Challis joins Jordan at Eastleigh

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 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 week

- 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.

Jordan re-unites with Baird

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 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.'

Wayne Shaw Testimonial

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 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.

Collins and El-Salahi join Sutton United

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

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

Murray released, Groves completes signing

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.