SOUTHAMPTON City Council today admit they can see NO reason whatsoever why Saints shouldn't erect a statue of club legend Ted Bates at St Mary's.

On the day of the friendly against Bayern Munich for the inaugural Ted Bates Memorial Trophy, Saints fans are again calling for the club to erect a statue of the man dubbed 'Mr Southampton.'

Ted Bates died aged 85 last November after an unbroken run of 66 years service to the Saints, which began when he joined them as a player from Norwich City in 1937.

He went on to become manager from 1955 to 1973 - guiding the club from Division Three South to the top flight for the first time in their history. He was also a director, chief executive and latterly club president.

When the Daily Echo contacted Saints managing director Andrew Cowen for a comment as to why no statue had been commissioned yet, he said it was because of a decision made by the city council and the emergency services when the stadium was built.

Cowen, the man responsible for overseeing the development of the stadium, insisted that unless the council and emergency services were to change their minds there was nothing the club could do.

However, he did not rule out building a lasting tribute to Ted into the fabric of the ground.

Cowen said: "The view of the city council and the emergency services was that they didn't want free-standing works of art as that may compromise evacuation and emergency procedures.

"That is why we had the red footballer built in the main window.

"Everybody wants to remember Ted and so do we. We have already done a number of things, like naming a lounge at the ground after him and introducing the Ted Bates trophy.

"And if we can find a way of remembering Ted in the fabric of the building, then we are happy to do that. One idea that has been suggested is a bronze freeze and if people have ideas we welcome hearing them.

"However, unless the position of the authorities has changed with regards to a statue then we have to look at another way of doing it."

A city council spokesman said: "As Ted Bates was a Freeman of the City we would, in principle, support proposals for an appropriate, permanent tribute if the right location could be found.

"There are tight restrictions on siting any permanent structure close to exits and access routes in to and out of the stadium and any proposal would need the approval of the Crowd Safety Group.

"There may well be suitable spots elsewhere, where a memorial could be erected. Our planning and public art officers would be happy to advise them."

Ugly Inside webzine editor Nick Illingsworth is leading the call for a statue of Ted Bates. "I can see absolutely no reason why the club should not build a statue," he said.

When the Daily Echo ran a phone poll last December asking readers if they would like to see Saints build such a statue, every single caller answered 'yes'.

High profile statues at club grounds already include Billy Bremner at Leeds and Sir Bobby Robson at Ipswich.

Illingsworth added: "I was also impressed with the Garden of Remembrance for Sir Jack Walker at Blackburn Rovers.

"That statue was built by public subscription. I know several people who would contribute to such a scheme if it was launched here with a view to erecting a statue of Ted."

FRANCIS BENALI - MY SUPERB SAINTS CAREER: 4-page special in today's Sport On Monday supplement.