SAINTS mad Vince Reeves knew there was only one place to be when his wife went into labour - in the queue for Pompey tickets.

The 31-year-old and his wife Rebecca, 26, were making sure they would be at next Saturday's crunch FA cup showdown, when she went in to labour.

Now they are proud parents of Saints' newest fan, Jessica, who has been given a season ticket for life by the club.

The couple, from Thornhill Park Road, Southampton, joined the queue at St Mary's at around 11am on Thursday - but before long Rebecca was having contractions and called a friend to give her a lift back home.

But instead of demanding her husband return with her, she gave him the green light to stay put as they were nearing the front of the queue.

Vince, a marine engineer, said: "Even though it was her due date, everyone was surprised.

"There were only about 50 people in front of me in the queue. I told Rebecca I could leave and ask someone to save my place, but she said that if it did get close and she needed me to come, she would call me."

The call did come, but Rebecca was adamant that her mum could drive her to hospital with Vince tantalisingly close to the ticket office.

In the end Vince was able to land tickets and join up with his wife before she gave birth to their first child later in the afternoon.

"The whole thing has been fantastic," he added.

"Jessica may not remember any of it when she's older, but we'll certainly be able to remind her.

"And the fact she has a season ticket for life means there's an extra excuse to go and watch Saints every week."