Press Release
EASTLEIGH FOOTBALL CLUB - PRESS RELEASE
Eastleigh Football Club believe that the way for us to continue our progress is to alter our football strategy, and to channel significant efforts towards bringing in and helping to develop talented younger players. We intend to achieve this by offering them a full time professional environment within which to work. This is part of our medium term plan to both achieve promotion and to change the ethos and culture of the Club. To achieve this we also recognise that we will need to retain a nucleus of senior players to support our aims. Therefore, in the short to medium term ,we will be operating a combination of part time senior and full time young players. Our First Team Manager Ian Baird will become a full time employee supported by a complete Coaching and Management team.
We are pleased to print a Press Release, distributed following ratification of our intentions at the EFC Board meeting earlier today.
Eastleigh Football Club believe that the way for us to continue our progress is to alter our football strategy, and to channel significant efforts towards bringing in and helping to develop talented younger players. We intend to achieve this by offering them a full time professional environment within which to work. This is part of our medium term plan to both achieve promotion and to change the ethos and culture of the Club. To achieve this we also recognise that we will need to retain a nucleus of senior players to support our aims. Therefore, in the short to medium term ,we will be operating a combination of part time senior and full time young players. Our First Team Manager Ian Baird will become a full time employee supported by a complete Coaching and Management team. This is a simple and exciting plan, although (naturally) this will involve significant ground work to recruit suitable players. Our primary but not exclusive target is to attract players released by Professional Clubs. To identify appropriate players we are delighted to announce that we have appointed Kevin Braybrook as Head of Player Recruitment. Kevin is a highly respected coach and has a excellent network of contacts in this area.
From a players perspective, we will also give young talented players the opportunity to showcase their skills at a high standard of Non League Football - which is only two Divisions below League Two. For the more senior players their contribution will be invaluable, and we trust that they will enjoy what will be an exciting challenge. We already have have an excellent Youth system, headed by Danny Smith and Darren Waterman, along with full time coaches working with local Colleges and Schools. This provides an infrastructure commensurate with a full time professional environment, indicating that the "building blocks" are already significantly positioned.
To qualify the rationale behind this change, please consider the following. We have established ourselves over the past seven years in the BSS as a successful Club - both on and off the field. The Board of Directors have made as much finance available as possible for the First Team Management in order to attract the best possible part time players. This is the formula used by most Clubs, and with the odd exception the League table standings tend to reflect each Club's budget. This generally demonstrates, all things being equal, that unless you can generate significantly more income - it is likely that things will remain much the same the following season. We were no longer able or willing to adopt this approach, which is why we have looked at this radical change in strategy. From a financial perspective, in truth, this will enable us to re-direct our available funds in a much more positive manner.
The Club recognises that during this period of transition, we will have to be patient. This process of change will mean that next season will be both invigorating and challenging. However, the Board of Directors, the Manager and the whole Coaching staff are committed to ensuring the success of this new strategy, in time to be competitive and entertaining by the time the new season starts in August.
From a players perspective, we will also give young talented players the opportunity to showcase their skills at a high standard of Non League Football - which is only two Divisions below League Two. For the more senior players their contribution will be invaluable, and we trust that they will enjoy what will be an exciting challenge. We already have have an excellent Youth system, headed by Danny Smith and Darren Waterman, along with full time coaches working with local Colleges and Schools. This provides an infrastructure commensurate with a full time professional environment, indicating that the "building blocks" are already significantly positioned.
To qualify the rationale behind this change, please consider the following. We have established ourselves over the past seven years in the BSS as a successful Club - both on and off the field. The Board of Directors have made as much finance available as possible for the First Team Management in order to attract the best possible part time players. This is the formula used by most Clubs, and with the odd exception the League table standings tend to reflect each Club's budget. This generally demonstrates, all things being equal, that unless you can generate significantly more income - it is likely that things will remain much the same the following season. We were no longer able or willing to adopt this approach, which is why we have looked at this radical change in strategy. From a financial perspective, in truth, this will enable us to re-direct our available funds in a much more positive manner.
The Club recognises that during this period of transition, we will have to be patient. This process of change will mean that next season will be both invigorating and challenging. However, the Board of Directors, the Manager and the whole Coaching staff are committed to ensuring the success of this new strategy, in time to be competitive and entertaining by the time the new season starts in August.
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