Southampton football club have been nicknamed the saints since being formed in 1885 due to its history as a church football team founded as st marys church of england young mens association they play their home matches at the new friends provident st marys stadium considered as a homecoming due to the new stadiums proximity to the st marys church were the team were formedt shirt design reads 1885 the birth of football st marys church southamptonour crew neck short sleeved mens t