FRANCIS Benali recalled the "euphoria" of seeing Saints lift the FA Cup, 45 years on from their famous win over Manchester United.

Today marks the anniversary of one of Saints' greatest days, when they stunned Tommy Docherty's top-flight side to win 1-0 thanks to a late Bobby Stokes strike to secure the 1976 FA Cup.

Saints, managed by Lawrie McMenemy, were in the second tier at the time.

And Saints legend Benali, who played more than 300 matches for the club, remembers watching the Wembley triumph from his home.

Asked if he could recall the contest, Benali told the Daily Echo: "Most definitely. I would have been seven years old at that time and remember vividly coverage of the game.

"It’s very different now to what it was back then.

"I remember a packed living room crowded around the television and just the euphoria of when Bobby Stokes scored, people jumping around.

"And then ultimately winning it was just incredible.

"I’d never have believed I would have gone through a career personally and obviously 40-odd years later, to still be here without another FA Cup victory to our name."

That win over Manchester United remains the only time Saints have lifted the trophy, coming closest in 2003 before losing 1-0 in the final to Arsenal.