Sport
Saints Legends fall to penalty shootout defeat

Legends, stunners, penalties and drama.
Former England internationals missed spot kicks, the Saints kitman netted a panenka, and a transport recruitment specialist scored for his side.
That’s exactly what went down in a charity match played out at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.
A Saints Legends XI took on a Russell Martin XI in a game that turned out to include all the aspects of a blockbuster professional match.
More than 7,000 spectators watched the game, which was played in support of Saints Foundation, the Russell Martin Foundation, and Sophie’s Appeal, the charity chosen by the Ex-Saints Foundation.
Southampton intends to split the profits equally between each charity.
The likes of Theo Walcott, Francis Benali and Rickie Lambert were included in the Saints’ starting lineup, with legend Matt Le Tissier on the bench.
Former Norwich players Grant Holt and Bradley Johnson were among the starters for Russell Martin’s side.
Saints dominated the early stages with academy graduate Theo Walcott running the show in attack, but it was the Russell Martin XI that struck first and they did so in comical fashion.
A Simon Lappin cross deflected off defender Jose Fonte, going past bemused ‘keeper Kelvin Evans.
The ‘hosts’ soon had a chance to equalise however when Matt Oakley drew a foul in the box and won his side a penalty.
Rickie Lambert stepped up looking to not only equalise but continue the 100% record he enjoyed from the spot while a Southampton player.
It wasn’t to be for the striker though as he saw his tame penalty saved by Jimmy Walker.
Star man Walcott was left with the responsibility of levelling the scores and did so in sensational fashion.
The ex-Arsenal attacker picked up the ball 25 yards out and fired a great effort past Walker to make it 1-1.
The scores weren’t level for long however as Elliott Bennett led a counter-attack for Martin’s side and restored their lead with a thunderous effort to beat Davis in the Saints goal.
In the final minutes of the first-half, Bradley Johnson unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner, leaving Davis grasping at thin air and extending his side’s lead to 3-1.
The second half saw yet another stunning strike and that came through Saints substitute James Beattie.
The former England international curled a sublime first time shot to bring the score back to 3-2.
This one-goal deficit did not last for long however as Russell Martin XI sub, recruitment specialist and charity donor Craig Swanborough tapped home from close range to make it 4-2.
Andrew Surman gave Saints a lifeline with a neatly placed first-time left-footed effort into the far corner before Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier came off the bench to make a long-awaited appearance with four minutes remaining.
In added time, Walcott continued to trouble the opposing defence and his trickery paid off when he won a penalty, presenting his side a chance to equalise from 12 yards.
In as if scripted fashion, spot kick icon Le Tissier stepped up and sent Walker the wrong way to make it 4-4, taking the match to a shootout.
It was a good start for Saints in the shootout but successive misses from Beattie and Walcott and a stunning chipped penalty from Southampton kitman Mark Forbes presented Elliott Ward with the chance to win it for the Russell Martin XI and he did just that.
The shootout ended 4-2 to Russell Martin XI after a 4-4 draw in regulation time.
Sport
Billie Jean King – Battle of the Sexes – 1973

The year was 1973. The lights of the Houston Astrodome glared down on a tennis court that had become more than just a playing field — it was a stage for a cultural revolution.
Cameras flashed, tension buzzed in the air, and two players stepped onto the court — one a confident showman, the other a determined trailblaser carrying the hopes of millions.
As the first serve sliced through the air on that September evening, millions around the world weren’t just watching a tennis match — they were witnessing a fight for equality, respect, and change.
Billie Jean King is a legendary American tennis champion and advocate for gender equality whose career and impact extends far beyond the court.
With 39 Grand Slams titles and a historic victory in 1973, “Battle of the Sexes” match, she not only proved her athletic ability but also challenged stereotypes about women within the world of sport.
As a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and a leader behind equal prize money, King became a powerful force for fairness and inclusion, later emerging as a voice for LGBTQ+ rights.
Her legacy as both a world class athlete and a fearless activist changed the game for generations to come.
The “Battle of the Sexes” was a famous match, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a former men’s champion who was adamant that men were superior athletes.
The match was played in front of more than 30,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome and watched by roughly 90 million people worldwide, the event was a both a sporting spectacle and a major milestone in the fight for gender equality.
Billie Jean King defeated Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), this proved that women could compete in the highest level which inspired greater respect and opportunities for female athletes around the world.
The event’s impact was immediate. Women’s tennis surged in popularity, drawing new audiences, sponsorships, and media coverage. King used the momentum to push for lasting change.
This helped the US Open to become the first major tournament to offer equal pay. Her win also empowered a new generation of female athletes to come out and code and what was rightfully theirs.
More than five decades later, the Battle of the Sexes remains a cultural milestone.
It symbolised more than just a tennis match, it was a statement about equality, perseverance, and the power of sport to challenge societal norms.
Football
Ivan Juric leaves Southampton after earliest ever relegation

Ivan Juric has left his role as Southampton first team manager following the club’s relegation on Sunday.
The Croatian joined the Saints on an 18-month deal in December following Russell Martin’s dismissal but lasted just 107 days in charge.
Juric oversaw just two victories in his 16 matches in charge with Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham confirming Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
With seven matches still to play, Saints’ relegation is the earliest in Premier League history, breaking the joint-record set by Derby County and Huddersfield Town in 2007-08 and 2018-19 respectively, who both went down after 32 games.
The club confirmed the process of searching for a new manager is now under way and said: “With relegation to the Championship now confirmed, we believe it is important to give fans, players and staff some clarity on the future as we head into a very important summer.”
First team coach Simon Rusk is set to take charge of the team for the remainder of the season with player Adam Lallana to act as his assistant.
Southampton currently sit on 10 points at the bottom of the league and require a further two points to avoid breaking the record-low set by Derby County, who finished the 2007-08 season with 11 points.
Autism
Slopes that don’t discriminate at Solent Ski Club

Solent ski club has been providing adaptive skiing sessions for people with various disabilities for over 20 years.
Sessions take place on the second Sunday of every month at the Alpine Sports Centre in Southampton.
The club has been a charity since 2017. It is funded by member subscriptions, ski session fees and donations.
Club Chairman, Peter Ramm said: “The aim of the club is to put a smile on their faces. Ultimately, we take a view that everyone has a disability when they come skiing because they put a plank of wood on their feet.”
Solent Ski Club hope their guidance can provide disabled skiers with more confidence and therefore greater independence and enjoyment when on the slopes.
Peter Ramm said: “The primary driver is safety, it’s about having enough people around them to ensure they can ski safely.”
The club also aims to develop the skiing knowledge and skills of all members.
Qualified ski instructors, trained ski guides and many volunteers are present at all sessions.
Florence Davies, a skier at the club said: “My favourite thing is probably getting to speak to and enjoy laughs with other people that share similar difficulties to me. Getting to know other people and finding my independence.”
Ellie Wheatley, another participant, who is partially deaf due to a condition called CMV which was passed onto her at birth by her mother, said: “It’s good for my confidence, it gives me opportunities to get out and interact with the wider world. There’s no sport where you’re at a height, you’ve fallen over half the time, but you’re still smiling at the end of it.”
Solent Ski Club look forward to January 18th, where they will take a group of their disability skiers on their annual trip to Folgaria in Italy, to enjoy the experience on real snow, in the mountains.
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