It's hard to get to the top and even harder to stay there.

So it's some achievement for Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Ray Parlour, Martin Keown, Darren Anderton and Jason Dodd to have played for the same club in the Premiership every season since it started in 1992/93.

There were some near-misses to the exclusive club; Gary Kelly, David Unsworth, David Seaman and the recently-retired Francis Benali.

But only the famous five have managed to play for their team in 1992/93 and 2003/04, and every season in between.

Giggs, Butt, Parlour and Anderton have been rewarded with international caps along the way, but for Southampton captain Dodd playing in the top flight for so long has been the absolute pinnacle of his career.

The ultra-consistent defender is fast approaching his 400th league appearance for Saints and he has been picked by nine managers - Chris Nicholl, Ian Branfoot, Alan Ball, Dave Merrington, Graeme Souness, Dave Jones, Glenn Hoddle, Stuart Gray and Gordon Strachan.

"I've known a lot of players leave Southampton and some of them have realised the grass isn't always greener," says Dodd, who is still only 32 despite his wealth of experience.

"I can honestly say I have never been tempted or close to leaving the club. Why should I? The most important thing is that I have always been in the Premiership and my lifestyle is fantastic - the family love it and I enjoy my summers off playing a bit of cricket.

"Matt Le Tissier showed that you don't have to chase the dollar to have a fulfilling career.

"I never thought it was worth leaving somewhere just to chase the big bucks from a move. And I think the last three years have proved me right, the whole club has been growing on and off the pitch."

The first half of Dodd's Premiership career saw Southampton happy just to be in with the big boys.

But each manager helped establish the club further and the move to St Mary's Stadium has given fresh impetus, which lead to an FA Cup Final appearance last season.

Dodd is particularly grateful to Strachan's predecessor Glenn Hoddle for helping establish a professional foundation.

"I'm lucky to have got on well and respected all my managers - they have all picked me and I've managed to get contracts sorted out to stay.

"But I think Glenn improved the players here. He had gone to Monaco as an older professional and came back with lots of good ideas about training and diet.

"We had seen how it had helped prolong his career so we know it was advice worth taking on board. I know I listened to everything and at 32 I honestly feel fitter than I have ever done.

"I have had a few ankle operations and knee injuries along the way but if you eat right, live right and take the right tablets to help your joints you will be able to perform consistently.

"I was on a radio show with Neil Ruddock the other day - we had a laugh about how our post-match routine had changed a bit since his day! But I think all clubs have changed.

"The wages have improved as well of course and if anything that means there is less reason to move. In the old days, people seemed to think you had to move to earn a good living with the signing-on fees. I don't think that is the case now."

Dodd's contract is up at the end of this season but he would love to stay at St Mary's beyond that.

"I have started every game and not missed a day's training," he says. "If I'm no longer good enough, I think the manager would be quick to let me know. I am still up for it and we will see what happens at Christmas."

Dodd laughs at his reputation - "they call me Steady Eddie" - but admits he is in two minds whether to try and become a manager after playing.

"Every time a manager comes into the club, all the players start from scratch and I am lucky to have been part of their plans.

"People say they can see things which would make me a good manager but I am not so sure. It really is too much like hard work. At the moment, I am looking forward to playing on Saturday (at home to Blackburn) without worrying too much beyond that."

Somehow, whatever Dodd does in the next 10 years you can't help feel it will be connected with Southampton somehow.

Jason Dodd was talking to Joe Bernstein

 

The Premiership famous Five


Darren Anderton (Tottenham)
Premiership games 284, goals 33
Most prolific season - 37 games (6 goals) in 1993/94

Nicky Butt (Manchester Utd)
Premiership games 255, goals 20
Most prolific season - 33 games (3 goals) in 1997/98
Highlight - Proving you can win things with kids by lifting title in 1995/96

Jason Dodd (Southampton)
Premiership games 305, goals 9
Most prolific season - 37 games (2 goals) in 1995/96
Highlight - Team has conceded just two goals in last eight Premiership games

Ryan Giggs (Manchester Utd)
Premiership games 350, goals 77
Most prolific season - 41 games (9 goals) in 1992/93
Highlight - Only player to boast eight Premiership winners medals (Butt didn't win first two because he hadn't played enough matches)

Ray Parlour (Arsenal)
Premiership games 317, Goals 21
Most prolific season - 35 games (6 goals) in 1998/99
Highlight - winning championship in 1997/98 and 2001/02

(*Stats including this season)