Saints in red despite recent resurgence

Record gate receipts and their best season in nearly 30 years still failed to prevent Southampton plunging into the red last year.

The club's match-day income rose 34 per cent on the back of their run to the FA Cup final and eighth-placed Premiership finish.

With a 31 per cent increase in Sky TV broadcasting revenues and a 24 per cent rise in commercial income, Southampton's total turnover from £37million to £48m last season.

However, players' wages rose by 25 per cent to more than £21m. Day-to-day running costs were also up nearly a quarter and a £7m transfer bill, along with rising interest payments for the new St Mary's Stadium, saw the club record a £484,000 loss.

That rose to £1.4 m after a pay-out of nearly £1m in dividends to City investors and shareholders.