SAINTS fans are mourning the death of former Southampton Football club President John Mortimore, aged 86. He also held the positions of caretaker manager, assistant manager and coach during two spells in a long association with the club which goes back to 1968. Even before that he had enjoyed travelling from his home in Farnborough to The Dell to watch the Saints as a teenager. He was initially brought in to help Ted Bates. His appointment was not initially welcomed by a dressing room which consisted of the likes of Terry Paine and Mick Channon. But his tightening of the defence took them to seventh in the table and European football at the end of the 68/69 season.