![DAVE'S TREASURE HUNT](https://cdn.magzter.com/1351005634/1707902483/articles/PmYqID8ll1708335822160/DAVES-TREASURE-HUNT.jpg)
WHEN the whistle blew on the final day of the 1983-84 season, the last thing Southampton youngster Dave Puckett wanted to do was throw his shirt into the packed Meadow Lane away end.
A nimble-footed striker who played under the stewardship of Brian Clough and Harry Redknapp (twice) in an illustrious 20-year career, Puckett was a Saints boy raised on the terraces of The Dell in the late '60s.
At 18, having spent time in the youth set-up, then manager Lawrie McMenemy handed him his first professional contract.
1 "I idolised the likes of Mick Channon as young kid," he said. "Ten years later, I was playing alongside him and Steve Moran for my boyhood club. It was the life I'd dreamt of from my first game at eight years old. I still feel lucky now." In May 1984, Southampton had just secured their best-ever finish with a win against already-relegated Notts County - First Division runners-up behind champions Liverpool. The club had also embarked on a memorable FA Cup run, only to be halted by Everton in the semi-final.
Puckett had played a bit-part role across the season, often having to bide his time behind the prolific Moran, Danny.
Wallace and Frank Worthington.
But after being preferred to the latter for the run-in, the forward seized his I chance as the No.9.
"I'd worn various numbers throughout the season, so to be given the nine for the run-in of Southampton's best-ever season, it was the perfect moment," he recalled.
This story is from the March - April 2024 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March - April 2024 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![EURO 96 AN ALMOST PERFECT SUMMER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1724210/w22kDBPO91717757262882/EURO-96-AN-ALMOST-PERFECT-SUMMER.jpg)
EURO 96 AN ALMOST PERFECT SUMMER
TOM GREEN RECALLS A TOURNAMENT WHICH CAPTURED THE ENTIRE COUNTRY'S IMAGINATION
![GROUP GAMES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1724210/GbbY5dOfs1717756813867/GROUP-GAMES.jpg)
GROUP GAMES
SAM SHEPPEY LOOKS AT HOW ENGLAND HAVE FARED AGAINST THEIR UPCOMING EURO 2024 FOES IN THE PAST
![THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF KOBBIE MAINOO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1724210/ffN6rb_D41717756310519/THE-INCREDIBLE-RISE-OF-KOBBIE-MAINOO.jpg)
THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF KOBBIE MAINOO
CALLUM HUMPHREY HOW THE YOUNG MIDFIELDER HAS BLOSSOMED AT MANCHESTER UNITED AND COULD DO THE SAME FOR ENGLAND THIS SUMMER
![GERMANY EYE FRESH SUMMER FAIRYTALE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1724210/YhnY-O0Bn1717756075954/GERMANY-EYE-FRESH-SUMMER-FAIRYTALE.jpg)
GERMANY EYE FRESH SUMMER FAIRYTALE
KIT HOLDEN TAKES A LOOK AT THE PROSPECTS OF THE EURO 2024 HOSTS
![PROGRAMME PERIL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1724210/Z-2sx3IzQ1717755934333/PROGRAMME-PERIL.jpg)
PROGRAMME PERIL
JAKE GUNTON ON THE BATTLE FOR A FOOTBALL INSTITUTION TO STAY RELEVANT IN THE MODERN AGE
![ENGLAND EXPECTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1724210/-dPQfx7Yj1717755657265/ENGLAND-EXPECTS.jpg)
ENGLAND EXPECTS
ROBERT J WILSON ON THE THREE LIONS' BID FOR GLORY AFTER PREVIOUS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP DISAPPOINTMENTS
![PASSING THE BATON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1662066/o2H1il0Z_1712917788092/PASSING-THE-BATON.jpg)
PASSING THE BATON
NOTTS COUNTY FAN IAN KIRKE REFLECTS ON AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY AT MEADOW LANE...
![CHEEKY CHARLIE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1662066/wWWDso9Z91712920177659/CHEEKY-CHARLIE.jpg)
CHEEKY CHARLIE
TOM GREEN LOOKS AT THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHARLIE MITTEN, WHO WENT FROM BURMA TO BOGOTA VIA OLD TRAFFORD
![HAPPY WITH OUR LOT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1662066/gERXJu_r21712920909416/HAPPY-WITH-OUR-LOT.jpg)
HAPPY WITH OUR LOT
WATFORD FAN JONNY BRICK IS QUITE CONTENT WITH HIS TEAM NEVER GOING UP AND NEVER GOING DOWN...
![JAMES RODRIGUEZ TEN YEARS ON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1690/1662066/dPV5rFBh51712918861472/JAMES-RODRIGUEZ-TEN-YEARS-ON.jpg)
JAMES RODRIGUEZ TEN YEARS ON
DANIEL MOFFAT LOOKS AT THE CAREER OF THE COLOMBIA STAR