEBUT: Rickie Lambert celebrates his winning goal

It has been an unforgettable week for the Liverpudlian as he celebrated the arrival of his daughter, Bella Rose and receiving his first England call-up last Thursday before his dream debut last night. Lambert's goal has now caused a dilemma for England boss Roy Hodgson for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September and October respectively.

Despite the fact that Andy Carroll or Daniel Sturridge may have got the call ahead of Lambert, last night's performance will not be taken away from the boyhood Liverpool fan. He has the same attributes as Carroll albeit not as quick as the West Ham forward. It was a long-awaited call-up for Lambert as he enjoyed a successful debut season in the Premier League last season with Southampton as he became the joint top English goalscorer in the division along with Frank Lampard.

After the game, Lambert couldn´t hide his delight saying that it was a "dream come true." "It was amazing", said an excited Lambert. "I couldn´t have dreamt for it to have gone any better. I'm over the moon."

"It's [the goal] probably the best header I've headed in my life. I saved it for the right time. It was a terrific ball by Leighton Baines, I managed to lose my marker and he put it exactly where I wanted it."

Released from Liverpool and Blackpool as a teenager, the 31-year-old was awarded a contract with Macclesfield after briefly working in a beetroot factory. Spells at Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers followed until Southampton came calling for his services in 2009 for £1 million when Alan Pardew was in charge. In his four years at St. Mary´s, Lambert has helped the Saints win the Johnstone´s Paint Trophy in 2010 and win back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, scoring 103 goals in 193 appearances.

Lambert was thankful to Roy Hodgson for giving him the opportunity and is now focusing on the start of the new season where Southampton travel to West Brom. "I'm looking forward to it. It´s a hard game, but I'm looking forward to meeting up with the boys and get ready for the next game."

It has been a week to remember for Rickie Lambert. For a player whose career looked very limited to begin with, to come back with the mentality that you need as a footballer or any other athlete is the sign of a man who will always give 100% in every single game. This will not be the last time England fans will see Rickie Lambert in an England shirt.

Fan Interview: Stoke City

The end is nigh for Southampton’s first season back in the Premier League as it draws to a close later today. It has been a season full of ups and down to say the least. However, the main aim of survival has been achieved so it will count as a successful return to the top flight. Their last game sees the Saints play host to Stoke City who themselves will play Premier League football next season.

Representing Stoke City is Sean Ruane, a.k.a The Hairy Potter. Sean has been following The Potters for 40 years  and has just been voted as the club’s Fan of the Year so we send Sean congratulations for the award!

Fan Interview: West Bromwich Albion

This weekend sees Southampton take on West Bromwich Albion at St. Mary’s where both teams have had a fantastic season to date. In the reverse fixture, the Baggies secured a 2-0 win on Bonfire Night which left the Saints on four points from their first 10 matches. A lot of events have happened since then and now only six points separates the two clubs in the table. A win for Mauricio Pochettino’s men could almost secure another season in the Premier League as well as increasing their current unbeaten run which stands at six games.

Ahead of the match, I’ve asked a West Brom fan on his views and the representing the Baggies is Daniel Cannon. He has been a lifelong fan of his beloved Baggies and is a season ticket holder at The Hawthorns. His first game was when he was five-years-old where he saw West Brom beat Bury 1-0 in 1999. Welcome to “And It’s All Southampton FC!” Dan!

Fan Interview: Swansea City

Southampton make the trip to South Wales on Saturday as they face Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be looking to extend their current unbeaten run which stands at five matches (three wins and two draws). It will be a fascinating but tough game for the Saints as they haven’t won in Swansea since 1962, when both clubs when in the old Division Two.

Representing Swansea on the firing end of my questions is Matthew Phillips who has been supporting the Swans since 2000. Welcome to “And It’s All Southampton FC!” Matthew!

An Interview with ReadingFC__News

This Saturday sees a big six-pointer at the Madjeski Stadium between Reading and Southampton where it has the makings of a cracker. The two teams met back in December where the Saints won 1-0 thanks to Jason Puncheon’s strike and there has been a lot that has happened since the previous fixture. Ahead of the match, I decided to get a Reading fan’s viewpoint of their season so far. 

Introducing ReadingFC___News; who runs an unofficial Twitter account dedicated to the Royals with the latest news at the club. He has been supporting Reading for 20 years now where he has seen a lot of ups and downs at the during that time. 

Saints Come Out On Top In El Sackico

Southampton secured their first away points of the season with a 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers. The Saints took a deserving lead through Rickie Lambert heading into an empty net before Jason Puncheon’s curling effort doubled the visitors’ lead on the stroke of half-time. Summer signing Junior Hoillet pulled a goal back for QPR just after the interval. However, Nigel Adkins men finally killed the game off late on when Morgan Schneiderlin’s cross caused defender Anton Ferdinand to turn the ball into his own net.

El Clasicoast Part II Is Almost Here

The wait for the 215^th South Coast Derby is almost over. It could be one of the most important derbies to date concerning where Southampton and Portsmouth will play their football next season. Since the 1-1 draw at Fratton Park back in December, there have been numerous happenings at the two clubs with Saints flying high at the top of the Championship and Pompey lingering in the relegation zone after a 10 point deduction for going into administration. This is the fixture that every Saints and Pompey fan would have looked for when the fixtures were released last June and now El Clasicoast Part II is on the horizon. 

Saviour Lambert Denies Blackpool Win

Rickie Lambert scored an injury time equaliser to salvage Southampton a 2-2 draw against a spirited Blackpool. It was Lambert's deflected strike who opened the scoring before Chris Basham’s diving header levelled for the visitors minutes later. Callum McManaman gave Blackpool the lead just after half-time after a howler from Saints goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski. Despite Lambert’s close range header for the Saints, their winning streak at St. Mary’s has come to an end.

Jos The Boss On The Bus For Good!

Championship leaders Southampton have confirmed the permanent signing of defender Jos Hooiveld. The Dutchman joined the Saints on Transfer Deadline Day in August from Scottish giants Celtic on an initial loan deal until January. However Saints have acted quickly to secure his services on a three and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Lambert Hat-Trick Seals Win Over 10-Man Seagulls

Rickie Lambert secured his third hat-trick for Southampton as they cruised to an impressive victory over ten-man Brighton. The match came to life in the second half as Lambert headed in at the far post from Frazer Richardson's cross just after half-time. Brighton defender, Mauricio Taricco was sent off after complaining to referee Peter Walton about the first of two penalties which changed the game. Lewis Dunk and Inigo Calderon comitted the fouls which Lambert both converted from the spot to secure the win.