SHANE Long has departed Saints after eight years with the club. He does not go down as the club's most prolific forward, but leaves supporters many fond memories.
The 35-year-old has not seen his contract, which he signed in 2020, renewed at St Mary’s and will look to move to a new challenge.
Long - who won the Daily Echo Player of the Year award in 2016 - is credited by staff, teammates and supporters alike with passion and industry, and nobody could or would question his commitment to the club.
From when he arrived at Staplewood Campus in 2014 to his final goal, here is a small selection of moments he leaves behind.
Long signs for Saints – Thursday, August 14. 2014.
"Shane is a great servant and the ultimate role model for youngsters at Southampton. His hard work on the pitch and his passion for football undoubtedly knocks onto everyone wearing the red and white shirt." - Rhys
First goals – Leicester City – Saturday, November 8. 2014.
Long opened his Saints account with a quickfire brace to snatch a 2-0 win, on as a substitute. It meant his first goals came in front of the St Mary’s supporters.
"Shane has been an ever present for many seasons now and always gives one hundred percent when he wore the shirt. The goal return dissatisfied many but for me his goal at Anfield to take us to Wembley was priceless, along with his fastest Premier league goal to give Saints another record." - Robbie
Best goal? Aston Villa – Saturday, May 16. 2015.
Long’s strike is overshadowed by a remarkable 6-1 win with a record-time Sadio Mane hattrick. But is a long-range belter over goalkeeper Shay Given.
We've reached the top 5 in our goals series. Starting off at number 5 is Shane Long. This worldy was the best goal in a 6-1 drubbing of Aston Villa back in May 2015 #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/3Pd8BVOS7C
— Southampton Page (@SouthamptonPage) December 27, 2017
"Shane was a well-respected, professional servant for Southampton over the course of his eight-year spell with the club. His goalscoring throughout the memorable 2015/16 campaign and his last-gasp winner at Anfield to send the team to Wembley will be fondly remembered by each Saints fan." - Sam
Anfield to reach EFL Cup final - Wednesday, 25 January. 2017.
Steven Davis to Josh Sims to Shane Long in the 90th minute. From one end where Liverpool could have scored, the Irishman sealed Saints an EFL Cup Wembley destiny with a 2-0 aggregate lead.
"He’s been here a long time, you can never fault his work rate and he’s scored some big goals (Anfield the biggest)." - Matthew
Record fastest Premier League goal vs Watford – Tuesday, April 23. 2019.
A calm lob over Ben Foster went over the line just 7.69 seconds after the game had kicked-off, shaving 2.13 seconds of Ledley King’s strike for Tottenham against Bradford City.
“I don’t know what the record was before, but records like that are nice to have I suppose. I was just disappointed that it wasn’t the goal to get us three points,” Long admitted, after a late Andre Gray equaliser.
"While Shane Long may not of have been 30 goal striker many fans wanted, he has played with passion and desire over several years. In my opinion, he’ll be leaving Southampton with a positive impact and memories of his Anfield goal and prolific period under Ronald Koeman." - Freddie.
Last goal – Everton – Saturday, February 19. 2022.
Long, with his second goal of the campaign after scoring at Swansea City in the FA Cup, signed off with a late header as a substitute in this 2-0 win.
The result saw Saints continue a climb into the Premier League’s top-half after just one loss in 10 league matches, and was Long’s 37th for the St Mary’s side.
"Although Shane’s goal scoring was inconsistent, he did consistently show effort everytime he put on the shirt and throughout his Saints career always respected the fans with his efforts." - Rob.
Farewell, Shane.
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