SAINTS' executive directors could be facing a Christmas battle for their jobs.

The Daily Echo understands that major shareholders are unhappy with the way that the full-time paid members of the club's PLC board are running the club.

As a result, there is the possibility of a vote of no confidence in them being put forward for shareholders to vote on at the club's annual meeting.

The three leading shareholders - Leon Crouch, Michael Wilde and Rupert Lowe - have enough power to easily vote the executives out of a job.

Between them, they own or control more than 50 per cent of the Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC stock.

Possibly only two would need to vote should the other abstain.

But the Echo understands the executives are not seriously concerned at present about that scenario unfolding.

They believe there would not be widespread shareholder support for such a move unless a viable alternative, which currently does not exist, was put forward to fill the gap they would leave.

The alternative would have to be put to shareholders at the same time as any vote of no confidence in the executives to stand any chance of gaining enough support.

At the moment no date has been set for the AGM, which last year took place in mid-November.

The club's annual accounts have been audited but, with the Sisu bid up in the air, have been delayed.

But as the Sisu proposal has yet to be accepted or dismissed by Wilde, Crouch and Lowe, the accounts will be released soon - probably next week.

Under PLC rules, an AGM has to take place a minimum of 21 days after the accounts are out.

With that timescale, shareholders are looking at a date just before Christmas. However, the Echo understands it could even take place between Christmas and the New Year.

A major shareholder told the Echo: "We're told the club is losing £1m a month yet the first option appears to be selling our best players.

"Nothing else appears to be done and as shareholders our duty is to look after the club."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.