MOST of the talk this week has been about Saints’ quick start to life back in the Championship and potential transfer departures.

However, there has also been other, less publicised but equally important games, in recent days.

One of those games was held at Totton, as Saints Archive held a charity match in aid of Chris Nicholl.

The turnout was very good for any game held at Snows Stadium, and the fact that the game has raised £2,000 to go towards Chris’ dementia care, makes the occasion even sweeter.

This is the second year that a charity match has been held in Chris’ honour. I think, and hope, this year’s success will mean that games such as these can become an annual occurrence.

With a number of legends, such as Matt Le Tiss, Francis Benali and James Beattie all in attendance. I’m sure the crowds would increase year after year as fans realise who is taking part.

Although some of them look a little bit bigger than they used to be during their peak, who can blame them for enjoying their retirement, it’s great to see so many legends take part.

Not only did they raise some important money, but it’s also a great chance for legendary players to meet up again and do what they love to play, which is play football.

Well done to all involved. Keep going, Chris! No supporter will ever forget what you did as both a player and a manager for the club.

While the game has already been, I still encourage any Saints supporter to donate to the Just Giving page.

On the other hand, it was sad to hear of the passing of Michael Parkinson, who everyone will remember for his television programmes and appearances.

I knew him away from the TV screens having appeared on his show a couple of times.

I know that he was a big cricket supporter and would always let me know when he was popping down to watch Hampshire play.

Being from Yorkshire he was a big football fan. Whenever he came down south, I used to get him to come and watch Saints play.

Being a Barnsley supporter, I used to pull his leg and quiz him about which division his side were in.

“We wouldn’t be able to see them in the same league as Saints,” I used to tell him. He was a good sport and always took the banter in a good way. My condolences go out to him and his family.

Switching our attention back to modern day football, and more specifically the Lioness, I was gutted to see them lose against Spain last Sunday.

To lose any game to professionals is not the best thing, but let's remember that it wasn’t just an ordinary game.

It was a cup final. In fact, it wasn’t even just a normal cup final, it was a World Cup final – the type of fixture most players can only ever dream of competing in.

Full marks to each of the players and to Sarina Weigmann's coaching staff for even reaching that stage of the tournament.

Not only have they achieved something remarkable on the field, but they have also done so much for the publicity of women’s football all around.

Southampton FC Women get their new season underway this weekend away at Lewes before taking on Blackburn Rovers at home a week later.

While there was no Saints’ involvement at this World Cup, it would be great to see a nice crowd at St Mary’s off the back of a great showing in Australia and New Zealand.

I’m sure there will now be many more young girls who will want to kick a ball and get joined in.

Southampton has historically been a hotbed for women’s football in this country. Luckily, we are now in a much better position across the nation that young girls have clubs that they can go and play for.

Hopefully, we will see them in a Lionesses shirt someday.