PICTURE: Southampton's amazing rise from League One to Premier League

Southampton's rise to the top is highlighted from where they were in the League One table just five years ago.

Southampton's dramatic rise to the top is summed up by the picture of the League One table from five years ago today.

Back in 2009, Saints were stuck down in 22nd position in the English third tier, but they have rapidly became the side which almost every club in the country are trying to emulate.

Southampton were looking up at the likes of Exeter City, Stockport County and Hartlepool United not too long ago, but now Chelsea are the only team in England ahead of them. 

Saints are currently in second position in the Premier League table and their remarkable success is no fluke.

They have been guided by some excellent managers in their time, but the club's philosophy is the most pivotal reason behind their rise.

The South Coast side have put faith in their youngsters to guide them back to the top and they have been rewarded for their trust - with the club achieving unprecedented success.

It seemed that their incredible run was about to stop this season, when a number of their top talents left, but they have only gone on to reach new heights under Ronald Koeman and there is talk of them being able to make it into the Champions League now.

It shows that, even with the mega-money involved in football nowadays, a forward-thinking, long-term strategy can accelerate a team through the leagues rapidly and Southampton can look at the current table with a lot of pride at what they have achieved.