LOW fare airline Flybe has confirmed it is to be Saints new shirt sponsor in a multi-million pound three-year deal.

As first revealed in the Daily Echo back on February 22, Flybe will replace Friends Provident as the main club and official shirt sponsor at the end of the season.

Friends announced it was ending its involvement with the club earlier this month.

There is no new deal for the stadium naming rights, so when Friends Provident is taken off the faade, the club's home will be known simply as St Mary's.

Exact figures for the deal, which puts Flybe branding on all first and reserve team strips, are being kept under wraps. The new kit will be available to supporters from July 2006.

Flybe claims it will now "reward fans with flight ticket give-aways at every home game" and other benefits include assistance "where possible" with travel to away games.

... and Ricardo's begun to take lessons already!

SAINTS striker Ricardo Fuller has been playing like Superman since his return from a loan spell with Ipswich ... at Crystal Palace on Saturday he attempted to fly like the comicbook hero too! Fuller grabbed his fifth goal in as many games, but Saints squandered numerous chances to lose 2-1.

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