Southampton legend Lawrie McMenemy to pen final Daily Echo column

McMenemy's connection with the club remains strong despite first becoming Saints manager 50 years ago, stepping into the shoes of Ted Bates in 1973. 

McMenemy's finest hour was the FA Cup win in 1976, beating Manchester United by a single Bobby Stokes goal at Wembley. 

Lawrie's column ahead of the 2003 FA Cup final (Image: SDE)

Peter Rodrigues was handed the trophy by the late Queen Elizabeth II and was one of only three second division skippers to ever lift the oldest cup prize in football. 

Some of the club's greatest-ever players featured under the former Coldstream Guards serviceman, including Mick Channon, Alan Ball and Kevin Keegan. 

Saints finished second in the First Division in 1984 - the club's highest-ever finish - before McMenemy departed in 1985. 

Lawrie was on hand to cover the club's European adventures (Image: SDE)McMenemy later returned to hold director of football and ambassadorial roles at the club and was awarded Freedom of the City of Southampton in 2007. 

He has been a weekly columnist for the Daily Echo's Saturday edition, providing us with laughs, provocation, and unrivalled insight into our great club.

Lawrie McMenemy reminisced on the 1979 League Cup final in 2017 (Image: SDE)

Ben Fishwick, editor of the Southern Daily Echo, said: "Lawrie's column has a loyal following among the great many Saints fans who turn to the Echo for our coverage of St Mary's.

"It has been an honour to have someone of Lawrie's stature producing a column for us for so long.

"His view and take on everything Southampton FC - and indeed the wider footballing world - has been a joy to publish.

And plenty of other special moments along the way... (Image: SDE)

"Lawrie's column has bucked the trend in a world where people are quick to commentate without first having the required experience.

"I know many people will be asking who will be replacing him, and we will make an announcement in due course.

"I wish Lawrie all the best in his post-columnist retirement, although I'm sure tomorrow's column won't be the last time his words appear in the Echo."

We thank McMenemy for everything he has contributed to the Daily Echo and its readers. 

Saints legend Lawrie McMenemy (Image: SDE)