That was the best roast I've ever had, declared our youngest daughter after all the family were treated to Sunday lunch at St Mary's Stadium. 

As a big roast fan with plenty of experience of the delights available at a number of local eateries, this was quite a statement from her.

And for a football mad family, the fact we were surrounded by Saints memorabilia and able to immerse ourselves in historic glories, was the icing on the cake.

(Image: Matt Watson for Southampton FC via Getty Images) READ MORE: The historic riverside pub under new management with improved menus and events

Southampton FC have really stepped up their off field offering this season with the addition of the fan zones, boasting live music and player interviews. 

The Dell pub, which opened just before Christmas, is always packed to the rafters on a match day with around 300 customers enjoying its hospitality at any one time. 

Open from early until late seven days a week, I was interested to see what it had to offer on a non match day.

(Image: Newsquest) We were some of the first to arrive for Sunday lunch just after midday, but the place soon filled up with a number of families enjoying the friendly atmosphere, Super Sunday on the big screens, and a game of darts or shuffleboard. 

A sneaky taste of my husband's 28 day aged rump of beef, priced £21, confirmed it was melt in the mouth delicious, while our girls, aged ten and seven, devoured every morsel of their divine half roast portions - one chicken and one spinach, lentil and wild mushroom wellington. 

Less of a Sunday roast aficionado than the rest of the family, I was delighted to see plenty of other options on the menu and opted for a tasty Dell cheese burger (£17).

(Image: Newsquest) We somehow spared some room for dessert and very much enjoyed a sticky toffee pudding, an apple crumble and two delightful chocolate brownies between us, priced £6 or £6.50 each. 

There was an excellent drinks selection behind the bar and lots of local suppliers used with Hoxton sourdough and Isle of Wight tomatoes featuring heavily on the starters menu and Chalk Stream Trout and Prawn Fishcakes among the mains. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to The Dell, well since 2001 anyway, and are already talking about a return - perhaps for the great Mother's Day week mums eat free deal. 

(Image: Newsquest)