Saints legend Lawrie McMenemy talks in depth about Nick Holmes in his exclusive weekly column in today's Daily Echo.

This is a flavour of Lawrie's article today ...

Not many players have been fortunate enough to play in a Cup final at Wembley. Nick Holmes has.

Even fewer players were lucky enough to play in two Cup finals at Wembley. Nick Holmes did.

Even less played in the third type of game at Wembley, the Charity Shield. Nick Holmes did, because he did what few professionals do - play in a winning FA Cup final team. He was also selected for the England B squad.

Nick was a young player born locally who was at the Dell when I arrived and I gave him his debut in 1974.

He's also quite unique in as far as during the period of time we were together I could ask him to play left back, the old left half position, left side of the centre half and the sweeper which I employed for a period in the top flight.

He probably also held the record for the shortest amount of time spent in the manager's office when it came to renewing his contract.

For a start, there was never any doubt I would offer one to him and it wasn't in Nick's nature to argue or haggle.

He was totally trustworthy both on and off the field and felt the club he loved would always try to give the best contract they could afford.

There's no doubt he could have gone to some other bigger city clubs but he was your original one club loyal servant.

He was calmness personified on the field but on the very rare occasion when something or someone got to him - look out.

If the red mist descended, which would be a bit like an eclipse in its rarity, pity help anyone who got in the way!

Whilst he would probably describe himself first and foremost as a defender, he also knew how to score goals - spectacular ones too.

The one he would probably treasure more than most when he looks back is the fantastic effort he scored near the end of our League Cup defeat in 1979 by Brian Clough's team.

But the one that the older supporters will never forget is in our 4-0 demolition of Graham Taylor's Watford in the first leg of a League Cup tie when he actually lobbed the keeper from the halfway line.

And I am certain that was the distance because it happened right in front of the trainer's box.

If I was telling the truth, he would probably not have been on my list of all the players I handled in over 1,000 games who I would have earmarked to go into coaching and management.

For the full column, don't miss today's Echo