ONE of the heroes of the greatest day in Saints’ history has urged Scots to say no to independence.

On the eve of the once-in-a-generation vote, former Southampton FC defender Jim Steele, who was born in Edinburgh, said it would be “disastrous” for Scotland and the UK if there is a Yes vote.

Jim, who made more than 150 appearances for the Saints during the ’70s including the 1976 FA Cup final victory, told the Daily Echo he had spoken to fellow Scots and former players Hughie Fisher and Dennis Hollywood, who agreed with his views.

“I am definitely no – I think we should stay in the UK,” he said.

“I think it would be disastrous and I don’t think Scotland realises it. I am hoping at the last minute they will say no.”

He added: “A lot of businesses will go kaput, banks will pull out, and they will end up taking the national health away from them.

“I went up there the other day and a guy said it would be better for his kids if he voted yes, but how does he know what it’s going to be like? That’s just someone watching television and reading the papers.

“I cannot believe Scottish people down here don’t get a vote. I was born in Edinburgh, lived there for 21 years, yet I cannot vote.

“My message to the people of Scotland would be ‘vote no’.

“I am definitely hoping it doesn’t happen.”

Voters will go to the polls tomorrow to decide if Scotland should break away to become independent, ending more than 300 years of shared history or stay in the UK.

Polls are neck and neck as the final day of campaigning.

As reported, the Daily Echo has thrown its weight behind the Better Together campaign’s bid to save the Union arguing that independence would have serious repercussions both for an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK.

That stance was backed by Southampton clergyman with roots north of the border.

The Rev Terry Hudson, the superintendent of the Methodist Church in the area, has lived in Southampton for five years but was born and bred in Glasgow.

He believes a yes vote could cause “economic difficulties” and bring “major constitutional change”.

The Rev Hudson said: “I think it is a bit of a leap in the dark for Scotland. Most of my friends back home intend to vote ‘yes’, mainly because it’s a ‘heart’ thing – it sounds good.

“It’s a wee bit frustrating to know that there are about half a million non-Scots living north of the border who will have a say on the future of my country, whereas I don’t have a vote.

“I hope to retire there one day, and I don’t really want to emigrate back home. For now, the idea of living in a foreign country, England, would be quite unsettling.

“I think it would diminish our nation, and could cause economic difficulties for many. It would also bring about major constitutional change, and we would never see a Labour government at Westminster (which may or may not be a good thing.) “History shows that we work quite well together. There have been many Scots who have been a major part of English life, and a United Kingdom is surely better than a divided kingdom. “My father was from Yorkshire, my wife is from Northern Ireland, we have one son born in Glasgow and the other born in Northampton, and our two grandchildren were both born in England.

“We are a British family, and pleased to be so. I am still Scottish, of course, but that’s perfectly compatible surely.

“Don’t vote with your heart, vote with your head. You can still be Scottish, proud of our culture and history, but still play a full part in this great united country.”

What happens next . . .

TOMORROW millions of voters in Scotland will take to the polls to decide if they want the nation to stay in the UK or not.

Some 700,000 postal votes have already been cast but polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.

The referendum will simply ask voters to vote Yes or No for an independent Scotland.

The results will be counted overnight in Scotland’s 32 local authorities and the results will be announced on Friday morning.

Only a 51 per cent majority is needed to secure a win.

If it is a Yes, a Bill needs to be passed in Westminster to allow the independence of Scotland to begin, and First Minister Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party, wants to achieve this by 2016.

If it’s a No, the Union would remain but more powers are likely to be given to Scotland.