Eastleigh FC

Jordan has company for promotion drive - 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 J...

- 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 coin...

DEAL STRUCK WITH HAVANT AS JORDAN RE-UNITES WITH BAIRD 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 exci...

Sunday 20th July at the Silverlake Stadium   - By Wendy Gee 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 ma...

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.

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 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 Do...