# List of Southampton F.C. seasons

Southampton Football Club, an English association football club based in Southampton, Hampshire, was founded in 1885 as St. Mary's Y.M.A. For almost six years the club took no part in any official competitions at national level, playing only friendlies and local tournaments, including the Hampshire Senior Cup. St Mary's first entered the FA Cup in the 1891–92 season, and in 1894 under the name Southampton St Mary's joined the newly founded Southern Football League.
The club changed its name to simply Southampton at the start of the 1896–97 season, and quickly established themselves as the primary force in football in the South of England, winning the Southern League three times in a row. The club also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1898, losing the replay 2–0 to Nottingham Forest after a 1–1 draw. The Saints continued to dominate the league into the 20th century, claiming the championship again in 1901, 1903 and 1904, before joining the Football League Third Division as a founding member in 1920, following the absorption of the Southern League. Southampton were almost instantly promoted to the Second Division, completing the feat as champions in the 1921–22 season.
Southampton found life in the second flight of English football difficult, as they remained a mid-bottom table side throughout the seasons played before and immediately after the Second World War, before they were ultimately relegated back to the Third Division in 1953. Promoted as champions again in 1960, Southampton performed well in the following ten years, reaching the quarter-final stage in the newly created League Cup in 1961 and earning promotion to Division One in 1966 as division runners-up. The club received its first taste of continental football in the 1969–70 season when they competed in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, although were knocked out in the first round. Despite suffering relegation back to Division Two in 1974, Southampton achieved a surprise victory in the 1976 FA Cup Final against Manchester United to win the trophy for the first and only time in the club's history. This success was topped off two seasons later when the club regained its First Division place.
The 1983–84 season was Southampton's most successful in terms of league position, when the club finished second in the top flight to Liverpool, missing out on the championship by just three points. In the 1990s, the club largely struggled to get out of the bottom third of the table, although they reached the advanced stages of the FA Cup and League Cup on a number of occasions and also played in the Full Members Cup final in 1992. The club became founder members of the Premier League in 1992 but continued their disappointing performances, despite reaching the 2003 FA Cup Final against Arsenal and losing to a single goal. Southampton were relegated to the Championship in the 2004–05 season, and were quickly relegated again following off-the-pitch problems in 2009. In their first season in League One, Southampton won the League Trophy with an emphatic 4–1 win against Carlisle United. The following season, Southampton were promoted to the Championship as runners-up in League One.
As of the end of the 2023–24 season, the club have spent 46 seasons in the top division of English football, 40 in the second, and 11 in the third.
The table details their achievements in all national and international first team competitions, and records their manager, the top goalscorer, the player with the most league appearances and the average home league attendance, for each completed season since their first appearance in the FA Cup in 1891–92.

## Competitions

The club has participated in the following leagues:
* The Southern League (from 1894–95 to 1919–20)
* The Football League (from 1920–21 to 1991–92, from 2005–06 to 2011–12 and 2023–24)
* The Premier League (from 1992–93 to 2004–05, from 2012–13 to 2022–23 and since 2024–25)
The club has participated in the following other first-team tournaments:
* FA Cup (since 1891–92)
* Southern Professional Floodlit Cup (from 1957–58 to 1959–60)
* EFL Cup (since 1960–61)
* Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (in 1969–70)
* UEFA Cup / Europa League (in 1971–72, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 2003–04, 2015–16, 2016–17)
* Texaco Cup (in 1974–75)
* Community Shield (in 1976)
* Anglo-Italian League Cup (in 1976)
* European Cup Winners' Cup (in 1976–77)
* Super Cup (in 1985–86)
* Full Members Cup (from 1986–87 to 1991–92)
* Football League Trophy (from 2009–10 to 2010–11)

## Key

| 1st or W | Winners |
| 2nd or RU | Runners-up |
| ↑ | Promoted |
| ↓ | Relegated |
* Top scorer shown in bold when player was also top scorer for the division. Appearance number shown in bold when player played in every league match of the season.
* League results shown in italics for abandoned competition.

## Seasons

| Season | League record | League record | League record | League record | League record | League record | League record | League record | League record | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe / Other | Europe / Other | Manager(s) | Top goalscorer(s) | Top goalscorer(s) | Most league appearances | Most league appearances | Average attendance |
| Season | Division | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe / Other | Europe / Other | Manager(s) | Player(s) | Goals | Player(s) | Apps. | Average attendance |
| 1891–92 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2Q | | | | | Jock FlemingErnie Nicholls | 3 | N/A | N/A | |
| 1892–93 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2Q | | | | Cecil Knight | Bob Kiddle | 3 | N/A | N/A | |
| 1893–94 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2Q | | | | Cecil Knight | Ernie NichollsErnie TaylorHerbert Ward | 1 | N/A | N/A | |
| 1894–95 | SL Div 1 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 34 | 25 | 20 | 3rd | R1 | | | | Cecil Knight | Charles Baker | 12 | Alf Littlehales | 16 | |
| 1895–96 | SL Div 1 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 44 | 23 | 24 | 3rd | R1 | | | | Charles Robson | Jack Farrell | 14 | Charles BakerSamuel Meston | 18 | |
| 1896–97 | SL Div 1 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 63 | 18 | 35 | 1st | R2 | | | | Alfred McMinn | Jack Farrell | 20 | Robert BuchananGeorge ClawleyJack FarrellWilliam McMillan | 20 | |
| 1897–98 | SL Div 1 | 22 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 53 | 18 | 37 | 1st | SF | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Robert Buchanan | 16 | George ClawleyHarry HaynesSamuel Meston | 22 | |
| 1898–99 | SL Div 1 | 24 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 54 | 24 | 35 | 1st | R2 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Abe HartleyHarry Wood | 16 | Jack RobinsonHarry Wood | 24 | |
| 1899–1900 | SL Div 1 | 28 | 17 | 1 | 10 | 70 | 33 | 35 | 3rd | RU | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Alf Milward | 28 | Alf Milward | 28 | |
| 1900–01 | SL Div 1 | 28 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 58 | 26 | 41 | 1st | R1 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Edgar Chadwick | 15 | Samuel MestonAlf MilwardGeorge Molyneux | 28 | |
| 1901–02 | SL Div 1 | 30 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 71 | 28 | 42 | 3rd | RU | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Albert Brown | 29 | Tommy BowmanBert LeeGeorge Molyneux | 27 | |
| 1902–03 | SL Div 1 | 30 | 20 | 8 | 2 | 83 | 20 | 48 | 1st | R1 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Fred Harrison | 17 | Bert Lee | 29 | |
| 1903–04 | SL Div 1 | 34 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 75 | 30 | 50 | 1st | R2 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Fred Harrison | 27 | Tommy BowmanGeorge Molyneux | 34 | |
| 1904–05 | SL Div 1 | 34 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 54 | 40 | 43 | 3rd | QF | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Edgar Bluff | 13 | Bert Lee | 33 | |
| 1905–06 | SL Div 1 | 34 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 58 | 39 | 45 | 2nd | QF | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Harry BrownFred Harrison | 14 | Fred Mouncher | 32 | |
| 1906–07 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 49 | 56 | 35 | 11th | R2 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Fred Harrison | 12 | George Clawley | 37 | |
| 1907–08 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 51 | 60 | 38 | 11th | SF | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Frank Costello | 12 | Frank Thorpe | 35 | |
| 1908–09 | SL Div 1 | 40 | 19 | 10 | 11 | 67 | 58 | 48 | 3rd | R1 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Arthur Hughes | 15 | Jack Eastham | 37 | |
| 1909–10 | SL Div 1 | 42 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 64 | 55 | 48 | 5th | R2 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Charlie McGibbon | 20 | Tom BurrowsFrank Jefferis | 41 | |
| 1910–11 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 42 | 67 | 30 | 17th | R1 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Harry BrownMartin Dunne | 9 | Jack Eastham | 34 | |
| 1911–12 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 46 | 63 | 31 | 16th | R1 | | | | George Swift | Henry Hamilton | 9 | John DenbyJim McAlpine | 33 | |
| 1912–13 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 40 | 72 | 31 | 16th | R1 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Percy Prince | 11 | Sid Ireland | 38 | |
| 1913–14 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 55 | 54 | 37 | 11th | R1 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Arthur Dominy | 13 | Len Andrews | 37 | |
| 1914–15 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 19 | 5 | 14 | 78 | 74 | 43 | 6th | R3 | | | | Ernest Arnfield | Arthur Dominy | 30 | Arthur Dominy | 37 | |
| The Southern League and FA Cup were suspended until after the First World War. ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1919–20 | SL Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 72 | 63 | 44 | 8th | R3 | | | | Jimmy McIntyre | Arthur Dominy | 20 | Joe BarrattArthur DominyJimmy Moore | 41 | |
| 1920–21 | Div 3 | 42 | 19 | 16 | 7 | 64 | 28 | 54 | 2nd | R3 | | | | Jimmy McIntyre | Bill Rawlings | 22 | Fred FoxallJimmy MooreBill Turner | 42 | |
| 1921–22 | Div 3(S) | 42 | 23 | 15 | 4 | 68 | 21 | 61 | 1st ↑ | R2 | | | | Jimmy McIntyre | Bill Rawlings | 32 | Tommy AllenBert ShelleyFred Titmuss | 42 | |
| 1922–23 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 40 | 40 | 42 | 11th | QF | | | | Jimmy McIntyre | Arthur Dominy | 17 | Bert Shelley | 42 | |
| 1923–24 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 52 | 31 | 48 | 5th | R3 | | | | Jimmy McIntyre | Bill Rawlings | 21 | Tommy AllenBert Shelley | 42 | |
| 1924–25 | Div 2 | 42 | 13 | 18 | 11 | 40 | 36 | 44 | 7th | SF | | | | Jimmy McIntyreGeorge Goss | Bill Rawlings | 16 | Bill RawlingsBert Shelley | 41 | |
| 1925–26 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 8 | 19 | 63 | 63 | 38 | 14th | R3 | | | | Arthur Chadwick | Bill Rawlings | 20 | Stan Woodhouse | 37 | |
| 1926–27 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 60 | 62 | 42 | 13th | SF | | | | Arthur Chadwick | Bill Rawlings | 28 | Tommy AllenMichael Keeping | 42 | |
| 1927–28 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 68 | 77 | 35 | 17th | R3 | | | | Arthur Chadwick | Bill Rawlings | 21 | George Harkus | 41 | |
| 1928–29 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 74 | 60 | 48 | 4th | R3 | | | | Arthur Chadwick | Willie Haines | 16 | Bert Shelley | 41 | |
| 1929–30 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 77 | 76 | 45 | 7th | R3 | | | | Arthur Chadwick | Dick Rowley | 26 | Willie White | 40 | |
| 1930–31 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 74 | 62 | 44 | 9th | R3 | | | | Arthur Chadwick | Willie Haines | 15 | Arthur BradfordBert Jepson | 39 | |
| 1931–32 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 66 | 77 | 41 | 14th | R3 | | | | George Kay | Johnny Arnold | 20 | Bill Adams | 42 | |
| 1932–33 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 5 | 19 | 66 | 66 | 41 | 12th | R3 | | | | George Kay | Ted Drake | 20 | Bill Luckett | 42 | |
| 1933–34 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 8 | 19 | 54 | 58 | 38 | 14th | R3 | | | | George Kay | Ted Drake | 23 | Dick Neal | 41 | |
| 1934–35 | Div 2 | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 46 | 75 | 34 | 19th | R4 | | | | George Kay | Laurie Fishlock | 9 | Fred Tully | 40 | |
| 1935–36 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 47 | 65 | 37 | 17th | R3 | | | | George Kay | Vic Watson | 14 | Charlie Sillett | 42 | |
| 1936–37 | Div 2 | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 53 | 77 | 34 | 19th | R3 | | | | George GossTom Parker | Jimmy Dunne | 14 | Billy KingdonCharlie Sillett | 41 | |
| 1937–38 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 55 | 77 | 39 | 15th | R3 | | | | Tom Parker | Harry Osman | 22 | Harry Osman | 40 | |
| 1938–39 | Div 2 | 42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 56 | 82 | 35 | 18th | R3 | | | | Tom Parker | Fred Briggs | 14 | Billy BevisHarry BrophySam Warhurst | 37 | |
| 1939–40 | Div 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 17th | | | | | Tom Parker | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| The Football League and FA Cup were suspended until after the Second World War. ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1945–46 | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | The Football League was not resumed in 1945–46 due to planning difficulties from the war. | R4 | | | | Arthur DominyBill Dodgin | Jack BradleyDoug McGibbon | 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1946–47 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 69 | 76 | 39 | 14th | R4 | | | | Bill Dodgin | Jack BradleyGeorge Lewis | 15 | Bill Rochford | 41 | 16,039 |
| 1947–48 | Div 2 | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 71 | 53 | 52 | 3rd | QF | | | | Bill Dodgin | Charlie Wayman | 19 | Alf Ramsey | 42 | |
| 1948–49 | Div 2 | 42 | 23 | 9 | 10 | 69 | 36 | 55 | 3rd | R3 | | | | Bill Dodgin | Charlie Wayman | 32 | Eric Webber | 42 | |
| 1949–50 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 64 | 48 | 52 | 4th | R3 | | | | Sid Cann | Charlie Wayman | 26 | George CurtisEric Webber | 42 | |
| 1950–51 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 66 | 73 | 43 | 12th | R4 | | | | Sid Cann | Eddy Brown | 22 | Joe Mallett | 42 | |
| 1951–52 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 61 | 73 | 41 | 13th | R3 | | | | Sid CannGeorge Roughton | Eddy Brown | 12 | Eric Day | 42 | |
| 1952–53 | Div 2 | 42 | 10 | 13 | 19 | 68 | 85 | 33 | 21st ↓ | R5 | | | | George Roughton | Frank Dudley | 15 | Eric Day | 42 | |
| 1953–54 | Div 3(S) | 46 | 22 | 7 | 17 | 76 | 63 | 51 | 6th | R1 | | | | George Roughton | Eric Day | 27 | Eric Day | 46 | |
| 1954–55 | Div 3(S) | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 75 | 51 | 59 | 3rd | R2 | | | | George Roughton | Eric Day | 29 | Tommy TraynorLen Wilkins | 46 | |
| 1955–56 | Div 3(S) | 46 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 91 | 81 | 44 | 14th | R2 | | | | Ted Bates | Eric Day | 29 | Eric Day | 45 | |
| 1956–57 | Div 3(S) | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 76 | 52 | 54 | 4th | R3 | | | | Ted Bates | Derek Reeves | 21 | Pat Parker | 46 | |
| 1957–58 | Div 3(S) | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 112 | 72 | 54 | 6th | R2 | | Southern Floodlit Cup | R1 | Ted Bates | Derek Reeves | 35 | Terry Paine | 44 | |
| 1958–59 | Div 3 | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 88 | 80 | 45 | 14th | R3 | | Southern Floodlit Cup | R2 | Ted Bates | Derek Reeves | 17 | Terry Paine | 46 | |
| 1959–60 | Div 3 | 46 | 26 | 9 | 11 | 106 | 75 | 61 | 1st ↑ | R4 | | Southern Floodlit Cup | SF | Ted Bates | Derek Reeves | 45 | Ron DaviesTerry PaineDerek Reeves | 46 | |
| 1960–61 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 84 | 81 | 44 | 8th | R4 | QF | | | Ted Bates | George O'Brien | 27 | Terry Paine | 42 | |
| 1961–62 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 77 | 62 | 45 | 6th | R3 | R1 | | | Ted Bates | George O'Brien | 30 | Brian CliftonCliff HuxfordTony Knapp | 42 | |
| 1962–63 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 72 | 67 | 42 | 11th | SF | R2 | | | Ted Bates | George O'Brien | 30 | Tony KnappGeorge O'BrienTerry Paine | 42 | |
| 1963–64 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 100 | 73 | 47 | 5th | R3 | R2 | | | Ted Bates | Martin ChiversTerry Paine | 22 | Cliff Huxford | 42 | |
| 1964–65 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 83 | 63 | 48 | 4th | R4 | R3 | | | Ted Bates | George O'Brien | 37 | Terry Paine | 42 | |
| 1965–66 | Div 2 | 42 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 85 | 56 | 54 | 2nd ↑ | R3 | R3 | | | Ted Bates | Martin Chivers | 33 | John Sydenham | 41 | |
| 1966–67 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 6 | 22 | 74 | 92 | 34 | 19th | R4 | R3 | | | Ted Bates | Ron Davies | 43 | Martin ChiversJimmy MeliaTerry Paine | 42 | |
| 1967–68 | Div 1 | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 66 | 83 | 37 | 16th | R4 | R2 | | | Ted Bates | Ron Davies | 28 | Terry Paine | 41 | |
| 1968–69 | Div 1 | 42 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 57 | 48 | 45 | 7th | R4 | QF | | | Ted Bates | Ron Davies | 24 | Terry Paine | 42 | |
| 1969–70 | Div 1 | 42 | 6 | 17 | 19 | 46 | 67 | 29 | 19th | R4 | R2 | Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | R3 | Ted Bates | Mick Channon | 21 | Mick ChannonJimmy Gabriel | 39 | |
| 1970–71 | Div 1 | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 56 | 44 | 46 | 7th | R5 | R2 | | | Ted Bates | Ron Davies | 21 | Mick ChannonHugh FisherJoe KirkupBrian O'Neil | 42 | |
| 1971–72 | Div 1 | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 52 | 80 | 31 | 19th | R3 | R3 | UEFA Cup | R1 | Ted Bates | Mick Channon | 17 | Mick ChannonEric Martin | 42 | |
| 1972–73 | Div 1 | 42 | 11 | 18 | 13 | 47 | 52 | 40 | 13th | R3 | R3 | | | Ted Bates | Mick Channon | 18 | Hugh FisherEric Martin | 42 | |
| 1973–74 | Div 1 | 42 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 47 | 68 | 36 | 20th ↓ | R5 | R4 | | | Ted BatesLawrie McMenemy | Mick Channon | 23 | Hugh Fisher | 42 | |
| 1974–75 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 53 | 54 | 41 | 13th | R3 | R4 | Texaco Cup | RU | Lawrie McMenemy | Mick Channon | 24 | Mick ChannonPeter Osgood | 40 | |
| 1975–76 | Div 2 | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 66 | 50 | 49 | 6th | W | R2 | | | Lawrie McMenemy | Mick Channon | 25 | Mick Channon | 42 | |
| 1976–77 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 72 | 67 | 44 | 9th | R5 | R2 | FA Charity Shield | RU | Lawrie McMenemy | Ted MacDougall | 26 | Mick Channon | 40 | |
| 1976–77 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 72 | 67 | 44 | 9th | R5 | R2 | European Cup Winners' Cup | QF | Lawrie McMenemy | Ted MacDougall | 26 | Mick Channon | 40 | |
| 1977–78 | Div 2 | 42 | 22 | 13 | 7 | 70 | 39 | 57 | 2nd ↑ | R4 | R3 | | | Lawrie McMenemy | Phil Boyer | 19 | Alan BallPhil BoyerMike Pickering | 41 | |
| 1978–79 | Div 1 | 42 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 47 | 53 | 40 | 14th | QF | RU | | | Lawrie McMenemy | Phil Boyer | 16 | Alan BallPhil BoyerMalcolm Waldron | 42 | |
| 1979–80 | Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 65 | 53 | 45 | 8th | R3 | R3 | | | Lawrie McMenemy | Phil Boyer | 25 | Phil Boyer | 42 | |
| 1980–81 | Div 1 | 42 | 20 | 10 | 12 | 76 | 56 | 50 | 6th | R5 | R2 | | | Lawrie McMenemy | Steve Moran | 20 | Mick ChannonChris Nicholl | 42 | |
| 1981–82 | Div 1 | 42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 72 | 67 | 66 | 7th | R3 | R2 | UEFA Cup | R2 | Lawrie McMenemy | Kevin Keegan | 30 | David ArmstrongKevin Keegan | 41 | |
| 1982–83 | Div 1 | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 54 | 58 | 57 | 12th | R3 | R4 | UEFA Cup | R1 | Lawrie McMenemy | Danny Wallace | 13 | Chris Nicholl | 42 | |
| 1983–84 | Div 1 | 42 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 66 | 38 | 77 | 2nd | SF | R3 | | | Lawrie McMenemy | Steve Moran | 25 | David ArmstrongNick HolmesPeter Shilton | 42 | |
| 1984–85 | Div 1 | 42 | 19 | 11 | 12 | 56 | 47 | 68 | 5th | R5 | R4 | UEFA Cup | R1 | Lawrie McMenemy | Steve Moran | 18 | Mick Mills | 42 | |
| 1985–86 | Div 1 | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 51 | 62 | 46 | 14th | SF | R4 | | | Chris Nicholl | David Armstrong | 15 | David Armstrong | 41 | |
| 1986–87 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 69 | 68 | 52 | 12th | R3 | SF | | | Chris Nicholl | Colin Clarke | 22 | Glenn Cockerill | 42 | |
| 1987–88 | Div 1 | 40 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 49 | 53 | 50 | 12th | R4 | R2 | | | Chris Nicholl | Colin Clarke | 17 | Colin Clarke | 40 | |
| 1988–89 | Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 52 | 66 | 45 | 13th | R3 | QF | | | Chris Nicholl | Rod Wallace | 14 | Rod Wallace | 38 | |
| 1989–90 | Div 1 | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 71 | 63 | 55 | 7th | R5 | QF | | | Chris Nicholl | Matthew Le Tissier | 24 | Rod Wallace | 38 | |
| 1990–91 | Div 1 | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 58 | 69 | 45 | 14th | R5 | QF | | | Chris Nicholl | Matthew Le Tissier | 23 | Barry Horne | 38 | 15,413 |
| 1991–92 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 39 | 55 | 52 | 16th | QF | R4 | Full Members Cup | RU | Ian Branfoot | Alan Shearer | 18 | Tim FlowersAlan Shearer | 41 | 14,070 |
| 1992–93 | Premier League | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 54 | 61 | 50 | 18th | R3 | R3 | | | Ian Branfoot | Matthew Le Tissier | 18 | Tim Flowers | 42 | 15,148 |
| 1993–94 | Premier League | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 49 | 66 | 43 | 18th | R3 | R2 | | | Ian BranfootAlan Ball | Matthew Le Tissier | 25 | Jeff KennaNeil Maddison | 41 | 14,751 |
| 1994–95 | Premier League | 42 | 12 | 18 | 12 | 61 | 63 | 54 | 10th | R5 | R3 | | | Alan Ball | Matthew Le Tissier | 29 | Jim Magilton | 42 | 14,685 |
| 1995–96 | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 34 | 52 | 38 | 17th | QF | R4 | | | Dave Merrington | Neil Shipperley | 12 | Jason DoddNeil Shipperley | 37 | 14,820 |
| 1996–97 | Premier League | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 50 | 56 | 41 | 16th | R3 | QF | | | Graeme Souness | Matthew Le Tissier | 17 | Jim Magilton | 37 | 15,099 |
| 1997–98 | Premier League | 38 | 14 | 6 | 18 | 50 | 55 | 48 | 12th | R3 | R4 | | | Dave Jones | Matthew Le Tissier | 14 | Paul Jones | 38 | 15,159 |
| 1998–99 | Premier League | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 37 | 64 | 41 | 17th | R3 | R2 | | | Dave Jones | Egil Østenstad | 8 | James Beattie | 35 | 15,140 |
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 45 | 62 | 44 | 15th | R4 | R4 | | | Dave JonesGlenn Hoddle | Marian Pahars | 13 | Dean Richards | 35 | 15,132 |
| 2000–01 | Premier League | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 40 | 48 | 52 | 10th | R5 | R3 | | | Glenn Hoddle | James Beattie | 12 | Wayne BridgeClaus Lundekvam | 38 | 15,115 |
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 46 | 54 | 45 | 11th | R3 | R3 | | | Stuart GrayGordon Strachan | Marian Pahars | 16 | Wayne Bridge | 38 | 30,633 |
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 38 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 43 | 46 | 52 | 8th | RU | R3 | | | Gordon Strachan | James Beattie | 24 | James Beattie | 38 | 30,680 |
| 2003–04 | Premier League | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 44 | 45 | 47 | 12th | R3 | QF | UEFA Cup | R1 | Gordon StrachanPaul Sturrock | James Beattie | 17 | James BeattiePaul Telfer | 37 | 31,716 |
| 2004–05 | Premier League | 38 | 6 | 14 | 18 | 45 | 66 | 32 | 20th ↓ | QF | R4 | | | Paul SturrockSteve WigleyHarry Redknapp | Peter Crouch | 16 | Rory Delap | 37 | 30,609 |
| 2005–06 | Champ | 46 | 13 | 19 | 14 | 49 | 50 | 58 | 12th | R5 | R4 | | | Harry RedknappGeorge Burley | Ricardo Fuller | 9 | Danny Higginbotham | 37 | 23,613 |
| 2006–07 | Champ | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 77 | 53 | 75 | 6th | R4 | R3 | | | George Burley | Grzegorz Rasiak | 21 | Chris Baird | 44 | 23,556 |
| 2007–08 | Champ | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 56 | 72 | 54 | 20th | R5 | R1 | | | George BurleyNigel Pearson | Stern John | 19 | Stern JohnAndrew Surman | 40 | 21,081 |
| 2008–09 | Champ | 46 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 46 | 69 | 45 | 23rd ↓ | R3 | R3 | | | Jan PoortvlietMark Wotte | David McGoldrick | 14 | Kelvin DavisDavid McGoldrick | 46 | 18,149 |
| 2009–10 | League 1 | 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 85 | 47 | 73 | 7th | R5 | R2 | Football League Trophy | W | Alan Pardew | Rickie Lambert | 36 | Rickie Lambert | 45 | 20,108 |
| 2010–11 | League 1 | 46 | 28 | 8 | 10 | 86 | 38 | 92 | 2nd ↑ | R4 | R2 | Football League Trophy | R1 | Alan PardewDean WilkinsNigel Adkins | Rickie Lambert | 21 | Kelvin Davis | 46 | 21,726 |
| 2011–12 | Champ | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 85 | 46 | 88 | 2nd ↑ | R4 | R4 | | | Nigel Adkins | Rickie Lambert | 31 | Jack Cork | 46 | 26,420 |
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 49 | 60 | 41 | 14th | R3 | R4 | | | Nigel AdkinsMauricio Pochettino | Rickie Lambert | 15 | Rickie Lambert | 38 | 30,874 |
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 38 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 54 | 46 | 56 | 8th | R5 | R4 | | | Mauricio Pochettino | Jay Rodriguez | 17 | Adam Lallana | 38 | 30,211 |
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 38 | 18 | 6 | 14 | 54 | 33 | 60 | 7th | R4 | QF | | | Ronald Koeman | Graziano Pellè | 16 | Graziano Pellè | 38 | 30,652 |
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 59 | 41 | 63 | 6th | R3 | R5 | Europa League | PO | Ronald Koeman | Sadio Mané | 15 | José Fonte | 37 | 30,750 |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 41 | 48 | 46 | 8th | R4 | RU | Europa League | GS | Claude Puel | Charlie Austin | 9 | Fraser Forster | 38 | 30,936 |
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 38 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 37 | 56 | 36 | 17th | SF | R2 | | | Mauricio PellegrinoMark Hughes | Charlie AustinDušan Tadić | 7 | Dušan Tadić | 36 | 30,793 |
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 45 | 65 | 39 | 16th | R3 | R4 | | | Mark HughesRalph Hasenhüttl | Nathan Redmond | 9 | Nathan Redmond | 38 | 29,365 |
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 51 | 60 | 52 | 11th | R4 | R4 | | | Ralph Hasenhüttl | Danny Ings | 25 | Danny IngsJames Ward-Prowse | 38 | 29,500 |
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 38 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 47 | 68 | 43 | 15th | SF | R2 | | | Ralph Hasenhüttl | Danny Ings | 13 | James Ward-Prowse | 38 | N/A |
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 43 | 67 | 40 | 15th | QF | R4 | | | Ralph Hasenhüttl | James Ward-Prowse | 10 | James Ward-ProwseOriol Romeu | 36 | 29,884 |
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 38 | 6 | 7 | 25 | 36 | 73 | 25 | 20th ↓ | R5 | SF | | | Ralph HasenhüttlNathan Jones Rubén Sellés | James Ward-Prowse | 9 | James Ward-Prowse | 38 | 28,283 |
| 2023–24 | Champ | 46 | 26 | 9 | 11 | 87 | 63 | 87 | 4th ↑ | R5 | R1 | | | Russell Martin | Adam Armstrong | 21 | Adam Armstrong | 46 | 28,642 |

### Overall (since 1920–21)

* Seasons spent at Level 1 of the football league system: 46
* Seasons spent at Level 2 of the football league system: 40
* Seasons spent at Level 3 of the football league system: 11
* Seasons spent at Level 4 of the football league system: 0