SAINTS boss Alan Pardew has appointed the first two members of his backroom staff.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Dean Wilkins, brother of Chelsea coach Ray, has joined the club as Pardew's number two.

And ex Wimbledon/MK Dons manager and Cherries caretaker Stuart Murdoch also arrives at St Mary's as a part/time goalkeeping coach and scout.

Wilkins, 47, began his playing career as an apprentice at Queens Park Rangers.

After that came spells at Brighton, Leyton Orient and Ducth side PEC Zwolle.

He ended his playing career with a length spell back at the Seagulls, playing over 300 games during nine years at the club.

Wilkins returned as manager in September 2006, after assuming the position of caretaker manager following Mark McGhee's resignation, and remained in charge until the end of the 07/08 season.

Murdoch was in charge at the Dons between 2002 and 2004, during which time the club relocated to Milton Keynes and changed name.

He was appointed manager after a successful spell as caretaker and after originally joining the club as a goalkeeping coach.

Murdoch joined Cherries as a goalkeeping coach in July 2005 before being appointed joint caretaker.

He reverted back to his original coaching role when Kevin Bond took charge at Dean Court in October 2006.

He has also coached at Watford and Norwich and been a chief scout at Millwall.