Southampton Football Club posted a tribute to former defender Dean Richards on the seventh anniversary of his death via their official Twitter account on Monday, and Saints fans were quick to follow in their club’s footsteps.

The centre-back passed away at the age of 36 following a long-term illness in 2011, having featured in the top flight for the south coast outfit and Tottenham Hotspur, before he retired in 2005 having been told that he could suffer from a brain haemorrhage if he continued playing.

Richards made 79 appearances in all competitions for Saints in just over two years at the Dell and then briefly following their move to St Mary’s, forming a strong partnership with Claus Lundekvam at the heart of the defence.

Southampton supporters took to social media to pay tribute to their former star, and while one said “always a Saint”, another labelled him as a “great player”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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