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My fondest memory was the only time I spoke to him. I met him in the ticket office before the FA Cup game with Pompey in 1996. I asked him, 'Are you playing today?' and when he answered 'No', I thought, Thank God and walked away feeling much more confident about our prospects. We won 3-0.
I remember his shocking diagonal hoofs into the west or east stands depending on which way we were shooting. The spectacular own goal against Oldham Athletic and of course his one and only goal against Leicester.
"The Chapel Kop at Southampton is widely regarded as the most passionate and intimidating Kop in European football."
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Francis Benali - your memories on 15:26 - Feb 8 with 2946 views
Benali was my cousin's favourite Saints player - ever !! So imagine my delight when he missed that Leicester game at the Dell, due to a vacation. Yes, the game Franny scored his one and only goal (at the right end) for Saints. Still, I made it up for my cousin, by getting him an 'I was there when Franny scored' T-shirt for his birthday.
I went to a Basingstoke Saints Supporters Club do, many years ago and Benali was the guest. Can't remember if it was Christmas or end of season or something, but they said they had some cards for Franny and then proceeded to read out all his career red cards, the referees that gave them and who the fouls were on. He took it well to be fair, much better perhaps than Jon Fashanu did when he got taken out knee high and Plough Lane :-)
TimSaint
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Francis Benali - your memories on 16:23 - Feb 8 with 2882 views
Although not being the most gifted of footballers, he obviously had something about him and was picked to play for us by 9 different managers. Committed to the Southampton cause as shown when he broke his arm in a game at Leicester and continued playing!!
He couldn't pass, had a right dodgy Freddie Mercury tache, but hated Pompey - all of which helped make him a cult hero with the fans who appreciated his loyalty to the cause in several relegation battles.
A measure of the man for me was his heroic Charity Run - 50 miles a day, that's 2 marathons a day for 3 weeks, visiting every Premier League Ground. Incredible. What a pity the clubs and overpaid prima donnas couldn't be bothered to donate money to his cause. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2754965/Francis-Benali-complet
Here he is halfway through. It gets me every time.
Francis Benali, you absolute Legend I salute you.
[Post edited 8 Feb 2016 18:24]
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Francis Benali - your memories on 18:24 - Feb 8 with 2744 views
I was at that game and although we joke about his limited talent as a Premier League footballer, he got a very warm welcome from the fans, as he was always a popular character and still is.
Good timing ! About two hours ago my 12 year old son returned from a football session at Toynbee school in Chandlers Ford where he is learning various tips and attending football training sessions on how to improve his game. The person who takes the training is non other than Francis Benali. He is there every Monday and my son has improved and has become a more confident player.
I watched him many times as many have said not the greatest player but fully committed. I think I'm right in saying he started his career as a striker for Southampton schoolboys.
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