While there was a happy gathering of ex-professionals at Eastleigh, sadly this week I saw many of the real veterans at the funeral of Tommy Traynor.

Also, last Sunday at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea put on a magnificent service when the urn containing the ashes of Peter Osgood, pictured, was buried a metre and a half below the penalty spot.

I was delighted not just to meet many of the old players from Chelsea, but I was joined on the day by Jim Steele, Peter Rodrigues, Brian O'Neil and my fellow Saints director Leon Crouch.

We all noticed the number of red and white shirts in the crowd of about 3,000.

Dennis Bundy, a well known local personality, was also there in support of Peter's widow, Lynn.

Afterwards, at the reception laid on by the club, I was amazed to be addressed by a voice I hadn't heard for nearly 50 years - it was when him and I were the twin centre halves in an army team in Germany.

He reminded those who were listening that I used to shout at him to get tight or cover but at the end I always had to say Sir.' In actual fact, it was Lord Chelsea.

He and I served together in the Coldstream Guards. He tells me he is now Earl Cadogan since his father died and joked that he moved up a notch.

He actually sold Chelsea FC to Ken Bates all those years ago but was there to give his support to, in his words, the best player Chelsea ever had.

Probably only him and I knew the extra significance of the guards band which was about 40 strong standing to attention for the whole of the ceremony in pouring rain in the open.

They were from the Coldstream Guards and, as I reminded him, the motto of that particular regiment is nulli secundas'.

That, of course, means second to none,.

And I think that summed up our dear friend Peter.