Football legend's statue unveiled

Bates managed Southampton for 18 years

A statue of Southampton football legend Ted Bates is being unveiled outside the ground where he worked for an unbroken 66 years.

Ted Bates, known as Mr Southampton Football Club, served Saints as player, manager and president in an unbroken run from 1937 until his death in 2003.

His long service with the club earned him an MBE and the Freedom of the City of Southampton.

His widow Mary Bates will unveil the £112,000 statue on Saturday evening.

New stadium

Mr Bates signed for Southampton as an inside-forward from Norwich in 1937.

When his playing career ended, he took over from George Roughton as Saints manager in September 1955.

His 18-year reign as manager at The Dell was a by-word for longevity.

During his time in charge, he took Saints into the First Division for the first time in 1965, and also presided over their first European matches.

His last major public duty as club president was to open the new St Mary's stadium.