Eastleigh F.C.

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

Eastleigh Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are members of the National League 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 in Southampton and originally known as Swaythling Athletic, which then changed to Swaythling. The club began playing home matches firstly on Southampton Common and then at ‘Westfield’ in Swaythling. In 1950 they joined Hampshire League. In keeping with their early progress, the club moved to a new ground at Ten Acres in 1957 – which remains their home to this day. In 1980 the club 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.[1]

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)

Eastleigh's 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 eighth place. Eastleigh narrowly missed out on a playoff place in the 2007–08 season coming sixth 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 first 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.[2] 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 five-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.[3]

The takeover by Bridle Insurance was eventually confirmed, when the club announced the company had acquired the club's shares on 1 February 2012.[4] 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.[5]

On 23 March 2012, chairman Paul Murray stood down from his post. 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.[6]

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

On Tuesday 11 September 2012, following three 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.[7] 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.[8]

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 first leg of the semi finals against Dover Athletic at home 3–1, Eastleigh overturned this with a 2–0 away win in the second leg. Due to the absence of away goals advantage for either team, the match eventually went to penalties, with Eastleigh losing 4–2.[9] 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[10] and achieved promotion to the Conference Premier for the first time in the club's history for the 2014–2015 season.

Conference Premier/National League (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.[11] 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. Eastleigh 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. The playoffs proved a bridge too far for Eastleigh who were beaten 2–1 at the Silverlake and 3–0 at Blundell Park by Grimsby Town to lose 5–1 on aggregate. The first leg was not without controversy as Jai Reason was struck by the Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown who avoided punishment.

On 23 September 2015, Richard Hill resigned as manager for Eastleigh. On 15 October 2015, Chris Todd was confirmed as Hill's replacement as manager.

Stadium

Eastleigh moved to Ten Acres in 1957 from their previous ground Walnut Avenue. The club's record attendance is 5,250 for an FA Cup third round match against Bolton Wanderers on 9 January 2016.[12]

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 tall fir trees. During the summer of 2006, a metal back and roof were added, along with an electronic scoreboard on the roof of 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 Eastleigh's 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.[13]

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. The Spitfire aeroplane was built in Southampton and first flown from Eastleigh Aerodrome, now Southampton Airport.

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 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:

Current squad

As of 01 February 2016.[14]

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

No. Position Player
1 England GK Ross Flitney
2 England DF Joe Partington
3 England DF Mike Green
4 England MF Will Evans
5 England DF Jamie Turley
6 England DF Paul Reid
7 Nigeria FW Yemi Odubade
8 England MF Josh Payne
9 England FW James Constable
10 England MF Jai Reason
11 England FW Ross Lafayette
12 England FW Jack Midson
13 England GK Lewis Noice
No. Position Player
14 England MF Ben Strevens
15 England DF Jack Alexander
16 England FW Tony Lee (on loan at Gosport Borough)
17 England FW Lee Cook
18 England MF Andy Drury
19 England FW Matt Tubbs (on loan from Portsmouth)
20 England DF Dan Harding
21 England DF Jack Smith
24 England MF Ollie Griggs
25 England MF Matthias Fanimo
28 Wales FW Kaid Mohamed
29 Wales DF Chris Todd
31 England DF Luke Coulson

Non-playing staff

According to Club website[15]

Notable managers

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
NameNationalityFromToPWDLGFGAGDWin%[16]Honours
Jenner Brown[17]  England 1982/83 1983/84 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Dick Donohoe[17]  England 1984/85 1986/87 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Tony Noble[17]  England 1987/88 1989/90 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Dave Saunders[18]  England unknown June 1990 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Don Gowans[18]  England June 1990 Mid way through 1994/95 season TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Roger Sherwood[17]  England Mid way through 1994/95 season 1996/97 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Ray Light[17]  England 1997/98 1998/99 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Derek Holloway[17]  England 1999/2000 2000/01 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Trevor Parker  England TBC November 2001[19] TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
John Diaper (Caretaker Manager)  England November 2001[19] 1 May 2002 TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC
Paul Doswell  England 1 May 2002[19] 4 December 2006[20] TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC 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[20] 9 July 2007 2791173524+1133.3%
David Hughes  England 9 July 2007 3 October 2007 116051615+154.5%
Ian Baird  England 3 October 2007 11 September 2012 2551185087452370+8246.3% 2012 Hampshire Senior Cup
Richard Hill  England 12 September 2012 23 September 2015 160882745290200+9055% 2014 Conference South champions
Chris Todd  Wales 23 September 2015 Present 2513663931+852%
As of 21:01, 09 February 2016

(Up to and including match vs Lincoln City on 06 February 2016)
(Above stats include matches in the League, Play-Offs and all rounds in the FA Cup, FA Trophy, Hampshire Senior Cup and Conference League Cup)

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[21] PR[21]  –
1995–96 Wessex League 8 40 21 13 6 83 50 +33 76 4th of 21[21] PR[21]  –
1996–97 Wessex League 8 40 19 8 13 71 56 +15 65 7th of 21[21] PR[21]  –
1997–98 Wessex League 8 38 20 11 7 74 31 +43 71 4th of 20[21] PR[21]  –
1998–99 Wessex League 8 38 22 8 8 69 43 +26 74 4th of 20[21] PR[21]  –
1999–2000 Wessex League 8 40 20 8 12 67 46 +21 68 7th of 21[21] 1Q[21]  –
2000–01 Wessex League 8 44 23 10 11 87 48 +39 79 7th of 23[21] PR[21]  –
2001–02 Wessex League 8 44 18 9 17 91 71 +20 63 13th of 23[21] 2Q[21]  –
2002–03 Wessex League 8 42 32 7 3 115 32 +83 103 1st of 22
Promoted[21] 		2Q[21]  –
2003–04 Southern Football League Eastern Division 7 42 27 4 11 88 40 +48 82 4th of 22[22] 252[23] PR[24] R2[25] TBC
2004–05 Isthmian League Premier Divisiona 7 42 22 13 7 84 49 +35 79 3rd of 22
Promoted[26] 		338[27] 3Q[28] R1[29] TBC
2005–06 Conference South 6 42 21 3 18 65 58 +7 66 8th of 22[30] 416[31] 2Q[32] 3Q[33] TBC
2006–07 Conference South 6 42 11 15 16 48 53 −5 48 15th of 22[34] 710[35] 3Q 3Q[36] Andy Forbes 24 (League)[37]
2007–08 Conference South 6 42 19 10 13 76 62 +14 67 6th of 22[38] 710[39] 4Q R2 Andy Forbes 26 (League)[37]
2008–09 Conference South 6 42 25 8 9 69 49 +20 83 3rd of 22
Playoffs Semi final 		723[40] 3Q 3Q Tony Taggart 15 (League)[37]
2009–10 Conference South 6 42 17 9 16 71 66 +5 60 11th of 22 543[40] R1 3Q Richard Gillespie 18 (League)[37]
2010–11 Conference South 6 42 22 6 14 74 53 +21 72 8th of 22 537[41] 4Q R3 Jamie Slabber 25 (League)[37]
2011–12 Conference South 6 42 15 9 18 57 63 −6 54 12th of 22 548[42] 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[42] 3Q 3Q Jai Reason 19
2013–14 Conference South 6 42 26 8 8 71 40 +31 86 1st of 22
Promoted 		707[42] 3Q QF Craig McAllister 15
2014–15 Conference Premier 5 46 24 10 12 87 61 +26 82 4th of 24
Playoffs Semi final 		1,752[43] R2[21] R1 Constable 19
2015–16 Conference Premier 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBCth of 24 TBC[43] TBC TBC TBC

Last Updated: 21:11, 21 June 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

Previous seasons

Club records

(as at 15.00, 28 April 2012)

Most appearances

Competitive matches only. As of 16 October 2012[45]

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
# NameNationalityPositionEastleigh careerAppearancesGoals
1Ian Knight EnglandUnknownUnknown59912
2Keith Cooper EnglandUnknownUnknown5745
3Johnny Williams EnglandUnknownUnknown4493
4Bill Ragan EnglandUnknownUnknown42810
5Terry Rawlins EnglandUnknownUnknown37427
6Mel Davolls EnglandUnknownUnknown3726
7Frank Mew EnglandUnknownUnknown3700
8Malcolm Harris EnglandUnknownUnknown3510
9Barry Joslin EnglandUnknownUnknown3434
10Ray Light EnglandUnknownUnknown32517

Player of the Season award winners

Year Winner
2005–06England Danny Smith[46]
2006–07England Andy Forbes[47]
2007–08England Andy Forbes
2008–09South Africa Warren Goodhind
2009–10England Richard Gillespie[48]
2010–11England Jamie Slabber[49]
2011–12England Jamie Slabber
2012–13England Glen Southam[50]
2013–14England Ben Strevens[51]
2014–15England Ross Flitney[52]

Honours

References

  1. ↑ http://www.eastleighfc.com/the-club/club-history/
  2. ↑ "Board Announcement". Eastleigh FC. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "Eastleigh Set For Investment From Bridle Insurance". Eastleigh FC. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "Spitfires Take The Bridle Path". Eastleigh FC. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  5. ↑ "Thank You EDOF". Eastleigh FC. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Paul Murray Resignation". Eastleigh FC. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  7. ↑ "Ian Baird departs". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "Richard Hill". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Penalty Heartbreak for Eastleigh". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  10. ↑ http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/eastleighfc/11159188.AS_IT_HAPPENED___Eastleigh_2_1_Basingstoke_Town/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ "Strevens sends Spitfires through". ESPNFC. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  12. ↑ Beleaguered Bolton take respite from Darren Pratley rescue at Eastleigh The Guardian, 10 January 2016
  13. ↑ Gee, Wendy (2 December 2014). "Eastleigh's new stand open free of charge to spectators tonight". Daily Echo. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "The Team". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "Directors & Officers". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  16. ↑ Win% is rounded to two decimal places
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Eastleigh Club history". Non-Leagueclubdirectory.co.uk. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Don a sad loss to football". Daily Echo. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  19. 1 2 3 "Paul Doswell Appointed Eastleigh FC Manager". nonleague daily. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  20. 1 2 "Jason Dodd becomes Eastleigh FC Manager". nonleague daily. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Football Club History Database – Eastleigh". Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  22. ↑ "Southern Football League Eastern Division Table 2003–04". Southern Football League. 2004. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  23. ↑ "Ryman Premier Division Attendances 2003–04". Tony Kempster. 2004. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  24. ↑ "FA Cup 2003–04 Preliminary Round Results". The FA. 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  25. ↑ "Eastleigh FA Trophy History". FCHD. 2004. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  26. ↑ "Ryamn Premier League Table 2005–06". Non-League-Footy.co.uk. 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  27. ↑ "Ryman Premier Division Attendances 2004–05". Tony Kempster. 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  28. ↑ "FA Cup 2004–05 Qualifying Round Results". The FA. 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  29. ↑ "FA Trophy 2004–05 Qualifying Round Results". FCHD. 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  30. ↑ "Conference South Table 2005–06". Non-League-Footy.co.uk. 2006. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  31. ↑ "Conference South Attendances 2005–06". Tony Kempster. 2006. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  32. ↑ "FA Cup 2005–06 Qualifying Round Results". Everything Football. 2006. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  33. ↑ "FA Trophy 2005–06 Qualifying Round Results". FCHD. 2006. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  34. ↑ "Conference South Table 2006–07". Non-League-Footy.co.uk. 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  35. ↑ "Conference South Attendances 2006–07". Tony Kempster. 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  36. ↑ "FA Trophy Results 2006–07". Conference South. 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 "Archived Player Stats". Eastleigh FC. 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  38. ↑ "Conference South Table 2007–08". Non-League-Footy.co.uk. 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  39. ↑ "Conference South Attendances 2007–08". Tony Kempster. 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  40. 1 2 "Conference South Attendances 2008–09 and 2009–10". Mike Avery. 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  41. ↑ "Conference South Attendances 2009–10 and 2010–11". Mike Avery. 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  42. 1 2 3 "Conference South Attendances 2011–12". NonLeagueMatters. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  43. 1 2 "Conference Premier Attendances 2014–15". NonLeagueMatters. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  44. ↑ "Salisbury City v Eastleigh – Match preview". Eastleigh FC. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  45. ↑ "Eastleigh Legends". Eastleigh FC. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  46. ↑ "Presentation Awards 2005/06". Eastleigh F.C. official website. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  47. ↑ "Forbes finishes with a flourish". Eastleigh F.C. official website. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  48. ↑ "Presentation Winners 2009/2010". Eastleigh F.C. official website. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  49. ↑ "Presentation Evening 2011". Eastleigh F.C. official website. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  50. ↑ "Presentation Evening Award Winners". Eastleigh F.C. official website. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  51. ↑ "TSSC Player of the Season Awards". The Spitfires Supporters Club. Retrieved 12 Aug 2014.
  52. ↑ "Poke Loan To Spitfires". Eastleigh FC. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  53. ↑ "Technology World-First At St. Mary's". Southampton FC. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  54. ↑ "Club History – 2000 – 2010 – AFC Totton". Pitchero.com. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-23.

External links

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

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