BBC chairman Gavyn Davies faces a difficult day

Whisper it softly, but BBC chairman Gavyn Davies is not bothered if the FA Cup final is not a thrilling spectacle for viewers.

Hardly surprising when the season's showpiece will divide the Davies household, causing pain and suffering regardless of the outcome.

The BBC chairman and eight-year-old son Ben are Southampton fans, his daughter Rosie, 13, is a big Gunners' supporter who played for the club's girls' team.

Passions are running high, and no quarter will be asked or given.

"Rosie has made it clear that if Arsenal win, my life will be painful.

"It will be miserable if we lose, but I have also made it clear to her that if Saints win, I will really rub it in," says Davies.

Gordon Strachan has said he's concerned about making the game a good spectacle, I don't care about that as long as Saints win BBC chairman Gavyn Davies

Split family loyalties mean there has to be some give and take.

Davies said: "I have a season ticket at Southampton, and I never miss a home match.

"We also have season tickets at Arsenal and although Saints are my team, watching Arsenal is no great hardship."

But Davies' loyalty is not in question when it comes to the Cup final.

"Gordon Strachan has said he's concerned about making the game a good spectacle.

"I don't care about that, as long as the result is right, and that's a Saints' win."

As one of the country's movers and shakers, the BBC chairman's passion for his team runs far deeper than a mere passing fad for the chattering classes.

Terry Paine was an idol in the 60s and 70s

"I started supporting Saints in 1961 when we came back from Zimbabwe and the boat landed at Southampton docks.

"I went to see Saints play Cardiff and although they lost 5-3 it was a magnificent match.

"We settled in Southampton and I naturally supported them."

A jaunt down memory lane revives names like Ron Davies and Terry Paine from the 1960s and 70s, but one man stands out for him in the history of the club.

"Paine and Davies were unstoppable. Terry's ability to cross and Ron's ability to score with his head was absolutely phenomenal.

"But more recently, you cannot overlook Matthew Le Tissier.

"I'm not sure if anyone has scored more goals from midfield.

"He would have won more international caps at a more fashionable club, but we're eternally grateful he didn't.

"Saints would have been relegated on four or five occasions without him."

Davies was there on that famous day in 1976 when then Second Division Saints ripped up the form book to beat Manchester United and win the FA Cup.

"All I remember of that day was the goal and the final whistle. I can't really remember anything else of the rest of the match.

"It was a great shock and I didn't think we would win.

"That team had players who should have been playing in the top division and we had the class to rise to the occasion.

"It wasn't a great game but it had the right result, and I would be happy for the same outcome this time round.

Le Tissier orchestrated more last-day escapes than Houdini

"I think Saints can win as long as they play their own game.

"If they try and play Arsenal in an attacking match they will get thrashed.

"Arsenal are possibly the most effective counter-attacking team in world football and they have the ability to pick any team off at will.

"Saints have got some great results this season by closing down the opposition, starting from the forwards.

"In James Beattie and Antti Niemi, they have two of the most outstanding performers in the Premiership this season.

"They have a fantastically underrated midfield general in Matthew Oakley, who I think should be in the England squad.

"The spine of the team is very strong and I don't think Arsenal are the same team without Patrick Vieira.

It could be my last chance to see my team in an FA Cup final in my lifetime Gavyn Davies

"Vieira and Sol Campbell will be sorely missed, but the Arsenal squad is fantastically deep.

"They could put out a reserve team which could give Saints a game.

"But I think they will miss Campbell because he's crucial to the centre of Arsenal's defence, and I think Beattie will fancy his chances.

"I'm going to Cardiff with trepidation, but I will get excited on the day.

"I'm too emotionally caught up in this one. It could be my last chance to see my team in an FA Cup final in my lifetime."