For Francis Benali The Dell will always hold a lot of special memories - but it is time to make some new ones!

Today heralds the dawn of a new era for his beloved Southampton Football Club as they move into the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium.

And the club captain is well aware it is now up to the players and the fans to make the new ground even more of a stronghold.

That process begins today when the team and the supporters step into the unknown.

Benali said: "The Dell was a very difficult place for teams to come - and we have to make sure the new stadium is the same.

"There is no doubt that the fans at The Dell helped us to get many points over the years and I am sure they will do so again - only now there will be more of them!

"They will spur us on to bigger and better things and I am sure they are going to love this new stadium every bit as much as the old one.

"It is absolutely amazing. It has been talked about for so many years - all the time I have been here and for many years before that.

"To see it finished is just amazing and it is a great feeling of pride to know that I have contributed in even a small way to making it happen.

"It is all coming together now in time for the new season and today will be a very exciting day for everyone connected with the club.

"I am just so thrilled to be part of it. Last season when I went on loan to Nottingham Forest I wondered if I might end up moving on.

"But football is a funny game and now I am back and it will be a fantastic feeling to run out at this wonderful new stadium for the first time."