YESTERDAY’S 1-1 draw with Manchester United for Southampton FC before an ecstatic home crowd at St Mary’s Stadium marked the end of what had been a remarkable season for the city’s team.

Perhaps the fact expectations were running so high at the beginning of the year following a strong start to the season explains why some fans appear almost saddened by the final position of eighth place in the Premier League .

Indeed there had been talk of a top four place and a European run for the coming season as a result. As it was, such talk proved optimistic. And yet we should not underestimate the result of this remarkable year for the club which, for many not just in the UK but around the world, now symbolises Southampton itself.

On such reputations deals are done, investment is made, jobs are secured and created along with prosperity.

Last season, lest we forget, the talk had been of survival. This season it should surely be of the team’s transformation from strugglers to achievers.

With three English players likely to be in the squad for England for the World Cup today and the club now established as a Premier League force to be reckoned with, Southampton as a city region can expect reflected glory for years to come.