Trevor Challis hangs up his boots

By Wendy Gee -   

EASTLEIGH’S experienced left-back Trevor Challis has called time on his playing career.

A persistent knee injury means the 34-year-old former Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers and QPR defender can take no further part in the Spitfires’ Blue Square South play-off push – although he remains at the club in an off-the-field capacity.

“Trevor’s got bone on bone on the knee and he can have as many injections as he likes, but he’s just not fit enough for Conference South football and he’ll no longer have a playing role,” explained manager Ian Baird.

“I want to keep him around though and he’s going to stay with us basically for nothing. He’s an influential figure and a good character and I’d like to keep him around the dressing room until the end of the season.

Meanwhile hotshot Andy Forbes has been taken off the transfer list.

The striker – scorer of an impressive 141 goals in 258 appearances for the Spitfires – had his name circulated in late November as team boss Ian Baird felt, as one of the club’s highest earners, he should have been contributing more.

But six weeks in the dog house has brought a positive response from the 30-year-old former Andover and Winchester City marksman, who has managed to persuade Baird that he wants a long-term future with the Spitfires.

“In my opinion it has had the desired effect,” said Baird.

“He’s come back with the bit between his teeth and with the attitude I require as a manager.

“He knows he’s out of contract at the end of the season and he’s told me he wants to earn another contract with Eastleigh and I’m more than happy with that. Without a shadow of a doubt he’s one of the best strikers in this league.”