IT was the last football match he would ever see.

As brave Matt Arding travelled to see his beloved Saints at Blackburn, he knew he was facing life-saving surgery that would take away his sight forever.

Today the teenager was recovering from a 19-hour operation to remove a brain tumour and reflecting on the generous gesture by Harry Redknapp which made his dreams come true.

When the Saints boss heard about Matt's plight, he arranged for the youngster to take part in the pre-match warm-up and lead out the side at Ewood Park.

Despite his heroes suffering a 3-0 defeat, it was a day Matt will never forget according to family friend Mark Bulley.

He said: "To say he was delighted was an understatement. We kept it from him until we reached Blackburn and you could see how much he loved it. In fact he was probably the most passionate chap in a Saints shirt that day.

"His family travelled up, his grandfathers, father, brothers and friends, and they all made Matt's day very special for him."

Matt, 16, from Thornhill, Southampton, was born with severely restricted vision in his right eye. The operation to remove the tumour means he will lose the sight in his left eye too.

Mr Bulley said: "When the tumour was first diagnosed around six weeks ago, I spoke to Jason Dodd and he arranged for Matt to meet the players before the Arsenal game, and Harry presented him a new Saints shirt, which he treasures.

"At that stage, it wasn't known about the operation, and in fact it was only last week that the operation to lose his sight was confirmed.

"I hastily spoke to Jason, who spoke to Harry, and it was agreed that he could lead the team out at Blackburn, which was effectively the last football game he would be seeing. Obviously, he is now going to go through a traumatic time, but nothing would give him greater satisfaction than Saints avoiding relegation.

"He went to the training ground on Tuesday morning, again met up with Harry, who I think is quite moved with Matt, and Harry told him that he will go and see him in hospital."

Arding is currently recovering in hospital from the operation but will still be kept up to date with the latest scores from the team he has always supported.

Mr Bulley added: "I, as a friend of the family, as well as Paul and Nicole, Matt's parents, would like to pay tribute to Harry Redknapp, Jason Dodd and Southampton Football Club, for their efforts in making Matt's day at Blackburn so memorable.

"He will never forget it and it is nice to know that in a period when Saints are trying to keep their place in the Premier League, that Harry took the time out to make Matt feel special at a time in his life when he needs all the support around him that he can get."

Saints boss Harry Redknapp said: "Matt's a fantastic lad, really what a terrific boy he is. Everybody here, myself, the staff and the players, are all thinking of him. I first met him six or seven weeks ago through Jason Dodd and we all really like the lad.

"We've kept in touch with him and his family and we're all hoping for them at the moment. Matt really is such an inspirational lad."