STAND aside home design guru Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen - lifelong Saints fan Lee Williams has performed his own home decorating extravaganza.

In honour of Southampton Football Club reaching the FA Cup final for the first time in 27 years, Mr Williams has decorated his home in his beloved red and white stripes.

But the 37-year-old from Bitterne is not just warming up for the Cardiff showdown with Arsenal next month - the Woolston Wanderers under-tens football team, who he helps coach and who his ten-year-old son Brandon plays for, have reached their own cup final.

Father-of-three Mr Williams said: "When Saints won the cup in 1976 I was ten and although I did not go to the game I watched it on TV and I know what it must be like for my boy now that Saints are in the final.

"I remember going out to see the team when they paraded the cup through Southampton and I went to Wembley for the Charity Shield the next season, but we lost to a John Toshack goal for Liverpool."

Mr Williams, a contract cleaner from Keynsham Road, Bitterne, spent a day-and-a-half painting his front door red and decorating the side gate, porch and window sills in red and white stripes. Red and white flags declaring "On the march with Strachan's Army" adorn the upstairs windows while a picture of St Mary's stadium sits in the downstairs window alongside other Saints memorabilia.

Although he could not get a ticket for the semi-final victory against Watford last Sunday, Mr Williams and Brandon have been to every cup game this season and he believes Saints can beat Arsenal.

He said: "We have already beaten them 3-2 when they came down here and I think we can win the final 2-1.

"I have not been to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff before. I'm desperate to get hold of a ticket."

His father-in-law Stan Hall played for the 1957 Southampton schoolboys county cup winning side and Mr Williams added: "If Saints win we will be having a big street party."

Meanwhile, Woolston Wanderers under-tens will be hoping to beat Curbridge in a Southampton friendly league Sub Cup final. Next season they hope to compete in the Tyro League.

How are you celebrating Saints reaching the Cup final? Let the Daily Echo newsdesk know on 023 8042 4522.

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