From last minute equalisers to the tension and high-drama of the penalty spot, things move quickly in football and in the blink of an eye everything can change...

The television cameras, photographers' lenses and the internet are great tools to document the here and now, but the bigger picture can often be lost amongst the clamour for the next big headline.

In an attempt to redress the balance, Saintsfc.co.uk will be bringing you up to date with the real history of Southampton Football Club in a new series of articles compiled by Saints Historian's Dave Juson and Gary Chalk.

Their research and devotion to uncovering every facet of our club's fascinating origins and history will gradually build into an indispensible guided tour of the past that we hope fans, both old and young, will enjoy discovering afresh.

Each article will gradually be archived in the new 'History' section, which can be found by clicking on the 'Club' tab at the top of the page.

In the first part of the series, we go right back to where it all started and give you a glimpse of the very different world of 1885, when a bunch of religious young men began by hoofing the ball about on the Common!

Part 1 - Champions of Hampshire

Part 2 - Southern League Champions

Part 3 - The Glory Years 

To be continued...