Eastleigh F.C.

Eastleigh

Full name	Eastleigh Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Spitfires
Founded	1946 (1946) as Swaythling Athletic
Ground	Ten Acres, Eastleigh
Ground Capacity	5,192 (2,700 seated)
Chairman	Stewart Donald
Manager	Richard Hill
League	Conference Premier
2014–15	Conference Premier, 4th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours

Eastleigh Football Club is an English professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference Premier and play at Ten Acres.

History

Formation to Wessex league (1946–1986)

The club was formed on 22 May 1946 by Derik Brooks and a group of friends in the Fleming Arms public house and originally known as Swaythling Athletic, which then changed to Swaythling. In 1950 they joined Hampshire League, and in 1980 were renamed Eastleigh. Eastleigh were consistently one of the stronger teams in the top tier of the Hampshire League, division one, in the early 1980s and they achieved their highest final position of 4th three times: in 1982, 1984 and 1985. Their first match in the F.A.Cup was a 2–1 success against Southern League side Poole Town in 1981. They went on to beat Melksham Town in the next round before succumbing 2–4 to another Southern League side, Dorchester Town.

Wessex league (1986–2002)

In 1986 they were accepted as one of the founding members of the Wessex League and managed an 8th place finish in their first season in 1986–1987. Eastleigh FC didn't manage a top seven finish until the 1995–96 season when a 4th-place finish was achieved, the first of six consecutive top-seven finishes. Paul Doswell joined the club in 2002 as manager and oversaw three successive promotions.

Rise up the leagues (2002–2005)

In 2002–03 they won the Wessex league and were promoted to Division One East of the Southern League. After finishing fourth in their first season, the club were promoted due to the formation of the Conference North and South taking clubs from the division above, and were transferred into the Premier Division of the Isthmian League.

The club finished third in its first season in the Premier Division, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Braintree Town 2–0 in the semi-final, they were promoted to the Conference South after a 2–1 victory over Leyton in the final. The club also won the Russell Cotes cup, beating Gosport Borough FC 3–1 in the final.

Conference South (2005–2014)

Eastleighs first game in the Conference South was a 1–0 defeat to Hayes. Eastleigh finished their first season in the Conference South in a creditable 8th place. Eastleigh narrowly missed out on a playoff place in the 2007–08 season coming 6th after a final day defeat at Thurrock 4–1. In 2008–09 they finished third, but lost to Hayes & Yeading United in the play-off semi-finals despite holding 4–0 advantage at one stage during the 1st leg. In the 2009–10 season Eastleigh reached the first round proper of the FA cup for the first time losing narrowly to Barrow 2–1.

The ownership of the club changed in late 2011. On 26 November 2011, following a meeting of the Board, it was announced that an offer for the majority shareholding of the club from Bridle Insurance Limited had been recommended for acceptance by the current shareholders, who were the primary sponsor of Oxford United.^[1] The company, based in Witney, Oxfordshire, is known for providing financial backing to Glen Hoddle's football academies. Chief executive Stewart Donald and chief operations officer Neil Fox would both come on to the Eastleigh board as directors, with Paul Murray remaining as chairman. Part of Bridle's 5-year plan for the club is to get the ground up to league standard, by looking at financing a 7,500 all-seater stadium, and to get the club into the football league.^[2]

The takeover by Bridle Insurance was eventually confirmed, when the club announced the company had acquired the club's shares on 1 February 2012.^[3] Later, on 9 February, Director of Football Dave Malone, who joined the club in May 2006, stood down from his post, in order to allow the new owners to take the club forward in the manner they see fit.^[4]

On 23 March 2012, Chairman Paul Murray stood down from his post with immediate effect. Murray had stood down as Chairman when the club was sold to Bridle Insurance, but had remained at the club in the Non Executive Chairman role. Mick Geddes was later appointed as his successor.^[5]

On 16 May 2012, Eastleigh won their first Silverware for 7 years beating AFC Totton 2–0 in the final of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

On Tuesday 11 September 2012, following 3 successive league defeats, the last 4–0 away to newly promoted side Billericay Town, the club announced following a meeting between manager Ian Baird and Stewart Donald, it was agreed that Ian Baird would leave the club with immediate effect.^[6] Baird's replacement was announced the following day as ex-Stevenage Borough manager Richard Hill. Hill has also had spells assisting John Gregory at both Wycombe Wanderers and QPR, and Brian Little at Aston Villa. He has also been employed as assistant manager at Gillingham, Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town.^[7]

Eastleigh came close to achieving promotion to the Conference Premier for the first time during the 2012–13 Season, by making the Conference South Play-Offs through finishing 4th in the league. After initially losing the 1st leg of the semi finals against Dover Athletic at home 3–1, Eastleigh overturned this with a 2–0 away win in the 2nd leg. Due to the absence of away goals advantage for either team, the match eventually went to penalties, with Eastleigh losing 4–2.^[8] Eastleigh won the Conference South in 2013–2014, sealing the title in front of a crowd of over 1,500 on 18 April 2014 when they beat Basingstoke Town FC 2–1^[9] and achieved promotion to the Conference Premier for the first time in the club's history for the 2014–2015 season.

Conference premier (2014–)

Eastleighs first game in the Conference Premier was a 3–0 victory at Nuneaton Town. Their second game was their first ever televised game live on BT Sport, beating Aldershot Town 1–0 with an injury time winning goal. The 2014–15 season also saw Eastleigh's second appearance in the FA Cup 1st round proper, where they reached the second round for the first time, beating Lincoln City in the first round with a last minute goal.^[10] Eastleigh lost 2–1 at Southport in their first ever FA cup second round fixture.

Eastleigh spent their entire first season in the top half of the league and enjoyed an unbeaten run at home until into the new year. As home form dipped their away form soared picking up some impressive victories at Braintree, Chester and most notably Bristol Rovers whom they beat 2–1. Easteligh sealed a 4th place finish after 5 consecutive wins culminating in a 2-1 win at home to Kidderminster in front of over 4,000 people.

Stadium

Eastleigh FC moved to Ten Acres in 1957 from their previous ground Walnut Avenue. The clubs's record attendance is 4,216 for a conference premier match against Macclesfield on 28 February 2015, this match was live on BT sport and saw Eastleigh win convincingly 4–0.

In 1976 floodlights were added to Ten Acres.

In 2004, following promotion to the Ryman premier league, the old wooden stand was knocked down, and a new 352-seat grandstand was built on the halfway line stretching for just under a third of the pitch. Behind the motorway end hard standing was hard pitchside standing with a cover, this was named the Silverlake Stand. In 2006, the roof was widened across the Silverlake Stand to cover the whole width of the pitch.

Until 2006, the area opposite the grandstand was just hard standing backing into a tall fir trees. During the summer of 2006, a metal back and roof were added, along with an electronic scoreboard on the roof which was the Premier Telecom stand.

In 2009 150 seats were added to the middle of the Silverlake Stand to give Eastleigh the necessary ground grading to compete in the Conference South playoffs.

The ground was, again, extensively redeveloped during 2014. New pitch side fencing was installed following damage to the previous fencing during Eastleighs championship winning game against Basingstoke. The former East stand at Sandy Park (home of Exeter chiefs RFC) was rebuilt along the premier telecom side of the ground as well as behind the clubhouse goal providing a covered terraced accommodation for 2,000 spectators. On 2 December 2014, the newly completed 2,290-seater South Stand was opened for the first time in a Conference Premier game against Dartford F.C. with the club allowing spectators in for free to celebrate the occasion.^[11] The Mackoy community stand was officially opened on 28 February 2015 as Eastleigh beat Macclesfield 4–0 in front of a record crowd of 4,216 live on BT sport.

The clubhouse goal has been affectionately named the "shed end" and is where most vocal home fans congregate.

Club Colours, nickname & Mascot

Eastleigh's colours are blue and white. They play in predominantly blue shirts with a white trim. They have white shorts and blue socks.

The club were without an official nickname until 2005 when a competition was run amongst the fans and "spitfires" was chosen by supporter Mike Wimbridge.

After Eastleigh FC gained its official nickname the club had an irregular mascot, spitfire the dog. However in 2015 a new mascot was selected, Brooksy the Bear, in honour of Mr Derik Brooks, who founded the club in 1946.

Rivalries

In Eastleigh's earlier Wessex league days they had rivalries with Sholing Sports, Hamble as well as a continued rivalry with AFC Totton, who beat them 2–1 in the Wessex league cup final in the 2002–2003 season. As Eastleigh rose through the leagues their main rivals become Salisbury City FC whom they enjoyed a 4–0 victory at in the 2003–2004 season. They have also had a rivalry with Havant and Waterlooville in recent years, largely sparked by the appointment of Ian Baird as Eastleigh manager in 2007.

Former players

Amongst the players who have played for Eastleigh and went on to play in The Football League are:

• Mark Marshall
• Aaron Martin
• Damian Scannell
• Brett Williams
• Anton Robinson

Current squad

As of 5 February 2015.^[12]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Ross Flitney 2 DF Dan Spence 3 DF Michael Green 5 DF Dean Beckwith 6 DF Chris Todd (player-coach) 7 FW Yemi Odubade (On loan to Woking) 8 MF Craig Stanley 9 FW James Constable 10 MF Jai Reason 11 FW Craig McAllister (player-assistant manager) 12 FW Jack Midson 13 FW Stuart Fleetwood (On loan to Forest Green Rovers) 14 MF Ben Strevens 15 DF Jack Smith

No. Position Player 16 MF Will Evans 17 DF Paul Reid 18 MF Harrison Weeks 19 MF Brian Howard 21 GK Lewis Noice 22 FW Tony Lee 23 FW Hussein Heidari 24 GK Josh Helm 25 DF Jamie Turley 26 DF Joe Partington (On loan from AFC Bournemouth) 27 MF Harry Pell 28 FW Dan Walker (On loan from Braintree Town) 29 FW Deon Burton

Non-playing staff

According to Club website^[13]

• Chairman Stewart Donald
• Chief Executive/Finance Director Mark Jewell
• Directors Stewart Donald, Mick Geddes, Pete Vickery, Mark Jewell, Mick Budny, Alan Harding, Allen Prebble
• Vice-Chairmen Mick Budny, Alan Harding, Allen Prebble
• Life President Derik Brooks
• 1st Team Manager Richard Hill
• Assistant Manager Craig McAllister
• First Team Coach Chris Todd
• Head of Youth Lee Peacock
• Academy Manager Dan Wright
• Treatment of Injuries Andy Cook

Notable Managers

Name	Nationality	From	To	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win%[14]	Honours
Trevor Parker	England	TBC	November 2001[15]	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
John Diaper (Caretaker Manager)	England	November 2001[15]	1 May 2002	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
Paul Doswell	England	1 May 2002[15]	4 December 2006[16]	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	2003 Wessex league title, 2004 Dr Martins Eastern League 4th (promotion), 2005 Isthmian league playoff winners, Russell Cotes cup winners
Jason Dodd	England	4 December 2006[16]	9 July 2007	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
David Hughes	England	9 July 2007	3 October 2007	11	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
Ian Baird	England	3 October 2007	11 September 2012	255	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	2012 Hampshire Senior Cup
Richard Hill	England	12 September 2012	Present	143	80	24	39	264	177	+87	55.9%	2014 Conference South champions

As of 23:150, 15 April 2015

(Up to and including match vs FC Halifax on 14 April 2015)

League and Cup History

Earlier records can be found at http://www.fchd.info/EASTLEIG.HTM

Season	League Contested	Level	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	League Position	Avg. Home Attendance1	FA Cup	FA Trophy	Leading scorer
1994–95	Wessex League	8	42	14	9	19	66	73	−7	51	14th of 22[17]		PR[17]	–
1995–96	Wessex League	8	40	21	13	6	83	50	+33	76	4th of 21[17]		PR[17]	–
1996–97	Wessex League	8	40	19	8	13	71	56	+15	65	7th of 21[17]		PR[17]	–
1997–98	Wessex League	8	38	20	11	7	74	31	+43	71	4th of 20[17]		PR[17]	–
1998–99	Wessex League	8	38	22	8	8	69	43	+26	74	4th of 20[17]		PR[17]	–
1999–2000	Wessex League	8	40	20	8	12	67	46	+21	68	7th of 21[17]		1Q[17]	–
2000–01	Wessex League	8	44	23	10	11	87	48	+39	79	7th of 23[17]		PR[17]	–
2001–02	Wessex League	8	44	18	9	17	91	71	+20	63	13th of 23[17]		2Q[17]	–
2002–03	Wessex League	8	42	32	7	3	115	32	+83	103	1st of 22 Promoted[17]		2Q[17]	–
2003–04	Southern Football League Eastern Division	7	42	27	4	11	88	40	+48	82	4th of 22[18]	252[19]	PR[20]	R2[21]	TBC
2004–05	Isthmian League Premier Divisiona	7	42	22	13	7	84	49	+35	79	3rd of 22 Promoted[22]	338[23]	3Q[24]	R1[25]	TBC
2005–06	Conference South	6	42	21	3	18	65	58	+7	66	8th of 22[26]	416[27]	2Q[28]	3Q[29]	TBC
2006–07	Conference South	6	42	11	15	16	48	53	−5	48	15th of 22[30]	710[31]	3Q	3Q[32]	Andy Forbes 24 (League)[33]
2007–08	Conference South	6	42	19	10	13	76	62	+14	67	6th of 22[34]	710[35]	4Q	R2	Andy Forbes 26 (League)[33]
2008–09	Conference South	6	42	25	8	9	69	49	+20	83	3rd of 22 Playoffs Semi final	723[36]	3Q	3Q	Tony Taggart 15 (League)[33]
2009–10	Conference South	6	42	17	9	16	71	66	+5	60	11th of 22	543[36]	R1	3Q	Richard Gillespie 18 (League)[33]
2010–11	Conference South	6	42	22	6	14	74	53	+21	72	8th of 22	537[37]	4Q	R3	Jamie Slabber 25 (League)[33]
2011–12	Conference South	6	42	15	9	18	57	63	−6	54	12th of 22	548[38]	3Q	3Q	Jamie Slabber 11
2012–13	Conference South	6	42	22	6	14	79	61	+18	72	4th of 22 Playoffs Semi final	593[38]	3Q	3Q	Jai Reason 19
2013–14	Conference South	6	42	26	8	8	71	40	+31	86	1st of 22 Promoted	707[38]	3Q	QF	Craig McAllister 15
2014–15	Conference Premier	5	39	18	10	11	73	54	+19	64	7th of 24	1,656[39]	R2[17]	TBC	Constable 14

Last Updated: 28 March 2015

^a: Moved to Isthmian Premier League after Non-League System restructuring

PR = Preliminary Round; Q = Qualifying Round; R = Round Proper; P = Position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Club Records

• Top Goalscorer – Andy Forbes – 146^[40]

(as at 15.00, 28 April 2012)

Most appearances

Competitive matches only. As of 16 October 2012^[41]

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

#	Name	Nationality	Position	Eastleigh career	Appearances	Goals
1	Ian Knight	England	Unknown	Unknown	599	12
2	Keith Cooper	England	Unknown	Unknown	574	5
3	Johnny Williams	England	Unknown	Unknown	449	3
4	Bill Ragan	England	Unknown	Unknown	428	10
5	Terry Rawlins	England	Unknown	Unknown	374	27
6	Mel Davolls	England	Unknown	Unknown	372	6
7	Frank Mew	England	Unknown	Unknown	370	0
8	Malcolm Harris	England	Unknown	Unknown	351	0
9	Barry Joslin	England	Unknown	Unknown	343	4
10	Ray Light	England	Unknown	Unknown	325	17

Player of the Season Award Winners

Year Winner 2012–13 Glen Southam[42] 2013–14 Ben Strevens[43]

Honours

• Conference South
  • Conference South champions: 2013–14
• Wessex League
  • Premier Division champions: 2002–03
• Hampshire League
  • Division Two champions: 1967–70
  • Division Three champions: 1950–51, 1953–54
• Southampton Senior League (West)
  • Champions: 1949–50
• Russell Cotes Cup
  • Winners: 2005
• Hampshire Intermediate Cup
  • Winners: 1951
• Hampshire Midweek Floodlit Cup
  • Winners: 1979
• Hampshire Senior Cup
  • Winners: 2012^[44]
• Wessex League Cup^[45]
  • Runners up: 2002–03

References

External links

• Official website
• Official Blog
• Official Facebook page
• Official Twitter page
• Match Commentary
• Match Pictures

Football Conference Premier Clubs AFC Telford United Aldershot Town Alfreton Town Altrincham Barnet Braintree Town Bristol Rovers Chester Dartford Dover Athletic Eastleigh FC Halifax Town Forest Green Rovers Gateshead Grimsby Town Kidderminster Harriers Lincoln City Macclesfield Town Nuneaton Town Southport Torquay United Welling United Woking Wrexham Grounds Aggborough Blundell Park Crabble Athletic Ground Cressing Road Deva Stadium Gateshead International Stadium Haig Avenue Kingfield Stadium Liberty Way Memorial Stadium Moss Lane Moss Rose New Bucks Head North Street Park View Road Plainmoor Princes Park Racecourse Ground Recreation Ground Sincil Bank Ten Acres The Hive Stadium The New Lawn The Shay North AFC Fylde Barrow Boston United Brackley Town Bradford Park Avenue Chorley Colwyn Bay Gainsborough Trinity Gloucester City Guiseley Harrogate Town Hednesford Town Hyde Leamington Lowestoft Town North Ferriby United Oxford City Solihull Moors Stalybridge Celtic Stockport County Tamworth Worcester City South Basingstoke Town Bath City Bishop's Stortford Boreham Wood Bromley Chelmsford City Concord Rangers Eastbourne Borough Ebbsfleet United Farnborough Gosport Borough Havant & Waterlooville Hayes & Yeading United Hemel Hempstead Town Maidenhead United Staines Town St Albans City Sutton United Wealdstone Weston-super-Mare Whitehawk Seasons 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 See also: Conference League Cup

Coordinates: 50°57′08.26″N 1°22′18.37″W / 50.9522944°N 1.3717694°W / 50.9522944; -1.3717694