When Leicester City and Southampton first met on October 15, 1983, they had very different goals in mind. Without a victory through their first eight games, Leicester was firmly entrenched at the bottom of the standings. Southampton, on the other hand, was second in the standings and was aware that a win could put them on top. It didn’t exactly work out that way. In actuality, after just 22 minutes of play, the game was called off, leaving neither team with any points. As a result, the Leicester City v Southampton waterlogged pitch fiasco would go down in footballing folklore.

Players and officials struggled to play in the conditions, which included heavy rain that in some places made the playing surface resemble a paddy field. The beginning of the game was fairly dull. But as the wind picked up and the rain began to pour down, the scene quickly turned comical. Playing football became difficult as the ball started to stick in the puddles that were starting to form on the field.

Filbert Street Farce

A torrential downpour during the game was too much for the already saturated surface, making dribbling and passing a farce. Referee Robert Nixon paused proceedings to confer with one of his assistants before deciding to proceed regardless. As play resumed, cheers could be heard among the crowd of less than 9,000 on Filbert Street. Nonetheless, with John Motson describing the pitch as “virtually unplayable,” the match’s chances of finishing looked bleak.

Players attempted to remove the pitch from the equation by going aerial, but it did not work. Kevin MacDonald’s backpass to keeper Mark Wallington was so hard that it nearly went out for a corner. Later, MacDonald struggled to dribble the ball through the shallow end before releasing Gary Lineker. Every slip, mistake, failed pass, dribble, and splash were furiously “waheyed” by the amused spectators as he and Mark Wright slid towards the advertising boards like tobogganists. Steve Lynex performing the breaststroke after being fouled by Steve Moran was the highlight of the comedy.

“A little swimming gesture by Steve Lynex as he fell, as if to indicate that’s the only way to get through,” – John Motson Match of the Day

Leicester City v Southampton: Waterlogged Pitch

But all good things must come to an end. Nixon had had enough of players thrashing around at the ball after Lineker twice failed to take it with him in quick succession. Nixon, Milne, and Lawrie McMenemy later appeared on the field to discuss the possibility of continuing the game. However, with the rain continuing to fall, the outlook appeared bleak. The grounds crew prodded forks into the surface in an attempt to drain some of the water. It was a rather pointless gesture. Milne did not appear happy as he exited the pitch, and he vented his frustration after the game was called off.

“We could have cleared the ground given time”

His was not the only dissenting voice. Groundsman Steve Welch insisted Nixon had made a mistake, claiming the playing surface was ready by 3.55 pm. Perhaps Milne and Welch sensed the possibility of a rare Leicester victory on a level playing field. Leicester City v Southampton waterlogged pitch was placed in the record books.

Leicester won the rematch at the end of November, turning around their season and avoiding relegation. Southampton finished second in the league to Liverpool, and they also lost an FA Cup semi-final to Everton. Southampton played 51 games in 1983-84, but it is those 22 minutes at Filbert Street that stand out in my mind. Football can be a little too serious at times, with too little room in the crowd for a few “waheys” and levity. Leicester vs. Southampton in October 1983 provided entertaining viewing and reduced professional footballers to the level of paying spectators, demonstrating that the sport can provide us with a refreshing break from the norm on occasion.