SAINTS hero Peter Rodrigues is taking legal action after his treasured FA Cup winners medal was put up for auction - by his daughter.

The football legend was said to be devastated after discovering one of his two daughters had decided to sell the precious memento without his permission.

Experts believe the gold medal will fetch between £8,000 and £10,000 when it goes under the hammer as part of a football memorabilia auction in Northampton on October 1. It is understood Peter, who captained Southampton to victory in the 1976 FA Cup final, had given the medal to his daughter as a keepsake about ten years ago.

Peter, who retired from football just a year after lifting the cup, knew nothing about her intentions to sell it until he was contacted by the Daily Echo yesterday.

Now the 60-year-old former Welsh international faces a race against time to get his medal back.

The Daily Echo understands Peter has spoken to his daughter and the matter is now in the hands of his solicitor.

He has pledged to go through "every channel possible" to retrieve the medal.

But last night Sportingold Ltd auctioneers insisted lot 76 was still for sale.

Director Chris Williams said: "It is difficult for us because we have been given a legitimate instruction to sell it, and all we can do is comply with it.

"We are assured the vendor has the legal right to sell it, but it is proving less straight forward than we initially anticipated.

"We have contacted her in light of this slightly tricky situation and she is adamant she still wants to sell it."

The medal, which is being sold in its original case, is inscribed on the back with FA Challenge Cup Winners and Peter's name as captain.

It was given by the Queen in the last year she presented the prestigious FA Cup and medals to the winning team.

Sportingold say they have already received several inquiries about the lot and are predicting huge interest from Saints fans, as well as collectors.

"We are expecting a lot of interest from the Southampton area," said Mr Williams.

"It was the only time Southampton won the FA Cup, which makes the captain's medal unique."

Several of the Saints FA Cup winning team are thought to have already sold their medals, including Peter Osgood and Jim Steele.