TWO former Saints and lifelong friends will be on opposite sides of the dugout for the first time tonight as Saints take on Exeter City at St James's Park.

Jason Dodd, now the first-team coach at St Mary's, says he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Grecians boss Paul Tisdale in Saints' fifth summer friendly.

Like Tisdale, Dodd is from North Somerset, and the two men were actually school chums at Beechen Cliff School in Bath in the 1980s.

And Dodd, who made more than 400 appearances for Saints, says even back then he could tell Tisdale was cut out for a career in management.

"Tis was a couple of years below me at school and after leaving school we both ended up down at Southampton," said Dodd, 36.

"Paul was a great pro and always did everything the right way. I have got plenty of time for him and always thought he was a good lad.

"He certainly has a great knowledge of the game and it was no surprise to see him go into management."

Full report in today's Daily Echo