Rupert Lowe has warned Southampton fans it will take time to get the ailing Championship club back on a sound financial footing after completing his return to power at St Mary's.

Lowe and fellow ex-chairman Michael Wilde have been reappointed directors after previous supremo Leon Crouch and fellow board members Patrick Trant and Keith Wiseman resigned ahead of the EGM at which they would have been voted out.

"It is good to be back but there is a big job to do. People have to realise this club has got serious financial problems," Lowe, who was himself ousted by Wilde two years ago, told the club's official website.

"I don't want to rake over old ground and talk about who did what and why we are in this situation, but the fact is that over the last two years this club has lived a life far beyond what it can afford.

"The fans have to understand that it is not a good picture and Michael and I are here to restore the club to financial health. We will reinstate long-term rather than short-term planning.

"There are no promises. It is going to be a long fightback and fans have to understand that."