EX-SAINT David Hughes still feels a huge affinity for the club - even though times have vastly changed since he turned out for them at The Dell.

Hughes spent large chunks of his time as a Saint fighting against relegation but admits those days have helped forge a strong emotional bond with the club.

That's why he is looking forward to this week's double header at East-leigh, the club he is now the assistant player-manager of.

Hughes is set to play against buddies James Beattie, Jason Dodd and Claus Lundekvam when a strong Saints XI face Eastleigh on Thursday.

But he will be playing AGAINST his own team next Sunday, when an ex-Saints XI trot out for an exhibition friendly at the Sparshatts Stadium.

"The club has come a long way from the days of the little old Dell, where Saints were known as second class citizens," said the midfielder, whose pro career was ended by injury.

"The club has been a big part of my life. I was there for nine years and you build up good relationships in that time.

"Though there's been a lot of change, it's great for me to have points of contact at the club - people like Beatts, Oaks, Doddsy and Claus who have been there a while.

"No longer do people talk of Saints as candidates for relegation like they did when I was there.

"We always set our targets higher but the reality was that, towards the end of several seasons, we were battling against relegation.

"Had we gone down in any of those years, I'm sure we wouldn't now have the stadium and wouldn't have gone to Cardiff or into Europe.

"Though I'm no longer involved down there, the fact I played my small part makes me feel part of the club - I know a lot of former players and employees feel the same way.

"It is a family club that is representative of the people who go and watch them .

"That should be what every football club wants to achieve - that's what we want at Eastleigh."

Hughes added: "It's a privilege for us to be playing Southampton's first XI, and, as long as we can keep it to single figures, it will be a good night.

"I hope there's no silly tackles or anything - we know they will give us a good work-out and we know what they do and do not want to get out of it.

"We won't part like the Red Sea for them but there's a massive gulf between the Premier League and non-league football.

"We've built up good links with the Saints and we'd be silly not to use them. It's no secret we've marketed ourselves as Southampton's second club but we know we haven't got a divine right to get people to watch just because of our links with Saints.

"We have to make sure we get things right on and off the pitch if we want people to part with their money to watch us.

"On the pitch, we've gone up twice in two years, so we've been getting it right there.

"Off it is what Thursday's game is really all about - the opening of the new stand.

"People expect relative comfort in a nice environment and that's what we're about.

"There's no way Saints would have brought their first team to Eastleigh three years ago.

Hughes is still playing regularly - a fact he would have thought impossible when injuries ended his Saints career.

Only last Sunday he completed 90 minutes in boiling heat in the 1-0 Hampshire Chronicle Cup triumph against Winchester City.

"I'm suffering a bit now - I've got a sore ear and a sore head and I've got cuts and bruises," he remarked.

"I'm thinking 'why am I still doing this?' but I do it because I've still got the desire.

"The day I lose the heart and desire is the day I stop.

"I wouldn't be here if the people around me didn't match my desire and dedication.

"We don't want to settle for mid-table anonymity.

"We might well end up mid-table next season, because we've gone up twice in two years, but we really want to keep progressing.

"You don't get opportunities like this too often - you had a club that was in the right position at the right time and a manager Paul Doswell that was able to commit financially and personally to it.

"I believe in what we are trying to do - it's not the Premier League but it is a challenge and it is exciting.

"I can see myself being here for a long time.

"I'm not 32 until December and my aim is to keep playing for another three years so I'm in good shape for the Masters.

"I want to be the one that people look at and say 'I don't remember him' when I'm playing in good shape and everyone else is running around with beer bellies!"

Hughes, like all Saints fans, has grown tired of the string of managerial changes that have characterised Saints' past decade.

"I hope Mr Sturrock is here in three or four years time, because, if he is, then Southampton FC will be much the better for it," he said.

"The club needs some continuity.

"It's not a slur on anyone but it's only human nature to take a step back before you can move forwards once a new manager comes in.

"It's impossible not to lose a bit of continuity when someone new takes over."