GOALS GALORE IN SUPER SAINTS FRIENDLY -
19/07/2008
For the second match in a row at the Silverlake Stadium, Eastleigh fans were in for another
real treat after the cracking 2-2 draw with Grays Athletic a week Friday ago.
Southampton brought a youthful side containing Euro 2008 star Marek Saganowski and contract
rebel Nathan Dyer to Eastleigh on this fine afternoon and both teams put on a show for the 1,376 crowd.
Eastleigh had the better of the first half with James Baker scoring after an incredible 19 seconds
and Anthony Riviere making it two midway through the half.
Dyer pulled a goal back for Saints before Poortvliet's side pulled away, overturning the deficit
in the second half with goals from Matthew Paterson and Jamie White.
A mix-up in the Southampton penalty area gifted Chris Mason with the equalising goal three minutes
from time.
SPITFIRES COME OUT ON TOP IN SIX GOAL
THRILLER WITH ANDOVER - 15/07/2008
Eastleigh's 2nd pre-season friendly match, following the 2-2 draw with Grays last Friday was
in tribute of a very special Andover player, Glen Damen, player of almost 400 games for the Lions, in what was his testimonial.
Michael Turvey handed Andover the best possible start with a fourth minute strike before Eastleigh's
James Baker found the equaliser in the 21st minute.
Ian Baird's side pulled away towards the end of the second half with goals from Andy Harris,
a powerful free kick which may have taken a touch off Tom Jordan on the way in, followed by 18-year old centre back Aaron
Martin's first senior goal for the club.
Former Eastleigh reserves right back Craig Martin set up an exciting finale with a phenomenal
strike to reduce the arrears to 2-3, before Tom Jordan wrapped up the win with two minutes to spare.
In the first pre-season friendly ahead of the coming season, Eastleigh took on Blue Square Premier
side Grays Athletic in front of 203 at the Silverlake Stadium.
A new look Spitfires side took charge in the first forty-five minutes and took the lead 24 minutes
in with summer signings James Baker and Matt Groves combining well.
Tony Taggart doubled the lead on 30 minutes with a fine strike from distance to give Eastleigh
a healthy two goal lead at the break.
The youngsters from the academy put in good second half performances but Grays proved to edge
the second half and eventually pulled level eighteen minutes from time.
SPITFIRES WILL PARADE BAKER AGAINST GRAYS -
11/07/2008
- By Wendy Gee
Eastleigh
fans will get a first look at new signing James Baker at home to Grays Athletic tonight (7.45pm) – even though the deal
for the Braintree Town youngster has yet to be concluded.
As
Baker is under 24, Braintree are entitled to a fee for the Essex-based striker, but the clubs can't agree a price and it will
be left to a tribunal,” explained Eastleigh manager Ian Baird.
“We
made Braintree an offer, which we believe to a very fair one based on what we see, but they've decided not to accept it.
“It's
going to cost both clubs money for a tribunal – plus the incovenience of us having to take the day off work to go to
London.”
Click here for full story including, the possibility of Tony Taggart becoming the fifth summer signing and the latest on Mark
Marshall's trial with League One side Swindon Town.
--------------
2008/2009 FIXTURES RELEASED -
03/07/2008
Eastleigh will start the new campaign with an away trip to Hakan Hayrettin's Thurrock on the
opening day of the season, Saturday 9th August.
The first home game will be against Newport County on Tuesday 12th August.
To see the complete list of Eastleigh's Blue Square South fixtures for the coming season, click
here.
JORDAN
HAS COMPANY FOR PROMOTION PUSH - 26/06/2008
- By Wendy Gee
TOM Jordan won't be short of a travelling companion after completing his signing for Blue Square
South outfit Eastleigh this week.
Also new in at the Silverlake Stadium is former Weymouth left-back Trevor Challis who, like
Jordan, will commute to Stoneham Lane from the Bristol area.
Challis, a no-nonsense 32-year-old left-back formerly with QPR, Bristol Rovers, Telford and
Shrewsbury, was part of John Hollins's summer clearout at the Wessex Stadium.
His forthright style made him a firm favourite with the Terras fans and, like centre-back Ashley
Vickers who joined Eastleigh from Weymouth last season, his determination to win is legendary.
Jason Tindall, the ex-Weymouth player-manager, once commented, "One thing with Trevor is you
know what you are going to get week in, week out.
PROMOTION PUSH
"He is like Ashley Vickers - he would put his head in front of a train if it passed him."
Towering centre-back Jordan, who has finally put pen to paper for Eastleigh after months of
wrangling with Havant & Waterlooville, is confident the arrival of players like himself and Challis will give the Spitfires
the added steel they need for a BS South promotion push.
"I watched Eastleigh a few times last year and I've been aware of their progress through the
leagues," said the 27-year-old son of Portsmouth coach and ex-Saints striker, Joe Jordan.
"Ambition is what it's all about for me and I know that the other lads who have come here are
very ambitious as well. Everyone wants to take that extra step up.
"I know the players here at Eastleigh and a lot of them have experienced promotion in the past
with the likes of Weymouth.
"With the players we’ve got and the new faces Ian is bringing in, we have the spine of
a team that is capable of doing very well.
"We’ve got to focus on making a good, quick start to the season and getting points on
the board early.
"The playing staff here will be very strong and competitive."
Eastleigh are still in negotiations with Braintree Town about the signing of young striker James
Baker.
"We’ve agreed a deal, but the lad is under 24 and we can’t agree a compensation
figure," Baird confirmed yesterday.
"We’ve made Braintree a good offer, which they have turned down, and we are still trying
to negotiate."
Andy Forbes, the Spitfires’ perennial top scorer, is booked in for a hernia operation in the first week
of July.
--------------
MARSHALL JOINS ROBINS FOR A WEEK - 25/06/2008
- By Wendy Gee
Eastleigh boss Ian Baird has agreed
to let flying winger Mark Marshall join League One club Swindon Town for a week's training.
Swindon boss Maurice Malpas is keen to take a closer look at the pacy, 21-year-old wideman,
who joined Eastleigh, initially on loan, from Grays Athletic in January as a replacement for Damian Scannell, who was sold
to Southend United when the transfer window opened.
But
though Eastleigh are willing to let Marshall train with the Robins for a week, the young Londoner is under contract with the
Spitfires until the end of next season and Baird stressed: "They certainly won't be having him for pre-season."
After announcing his arrival at the Silverlake Stadium with three goals in his
first two matches, the speedy Marshall played a key part in pushing Eastleigh into the Blue Square South play-off zone.
But the former Yeovil Town player dropped a glass on his foot in a domestic
mis-hap over Easter and his absence from the side coincided with a damaging dip in results which ultimately cost the Spitfires
a play-off place and possible promotion to the Conference National (Blue Square Premier.)
Swindon manager Malpas was not naming names yesterday, but revealed to the local press: "There's
one or two players we've been trying to encourage to come in and do a pre-season here.
"They're going to decide in the next couple of days if that's what they want to do.
"They are midfield players - two wide right players, actually.
"One is out of contract and one is still playing. He's at Eastleigh. He's a
young boy and he is one for the future.
"I've got the nod
for him so I've invited him to pre-season."
Marshall made
it clear when he first joined Eastleigh that his goal was to get into the professional game. "I'm not here to stand in the
way of anybody," said Baird.
--------------
DEAL STRUCK WITH HAVANT AS JORDAN RE-UNITES WITH BAIRD - 20/06/2008
The Tom Jordan transfer saga has come to a welcome end for all Spitfires fans after
an undiclosed fee was agreed between Eastleigh and local rivals Havant and Waterloville.
Dave Malone released the following statement on the clubs messageboard,
which no doubt will be music to the ears of all involved with the club.
"We are delighted to confirm that Eastleigh Football
Club has agreed terms with Havant & Waterlooville for the transfer of Tom Jordan.
It has been decided between the clubs that the
fee involved will remain undisclosed. Personal terms have been agreed with the player, and it is anticipated that the formalities
will be completed early next week."
Eastleigh also secured the services of Braintree Town striker James
Baker who becomes the third summer signing at the Silverlake Stadium ahead of the coming season. Malone continued:
"We can also confirm that we have signed on contract
James Baker, an exciting young striker from Braintree Town. This now gives us three top class strikers, ahead of pre season
training which commences on 1st July.
"We trust that supporters of EFC will recognise that these signings are a clear
indication of our aspirations for a succesful season ahead."
The story was also confirmed in the Portsmouth News:
'I'm delighted it's been sorted out,' said Jordan.
'The last few months were difficult and I just wanted
to play football.
'In hindsight, I think all three parties involved could
have handled things differently.
'Apart from those last few months, though, I had a great
time playing for the Hawks and the Anfield experience was the pinnacle of my career to date.
'I missed my football at the end of last season, but
it has only served to give me a greater hunger for next season. I can't wait to get started again.'
LARGER than life goalkeeper Wayne Shaw will celebrate 22 years in non-league football with a testimonial
at Eastleigh Football Club on Sunday, July 20 (2pm).
A Wayne Shaw XI comprising many of his former non-league teammates will take on an ex-Saints side packed
with old Dell favourites such as Francis Benali, Jason Dodd, Jimmy Case, Glenn Cockerill, Steve Baker, Paul Jones, Ian Baird
and Tommy Widdrington.
It will complete an entertaining weekend of Saints past and present at the Silverlake Stadium, following
hot on the heels of the Eastleigh v Southampton pre-season friendly, kicking off at 3pm on Saturday, July 19.
Outside St Mary's, there are few more recognisable local footballers than 20-stone Shaw who, despite his
ample size, established himself as one of the most agile and reliable goalkeepers in the non-league game after starting out
at BAT Sports at the age of 15.
These days the 38-year-old ice cream man from Totton works as a goalkeeping coach for Eastleigh, passing
on the benefit of his experience to the academy boys, and he still turns out for Ex-Saints having once been an associate schoolboy
at The Dell.
There will be a special £10 ticket for a family of four to watch Shaw’s testimonial. Otherwise admission
will be £5 for adults and £2 for children/senior citizens.
--------------
U's CAPTURE TWO MORE FORMER SPITFIRES - 18/06/2008
Yesterday two more former Eastleigh players linked up with Paul Doswell
at his new club, Sutton United.
Defenders Chris Collins and Karim El-Salahi had both been released
by the Silverlake Stadium club and were therefore free to open talks with Sutton.
A statement on the Sutton United website confirmed the signings: "The U's have signed defender Chris Collins from Eastleigh. The 27 year-old centre-back missed much of last season
through injury but is highly regarded.
Joining him at the heart of United's defence will
be Karim El-Salahi, who impressed last season during a loan spell from Eastleigh and has now signed a contract at The Lane
after being released by the Hampshire outfit."
Doswell's latest captures (Collins and El-Salahi), takes his tally
of ex-Eastleigh players to join him at his new charges to a staggering eight having already captured Steve West, Matt Hann,
Jack Smith, Adam Wilde, Adam Roberts, and most recently Steve Watts who joined last week.
--------------
PRE-SEASON FIXTURES 2008/9 - 16/06/2008
FIRST TEAM -
Friday 11th July: Grays Athletic - HOME, 7.45pm
Tuesday 15th July: Andover
- AWAY, 7.45 pm
Saturday 19th July:Southampton XI - HOME,
3 pm
Wednesday 23rd July:Crystal Palace - Errea South West Cup at Appledore, 6pm
Thursday 24th July:Torquay United – Errea South West
Cup at Bideford, 8pm
Tuesday 29th July:Farnborough Town
- AWAY, 7.45pm
Saturday 2nd
August:A F C Bournemouth - HOME, 3pm
--------------
RESERVE / YOUTH TEAM -
16th August league starts
Friday 18th July:Ringwood Town - AWAY Saturday 26th July:Whitchurch
United - AWAY Wednesday 30th July:Romsey Town - AWAY Saturday 2nd August: Team Solent
- AWAY Tuesday 5th August:Tadley
Calleva - AWAY
--------------
LADIES TEAM -
20.07.08:Bisley FC v Eastleigh FC 2pm k.o 31.08.08:Chichester
United FC v Eastleigh FC 2pm k.o Ground: Oaklands Park
--------------
SUPPORTERS
TEAM -
07.06.08:
Basingstoke Town
- AWAY
(Won 3-2 - Motty, Read and Montigue) 12.07.08 - Dorchester Town - AWAY, 11:30pm k.o
--------------
KARL MURRAY RELEASED, GROVES SIGNING COMPLETE - 04/06/2008
Karl signed for Eastleigh in February 2008 from Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic until the end of next
season (2008/9). However, despite playing consistently well and making a very good start to life at the Silverlake Stadium,
the former Woking man became the next man of a long line to have been released in the close season as Ian Baird remoulds his
squad whilst trimming the wage bill in order to aim for quality and not quantity for the coming year.
Murray made his debut coming on as a sub in the away 0-0 draw
with Sutton United, but twisted his ankle meaning he missed the mid-week clash with Eastbourne Borough. Returned to make his
full debut, in the 3-1 win over Welling United and from here the midfielder was an ever-present in the side.
In other news, the signing of 28-year old striker Matt Groves has now gone through becoming Baird's
first addition to the squad for the new campaign signing from the Blue Square South Champions Lewes. Groves, who previously
played for Dorchester Town made 27 starts for the Rooks scoring 12 goals.
Five more Eastleigh players have this week left the club, following the already departed Paul Sales (VTFC),
Matt Hann (Sutton United), Chris Piper and Steve Watts (Sutton United) out of the club.
It has been revealed that left back Adam Everitt, veteran Fitzroy Simpson, experienced defender Warren Goodhind,
recently signed winger Kevin James and promising youngster Adam Roberts have all been added to the above list.
Discussing the departures, Baird explained in today's Daily Echo: "Adam Everitt's a great lad who gives his
all but, unfortunately, he was booked 15 times last season and at some stage he's got to wake up and realise he won't be playing
too often if he carries on like that.
"I didn't want to lose Matt Hann - he's a good pro who scored 12 goals last season and didn't do at all badly.
"But he had an agreement before I came to the club that he would only train once a week. As a manager, I
can't give players special dispensations.
"Fitzroy Simpson was only ever going to be with us until the end of last season and I believe he's got a
job with the Jamaican FA.
"Warren Goodhind's a good lad and we offered him a deal, but he felt insulted by it. I'm not sure where he's
gone."
Meanwhile it has also been reported that ill-fortuned centre back Chris Collins, who spent the best part
of the 2007/8 season sidelined through injuries could also be on his way out. It is thought Collins is set to link up with
Paul Doswell’s new charges Sutton United.
Amid the recent cost cutting measures, central midfielder Karl Murray has been transfer-listed. The former
Grays Athletic man made the switch to the Silverlake Stadium in February this year, penning a deal until the end of the 2008/9
season. Baird commented: "I don’t want Karl Murray to go, but we’ve had to put him on the transfer list purely
because of the wages he’s on."
--------------
BAIRD NOT SEEING FUNNY SIDE OF SEASON
-By Wendy Gee
"We did throw the kitchen sink at trying to get into the play-offs and we did slightly overpay on certain players and are
still overpaying some of our current players," he said.
"As a group we didn’t achieve what we set out to do, so my message to anyone who feels they want to
move on is please do."
Eastleigh still have 11 contracted players: Jason Matthews, Andy Harris, Luke Byles, Ashley Vickers, Jamie
Brown, Anthony Riviere, Andy Forbes, Mark Marshall, Matt Hann, Karl Murray and Peter Adeniyi. Defenders Warren Goodhind and
Chris Collins are both believed to have rejected reduced deals, while Adam Everitt has so far been invited back only for pre-season.
"I've had calls from agents representing my players and Ive told them that if they can find them better deals
with other clubs, then go ahead and I'm talking about everyone there," said Baird.
"I get fed up with this every year.
These players are in Conference South part-time football, but about 90 per cent of them dont work so they
consider themselves to be professional footballers, training twice a week and playing on a Saturday.
In my book, anyone who wants money in life has got to earn it and, unfortunately this season, we underachieved
and we didn't earn it.
Now I've got players telling me they want this and that but the question I ask is: Did this group of players
really want promotion?"
He has taken the club from the Wessex League to the Blue Square
South and has always given his heart and soul into Eastleigh Football Club, but news out of the blue this morning on the official
website confirmed that Eastleigh great Paul Doswell has resigned from his position on the Board as an equity Director
and also as Assistant Manager to Ian Baird.
Chairman Paul Murray commented on the shock revelation.“Paul has been the driving force in taking the Club from the Wessex
League to the Conference South.
His contribution to this process has been immense. I, for one, will sorely miss him. I have worked
closely with Paul throughout the last five years and he has always been a most important part of the team that has got us
to where we are today.
He has been a player, manager, director and shareholder here at Eastleigh and his legendary status
at the Club is secure. We will now move forward and continue to build on what Paul has started.”
Paul's enthusiasm and character will be sorely missed around the club, I'd just like to add my thanks for
what he has done and wish him all the best for the future.
--------------
PLAYERS RELEASED - 04/05/2008
Eastleigh have wasted little time, having missing out on a playoff place, in
reassessing the squad ahead of the summer and the new 2008/2009 campaign.
Two veteran strikers are among the three names leaving the club.
The third player was a key member throughout the season passed playing in excess of 40 games. A statement on the club
messageboard from Eastleigh's Director of Football Dave Malone confirmed:
"Following extensive discussions today (Saturday), Eastleigh Football Club can confirm that we have released
both Paul Sales and Steve Watts. We can also confirm that Chris Piper has declined our offer of a new contract.
We would like to express our sincere thanks
to the above players for their significant contribution to the Club - and wish them all well for the future."
Malone also revealed the search for replacements to strengthen the squad are already well on the way.
"The Club are currently in negotiations with several other members of our playing staff, in respect of terms
for next season. We are also at an advanced stage in negotiations with players we hope we may sign in the near future."
Needing a win to ensure a place in the playoffs, Eastleigh went down by four goals to one in a poor display
away from home against a side who beat Newport by the same resounding scoreline earlier this week.
It may be the end of the line for now, but all is not lost in what has been our best season yet
in the Blue Square South with this sixth placed finish coming so near yet so far.
Dave Malone posted the following thank you on the messageboard following the game this afternoon: "The Directors, Committee, Management & Players
of Eastleigh Football Club would like to thank all our supporters for their tremendous loyalty throughout this season. None
more so than today, when we were backed from the first minute to the last at our game at Thurrock.
It is such a pity
that we were not able to produce a performance today that would have capped a great season. It just seemed that it was not
to be, and anything that could conceivably go wrong - did go wrong. But, no excuses - we believe that league tables do not
lie - and our best efforts were, at the end of a long season, just not quite good enough.
So, enjoy the summer - and
rest assured that we will all be working tirelessly behind the scenes to try and ensure that the 2008/2009 season ends in
an even better manner - and that we give it our best shot to try and achieve promotion to the next level."
Match Report - 
The Tom Jordan transfer saga has come to a welcome end for all Spitfires fans after
an undiclosed fee was agreed between Eastleigh and local rivals Havant and Waterloville. 
Karl signed for Eastleigh in February 2008 from Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic until the end of next
season (2008/9). However, despite playing consistently well and making a very good start to life at the Silverlake Stadium,
the former Woking man became the next man of a long line to have been released in the close season as Ian Baird remoulds his
squad whilst trimming the wage bill in order to aim for quality and not quantity for the coming year.
"We did throw the kitchen sink at trying to get into the play-offs and we did slightly overpay on certain players and are
still overpaying some of our current players," he said. 
He has taken the club from the Wessex League to the Blue Square
South and has always given his heart and soul into Eastleigh Football Club, but news out of the blue this morning on the official
website confirmed that Eastleigh great Paul Doswell has resigned from his position on the Board as an equity Director
and also as Assistant Manager to Ian Baird.
Eastleigh have wasted little time, having missing out on a playoff place, in
reassessing the squad ahead of the summer and the new 2008/2009 campaign.