IT was a night when sport played second fiddle to human goodwill.

Saints' magnificent stadium wasn't completely full, but rarely has St Mary's ever been engulfed by such a feeling of genuine togetherness.

The club has thankfully come a long way in the past decade.

But there was something of The Dell swirling around the magnificent new stadium as more than 13,000 people came together to pay homage to a 24-carat Southampton hero.

It's 15 years since Danny Wallace last wore the red and white stripes, but people don't forget.

And quite right too.

He was part of arguably the greatest ever Southampton team - a squad of players who, under the management of Lawrie McMenemy, regularly qualified for Europe and came with three points of wrestling the title from Liverpool in 1984.

Individually, Danny Wallace was also a record setter.

At 16, he remains the youngest-ever Southampton player, and he holds the unique modern-day distinction of having played alongside two brothers in a top-flight match with Ray and Rod for Saints against Sheffield Wednesday in 1988.

Last night was also 14 years to the day since Wallace's greatest achievement as a footballer when he helped Manchester United lift the FA Cup against Crystal Palace.

A few years later, of course, came the news he was suffering from multiple sclerosis.

After one or two failed attempts, last night's testimonial was finally held.

Benefit matches for professional footballers is understandably a thorny issue - yet there could be few more deserving recipients than Danny Wallace.

Not simply because he is suffering for MS and has reduced earning capacity. No, he also delighted Southampton fans like few others at a time when wages were nothing like the crazy money on offer today.

Most importantly, Wallace is also one of football's nice guys.

That much was obvious from the All-Star line-up which turned out for him, included superstars like John Barnes, Denis Irwin, Matt Le Tissier, Jean Tigana, Mark Hughes, Gordon Strachan and Paul Ince.

And the way those players greeted Wallace on arrival from 3pm yesterday at The Dolphin Hotel only went to show the genuine affection with which he is held.

The former Saints hero was waiting on the door to greet every guest with a warm handshake. But the vast majority ignored the out-stretched arm and opted for a full embrace.

Then came the game.

The Saints XI were greeted with their usual huge ovation.

Next came the All-Stars - cheered to the rafters, especially FA Cup winning manager McMenemy, with the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Jimmy Case, Francis Benali, David Armstrong, Mark Dennis, Nick Holmes, Steve Williams, Glenn Cockerill, Kevin Bond, Steve Moran, Ray and Rod Wallace. And he might have been hidden away somewhat, but who could miss the ginger thatch of the Wee Man, Gordon Strachan?

He clearly wanted to keep out of the limelight, but his entrance in the second half gave fans the opportunity to say thank-you to a manager who did everything and more than could have been asked when he replaced Stuart Gray back in October 2001.

He can clearly still play as well.

But nothing, of course, could detract from the star of the show.

Shuffling towards the touchline just prior to kick-off, St Mary's erupted for a modest 40-year-old the city will never forget.

After nine years spent coming to terms with his disease, Danny Wallace now wants closure from football. He needs to move on and he would like to help the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

But, yesterday, he left the game with some gift - the assertion from thousands of people that there truly is 'only one Danny Wallace'.

SEE TODAY'S DAILY ECHO AND THIS SATURDAY'S PINK FOR MORE PICTURES FROM DANNY WALLACE'S BENEFIT MATCH.