Ted Bates MBE was the most legendary and influential figure in Southampton Football Club's history.

So great were his services to the club as a player, manager and board member over 66 years, that he earned himself the title of 'Mr Southampton.' Bates played 202 games for Saints as a striker, and scored 63 goals, but his career which began for Southampton in 1937 was disrupted by the war, and he is best remembered for his achievements as a manager.

When he retired from playing in 1953 Bates went straight onto the coaching staff and Southampton, and was offered the manager's job in 1955.

He guided Saints from the Third Division South into the national Second Division in 1959, and in 1966 took them to the First Division, with Saints legend Terry Paine scoring the goal against Leyton Orient that took them up.

Bringing through youngsters like Mick Channon and Ron Davies helped Bates to steer Southampton to one of their most successful periods in their history, and the club qualified for Europe on two occasions in 1969 and 1971.

When he stepped down as manager in 1973, he remained as Lawrie McMenemy's assistant for the next few years, and was on the bench with McMenemy when Saints won the FA Cup for the only time in 1976 against Manchester United.

Bates was then on the Southampton board for 20 years, was appointed the club president, and given the freedom of the city before his death in 2003.

Name: Ted Bates OCCUPATION: Saints player, manager and club president Date of birth: May 3, 1918 DIED: November 28, 2003 Local link: Awarded freedom of city in 2003