There are some players at football clubs that transcend the icon status and belong in a category of respect and love very few names will ever reach, but for Francis Benali, the former Southampton star is placed firmly here.
Reaching the FA Cup final
Playing with @mattletiss7
Man-marking @IanWright0 @FrannyBenali recalls his best (and worst) #SaintsFC memories:— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 9, 2019
The now 50-year-old Saints hero has kept a strong affinity to the club the defender spent over 16 years at, with Benali part of the Southampton side that made it to the 2003 FA Cup final and forever making himself as a legend of the club for his work off the pitch, with the former defender raising £1 million this year for Cancer Research UK as reported by BBC News.
The former left-back is a true Southampton legend, and Benali has backed up his love for the Saints in a recent interview with the club’s official website where the south coast-born defender discussed the highest of highs and lowest of lows during his time with the no Premier League club.
With Benali holding a special place in the hearts of Southampton fans everywhere, plenty of supporters on social media flocked to praise their Saints legend for his words about the team and what it means to play for the club he loved.
Here’s what some Southampton fans had to say about Benali’s raving praise of Southampton…
A great bloke – a superb human being
— Mike (@Mikecuell) October 9, 2019
And you got to score
— Graham Giles-Payne Esq (@ggilespayne) October 10, 2019
Great snapshot insight.
— Mark Smith (@smudger1703) October 10, 2019
Mush it was an absolute pleasure (must of the time) watching you play, some of the tackles you made were out of this world, or should I say put the opposition out of this world. #OneTrueSaint #SaintsFC
— Saints Mike (@Saints_Mike7167) October 10, 2019
Benali has a place in the hearts of Saints fans everywhere…
We often sing “he’s one of our own”, well @FrannyBenali is one of our own, in fact he’s the best of our own.
A proper mush and an incredible person who does the most incredibly selfless acts.#ariseSirFranny #saintsfc https://t.co/04qLseXSU2
— @TheCommittee (@TheCommittee7) October 10, 2019
Sir Franny please!
— trautsneerg (@trautsneerg) October 10, 2019
All the best Fran
— Neil Taylor (@neiltay70524924) October 10, 2019
Two of the very best to wear the badge Fran #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/ODHCsLoiGH
— Robbie (@EditSouthampton) October 10, 2019
Benali will be hoping Southampton return to good form following the international break, with the Saints currently sat in 17th place in the Premier League table.
