NEW director, Leon Crouch, tonight suggested that Saints fans had "got their club back" following the departure of chairman, Rupert Lowe.

The decision by Crouch to ultimately throw his shareholding weight behind Michael Wilde is widely regarded as a move which ultimately forced Lowe and four other members of the Saints board to quit.

The New Forest industrialist revealed to the Daily Echo on Thursday that he would be throwing his ten per cent shareholding behind Wilde at Monday's EGM.

That effectively gave Wilde a huge advantage going into the St Mary's showdown and 24 hours later Rupert Lowe made his dramatic exit.

Speaking about his decision to side with Wilde, Crouch said tonight: "I am sure that was a key behind Rupert Lowe's decision."

And he added: "Saints fans have got their club back again. It is their club. Without the fans, there would be no club."

Crouch acknowledged the part the former Saints chairman played at the club over the past ten years, including bringing financial stability to St Mary's and success on the field.

But he said: "It was time for Rupert to go. I am glad he has made that decision. He has put the club top of the agenda, and not himself, and I would like to thank him for that."

The new Saints director said he was confident manager George Burley would stay, and he was looking forward to working with him.

And it was his goal to seeing St Mary's full again with fans, particularly families, but the only way to do that was for success on the field.

"It is business as usual," he added. "George is there, he has our support and I am sure he will bring in quality players into the side.

"I am looking forward to an interesting season."