TEN grand for an FA Cup winner's medal. Not bad, is it?

I'd imagine it doesn't get any worse for Peter Rodrigues, the man who captained Southampton to their only FA Cup victory in 1976, and whose medal was put under the hammer last week.

That victory at Wembley over Manchester United was one of the biggest upsets in the cup's history. United were boiling over with talent that day, but Saints were boiling over with grafters, like Rodrigues, and the kind of team spirit rarely seen in football these days. Bobby Stokes' goal was the difference, even if it was offside (the one occasion when the luck wasn't with ManYoo).

I wasn't even born when that match took place, but I've watched it countless times and I'll never get tired of seeing the delight on Rodrigues' face as he lifted the trophy.

But that's all the dynamic defender is left with now, after his daughter Amanda sold the medal off in auction without his knowledge.

Rodrigues was said to be "devastated". I'm not surprised.

Thankfully Saints chairman Rupert Lowe has been revealed as the mystery buyer and it is thought the medal will go on display at the St Mary's stadium - much to Rodrigues' relief.

But that won't take away the pain of trying to understand how a family member could do such a thing.

I'd imagine Amanda will be lucky to see her father again after such betrayal, let alone exchange words with the great man.

Mind you, if the rumours are true, Rodrigues was lucky to keep his medal in the family as long as he did.

Team members Jim Steele and Peter Osgood are thought to have sold their medals years ago.

Does the success of 1976 mean nothing to these former players?

Sure, they were not paid the astronomical wages of today's footballers, but they can't be that hard up that they need to sell on something as precious as a cup winner's medal.

Say what you like about David Beckham, Roy Keane et al, but I can't imagine they'd even ponder the thought of getting rid of their haul of medals.

Seeing as she didn't know that Lowe was the buyer, Rodrigues' daughter should be utterly ashamed of herself. Fortunately for Peter, he will be able to see his medal once again.

First published: Oct 9