Flybe have taken the decision to end their partnership with Southampton after 4 years as their shirt sponsor. Southampton have since decided that for the 2010-11 season they will not have a sponsor on the shirt and instead use the opportunity to produce a unique Southampton home shirt to commemorate the clubs 125th year anniversary.

The Southampton supporters are known for being loyal fans of the club even though they were relegated to League One last season and with the club in a better financial position than they were this has allowed the club to make this gesture to the fans.

“The current support that we have experienced has been so great, and we are well aware of this special celebration that we have coming up. We consider it to be very special, and despite the fact that we have only been involved in the very recent history of the Club, we are now a part of its future. That is why we wanted to make this gesture, from us to the fans, to produce a special shirt in a special year.” Said Executive Chairman Nicola Cortese.

“I don’t want to reveal anything about the shirt at this point, but it is definitely a shirt that I am 100% convinced the fans will like. It is a one off commemorative product that will never be produced again.

“Our finance allows us to take such a decision, which I think is great news, not just for Southampton Football Club, but also for the fans as they will hopefully recognise that we are in the unprecedented position to be able to refuse sponsorship agreements for our shirt, because we want to make this special gesture towards the fans.

“In my previous messages I have always made reference to how grateful we are to the fans. However, I believe that actions speak louder than words, and I hope that this action will show our fans how much we value their support.”