The word ‘legend’ seems to be thrown around all too easily nowadays, but the description really is true of Rickie Lambert – a player who will go down as one of the great Southampton players.
Lambert announced his retirement from playing football today in what was a typically classy statement. He enjoyed a roller coaster of a career, and his best days came on the south coast with us.
The tale of Lambert is very much one of rags to riches. Having been released from Blackpool, and then Liverpool as a youngster, Lambert worked in a beetroot factory in 2001 as he looked to occupy himself whilst out of work.
However, fast forward 12 years and Lambert had realised a dream of his since young age. From beetroot factories to the iconic pitches of England, Lambert’s rise to the top was nothing short of remarkable. I speak on behalf of all Southampton fans when I say that we were all so proud of Lambert’s journey, and that we will continue to reminisce on his playing days with great fondness.
Lambert was signed from Bristol Rovers for just £1 million in 2009 as Saints geared up for their first season in League One, following the arrival of Markus Liebherr. Little did we know then that the 27-year-old was going to be one of many key figures in our return back to the top flight.
On a personal note, I grew up watching Lambert lead the line alongside the likes of Lee Barnard, Guly Do Prado and David Connolly, before seeing him line up next to Billy Sharp and many others. Players with as much charisma and integrity as him truly do stick in the memory, and they are the ones who will be admired by a fan-base for a lifetime.
Not only was his influence on the pitch an aspect of great importance, but the way in which he embodied Saints’ progress and return from the depths of the football league to the upper echelons of the English game is an element of his career that will be with him, and with us, forever.
Lambert netted an incredible 117 goals in 235 appearances, and performed consistently in all of the country’s top three divisions. His five-year spell with the club was packed with an abundance of elating moments, and was full of success and growth.
From his first hat-trick in Southampton colours at MK Dons away to his Premier League goal against Manchester City on the opening day of the 2012/13 season, Lambert left us all feeling on top of the world at least once during his spell here.
Despite his unfamiliar roots and previous ventures with other clubs, Lambert was one of our own. He knew what it meant to pull on the red and white shirt, and he knew that every time he stepped onto the pitch he was an ambassador for the club.
He often gave us added purpose and encouragement to watch England, too. Supporting your country is always something of an obligation, but it’s made all the more important when one of your own is playing.
I know for sure that I’ve never celebrated an England goal with as much pride as when he netted on his debut against Scotland at Wembley. It was probably the peak of his career, and perhaps one of the proudest moments we’ll have as Saints fans.
Lambert’s decision to join Liverpool in 2014 was one that inevitably hurt us as fans as we said goodbye to one of the club’s most iconic ever figures. However, pride was once again the overriding emotion, as one of the most inspiring, hard-working players in the sport realised his dream – playing for his boyhood club after they deemed him not good enough in his younger days.
It didn’t work out at Liverpool for Lambert, but he’ll surely look back with fondness on his tenure at Anfield, with him having scored a Premier League goal at least for his favourite (or now second favourite) club.
I hope that one day we can see Lambert back at Southampton Football Club in some way, shape or form. Whether it be in a coaching capacity, an ambassadorial role, or anything at all – he belongs at St Mary’s.
Lambert was one of many who took us back to the Premier League, and we as supporters will never, ever forget the hard work and quality he contributed towards our return to the top flight.
All the best in your retirement, Rickie. Thank you for everything.
