Saints are this week embarking on the "painful process" of making a round of redundancies as they look to slash their wage bill.

The cuts are not just for the management and the players but are also extending to ordinary staff who are currently finding themselves under threat.

Already gone are long serving kitman Malcolm Taylor and club secretary Liz Coley.

The popular Taylor had been at Southampton for 30 years - 14 of them as kitman.

He started out as a steward at The Dell's Archer's Road end, then manned the car park and the player's gate before looking after the directors in the boardroom.

With Saints short of a kitman during Ian Branfoot's reign as manager, he juggled that with his other duties and it was Glenn Hoddle who later invited him to take on the kitman's role full time.


Former Saints chairman steps in to support Sophie - click here


There are also question marks over first team coach Jason Dodd and chief scout John Gorman who appear to have no part to play in the management restructure that has seen Jan Poortvliet take over as head coach.

Football board chairman Michael Wilde said: "I can confirm that there is a programme of redundancies currently underway within the company, brought about by the severe financial restrictions within which the company is now required to operate.

"This is a statutory process governed by employment law and requires a process of consultation and negotiation with those affected.

"We are aware of the need to implement this programme as quickly and as sympathetically as possible, and we are endeavouring to ensure that all those affected will be notified by Friday of this week. This will also ensure that there is no prolonged period of uncertainty for those employees who are retained.

"Clearly, it would not be appropriate to comment on individuals as in some cases the process of consultation and negotiation is yet to be completed.

"However, these redundancies in no way reflect on the employees affected, many of whom have given many years of positive and loyal support to the Club.

"We anticipate releasing further information once matters have been concluded with all those concerned.

"It is both upsetting and disappointing to have to undertake these measures but it is imperative to put the company on a sound financial footing in readiness for the coming season and beyond.

"It is only in this way that the Club, in the absence of significant external investment, can once again move forward."

The cuts at the club, which are going from top to bottom and played a part in Nigel Pearson's departure, are part of the agreement Wilde and Rupert Lowe reached with the bank on their return.

They hope to have everything concluded by the end of this week so they can get on with the business in hand and prepare for next season.

In terms of the coaching staff fans are awaiting news particularly of Dodd.

He was not named in the four man coaching structure that has been introduced but remains popular at St Mary's after so many years as a player.

It is believed that Gorman is willing to relinquish his role as chief scout and he has already been linked with a move to join up with former Saints boss and long time colleague and friend Glenn Hoddle in working at his football academy in Spain.

When contacted by the Echo both Taylor and Dodd said they were unable to comment.

For full story see today's Daily Echo.