THESE two will be a regular fixture in the regional business community. The new head of sales at the Saints is Rupert Vitoria, with Georgie Sayle taking the reins as sponsorship executive for the club.

Rupert, 29, who previously worked for London-based sports marketing agency WSM, has worked widely in organising and arranging sponsorship for major events including European Tour Golf.

Rupert is relishing the challenge of taking the Saints brand forward.

He said: "Premiership clubs are developing as major national and international brands and Southampton has taken that to a new level.

"I hope to bring some of my experience from working with sports agencies to bear in helping the club to move forward.''

Rupert will be working with Georgie, who previously worked in sports marketing and with IMG TWI - the TV arm of the world's biggest sports management company.

Both have also been enjoying the out-of-office part of the job - cheering on the team, already something of a tradition in Rupert's family.

Despite having been raised in Lincoln, he comes from a Saints-mad background, following in his father and grandfather's steps as a supporter.

"My father is originally from Brockenhurst and is a huge Saints fan,'' he said.

"In fact he went to school in St Mary's. He used to see Saints at The Dell but he's been in America for a while and has never been to the new stadium.

"He's thrilled about this job. He's coming back soon and is really looking forward to joining me here for some matches.''

Rupert studied at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire, before taking a degree in business studies at Oxford Brookes University.

His first job was as marketing manager for Middlesex CC at Lords, before moving to WSM.

There his work included helping arrange sponsorship for European Tour Golf, the Zimbabwe cricket Union, Twenty 20 cricket and organising events such as the Barbados Open. He also worked with Nick Faldo's golf company and McLaren Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen on brand building. The move to Southampton was the culmination of a long-held ambition - although he didn't initially know the job was with the Saints.

"When I was first told about this job, the sports recruitment company didn't tell me which club it was. It was even more of a bonus when I found out.''

For Georgie, 24, a keen sportswoman who has played both volleyball and lacrosse competitively, her new post also fulfils a dream.

"I had been working in sponsorship for the Volvo Ocean Race and Formula One,'' she said.

"But Premiership football is the place to be.

"I'm responsible for sourcing new companies and, once a sponsor is on board, it is my responsibility to look after them and see they are getting maximum exposure.

"Our main aim is to raise the club's profile at national and international level.''

Andrew Cowen, managing director at Southampton FC, said: "We are delighted to have Rupert and Georgie on board."