Bob Hawthorne, 81, given VIP treatment at St Mary's - and sees his team win 2-1

Bob Hawthorne has been following Saints since he was an 11-year-old boy in 1948, when travelling to matches meant spending most of the day on public transport.

His family were devastated when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer two days before Christmas.

Bob’s teenage grand-daughter, Sophie Hawthorne, was determined to give the 81-year-old retired plumber a day to remember.

She asked Saints if he could attend a match – his first for several years – and was sent four VIP tickets for last Saturday’s game against Everton.

Bob was given the red carpet treatment in the Saints Bar and went on to see his beloved team win 2-1.

His son, Ian Hawthorne, 56, of Andover, said: “When everyone in the bar heard he’d been supporting Saints since 1948 they all clapped and took photos.

“Dad was overwhelmed.”

During the afternoon Bob met Nicky Banger and was presented with a football signed by another former Saints player, Pedro “Pele” Monteiro.

Ian said: “The ball has pride of place on dad’s coffee table. Nicky and Pedro were both absolutely fantastic – complete gentlemen.”

Father and son were joined by Ian’s brother Andrew, 51, and Ian’s son Matthew, 29, as well as 17-year-old Sophie.

Ian said: “She’d never been to a football match before. I don’t think she’s particularly interested – she did it for her grandad.

“Dad loved every minute but Saints winning was the icing on the cake.”

The club was based at The Dell when Bob began going to games three years after the end of the Second World War.

His journey involved catching a bus from Andover to Winchester and then taking another bus to Southampton before making the trip in reverse at the end of the day.

Apart from the VIP treatment he received last Saturday the highlight of his 70-year association with Saints was seeing them win the 1976 FA Cup.

Ian said: “I’d like to thank Saints for everything they did for my dad during the game against Everton.

“It’s a day none of us will ever forget. They’re Premier League in every respect.”