HE’S one of just a handful of players who have graced the field for both Saints and bitter rivals Pompey.

But he remained close to Southampton Football Club and his adopted city throughout the decades since his retirement from the beautiful game, enjoying village cricket and building ships in Southampton.

Former Saints player Harry Penk, described as a true gentleman, has passed away at the age of 85.

He was bought by legendary manager Ted Bates in 1960 as the former Saints great struggled with continuing National Service for some of his players.

The player was said to boast two good feet and had played on both flanks for Plymouth Argyle after being signed from Portsmouth where he played from 1955 to 1957.

Wigan born Harry and his wife Barbara were keen to return to Hampshire to be close to her family.

He shared left wing duties with John Sydenham in the 1960/61 season and had more opportunities to shine the following season, offering another dimension as he dropped deep to his left back.

After that, he would have only two more League games totalling 60 first team appearances and became a regular in the reserves where he played on either flank.

Harry, who played for Saints for four seasons, moved into non league football at the age of 30, working for many years at Husband’s Shipyard in Southampton and living locally, latterly in Ashurst.

He played football for the Ex Saints and high-class amateur cricket into his 50s with Hursley Park and was with them, as he reached his half century, when they went all the way to Lords in the 1984 village knock-out Final.