Come join the Spitfires' revolution

By Sam Elliot - The Non-League Paper

EASTLEIGH are not a club that plan to stand still. In fact, the Blue Square Bet South side are so determined to get their transformation into a full-time operation off the ground, they've cancelled their summer break!

The Spitfires are looking for a change of direction - and have begun star-searching for 12 players to make sure that this new path is paved with success.

They have decided to give young players a chance to showcase their skills in a professional environment after this week outlining their exciting three-year plan to establish themselves in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

They weill train in the mornings and afternoons instead of their current arrangement of once or twice a week.

Highly-respected Kevin Braybrook has already been appointed as the club's new Head of Player Recruitment with the emphasis now on giving released young pros a second chance to shine.

"In a way, we see this as a kind of rehabilitation," explained manager Ian Baird, who will now dedicate his time totally to pushing Eastleigh forward after committing to the cause.

"There are many players that have had their dreams derailed by being released and we want to show them that Eastleigh Football Club can help get their careers back on the right road.

"We have made the decision because for six years now we have been playing Conference South football. We're no closer to promotion than we were when we entered this league so something had to change.

"We will continue to employ a small number of part-time players that cannot commit to our idea but on the whole, it's a new and exciting era.

"We're not suddenly awash with finance. It's not a money-motivated move, far from it. The budget is just going to be redirected in a different way."

Baird and the Eastleigh board have a busy few months ahead.

While most managers are enjoying the thought of eight weeks where they can down-tools following a long hard season, Baird is only going to get busier.

At the end of May, the club will run the rule over those players that successfully apply and then the Eastleigh coaching team will get down to putting the foundations in place.

Baird added: "We may get ten people asking to come down, or we may get hundreds. Who's to know? But one thing is for certain - we know this is the right way forward for the club, also for the young players.

"It gives them a second chance, and it gives us the perfect opportunity to progress at the same time."

If you fit the bill, then what are you waiting for?