Baird's juggling act fills Taggart void
By Wendy Gee - 
EASTLEIGH have juggled their finances to sign a replacement for departed winger Tony Taggart.
Manager Ian Baird has agreed a deal with former QPR, Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge wideman Richard Graham following his release from Grays Athletic.
Born in Newry, Northern Ireland, 30-year-old Graham began his career in QPR's youth ranks and made two first-team appearances for the west Londoners.
After spells with Chesham, Billericay and Kettering he played nearly 100 games for Barnet, helping them back into the Football League.
He spent two years at Dagenham & Redbridge, including a loan spell back at Kettering, before signing for Grays last summer.
Baird said: "Richard's been training with us for a couple of weeks and has done very well.
"We needed to replace Tony Taggart and he'll be a more than able replacement.
"He's got a good pedigree, having played the majority of his football in the Conference and Football League, and he's used to winning.
"It's been a juggling act finding the money for him because finances are really tight. But we had a bit spare with (goalkeeping coach) Gareth Howells leaving."
Graham's arrival is particularly handy considering Eastleigh are without winger Shaun McAuley, who fell off a pavement while jogging, suffering a hairline fracture of the ankle and tibia.
McAuley is one of a vast list of Spitfires ruled out of tomorrow's opening pre-season friendly at AFC Totton (3pm).
Goalkeeper Jason Matthews needs another three weeks to shake off a groin injury, Peter Adeniyi is still dogged by an old knee problem and his midfield partner Anthony Riviere injured his Achilles in training.
Richard Gillespie (ankle), Joe Maxwell (ankle) and Jamie Brown (hip) are almost certainly out tomorrow and new striker Jamie Slabber is doubtful with a heavy cold.
On Monday the Blue Square Bet South club head off to north Devon for the Joma South West Challenge Cup.
The Spitfires, tournament winners two years ago, play their first group match on Monday against Truro City at Holsworthy (7.30pm) and the second on Tuesday against Leyton Orient at Tiverton-based Elmore (8pm).
EASTLEIGH have juggled their finances to sign a replacement for departed winger Tony Taggart.Manager Ian Baird has agreed a deal with former QPR, Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge wideman Richard Graham following his release from Grays Athletic.
Born in Newry, Northern Ireland, 30-year-old Graham began his career in QPR's youth ranks and made two first-team appearances for the west Londoners.
After spells with Chesham, Billericay and Kettering he played nearly 100 games for Barnet, helping them back into the Football League.
He spent two years at Dagenham & Redbridge, including a loan spell back at Kettering, before signing for Grays last summer.
Baird said: "Richard's been training with us for a couple of weeks and has done very well.
"We needed to replace Tony Taggart and he'll be a more than able replacement.
"He's got a good pedigree, having played the majority of his football in the Conference and Football League, and he's used to winning.
"It's been a juggling act finding the money for him because finances are really tight. But we had a bit spare with (goalkeeping coach) Gareth Howells leaving."
Graham's arrival is particularly handy considering Eastleigh are without winger Shaun McAuley, who fell off a pavement while jogging, suffering a hairline fracture of the ankle and tibia.
McAuley is one of a vast list of Spitfires ruled out of tomorrow's opening pre-season friendly at AFC Totton (3pm).
Goalkeeper Jason Matthews needs another three weeks to shake off a groin injury, Peter Adeniyi is still dogged by an old knee problem and his midfield partner Anthony Riviere injured his Achilles in training.
Richard Gillespie (ankle), Joe Maxwell (ankle) and Jamie Brown (hip) are almost certainly out tomorrow and new striker Jamie Slabber is doubtful with a heavy cold.
On Monday the Blue Square Bet South club head off to north Devon for the Joma South West Challenge Cup.
The Spitfires, tournament winners two years ago, play their first group match on Monday against Truro City at Holsworthy (7.30pm) and the second on Tuesday against Leyton Orient at Tiverton-based Elmore (8pm).
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