Southampton Football Club [ saʊθˈæmptən , _ - hæmptən ] is a professional association football club based in Southampton , Hampshire , England , which plays in the Premier League , the top tier of English football . The club has been nicknamed `` The Saints '' since its inception in 1885 due to its history as a church football team , founded as St. Mary 's Church of England Young Men 's Association , and play in red and white shirts . Southampton were relegated from the Premier League on 15 May 2005 , ending 27 successive seasons of top-division football for the club .
Southampton F.C. is a polo club.