MEET Javier Igeno Cano. He may have grown up in Barcelona rather than Bitterne in Southampton but the 28-year-old is one of Saints' most ardent fans.

Javier swapped sunny Spain for Southampton to be nearer his beloved adopted team.

However, he could be forced to return home unless he finds work - and has even taken the drastic step of writing to arch rivals Portsmouth FC asking for a job!

Javier was first bitten by the Saints bug in 1992 when he did a school exchange with Bellemoor Secondary School in Shirley, where Saints legend Francis Benali and chart-topper Craig David were once students.

He took the life-changing decision to quit his homeland in December but has been unable to find regular work in his chosen trade, the hotel business.

He unsuccessfully applied to Saints for a job - "They didn't have anything permanent, just casual match-day jobs" - but salvation could be at hand in the unusual shape of Pompey.

"I have applied to Portsmouth. Unfortunately I cannot stop to think if that would be good or not - a job at Fratton Park would enable me to stay in Southampton and support the Saints whenever I had the time off to do it," he said.

"I came to Southampton to stay here, work hard and live Southamp-ton FC longer than a couple of weeks a year. It looks like there might be some opportunity at Portsmouth.

"I'm trying to find work in a football or hotel environment. I don't think it will happen, but if Portsmouth have anything suitable for me I will take it.

"I came over from Spain to carry on with my career, but also to watch Southampton at home and away as often as possible.

"It would be a dream to work for Southampton FC."

Well known among Internet-using Saints fans, Javier produced a CD- Rom celebrating the career of Matt Le Tissier a few years ago, a video CD in the aftermatch of the 2003 FA Cup Final and is currently working on another CD-Rom featuring interviews, songs and video footage with players, fans and officials.

He was voted Fan of the Year in 2002/03 and Saints fans paid for him to attend the FA Cup final and the Basingstoke Saints Supporters Club bought him an FA Cup final shirt.

"I spent summers in Southampton in 1993 and 1994 but it was not till December 1994 when I was able to see my first game at the Dell against Spurs," he recalled.

"Then I travelled to Coventry and that was the real beginning of my support. It was easy when I loved the city and especially when I met Matt Le Tissier. There was no better player than him in Spain and his magic captured me.

"Travelling away to support the Saints is amazing. I understood what loyalty, togetherness and entertainment is when it all comes together in just one away trip to support the lads."

Javier made one of his regular trips from Spain purely to attend Le Tissier's testimonial game in May 2002.

It was 12 months on from Le Tissier's farewell, the 2003 FA Cup Final, which remains Javier's most cherished day as a Saint.

"I loved that trip. I never cared about losing or winning. I just wanted to enjoy the magic day," he said.

"I was in a heaven before the day, and that day will remain in my memory as the best one. I have never had better days in my life than being in Southampton."