It is not just about the playing squad these days at Southampton Football Club, it is about building a structure that will last

Saints are building strong foundations these days not just on the pitch but off it too, whilst it is only natural that some of the backroom staff will be of a transient nature, especially those brought in by a manager, the aim is to have as many people in place who will see themselves as Southampton FC for the long term.

This is not a process that you can create overnight, but the club has made several appointments recently off the pitch that show they are striving towards their goal of being a club that is unique and groundbreaking.

So the latest press release from St Mary's is pleasing, not just because it shows that Saints are keen to keep a man regarded as one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the country, but because it shows they are by making him head of goalkeeping that they are keen to progress the system they have of identifying and training their keepers.

Below is the press release from the club.

Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that Dave Watson has extended his contract and taken on the position of Head of Goalkeeping.

Watson joined the club as Senior Goalkeeping Coach two years ago, and has been an integral part of the first-team staff since then.

He will continue his duties coaching the keepers in the first-team squad, but will now also oversee the work carried out at all levels.

"I'm delighted that the club have wanted to offer me a new contract,” he said. “I had no hesitation in signing that.

“The club have been very good to me and given me a fantastic opportunity. They made a lot of effort to get me to the club two years ago, and I had no hesitation in repaying that loyalty for the opportunity they have given to me.

"We've got a fantastic department, running very well at the moment anyway. But, obviously, the main priority was overseeing the senior department.

“But we've got fantastic coaches in Vince Bartram and Ryan Flood, who work underneath that, and it's making sure we try to have a conveyor belt of talent coming through that's ready to come and work with me and challenge to get into the first-team, and making sure they've got the resources to improve the work they are doing, which has obviously been of a very high standard already.”

Watson, who is also the England goalkeeping coach, added that he felt he and the club have been an excellent fit for each other.

Executive Director of Football Les Reed commented: "I am delighted that Dave has put pen to paper and it is another example of belief in the Southampton Way and commitment for the long-term.

“When Fraser Forster committed his future to the club, it was important to ensure Dave was secured.

“The relationship between the goalkeeping coach and his protégés is often underestimated. It makes sense to ensure there is stability and continuity in this department.

“Additionally, we have some very promising keepers in the Academy, and it is important we have the structure in place to ensure they can turn their potential into excellence."

Picture courtesy of Southampton Football Club

Photo: Action Images

Butty101 added 08:30 - Jul 26 Who was the last keeper Saints brought through the youth academy that played regularly in the first team?
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helpineedsomebody added 09:09 - Jul 26 the club is awash with money upgrade the stadium & then you can employ 600 more staff
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SaintNick added 09:17 - Jul 26 Butty, Exactly that s why we need to be getting a better coaching structure in for goalkeepers, both in recruitment and how they are coached, it is something that we have perhaps lacked in the past.
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Stephen added 12:06 - Jul 26 I'm not sure that the club is awash with money. At the end of the 14/15 season I reckon we nearly paid off the £30M Cortese overspend. This season we maybe have £50M in the bank. That is not a lot for a rainy day. We need a couple more seasons before we can start stepping out. I'd love to get a gander at the 5 year plan.
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