FOR Saints fans he is already a living legend.

Now the man who guided Southampton Football Club to their greatest victory in the 1976 FA final is to be immortalised with the city's biggest honour.

Lawrie McMenemy MBE is set be given the Freedom of the city.

City councillors will on Wednesday agree to bestow the award in recognition his "long and eminent" service to the city, in football and charity work.

He will join fellow Saints legends Matt Le Tissier and Ted Bates in receiving the honour.

Lawrie said: "I'm deeply honoured and very humbled by it.

"It's the highest honour the council can grant and I couldn't believe it when I got the letter.

"It's been a fantastic period for me following on from the MBE and meeting the Queen in Romsey.

"We just need the team to get promoted this season and it will be a fantastic year."

Mr McMenemy, 71, served as Saints manager from 1973 to 1985.

He won the FA Cup in 1976, gained promotion to the first division in 1978 and a year later reached the League Cup final.

He rejoined the club as director of football in 1993 but quit when Rupert Lowe arrived as the chairman in 1997.

Mr McMenemy, a Daily Echo columnist, was re-appointed as a director of the football club last year.

The Guinness World Records rates Mr McMenemy as one of the 20 most successful managers in post-war English football.

Southampton city mayor Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews praised his work in the community.

"It is important to honour those who are key citizens in the city's community.

"Lawrie McMenemy MBE has served the community from his role as manager of Southampton FC in 1973. He has since been heavily involved in other community work within his established football background and in recognition of these attributes, we hope Southampton can honour him as freeman."

The honorary Freedom of the City will be formally handed over to Mr McMenemy at St Mary's Football Stadium on November 3.

n Former city councillor Peter Wakeford is set to be made an honorary Alderman at the same special council meeting on Wednesday.