Le Tissier honoured by Athletic

Southampton legend Matthew Le Tissier was the surprising recipient of an award from Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night.

The former England striker, who retired in 2002 after 540 appearances for Southampton, received the One Club Man Award from former Bilbao goalkeeper Jose Angel Iribar on the pitch at half-time of the derby with Real Sociedad.

Footage of some of the 46-year-old’s goals was also shown on the giant screens at San Mames, while Guernsey-born Le Tissier got a standing ovation from fans as he held the trophy aloft.

“What a fantastic day in Bilbao. Thank you so much @AthleticClub, a very special football club indeed. Amazing reception from the fans too,” he later posted on Twitter, before speaking to Athletic’s official website.

“I’m incredibly proud to be the first to receive this award. My main reason for [for staying at Southampton] was my personal happiness and contentment, something which I have always put first among other things.

“That, and the fact I felt a loyalty to pay back Southampton for giving me the chance to achieve my dreams,” he said.

Le Tissier also spoke to Sky Sports News HQ on Tuesday evening.

“It is amazing and I have flown over to Bilbao this morning. I’ve been told by people of a certain age, shall we say, that Spanish TV first started showing English football around the start of the Premier League.

“Those were probably the best years of my career and it seems some of the Spanish people took me to their hearts a little bit.

"Bilbao actually play in red and white because someone came over to England many years ago and was told to get a football kit for the club.

"When he got back to Southampton he remembered he did not have it, so he brought 50 Southampton shirts.

"Half went to Athletic Bilbao and the other half to Atletico Madrid, who also play in the red and white stripes!"

Tags Le Tissier Southampton
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