1976: Saints, wearing yellow, beat favourites to lift the FA Cup.... 2003: Saints in yellow against favourites ...talk about an omen!

SAINTS will wear yellow and blue in the FA Cup final - just as they did when they lifted the famous trophy in 1976.

The south coast club lost the toss for colours with opponents Arsenal who also traditionally play in red and white.

Saints have also lost the toss for choice of hotel with both clubs having wanted to stay at the luxurious Vale on the outskirts of Cardiff which has previously proved lucky for teams competing in finals at the Millennium Stadium.

Although Saints have worn their red and white stripes throughout this season's magnificent Cup run, fans are delighted they will be in yellow and blue for the final, just as Lawrie McMenemy's heroes were at Wembley 27 years ago.

Earlier this season star striker James Beattie, pictured left, scored a wonder-goal against Newcastle while in the club's yellow and blue strip.

Nick Illingsworth, chairman of Southampton Independent Supporters' Association, said: "It is a good omen and it does give us a chance to add some colour to the occasion, especially as Arsenal's away kit is quite dull.

"I'm secretly quite pleased about it. We will turn out in yellow and blue and light the stadium up. Everyone could see how good the Watford fans looked, as we did, on Sunday and having been there in 1976 in yellow and blue I'm happy.

"There have been a lot of coincidences already this year and this is another one. There does seem to be an element of fate in our Cup run.

"It should be good for the club too. Everyone will want to buy their yellow and blue souvenirs and it will give them a chance to earn a bit. Fair play to them, it might pay for a new player."

Chairman Rupert Lowe said: "It could well be a good omen for us as we won the Cup in those colours and there is no reason we should not do so again.

"Ultimately it is not the shirts you wear which counts but the way you play football and we go there in very buoyant mood."

Losing out in the choice of kit and hotel means that Saints will have the choice of dressing room for the Millennium Stadium. It will also mean a major operation for the merchandise department who will now have to order in scarves, flags, hats etc in yellow and blue.

They will be ordering in extra supplies of the replica strip and 1976 retro shirts.

Merchandise manager Leighton Mitchell said: "It is going to be a frantic time for us. With just four weeks to go to the big day it will be a huge operation but we will be getting as much stock as possible.

"We have a lot of stock in ready for this week-end's game against Leeds but we will be getting much more in before the final."

Generally, Saints have not been at their best this season when playing in their yellow and blue strip.

They have lost to Tottenham, West Brom, Liverpool and Newcastle, drawn with Bolton, Leeds and Fulham and beaten only Sunderland in the 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.