BUSINESSES all over the south coast are phoning to secure corporate hospitality packages at the Saints in the new year, but are finding they are too late!

Saints has sold out its entire 1,500 seat corporate hospitality allocation for matches from the end of December to the start of March and have even had to find extra provision in a top hotel nearby, to cater for additional demand.

Furthermore, 90 per cent has already been sold over the busy December period, and with the team flying up the table, there are even more reasons for Saints to cheer this Christmas.

Head of sales at Southampton FC James McLaughlin believes the success is due to an improved corporate hospitality offering at the club.

He said: "It's a success story on and off the pitch at Southampton FC at the moment and the whole club is looking to keep the momentum going. It's a complete team effort and we are seeing the benefits from this.

"Hospitality at football matches is not just about watching football in nice surroundings anymore. Matchday entertainment is now a six hour package. We know we have to provide more than just football, so we've widened the choice on the menu and added a whole new dimension to the day's entertainment. In addition, we constantly strive to ensure the service is first class.

"Along with celebrity football speakers we have Saints legends Matt Le Tissier and Peter Osgood who recall some superb stories and we've had some fantastic feedback from our guests."

Over 70 per cent of hospitality packages are sold to businesses and Saints are finding that many companies are coming back each match. The operation has dramatically moved on from The Dell days when only 150 hospitality seats were available and the club had no problem selling out.

"It's a good sign when you get repeat business," James comments. "It's extremely important to offer something very different. We are serving up some great seasonal offers and we could sell out over Christmas as well."

This season the Manchester United game in February has proven so popular that Saints has booked an additional 200 lunches at the De Vere Grand Harbour to cater for the extra demand. The Liverpool game is going the same way and the club has only a limited number of off-site bookings left, which include match tickets.

For enquires on matchday corporate hospitality contact Saints marketing department on 0870 2200175.