Southampton fans have now been cruelly denied seeing their side win another memorable promotion to the Premier League by the bombshell Spygate verdict.
Indeed, the EFL sent a clear and strong message when the punishment for the Saints' spying tactics was finally revealed, as Tonda Eckert and Co. have been chucked out of the playoffs.
The German's stint in charge of the Saints, which was once heralded as a masterclass in management, is now shrouded in constant cheating, with the 33-year-old not able to reach the heights of the likes of Russell Martin and Nigel Adkins, in sealing a triumphant promotion to the Premier League.
Richard Chaplow would be on the board the unstoppable Adkins train, when the much-loved Southampton boss would steer the South Coast club from League One to the top-flight in back-to-back seasons, with the now retired 41-year-old undoubtedly viewed as a modern great at St. Mary's.
Chaplow's legend status at Southampton
Chaplow might get pushed to one side slightly, next to the likes of Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana in Adkins' memorable camp, but the Accrington-born battler is still held in very high esteem, to this day.
Noted as being a player who always took to the pitch with "unbelievable energy and tenacity" by the promotion-winning manager, Chaplow would also chip in with ten goals and seven assists across 80 St. Mary's appearances, when chucked into the side as a right midfielder, or as a central option.
Unfortunately, the likes of Flynn Downes and Shea Charles, who operate in much the same way as the lively midfield presence, won't be able to add a Saints promotion to their CV at the close of this season, like Chaplow, due to the Spygate mess coming to the surface.
Chaplow has weighed in with his own thoughts on the ongoing car crash involving his ex-side, and his comments are unsurprisingly passionate, as the fondest moments of the 41-year-old's career took place on the South Coast.
Chaplow weighs in with his thoughts on Spygate
The much-loved Saints servant will be hating seeing his former club's name be dragged through the mud, when he was part of such a universally liked Southampton team under Adkins.
Chaplow hasn't held back with his thoughts on what should happen, now that all of Southampton's espionage tactics have been uncovered.
Taking to social media, in the wake of his former club's playoff expulsion, Chaplow passionately wrote: "Gutted for the Southampton fans and players!
"Whoever was involved in the decisions to spy should walk without pay. What a joke!"
Gutted for the @SouthamptonFC fans & players!
— Richard chaplow (@Rchap04) May 19, 2026
Whoever was involved in the decisions to spy should walk without pay. What a joke!
In the weeks to come, it will come to light how Southampton decide to punish those responsible for all the spying that took place, but in Chaplow's eyes, whoever is directly to blame, should "walk without pay."
Southampton fans will no doubt side with their ex-midfielder's impassioned remark, as the Saints' future, which looked as if it could involve the Premier League, has now been completely ruined, due to substandard spying tactics.
Heading into next season with a points deduction, the worry will be how the South Coast club bounces back from all this pain.
Yet, if there's any solace to be had, Southampton have fallen all the way down to League One previously and have recovered, with Chaplow once calling St. Mary's home, when the South Coast giants were in the pits of the third tier.
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