Eastleigh FC

By Wendy Gee - FORMER Saints chairman Leon Crouch will not be watching Alan Pardew’s men at QPR tomorrow – he’ll be at non-League Eastleigh instead. Through his company, the Fullers Group, Crouch has agreed to become the new shirt sponsor of the Spitfires who are gearing up for another assault on promotion from the Blue Square South. By way of thanks, Eastleigh chairman Paul Murray will present Crouch with a framed Eastleigh shirt shortly before tomorrow’s final pre-season friendly at home to Salisbury City (August 1, 3pm). It’s not the first time Eastleigh have benefited from Crouch’s generosity. Two years ago, he donated £5,000 to provide a scoreboard for their Silverlake Stadium home. Denis Bundy, Eastleigh’s commercial manager, said: “Although Leon’s heart will always be with Saints, he’s delighted to be associated with local football – and, in particular, Eastleigh, the second biggest club in the Southampton area. “I’ve always got on well with Leon and when I phoned him ou...

EASTLEIGH 1-6 PORTSMOUTH MONDAY 25th JULY 2009 Pre-Season Friendly Report by Jamie Montigue Eastleigh were delighted to welcome Premier League side Portsmouth to the Silverlake Stadium this evening as a pleasing crowd of 1,401 turned out to see this pre-season friendly. Newly appointed manager Paul Hart (now on a permanent basis following a spell as caretaker boss), watched on as his side made a flying start to the proceedings with the visitors racing into a 2-0 lead inside the opening ten minutes. First though, Daniel Subotic turned his man inside out with a turn that created room for a shot, only to fire high over the bar as early as the second minute. The attacking flair from Pompey continued as a well-constructed move resulted in Subotic’s perfectly flighted cross to the far post was met by a Paris Cowan-Hall downward header that had to be beaten away for a corner by Eastleigh goalkeeper Jason Matthews. From the resulting set piece, former Tottenham defender YOUNIS KABOUL powe...

WINCHESTER CITY 0-2 EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 25th JULY 2009 Pre-Season Friendly Report by Jamie Montigue Winchester City FA Vase winners Danny Smith and Andy Forbes were up against their former side in this annual pre-season friendly match, as Eastleigh fielded a strong line-up and came through the game with a decent work out and the right result to boot. Ian Baird, who interestingly enough was named on the substitute’s bench for the visitors, didn’t have to wait too long for the first goal of the afternoon. Ian Baird takes his place in the Eastleigh dugout... as a substitute! With just four minutes on the clock, a long throw from the right saw Tom Jordan nod the ball into the centre. PETER ADENIYI, who was operating in the unfamiliar role of centre forward, stroked the ball low into the corner of goal to open the scoring from close range as the visitors got off to a flyer. Shaun McAuley in his second game for Eastleigh following an impressive debut at AFC Totton on Tuesday night...

First Round Saturday 5th September 2009   Bournemouth (Sat) vs Guernsey Athletic Belgrave Wanderers vs Moneyfields Tuesday 8th September 2009   Farnborough North End vs Ringwood Town Blackfield & Langley vs United Services Portsmouth Tadley Calleva vs Newport (IOW) AFC Portchester vs Alton Town Hythe & Dibden vs Lymington Town Eversley vs Petersfield Town Christchurch vs Fawley AFC Fareham Town vs Alresford Town Totton & Eling vs Horndean Whitchurch United vs Hartley Wintney Romsey Town vs Brading Town Cowes Sports vs Hamble ASSC New Milton Town vs Stockbridge Thursday 10th Spetember 2009   Andover New Street vs Hayling United Second Round Tuesday 6th October 2009 Cowes Sports/Hamble ASSC vs Gosport Borough Cove (Sat) vs Whitchurch United/Hartley Wintney Christchurch/Fawley AFC vs Eastleigh Bashley vs Farnborough Hythe & Dibden/Lymington Town vs Havant & Waterlooville V T vs Totton & Eling/Horndean Aldershot Town vs Romsey Town/Brading T...

AFC TOTTON 0-1 EASTLEIGH TUESDAY 21st JULY 2009 Pre-Season Friendly Report by Jamie Montigue Goal(s): Richard Gillespie 78th minute There must have been some doubt before kick off as to whether or not the pitch at Testwood Park would hold up to the heavy downpour as the rain beat down this Tuesday evening. Thankfully for both sides the rain eased off and Eastleigh were able to get back to football after their bizarre exit from the Errea Cup in Devon despite a 100% record. Ex-Spitfires Chris Collins, David Hughes and James Taylor were all in action for the hosts, meanwhile Ian Baird welcomed his latest signing Shaun McAuley and handed him a debut following his transfer from last season's Blue Square South play-off finalists Hampton & Richmond Borough. Immediately it was clear that McAuley has all the attributes to become a success at his new club should he continue as he means to go on, as he tormented the Stags' left back Matt Troon throughout the evening displayin...

Saturday's friendly against Andover has been called off due to the rain we have had, which has caused a waterlogged pitch. Dave Malone confirmed: "The British summer has got the better of us, and the home game with Andover on Saturday has been called off, due to a waterlogged pitch. "Also, here in Devon, our game tonight against Exeter City has similarly been cancelled (for the same reason). Therefore we are eliminated from the tournament, on goal difference, and will be returning home without the Errea Cup (not that we ever had it, anyway!)." **UPDATE - Game back on at Stoneham Park** "Thanks to the cooperation of the owners, the game will now be played at Stoneham Park (ex AC Delco gound) which is at the top end of Stoneham Lane. "This is of course subject to adverse weather conditions on Saturday. Kick off remains at 2pm."

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ILFRACOMBE TOWN 0-1 EASTLEIGH WEDNESDAY 15th JULY 2009 Errea South West Cup Group A Report by Ray Murphy Eastleigh opened their defence of the ERREA South West Cup with this single goal victory at the picturesque home of South West Peninsula League (two divisions below Wessex League status) side Appledore; against Toolstation Western League Premier Division (equivalent to Wessex League) side Ilfracombe Town. Eastleigh manager Ian Baird started the fixture with normal understudy goalkeeper Gareth Howells, trialists Michael Green and Carl Preston whilst Andy Forbes continued his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury. Early chances were limited though Eastleigh held the upper hand of possession against an Ilfracombe side that had already played one game in the three-team group, suffering a 1-4 defeat against Exeter City. The first chance fell in the eleventh minute when Green’s left wing cross saw Forbes' header hit the bar. Eastleigh were unable to penetrate a solid looking ...

By Wendy Gee - Eastleigh will have a new name in their squad for this week’s Errea South West Challenge Cup in north Devon. The Spitfires have agreed a deal with speedy wideman Shaun McAuley from Blue Square South rivals Hampton & Richmond Borough. McAuley, 24, joined the Beavers in the summer of 2007 having come through the ranks at Hayes. Described by H&R as: “a pacy and exciting player who is just as comfortable as a striker”, he won the club’s best newcomer award in his first season at the Beveree Stadium. “We needed to replace Ashley Carew (following his move to Bromley) and Shaun is a good signing for us,” said Eastleigh boss Ian Baird. “I’ve admired him for the last couple of years. He’s always caused us problems when he’s played against us. He’s quick with plenty of energy." http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/eastleighfc/efc_news/4490383.Eastleigh_set_to_field_new_pace_ace/

VT FC 1-2 EASTLEIGH FRIDAY 10th JULY 2009 Pre-Season Friendly Like he hasn't been away... Andy Forbes scores on his return to action after a long term injury - above Forbes is pictured in tonight's 2-1 friendly win over Vospers Report by Jamie Montigue After sustaining a serious Achilles injury at the beginning of the year (January 2009), an injury which ruled Andy Forbes out for over half of the 2008/9 season and restricted the striker to just nine league starts last term, Eastleigh’s key man was finally back in action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. It was truly a welcome return to see ‘Forbesy’ back playing for the Spitfires again and was like he hadn’t been away. Making it through 53 minutes at Vosper’s in tonight’s pre-season friendly, Forbes scored an equalising goal early in the second half to inspire his team to overcome a 1-0 half time deficit and on to victory. Winning everything in the air and coming short to combine and feed the ball through for his ne...

EASTLEIGH v SOUTHAMPTON SATURDAY 4th JULY 2009 Pre-Season Friendly   Report by Jamie Montigue As Southampton Football Club’s future remains in the balance with takeover talks hopefully coming to a welcome conclusion early next week, Mark Wotte brought a 22-man squad to the Silverlake Stadium to face former Saint, Ian Baird’s Eastleigh. It has been a torrid few months for the St. Mary’s club since relegation from the Championship. Going into administration brought further bad news, that of a ten point deduction heading into League One this coming season. Takeover talks have been a frustrating experience for the fans with no deal yet being agreed, however it is thought a deal could be wrapped up imminently. Here at Eastleigh, the club as a whole were thrilled the friendly went ahead, a pre-season fixture that has been a regular event/tradition in years past, and would like to wish the Saints all the very best as they look to rebuild and get back to happier days. On the pitch, tod...

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1712659,00.html Saints will be kicking off their pre-season programme of friendlies this weekend with the short trip to Eastleigh's Silverlake Stadium… Fans will be able to buy tickets on the day (Saturday) with a range of reduced prices also available for students, Seniors and kids, with FREE entrance for the under 12's (See below for full ticket details). Kick off will be at 15:00. Last year's contest saw a young Saints side held to a 3-3 draw, with goals from Nathan Dyer, Jamie White and Matt Paterson being ultimately cancelled out by a late Eastleigh equaliser. Mark Wotte has named a 22-man squad with a mixture of youth and experience, with Polish striker Grzegorz Rasiak amongst the most established. This year's encounter also looks set to be a classic game of two halves, with Mark Wotte intending to give his entire squad a run out with wholesale changes at half-time. TEAM NEWS: Striker Jamie White is back in t...

Eastleigh begin the upcoming 2009/10 Blue Square South season with a home game entertaining Braintree Town at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday 8th August. Back in the Conference South following relegation from the Blue Square Premier and former league champions (of the Blue Square South) Weymouth, will be the first side to host Ian Baird's Spitfires on Tuesday 11th. Pictured below is a snapshot of the first month of league fixtures for Eastleigh.

The Board and staff of the Football Conference are deeply saddened by the news that Setanta have gone into administration. Although the financial implications of this action will have an enormous impact on the competition, our clubs, partners and supporters, we must not forget the contribution made by them to us over the last 2 years. Setanta pioneered many new initiatives during their association, some of which are now copied by other broadcasters. The Conference Board did everything in its power to support Setanta in its time of financial crisis and we wish the very best to all those we have met along the way, who have become friends. We sincerely hope those dedicated staff, who have become part of the Football Conference family over the last 2 seasons, will continue to operate and work at the highest level in sports broadcasting and that their future remains positive. To all our member clubs may we thank you for supporting Setanta and be assured that your Board together with all st...