A year ago today, Markus Liebherr died suddenly.   He was the giant who had rescued Southampton Football Club from the depths of depression.   He had bought the club, paid off the debts and taken us out of administration, all of which cost him a reported £12million.

Yesterday, one of the brightest players to emerge from Saints` Academy, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, finally joined Arsenal for a reported down payment of £12million with possibly more to follow.

It`s such a pity that Markus isn`t here with the rest of us Saints fans as we begin to witness the return on his investment both on the pitch and off it.   I think he would have appreciated the almost spooky coincidence of timing  by which his initial outlay has now been recouped by this one transaction.   But his involvement with the club wasn`t simply financial, for like us humble fans, he also had an emotional attachment that is part of being a Saints supporter.

In a way I`m quite glad that Chambo has gone at last - the constant speculation about his future was not only becoming tiresome but probably disruptive too.   Of course I wish him well at the Emirates.....but oh how much more I wish that Markus was here to enjoy the renaissance that he began.  For more about Markus and why he is missed so much, please see http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/markus-liebherr-entrepreneur-who-saved-southampton-fc-2063201.html