SAINTS are on their way to Cardiff - and the class of 1976 has been with them every step of the way.

The 13 surviving members of the FA Cup winning squad of 27 years ago and their manager Lawrie McMenemy having been backing Saints for glory ever since their fourth round Houdini escape act against Millwall.

They saw it as a sign, an omen, call it what you will.

Because all those years ago, Saints were on the brink of going out in a third round tie against Aston Villa.

They had the dispirited look of a beaten side until midfielder Hugh Fisher moved up for a set piece and rescued them with a late, late goal much the same as Kevin Davies did against Millwall at St Mary's in January.

Like modern-day Saints, McMenemy's men (pictured above) went on to win the replay impressively.

But the uncanny coincidences didn't end there.

Saints did not meet another top flight side until the final itself when the mighty Manchester United, like Arsenal a championship-chasing side, were their opponents.

Fisher, like Davies, spent most of the rest of the cup run on the bench as Saints rode the luck of the draw, dodging the big sides and capitalising on it.

Now the two squads are joined in Southamton FC folklore - the only two club teams in living memory to reach an FA Cup Final.

McMenemy seemed to be letting his heart rule his head when he predicted Saints would make the Cup final after the 1-1 draw with Millwall.

He wasn't the only Wembley winner to think that. Mick Channon tipped thgem to go all the way, Peter Osgood did the same. Shrewd betting men, both of them! But, in fact, none of the 1976 squad doubted that this Saints side could go all the way.

I'm sure there are some younger Saints fans who don't set much store on history and probably never have, especially now as they look forward with great relish to the trip to the magnificent Millennium Stadium on May 17.

But in many ways it's the spirit of the 1976 side that has driven the current Saints on.

Wayne Bridge, their inspirational England left back, talked emotionally before the semi-final of the team's desire to emulate the achievement of McMenemy's side all those years ago.

Now they have been swept away by the euphoria of reaching the Cup final, I suspect today's Southampton followers might now be starting to appreciate what the men of 1976 actually went on to achieve.

Let's not forget Saints weren't a top flight side themselves in those days yet they went to the mountain, Manchester United, the European champions only eight years before, and they climbed and conquered it.

Now Saints must do the same against Arsenal, a team on an even higher level perhaps than Manchester United were in 1976.

The outpouring of joy if they were to go on and beat the Gunners will be as emotional as the first time the club so sensationally upset the odds.

The huge army of fans who followed them to Birmingham's Villa Park, proved that beyond all doubt. The army will be there in even greater numbers at Cardiff.

Wouldn't it be fitting if the 1976 squad were there as well, as special guests of the Saints?

It would be a symbolic tying of the knot, and who knows, maybe a good luck talisman as well.

For players and fans alike, theirs would be an inspirational presence.

Let us know what you think. Email Bob Brunskell.