I WAS absolutely delighted last week to be informed by the club that they would like me to be an ambassador.

Having been involved for so many years now in one way or another, and certainly over the last few years, I have been waving the flag at various charity events.

I’ve realised how much some people love the club, especially those who are hospitalised and can’t get to games.

Once it was announced the amazing thing for me was the number of people who messaged saying how pleased they were for me.

Believe it or not, I even got messages from as far as Australia and Thailand!

I also found out that a gentleman, Richard Becheley, who I know is a local builder and who collects football memorabilia to help ex-players.

He organised a petition on www.change.org, which I had never heard of, but he aimed to get 500 names but on the last count it was nearer 1000.

I can only say not only many thanks to the club but also those supporters who remember the old days.

I know that two youngsters I signed, Franny Benali and Matt Le Tissier, are also ambassadors and that is, of course, thanking them for the long period both of them spent with the club and for their popularity amongst the supporters because of their various skills and 100 per cent efforts on every occasion.

I understand there is a certain age group who is more of aware of them and when it gets to people who remember me, they are all getting on a bit.

But as I’ve said before, one of the best days out over the last few months was when four of the FA Cup-winning team turned up unexpectedly at the Pensioners’ Christmas Party, put on by the Saints Foundation.

They reminded us how they spent the day at Wembley before the open bus toured around Southampton the next day.

These are the things that make our club, in my opinion, so special.

We are not the smallest city, but we aren’t as widespread as London, Manchester or Liverpool and the total football attention is all on the one club.

There are obviously neighbours, Bournemouth and Portsmouth, up the road in opposite directions. But the club, in my opinion, is moving in the right direction where they are acknowledging the history and tradition which makes football so much different to other sports.

I can only say how much I appreciate the messages and calls I have continued to get since it was announced.

Like Matt and Franny, I will continue to wave the flag whenever asked.

Let’s all hope that Ralph and the team continue to climb the table and, hopefully, at some stage in the future can even creep into the top-six. But, at the moment, I think top-ten would satisfy most!

*

TODAY’S visitors put me on the spot a little.

When I was a youngster I was connected to Newcastle United as they had a youth policy called The N’s which I was signed up for, thinking I was one of a few until I realised that wasn’t the case.

Whilst playing a few games, I was eventually farmed out to my hometown side Gateshead.

But naturally being a Geordie, next to Saints, I look for their results and want them to do well.

I was pleased that Steve eventually got some goals from his team after he had a run of about four Premier League games without scoring and then to see them make progress in the FA Cup was good for him.

I know what he has had to go through because he once managed Sunderland and was not exactly made 100 per cent welcome at St James’ Park.

The rivalry is very much like Saints and Portsmouth – but, if I can say, a little bit fiercer.

Steve was a fantastic player, a strong personality and is a good example of British managers and, whilst I obviously want him to do well, 1-0 to Saints today will be enough. But from then on, I hope he proves some of the doubters wrong.

And who knows how well he will do in the cup, bearing in mind his next opponents are Manchester City.

But it is at St James’ Park and a full house there, believe me, can create an amazing atmosphere.

*

I RECEIVED a letter a couple of weeks ago from a gentleman in Winchester who told me about a supporter called Ken Rigney, who will be celebrating his 90th birthday next Thursday.

His story is amazing.

He was born in South Africa of mixed race before coming to England as he found it difficult to get work in his own country.

He started work on the south coast and was taken one Saturday to The Dell - apparently, he’s hardly missed a game since the early 1960s!

He can tell everyone about the special games he has been at, such as the one he was at when we beat Leyton orient to get promotion and of course the trip to Wembley.

But he still comes to the games unaccompanied to take his seat on the halfway line in the Kingsland Stand.

The club, as I have said previously, are acknowledging people like Ken, unlike most clubs.

When they heard about it, they organised a mention in today’s programme and he will be presented with a signed shirt and a birthday cake in the club’s colours, but I’m not sure they will get every candle on top.

But also the gentlemen, Mark Byford, who wrote the initial letter, will be handing over a special album of birthday cards from people like me who have been connected with the club over Ken’s seven decades of support.

Ken has also written a book called Colour Blind about his life story and I’m sure the club gets a mention in it.

Happy birthday, Ken! Let’s hope three points can be added to everything else you receive today.