Ahead of the battle of the stripes we take a look at who wore which stripes best. We delve into the history books to look at players who have starred for both teams and with which club they enjoyed the most success.
JIMMY MONTGOMERY
After a record-breaking 627 appearances and an FA Cup final medal with the Lads, Monty went on to have spells with a number of clubs, Southampton being one of them. Montgomery made five appearances on loan with the Saints in in 1977 before joining Birmingham City.
Battle of the stripes winner: BLACK CATS √
CALLUM DAVENPORT
The well-travelled defender also pulled on the stripes for both sides and for both it was a case of blink and you’d miss it. In 2005 he played 12 games for Southampton on loan and also had a loan spell with the Black Cats, playing eight games during the 2008-09 season.
Battle of the stripes winner: SAINTS √
RORY DELAP
Delap was Saints record signing at £4 million in 2001 after 5 years on the South Coast he moved to Wearside, albeit very briefly before joining Stoke on loan. In his second game for the Potters, coincidentally against Sunderland, he suffered a broken leg. However, upon recovering he made the move permanent and proved crucial in Stoke’s promotion to the top flight as their throw-in specialist.
Battle of the stripes winner: SAINTS √
KENWYNE JONES
After three years with Saints, where he had a number of loan spells away from the South Coast Jones handed in a transfer request that saw him move to the Stadium of Light. The Trinidad and Tobago international made 101 appearances for the Lads netting 28 goals.
Battle of the stripes winner: BLACK CATS √
CHRIS MAKIN
The full-back was signed by Peter Reid in 1997 and ‘Shoot’ as he was nicknamed by the red and white army became a fans favourite, netting one solitary goal in his 121 games. He moved to Southampton late in his career and only made 27 appearances after struggling with a hip injury.
Battle of the stripes winner: BLACK CATS √
WAYNE BRIDGE
The former England international had the best spell of his career with the Saints, spending over five years playing for his hometown club. He played over 150 games and was their player of the year after being ever-present at left-back in the 200-10 season. Bridge only played eight games for Sunderland, only two of which were starts during a loan spell in 2012.
Battle of the stripes winner: SAINTS √
DAVE WATSON
Part of Sunderland’s FA Cup winning side, Dave’s name is written in Wearside folklore for his battling performance during that faithful encounter with Leeds United at Wembley Stadium. He spent five years with the Black Cats and after leaving in 1975 he had a number of clubs before joining the Saints. During his three years there he made 77 appearances and nabbed 7 goals.
Battle of the stripes winner: BLACK CATS √
BARRY VENISON
At Sunderland he set a record when he became the youngest captain at a Wembley cup final when, aged 20 years and 220 days, he skippered the Lads against Norwich City in the 1985 League Cup final. He played 205 games for SAFC before joining Liverpool, then Newcastle United. After a short time at Galatasary he ended his career on the South Coast, spending two years with the Saints.
Battle of the stripes winner: BLACK CATS √
DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM
The defender spent one season on Wearside and will be remembered for his crucial goal v Middlesbrough, to retain a second season of Premier League football under Roy Keane, as well as his Wear-Tyne derby header at the Stadium of Light. Earlier in his career he helped the Saints to the FA Cup final in 2003, then left upon their relegation in 2005.
Battle of the stripes winner: SAINTS √
KEVIN PHILLIPS
This man needs no introduction, as SAFC’s record goal scorer and the last Englishman to win the golden boot, Phillips enjoyed the best time of his career at the Stadium of Light. He moved to the SoL in 1997 and then left to join Southampton following relegation in 2003. He made an instant impact St Mary’s; scoring on his debut and going on to enjoy a fruitful partnership with Peter Crouch, however he left after two years and 22 league goals.
Battle of the stripes winner: BLACK CATS √
KELVIN DAVIS
The goalkeeper was sold to Southampton back in 2006 for £1m after a forgettable year at the Stadium of Light. He went on to skipper the Saints for 10 years and was awarded a testimonial last May.
Battle of the stripes winner: SAINTS √
Fans can show their stripes for less and pick up the latest SAFC home shirt in official club stores for just £18.79, a nod to the club’s history, having been formed by a group of school teachers back in 1879.