IT'S a story that both Pompey and Saints fans never dreamt they would ever read.

But yes, it is true - Portsmouth Football Club director Fred Dinenage ended up dancing to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In.

Meridian's popular TV presenter was taking a break in Spain when he got caught up in the FA Cup fever as Pompey's south coast rivals swept into the semi-finals.

Now Fred, who writes a column in the Southern Daily Echo's Weekend Magazine, has vowed to tell Saturday readers the full story of how he came to be celebrating Saints' march towards FA Cup glory.

But he has drawn the line at wearing the Daily Echo red wig as Southampton goes cup crazy.

"If that ended up on the Pompey website I would probably get lynched," joked Fred.

Ever since Saints clinched that famous 1976 victory over Manchester United, Fred has had a £10 bet on Portsmouth or Saints to win the cup.

He believes that the St Mary's-based club are a sound bet to bring the cup back to the south coast.

The TV presenter has fond memories of interviewing the Saints' FA Cup winners when they returned to a heroes' welcome at the city's Guildhall in 1976.

Now Fred is predicting an action replay and says: "I honestly believe that their name is on that cup."

There might be deadly rivalry between the two clubs but Fred said that from the Portsmouth boardroom there was great respect for the way Saints had established themselves in the Premiership.

Now high-flying Pompey are looking forward to facing Saints at St Mary's next season.

But on that occasion Fred will not be singing When the Saints Go Marchin In!

Thousands of Saints fans donned the Daily Echo's red wigs given away at the Wolves quarter-final. But if you missed out, look out in your Daily Echo for another chance to join in the fun at a future Saints game in the run-up to the semi-final.