PLANS to put up a permanent memorial to Saints legend Ted Bates have been unanimously backed by Southampton City Council.

But Saints have come under fire from councillors after it was revealed that any statue was unlikely to be erected at St Mary's - or any cash to pay for the project would come from the club.

City Council deputy leader Councillor Peter Wakeford led condemnation of the football club at a meeting of full council last night.

He told members he was "disappointed" that no permanent memorial for Bates was likely to be put up at the stadium.

He said: "I am disappointed that the football club did not seem to want to recognise someone of the stature of Ted Bates in the way we would want to.

"It is time that Ted Bates was recognised. He stands with other big names in football over the years."

Labour group tourism and leisure spokesman Councillor Derek Burke said the club needed to be "embarrassed" into putting up a memorial at the ground for Bates.

He said: "We need to put this memorial somewhere outside the football club.

"Councillor Wakeford was right. The club has made millions of pounds and they can't put their hands in their pockets."

City councillors agreed to back a plan being spearheaded by members of the True Saints Association supporters group to put up a permanent memorial for the Saints legend who died last year.

But the city council itself will not be putting their hands in their pockets to pay for a permanent site to honour one of Saints' all-time greats.

Saints today gave last night's news the thumbs up.

Chairman Rupert Lowe said: "In the past we have always been told that it would not be possible to build a statue at the stadium in his memory.

"But if that situation has now changed then nobody would be happier than us.

"Everybody would be in favour of a statue outside the ground and this appears to be very good news."

Bates served Saints as player, manager, administrator and finally club president for 65 years until his death last November.