The 1970 – 1971 first division campaign proved to be a great one for the Saints as they swept to a delightful seventh position finish at the end of the season. The enjoyed a fine run in the FA Cup as they reached the fifth round of the cup competition, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat against Liverpool. Southampton were most fortunate to escape relegation the following season out of the top flight as they finished the campaign off in a dismal 19th position. The 1972 – 1973 league season proved to be the last one that saw Ted Bates in charge at the club and it was not a disappointing one by no means for the Saints as they finished the campaign off in 13th place. They were knocked out in the cup competitions in the third round as they lost to Crystal palace in the FA Cup and they were defeated against Notts County in the league cup.
Lawrie McMenemy took charge at Southampton in 1973 and his first year in charge at the club saw the saints plummet in to 20th position in the league which in turn resulted in relegation in to the second division. Their first year back in the second tier of English football was not a great one as the Saints stumbled to a disappointing 13th place finish, way off the mark of a promotion place back in to the top flight. They reached the last sixteen of the league cup however suffering defeat against Colchester United in the fourth round of the cup competition.