A DEDICATED Saints fan taking part in this year's London Marathon could not believe his ears when he discovered the race was taking place on the same day as the FA Cup semi-final - this Sunday.

Lymington mortgage adviser, Stuart Gregory, 28, is now hoping he will run the course fast enough to make it home in time for the second half of the match.

But even if he doesn't, Stuart will be with the boys in spirit all day and is going to run the marathon in his Saints shirt and red and white face paint.

Stuart, of Spartina Drive, said: "I watched Southampton play when they reached the semi-final in 1984 and 1986.

"I was at work when the draw was made for this year's game and I couldn't believe it when I realised the two events were going to be on the same day."

After running last year's marathon in five hours 30 minutes, Stuart believes he can knock an hour off his time this year.

"The marathon starts at 9am and hopefully I will finish at around 1.30pm. Kick-off is at 4.30pm so I'm hoping that I will be able to make it across London and home on the train in time for the second half."

Stuart's family will be cheering him on but his dad, Bob, is leaving London at 12pm to make sure he will definitely catch the entire match. Stuart will be running in his Saints gear for homeless charity Shelter and is hoping to raise £1,000.

"I am gutted about missing the match but I had already agreed to run the marathon and I wanted to follow it through.

"I think Saints will win and I'm praying they will make it to the final. My fingers are crossed that ticket allocation will be better for that game and I will actually get to see that one."

This week the Daily Echo is covering the build up to the semi-final as FA Cup fever grips the city. How are you marking the big game? Contact newsdesk on 023 80452 4522 or e-mail newsdesk@soton-echo.co.uk

Details of how to get your Daily Echo red wig in time for the big match on Sunday will be printed in the paper this week.