1983-84 was (and remains) Southampton’s best ever season in terms of final positions (runners-up in the top-flight and FA Cup semi-finalists) and Reuben Agboola played in 39 games that season (33 in the league and 6 in the FA Cup), mainly in the sweeper role, winning the best away player award.

A product of Saints London Selection Centre, Reuben’s first start for the club had been as an 18-year old alongside an even younger debutant, Danny Wallace at Old Trafford, in a one-all draw. Their bemused, but proud-as-punch post-match interview alongside their avuncular manager, Lawrie McMenemy was memorable but, after such a promising start to his career, Reuben suddenly found himself unwanted, possibly because of a disciplinary incident in town which involved him being hit by a car.

To those interested, Dennis Wise has vividly described what happened in his autobiography, but after being fined Reuben thought the incident had blown over. However in the middle of new contract negotiations he suddenly found himself surplus to requirements.

After a move to Sunderland the last thing he needed was to be joined by the manager who had deemed the incident in the town serious enough to move him on, but fortunately for Reuben, he outstayed McMenemy to eventually flourish at Roker Park. He was a versatile defender who could play at right-back and he was later capped nine times by Nigeria the land of his father’s birth. Upon retirement he ran a bar in Majorca and the Sporting View at Southampton Sports Centre although more recently he has been an assessor for Parkway Car Sales in Eastleigh. He has also been spotted at the odd Saints away game and in 2018 organised a reunion of ex-Dell apprentices.