The above date should stick in the memory of all Saints fans, that was the date we crashed out of the Premiership with barely a whimper in a defeat to manchester United, now we can excorise that sad day.
May 15th 2005, a day when Saints fans knew the game was up even before a ball was kicked, we knew that Harry Redknapp's heart wasnt in it and we knew that his squad could see that and the collection of loans and signings he had brought to the club in the main didnt care less, whilst some players who did were rotting in the reserves, in the stadium that day you sensed that the spirit of Southampton shown in 1994, 95 & 99 was not present in 2005, even in the crowd, the belief had gone and had been driven out, many Saints fans havent forgiven Redknapp for his time at St Mary's and for his tactical ineptitude and therefore laugh hysterically with derision at the thought he is the best man for the England managers job.
But on riday night we play our most important game since that 2-1 defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson's men, yes the Derby games in the play off's 5 years ago were big, but we were still a long way from winning the play off's, now we stand perhaps one win from a return to the top flight, knowing that if we beat Reading we could be virtually promoted the following day if West Ham lose.
Indeed this game is probably bigger than the Man Utd game itself, back then although we were relegated from the Premiership, financially we were not playing for as big a stakes as we are now, even after being relegated we still had parachute payments and started at a big advantage to other clubs in the Championship, OK it didnt quite work like that, but technically it should of, put bluntly there is a lot lot more to play for in our last four games, but this is really the biggest of the lot.
In fact it could be said that this game is our biggest in 13 years, since the great escape season in fact when both Wimbledon away and Everton at home would qualify as a vital game, with plans for St Mary's in the pipeline and likely to be scuppered if we were relegated, that was truly a big couple of fixtures.
But back to the present, the importance of the clash with Reading should not be underestimated, although defeat for either side would not be a disaster, it would give a chink of light to West Ham and for that reason its important to get three points from the game and leave the Hammers staring at a nine point gap as they kick off their home fixture with Brighton.
Its one where vocal support of every form is essential, it is not a game to sit and watch passively, if you do then perhaps you are taking a seat from someone who could support the team more positively.
Promotions are not won on message boards on internet web sites, they are won on the pitch and being positive is about supporting your team where it counts, by supporting each and every player who steps on to that pitch whatever your opinions on them, only one thing matters on FRiday evening and thats winning this football match and once the final whistle blows the only thing that matters is the next game.
Make no bones about it, the Reading game is vitally important to the futre of this club, as was the fixture seven years ago, we now have a team that has spirit, if they and we show it, then the good times could be back.