Daily Mail · Aug 6, 2021
Francis Benali thinks Harry Kane and Co should think hard before moving
Francis Benali looks over the Solent from the sixth floor of the swish Harbour Hotel, his book in his hands as he scans the coast from the cruise liners to the Itchen Bridge obscuring St Mary’s Stadium.
In 48 hours, he has a date with the Princess Royal to receive an MBE and still has to collect his tailcoat suit but is rewinding his mind back 30 years to his playing days and the curious case of the kidnapped Christmas tree.
‘An element of the Southampton supporters weren’t happy with me at the time,’ recalls Benali. ‘They wanted me out of the team or sold. It did take me a while to win them over.
Southampton legend Francis Benali decided to retire at 34 rather than play for another club