EUPHORIC Wembley winners Sholing are revelling in the footballing spotlight after doing their city proud.

While Premier League champions Manchester City were enjoying an open-top bus parade yesterday, Southampton’s newly-crowned FA Vase winners were honoured with a civic reception of their own.

Daily Echo:

The Boatmen were special guests of city mayor Ivan White at the Civic Centre – just 48 hours after their magnificent ‘March to the Arch’ had culminated in an historic 1-0 win over West Auckland. Almost 3,000 fans made the trip to the capital to cheer on Dave Diaper’s side who, four years ago, swapped their yellow and blue kit for Saints’ traditional red-and-white stripes when they changed their name from VT (Vosper Thornycroft) to Sholing.

And, just like their illustrious neighbours did in the ’76 FA Cup final, they delivered the silverware with a memorable 1-0 triumph, clinched by Marvin McLean’s 71st-minute strike.

Applauding the Boatmen, councillor White said: “Sholing’s success means a lot to the city, combined with what Saints are doing, especially as they have a high proportion of local lads.

“It’s a wonderful achievement which will hopefully lead to further success. Winning a national cup puts the city on the map.”