George Burley spent big to bring Davis to Southampton, snapping him up from Sunderland in the summer of 2006 for a fee which could rise to £1.25million.

The former Black Cats 'keeper must have been glad to move on having endured a nightmare season during 2005/6 with Sunderland relegated as the whipping boys of the Premiership.

Born in Bedford he came highly recommended by goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster who also worked with him during his time at Ipswich.

He began his playing career at Luton Town, making 91 appearances, and was also sent on loan to Torquay United and Hartlepool in 1994 and 1997 respectively.

In 1999 he moved to MK Dons making a total of 131 appearances before securing a move to Ipswich Town in 2003. He spent two years at Portman Road making 84 appearances.

He was signed by Mick McCarthy for Sunderland following their promotion to the Premiership.

After a first appearance for the Club in pre-season against Bristol City in July, Davis made his Saints league debut in the 2006/7 Championship curtain raiser against Derby County.

He remained an ever-present in the side until he lost his place in March 2007 through suspension. He collected a harsh two-match ban on video evidence after being found guilty of aiming a kick at Stoke striker Jon Parkin even though it was merely an angry gesture which did not make contact.

The fine form of Bartosz Bialkowski kept Davis on the sidelines until the second leg of the play-off semi-final when he was recalled to the side as manager George Burley opted for experience.

He was unlucky in pre-season 2007, suffering a shoulder injury and then a dislocated finger but regained his place away to Norwich after missing the Carling Cup tie at Peterborough through illness.

He had a strong season making a succession of top-class saves before his campaign came to a premature end in March when he cracked and dislocated a finger in the 2-2 draw at Wolves.

2008-09 saw Davis pick up the captaincy following Michael Svensson's decision to join Mark Wotte's coaching staff following injury.

Davis' tremendous form between the sticks saw him pick up the Saints Player of the Season award and give his side a fighting chance of beating the drop, although Saints fate was ultimately decided by a ten point deduction imposed by the Football League.