No regrets, insists Le Tissier

Matthew Le Tissier ends 16 years as a Southampton player with a testimonial at St Mary’s tomorrow, still not regretting his decision to spend his entire career on the south coast.

Le Tissier scored 209 goals in his Saints career in 540 appearances but revealed he almost joined Tottenham when Terry Venables was manager at White Hart Lane.

Channel Islander Le Tissier said: ‘‘We got to the point where we agreed on wages but then Southampton offered me the same deal so I stayed.

‘‘I have no regrets because I loved the area, the club and the people.’’

Le Tissier was the first to congratulate team-mate Wayne Bridge on his England call-up for the World Cup finals, reflecting on his own failure to gain more than eight England caps with only three of those in the starting line-up.

‘‘Terry Venables dropped me when I was in good form. That is the one thing which disappoints me most about my England career,‘‘ added Le Tissier.

‘‘When Glenn Hoddle was manager I was not playing well enough at the time.

‘‘I don’t think I justified a place in the final 22 for the 1998 World Cup but I thought I should have been in the final 30 after scoring a hat-trick for England B against Russia.

‘‘To be left out of the final 30 after scoring those goals was a bit galling.’’

Le Tissier says Alan Ball was the manager who got him to produce his best football in the mid 90s and his biggest disappointment was his failure to overhaul Mick Channon’s club record of 185 league goals.

He finished with 161 after struggling with injuries over the last two years.

Alan Shearer, Chris Waddle, Tim Flowers, Rod Wallace, Paul Gascoigne, Ian Wright, Mark Wright and Jimmy Case are all playing for an England XI against Southampton in the testimonial which should make Le Tissier almost £500,000 richer.

Le Tissier will consider his options after retirement but his plans include media work and a possible ambassadorial role for Southampton, the club he has served so loyally for so long.