THREE celebration events will take place this week to mark the 40th anniversary of Saints' famous 1976 FA Cup win.

It all starts on Wednesday when members of the squad and legendary former manager Lawrie McMenemy as well as club icon Matthew Le Tissier will gather at Royal Winchester Golf Club for a special tribute golf day.

The celebrations then turns to St Mary's stadium for a gala dinner held in the Mike Channon Suite on Friday, which will see Saints' cup stars mingle with guests at a swanky black-tie do.

The reunion party then reaches its grand finale on Sunday - exactly 40 years to the day since underdogs Saints memorably defeated Manchester United 1-0 through Bobby Stokes' late goal.

There will be repeat of the open-top bus parade, which saw mass crowds gather across the city to greet the Wembley heroes. 

Organisers have issued a rallying cry to supporters to line the streets once more to cheer on the 1976 boys.

They will be in place at Guildhall Square at 2.45pm following a reception at the Guildhall with the Mayor of Southampton Linda Norris.

The actual bus from the 1976 parade has been restored and the players and Lawrie McMenemy will once again be aboard to greet the crowds.

The bus will follow the route seen below and arrive at St Mary's ahead of the Manchester City game at around 3.45pm.

Daily Echo:

After the match the anniversary show will take place at the Mayflower theatre at 8pm.

Below is a rundown of the events on May 1:

  • 2.45pm: The 1976 FA Cup squad and Lawrie McMenemy will gather at Guildhall Square on the original open-top bus
  • 3.10pm: The bus and squad will make its way along the above route to St Mary's.
  • 3.45pm: The squad on board the bus will be led by members of the Southampton Albion Band along Marine Parade to the front entrance to St Mary's outside the Itchen Stand.
  • 4.30: Saints v Manchester City 
  • 8pm: Anniversary show at the Mayflower