FAITH RESTORED BY SHRIMPERS

Yesterday was one of those unforgettable days that only come around once in a while. Of course, there was a very important football match for Southampton, who needed to win against Southend United by a bigger margin than Stoke City might win against Queens Park Rangers, in order to finally secure a place in the end of season play-offs and have a chance of promotion back to the Premiership. And win they did - by 4-1, whilst Stoke could only manage a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.

That takes care of the bald statistics and the result, which was marred only by a serious injury to Saints` veteran centre back and captain, Claus Lundekvam. But quite apart from that, the day was memorable for at least three other things, which will stay in the memory.

First, the tribute paid by the whole of the 32,080 people packed into St. Mary`s Stadium to their departed hero, player and manager, Alan Ball. There have been tributes to him over the recent past, most notably the service of remembrance in Winchester Cathedral, but yesterday Alan was remembered by people who knew him as one of their own....and it was breathtaking in its sincerity and its appreciation.

Next, the atmoshpere inside the stadium was the best I can remember for some years - a sell-out crowd bedecked in club colours, loudly spurring the team on to the much-needed victory and quite spontaneously standing as one before the final whistle to applaud the team and the memory of Alan Ball.

But most of all, I will probably remember yesterday for the part played in all of this by the visiting supporters of Southend United.

Now, a couple of weeks ago, I was justifiably critical of Leeds United`s visit to St. Mary`s (see An Appropriate Decline below) and I will not taint these musings by referring any more to that experience which was memorable for all the wrong reasons, except perhaps to mention that Leeds have now thankfully been consigned to the third tier of English football and good riddance.

Yesterday, thanks to the Southend supporters, my faith in the football family has been well and truly restored. They were simply magnificent; passionate in their support of their team, yes of course, but also respectful of the tributes to Alan Ball, gracious in defeat, impeccably behaved, friendly, decent people and fully deserving of the respect shown to them by the home supporters.

Such a shame that Southend`s own relegation, along with Leeds and Luton, will mean that we will not have the genuine pleasure of their company next season, for they are true football fans who can show a lot of other clubs just how enjoyable occasions like yesterday can be. Such is the rapport between the two sets of fans that Southend are welcome back to St. Mary`s at any time.......and it`s been a long, long time since I`ve said that about any other club.