FORMER Saints manager Lawrie McMenemy has thrown his weight behind a drive in the south to promote the Special Olympics.

The only man to lead Southampton Football Club to FA Cup glory - in 1976 - was joined by 20 local football players - all of whom have learning disabilities - to kick-off European Football Week. The players have all been chosen to help promote the games.

He joined the Brookside Day Services athletes at Southampton Sports Centre in Bassett where he helped to promote football to people with learning disabilities who had not previously played or even watched the game.

Southampton City Council's day services are promoting women's football in the city during the week and expanding their already successful men's football team which plays every Thursday morning at Kickers indoor football centre in Eastleigh.

Alison Gilroy, senior day officer at Brookside, said: "Everybody is delighted. We never expected it.

We have been involved with the Special Olympics since 1997 and each year we have participated in the games."

Mr McMenemy, who is also acting as an ambassador for the Special Olympics, said: "It is good to be involved with the Special Olympics at every level."

The games which are taking place in Dublin in June will be the biggest sporting event in the world in 2003.

More than 7,000 athletes from 162 countries will come together for the event which for the first time since 1968 is taking place outside the United States.