FORMER Saints boss Lawrie McMenemy took a gentle swipe at Kevin Keegan and the England team at the opening of an Age Concern shop.

The fun-filled ceremony took place just days after Keegan quit as England coach following his side's 1-0 defeat against Germany at Wembley.

The new shop at Beaulieu Road, Dibden Purlieu, sells second-hand books, clothes and other items supplied by the public.

And McMenemy joked: "People donate things they've no further use for - I was surprised to see three of the England team in there.

"There's also a confidential area specially set aside for any people with problems that they find difficult to talk about - so I've booked an appointment for Kevin Keegan."

McMenemy was handed a pair of scissors to cut a ribbon across the door - and immediately referred to the cut-throat world of football.

"It's better to have scissors in your hands than a knife in your back," he joked.

McMenemy is honorary vice-president of Age Concern Hampshire and highlighted some of the problems faced by poorer pensioners living alone.

He said: "People are living longer and that's no bad thing.

"But it's not very good if you're living in poverty and misery and no-one knocks on your door to see how you are."

McMenemy praised Age Concern for offering information technology training to pensioners who want to learn computer skills.

He said: "A few years ago people would have said there was no point, but there are a lot of clever older people about.

"I've got two aunties in the North aged 92 and 97. Their bodies aren't too good but their brains are as sharp as tin-tacks.

"It's the Newcastle Brown Ale that keeps 'em going."