ECHO COMMENT: They represent the new future for Southampton Football Club. Little Lauren Stone will attend her first Saints match today with her dad Nigel, as the club - and the city - embark on a brave new journey.

Lauren is part of a new generation of fans who will come to recognise no other home for Saints than the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium.

They are the future of the great club now.

While the past glories of the Dell will not be forgotten, the opening of the new £32m stadium means the big time beckons for club and city.

Today's stadium opening marks the end of a long campaign to give the city and its football fans the soccer home they deserve.

And as the smoke trails from the Red Devils fade away and the 25,000-plus fans expected to attend the friendly fixture against Espanyol make their way home, it will be time to look back on a battle hard-fought and well-won.

It's easy, now the wars of words are over, to take the 32,251-capacity stadium for granted. Yet anyone who has followed the fight will know nothing has been easy.

First there was the money. No club finds it easy to land £32m.

Then there was the venue. Yes, Saints and the city of Southampton had their hearts set on Stoneham. But it wasn't to be.

Finally it was to St Mary's the club turned, and once again found strong support from the City Council.

The road from plan to execution has been rocky.

Residents, minority communities and some of the fans themselves have had to be convinced that St Mary's would work.

The jury may still be out with regard to parking, but these are details now the stadium is built and open.

So, to credits due: to Southampton City Council for its clever and, at times, brave support, to the communities of the city for their willingness to compromise, to the fans for continuing to have faith, to the players and club staff and to chairman Rupert Lowe and his board of directors for having the vision and seeing it through.

See pages 8,9,10,11 and Echosport for full reports on The Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium in today's Southern Daily Echo and don't forget tonight's Pink sports paper for full coverage of the opening match!