A regional daily has committed to retaining two football reporters despite the fact that the club they cover has been relegated from the Premier League.

The Southern Daily Echo has vowed to maintain “in-depth and on-the-ground” coverage of Southampton FC, whose demotion to the second-tier Championship was confirmed at the weekend.

In an open letter to readers, the Echo confirmed two reporters – Benjy Nurick and Alfie House – will continue to cover every men’s game in pre-season, the Championship, FA Cup, League Cup “and anything beyond”.

Last year, the Newsquest-owned Echo launched digital-only title Saintsplus, which offers exclusive content about the club to paying subscribers, and the newspaper has also pledged to keep its offering “as attractive as possible”.

The vote of confidence comes after recent cuts to football reporting at rival publisher Reach plc as part of a wider group restructure.

Just along the south coast, AFC Bournemouth reporter Dan Davies left Reach’s Dorset Live website following the changes – with no new stories about the Premier League club published by the title since mid-April.

Alfie, pictured, wrote in the open letter: “Despite the club’s position, I feel very privileged to be able to say that our Saints coverage will remain as in-depth and on-the-ground as it has been for well over a century.

“Two reporters will continue to cover every men’s game in pre-season, the Championship, FA Cup, League Cup and anything beyond.

“We will continue our proud endeavour of bringing the most comprehensive coverage of the women’s team as they embark on a second season in the Championship, and the title-winning youth teams.

“I really appreciate everybody who has read, commented on or shared any of our pieces this season. It has been a tougher year for us all with results on the pitch and everything off it.

“As I become more closely acquainted with the club and understand more what you, the readers, want from our coverage, I aim to step up further across the Daily Echo website, our social media and our newsletters.

“We will also continue to help make our Daily Echo subscription package as attractive as possible with long-from Saints analysis and opinion as well as a steady stream of regular features.”