Inter Milan's visit to Southampton reward for fans, says James Ward-Prowse
Wednesday 2 November 2016 19:36, UK
James Ward-Prowse says Southampton's Europa League glamour tie against Inter Milan is a reward for the fans' loyalty "through thick and thin".
The Saints sank to the third tier of English football in the 2009-10 season, a campaign they started on -10 points after being placed in administration.
But they have since restored their place in the top flight and have qualified for the Europa League for two successive years, although they did not make it past the play-off stage in 2015-16.
Ward-Prowse, 22, came through the Saints Academy before breaking into the first team when he made his debut in a League Cup tie in 2011.
Having been part of the club when it dropped down to League One then fighting back up to the Premier League again in 2012, Ward-Prowse knows full well what such a fixture will mean to everyone at St Mary's.
"It is going to be a great occasion," he said. "The club has worked incredibly hard for nights like this and we as players, the manager and staff want to be involved in games like this. A lot rests on the game, so bring it on.
"Having been at the club for a long time, obviously I have seen the growth of the club on and off the pitch. Being a player here, it is great to see the rise of the club and it was a great feeling at the San Siro.
"This is a great game against a European giant and we will be looking to make sure we come out on top."
Ward-Prowse added: "The fans stuck with the club through thick and thin, through the bad times and these are the good times now.
"A few of them would have been travelling to League One fixtures, and now we are hosting Inter Milan in the Europa League. We have a chance to qualify and hopefully they can get behind us to see us over the line."
