HE spent an unprecedented 66 years at Southampton Football Club doing the job he loved.

Ted Bates devoted his life to Saints, serving as a player, manager, chief executive, director and president until his death in November 2003.

Now the foundations have been laid for a permanent reminder at St Mary's of his contribution to Saints.

Steve and Sam Jarvis turned the first sod for a statue of their grandfather under the watchful eye of current manager George Burley, club captain Claus Lundekvam and former skipper Jason Dodd.

The 11ft bronze statue will stand on a 5ft plinth in front of the stadium in place of the middle flagpole and will be unveiled on March 16, 2007.

The Ted Bates Trust has already raised £45,000 towards the total cost of £102,000 with the club matching their efforts.

Ted's daughter Jackie Jarvis, 47, who was also present, said: "It's great to think that the trust and the club have raised the funds to create a statue for dad.

"He really considered himself lucky to spend so many years at the club because he was always doing something he enjoyed. He would be very honoured to think that people have put a statue of him outside the stadium."

Ted's grandson Steve Jarvis, 18, a student at Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh, said: "I think it's great. It will always be kind of weird seeing a statue of my grandad outside the Saints' stadium but it makes a great headpiece."

Granddaughter Sam Jarvis, 9, a pupil at Shakespeare Junior School, Eastleigh, said: "It's quite cool. I've only told one of my friends about it and they think it's really cool."

Dave Ford, chairman of the Ted Bates Trust, said: "I think it will be the best football statue in the country. It's absolutely amazing. I was lost for words. It's a tremendous tribute to a great man.

"The appeal has been a huge success with thousands of supporters already contributing. Ted was very much a man of the people so it is very fitting that supporters have been able to be part of it."

Lifelong Saints supporter Ian Brennan, 56, the sculptor commissioned to build the statue, said: "It's taken over a year working seven days a week to make because I put a lot of detail on it which I wanted to do.

"I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to create the statue as my father was a lifelong Saints fan."

The club still has £6,000 left to raise from a celebratory dinner on March 16 at the unveiling of the statue.

Former players who have agreed to attend include Bill Ellerington, Cliff Huxford, Tony Godfrey, Paul Bennett and Jason Dodd.

Tickets cost £40 each and are available from the Ted Bates Trust on 07999 538687.