SAINTS are collecting trophies off the pitch as well as on it, with chief executive Gareth Rogers named as one of the region’s top business leaders at the Institute of Directors' London and the South Director of the Year Awards.

With the first team riding high in the table and the Under-21s having already collected silverware in the Premier League Cup, this is proving to be a memorable season at St Mary’s.

It has got even better for Rogers whose contribution has been recognised.

Run by the Institute of Directors and open to members and non-members, the awards are sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and bring together company directors from a variety of backgrounds, recognising their qualities as business leaders.

Rogers was named Director of the Year in the Large Company category.

He said: “It is a great honour to have been named Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors in front of many esteemed colleagues.

“As a business, St Mary’s Football Group Limited and Southampton Football Club have gone through significant changes in the last year and in that time we have pushed the boundaries and strived for excellence in everything we do.

“To lead the growth and the development of the Group and its array of talented staff is a privilege and I hope to continue the upward trend as we develop our sustainable business model.

“I look forward to meeting and learning from my regional peers when we gather again later this year.”

Rodger Broad, Director of the IoD South, said: “The standard set by all our finalists was exceptional, so for Gareth to win is a tremendous achievement.

“He goes forward to the UK IoD awards later in October where he will compete for the title of UK Director of the Year.”