Baird turns to former Hawk Sharp to boost options

Baird looks to boost Eastleigh's options

By Adrian Kajumba - full story in

EASTLEIGH are hoping to complete a second signing inside a week from Cambridge City.

Striker Lee Roache joined the Spitfires on a month's loan from the Southern League Premier division outfit on Friday.

And highly-rated, versatile defender Neil Sharp is expected to follow him in making the move to the Silverlake Stadium after Eastleigh were given the green light to finalise terms with the 30 year old.

Eastleigh's Director of football Dave Malone confirmed Sharp's deal will be a permanent one, with the length of it to be discussed between the club and player later today.

Former Havant and Waterlooville man Sharp will be a familiar face to Spitfires manager Ian Baird and players Tom Jordan, Tony Taggart and Luke Byles, having played alongside Jordan and Taggart during his four years at Westleigh Park.

And Malone said: "We have been given permission by Cambridge to speak to him and have agreed a deal in principle.

"We are hoping to complete everything in the next couple of days. Hopefully everything goes through.

"It is not a done deal yet though as you know a lot can change in football in 24 hours."

He continued: "He is an experienced player who is well thought of and he will add a lot to our squad.

"He is quite a robust sort of player, tough tackling. He can play full-back as well and he can play in midfield so he is quite versatile and ideal from a squad point of view."

Hemel Hempstead-born Sharp began his career with QPR before spells at Hayes, Boreham Wood, Barry Town and Merthyr Tydfill.

From there he joined then League Two Swansea City in October 2001, making over 30 league appearances, before signing for Woking in August 2003.

Sharp featured regularly for Woking during that season before departing by mutual consent in 2004 and joining Havant.

The 6'1" defender made over 100 appearances for the Hawks and formed a strong defensive partnership with Jordan, while also proving to a threat in the opposition box with eight goals.

Sharp, who joined Cambridge after opting not to extend his Hawks contract when it expired in the summer, has also played for the Cayman Islands international side.

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A news item on the official Cambridge City website read as follows: Lilywhites' defender Neil Sharp who joined the club at the beginning of the 2008-09 season has left the club. During his time at Milton Road, Neil made 15 starts and five appearances as substitute, scoring once.

Neil commented: "I have no complaints. I didn't perform to my best at the start of the season and once Theo (Dave Theobald) and Smudger (Mark Smith) formed a partnership, I have had no chance of replacing either of them because they have been tremendous and along with Zac have formed an awesome trio."

An update on this story from Dave Malone confirmed that the transfer of Sharp to Eastleigh took a further step to completion. "We are delighted to confirm that all of the paper work in respect of the transfer of Neil Sharp has been completed (thanks to Ray Murphy), and that the registration will be lodged with the FA tomorrow (Wednesday)."