A SAINTS fan travelling to Cardiff was not cheering on the team during their 1976 victory - he was playing for them.

Former central defender Jim Steele, pictured, was among the Southampton FC team who beat Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley.

The landlord of the Black Bear pub in Moreton will be at the Millennium Stadium cheering on the team as the fans did for him 27 years ago.

Remembering the match which saw Bobby Stokes score seven minutes from time, Jim said: "We were 6-1 underdogs and United were 1-6 on. They hammered us for the first 20 minutes but they could not score.

"In the second half we pushed up and I went forward even though Lawrie McMenemy was shouting at me to get back. It was fantastic when we scored with seven minutes to go.

"When the final whistle went I was in a daze."

Jim is confident Saints will take the cup again this time round. He said: "Manchester United were the team to beat then and Arsenal are the top dogs now."

And the score on Saturday? "1-0, (Chris) Marsden. I had a dream about it the other night and I'll certainly be having a bet on it."