Alan Whitehead MP has praised Southampton FC for their work in the community and pledged his full support to all their future projects.

Covering Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, Saints in the community welcomes 20,000 participants and ploughs £250,000 a year back into the city of Southampton.

And Mr. Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, met with club Chairman Nicola Cortese, Head of Saints in the Community Mark Abrahams and The Football League to learn more about the vital work orchestrated by the club across the city and local region.

"I will do everything I can to support the club and the great work that they do," said Mr. Whitehead who is a lifelong Saints fan and season ticket holder.

"It is clear that the club's work reaches places that other organisations can't. The club is delivering real change across the City and I am very proud of the positive impact they are having."

Providing 300 coaching sessions a week, Southampton's community set-up casts a wide net across the region on issues ranging from social inclusion, education, health and crime reduction.

"It is fantastic to have the support of Mr. Whitehead, it will make a huge difference to the work we are undertaking in the local community," admitted Abrahams.

"I would like to thank him for responding positively to our invitation, meeting with us to hear our vision of expanding the community side and taking the club out to as many people as possible.

"The new owners have made it clear that the community programme of Southampton FC is fundamental and they are committed - as is the Chairman - to developing and sustaining it in the future."

And Gavin Megaw, Director of External Affairs at The Football League - who was present at the meeting - added:

"Southampton are yet another example of a Football League club giving something back to their local community. Football has the power to change communities for the better, and that is exactly what Southampton FC are doing. It is fantastic to see a Member of Parliament recognise and support the vital work going on at the club."

(left to right) - Gavin Megaw, Nicola Cortese, Alan Whitehead and Mark Abrahams