Green commits to Spitfires

By Wendy Gee - 

MICHAEL Green has joined Eastleigh on a permanent basis after being released from his contract at Port Vale.

The 22-year-old left-back got his big professional break with the Valiants during the summer after an outstanding season with Evo-Stik South & West champions AFC Totton.

But less than five months after signing a two-year deal for the npower League Two club, his contract has been "reluctantly" terminated by Vale because, they say, Green wanted to be closer to his family.

Eastleigh, who originally sold Green to Totton for a four-figure sum in 2009/10, have had him back on loan from the Valiants for the last month since when they have pulled themselves away from the Blue Square Bet South relegation zone to within five points of the play-off places.

Confirming the Sway-based former Christchurch player is now a permanent fixture at the Silverlake Stadium, Eastleigh boss Ian Baird said: "Greener has joined us for this season and one more.

"We haven't suddenly come into money. Michael has taken a hell of a hit on the contract he had at Port Vale.

"The one thing Port Vale wanted was a substantial sell-on clause to cover themselves."

Green made his Valiants debut in a 2-2 draw with Crawley on the opening day of the season and played four further games for Micky Adams's men.

Although his flirtation with the professional game has been disappointingly brief, Baird said: "In truth, I think he was glad to get away.

"Moving to Stoke is a culture shock for a lad from Christchurch and the harsh reality of professional football is that you're playing for your livelihood and you're severely judged on how you play.

"When things don't go well at that level, all of a sudden you've got 10,000 people on your back, not 100.

"And managers can't be patient with you because their own livelihood is at stake."

Vale boss Adams said it was a tough decision for everyone involved and added: "It's also an important decision for Mike, for both his footballing future and general happiness."

Baird thinks Green could one day return to League football - as long as he works on his self-belief.

"Michael's got all the raw attributes to be a good footballer, but he doesn't believe in himself as much as he should," he said. "If he puts that right, he could still have a bright future. How high he wants to go is entirely down to him.

"If I'm honest, he hasn't set the world alight at Eastleigh yet, but he's given us the balance we were missing on the left and is getting better with each game."

Eastleigh, who will be looking to build on straight victories at home to Dartford tomorrow, are also running the rule over teenage central defender Lloyd Foot, who has been playing in Sweden since being released by Saints last term.

"Lloyd's trained with us this week but we're waiting for international clearance," said Baird. "He wouldn't have featured tomorrow in any case. I need to have a look at him in the reserves first."

Eastleigh lost 3-0 at Dartford in September, but the Kent club's two-goal hero that day was Charlie Sheringham, who has since joined AFC Bournemouth.

"They're a good side, but we don't need to be in awe of them," said Baird. "We need to go into it positively and show the same attitude and desire we've had of late and keep converting our chances."