THE father of Theo Walcott’s girlfriend has spoken of their disappointment after news that the former Saints starlet was surprisingly dumped from the England squad.

Southampton’s Mel Slade and her family had been planning to cheer him on at the World Cup in South Africa but are now sharing his agony at missing the cut for Fabio Capello 23-man squad.

“As a family we're are really disappointed,” admitted Mel’s dad John, a city councillor and former mayor.

“He’s been building up to this, playing for England regularly. He’s very proud to put the England shirt on. It will be a big disappointment to both of them. Especially after the last time when he didn’t get a game.”

Mel was propelled into the public spotlight aged 17 when Theo was a shock pick for the England squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was hoping to be on the plane for South Africa.

Cllr Slade said: “If he had been there Mel would have been there to support him. Quite a few of the family would have gone.”

He added: “Theo’s a great player and he’s still only young at 21. He’s a magnificent talent and I’m sure he’s got a lot to offer in the future.”

The England winger, who now earns around £60,000 a week at Arsenal, made his fist team debut for Saints in Aug 2005 but secured a big money move to the Gunners in January the following year.

The couple met when Mel worked at Claire’s Accessories in WestQuay shopping centre and Theo was playing for Southampton. Mel is now in the second year of a physiotherapy course at St George's University Hospital in London where she is preparing for exams.