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FORMER Saints midfielder David Hughes has left Eastleigh by mutual consent.
The 35 year-old player/assistant manager, who has been instrumental in Eastleigh’s rise up the non-league pyramid in recent years, agreed to leave The Spitfires in order to help the club reduce its wage budget and at the same time try and get first team football elsewhere.
The Spitfires financial problems have been well documented, with the club having lost a six-figure sum of sponsorship income and an estimated further £20,000 as a result of two cup defeats last week.
Hughes joined Eastleigh in June 2002 from Saints where injury brought a premature end to his professional career.
Back then Eastleigh were in the Wessex League but in Hughes' first season they won the title to earn promotion to the Southern League.
While making over 250 appearances for the Stoneham Lane club, scoring 38 goals, Hughes also helped Eastleigh up to the Blue Square South, after they switched from the Southern to the Ryman League for the 2004/05 season.
A statement released by the club read: "Eastleigh Football Club can today confirm that we have agreed (by mutual consent) to release David Hughes.
"As is typical of Hughsey, he has agreed to leave the Club in order to help reduce our costs and, at the same time, in order to ensure first team football for himself in the twilight of his career.
"David Hughes has been an integral part of the rise through the Leagues for EFC. Since joining the Club from Southampton in 2002, he has made well in excess of 250 appearances – many more than any other current player.
"He has also worked tirelessly to promote the Club, and was instrumental in encouraging other ex Saints players (Matt Le Tissier, Francis Benali, Jason Dodd et al) to adorn Eastleigh colours.
"During the past two seasons, Dave has acted as both Manager and Assistant Manager and has always been 100% behind the Club.
"This Club owes David Hughes an immense debt of gratitude, and of course we wish him well for the remainder of his career. He will always be welcome at the Silverlake Stadium."
THINGS could go one of two ways for Eastleigh after a difficult couple of weeks for the club, according to manager Ian Baird.
But there is only one he expects to see.
The Spitfires lost three times in seven days last week, including two cup defeats which director of football David Malone estimated would cost the club about £20,000 in prize money.
Coupled with the loss of a six figure-sum of sponsorship income, the club were forced to announce an across-the-board pay cut starting next month in a bid to help ensure it remains financially sustainable.
The news has no doubt created an uncertain atmosphere at the Silverlake Stadium with the players among those having to contemplate their futures.
Baird said: “There are two ways you can look at the situation.
“One is that everybody sticks together, we dig in and make the best of the situation and hopefully it can drive us on to success.
“What success I am looking at this moment, though, I don’t know.
“On the other side of the coin, the wheels could fall off, everybody could put life jackets on and jump off the ship as soon as they can and the season could be a disaster purely on a survival basis.
“But I have got every faith in the players and the staff we have got at the club that everybody will stick together.”
The effects of this week’s developments have been immediately felt by Baird.
Defender Warren Goodhind’s release was announced at the same time as news of the pay cut.
And player/assistant manager Dave Hughes and striker James Baker, who has agreed a deal to join Blue Square South side Welling, have also followed Goodhind through the exit door.
Baird said: “We have worked extremely hard since pre-season to try and turn things around and improve on what we had before.
“So it’s very disappointing to lose three players very quickly, but I am crossing my fingers and legs that I won’t lose any more.”
Links:
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3762720.Ex_Saint_Hughes_leaves_Eastleigh/
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3766010.No_need_for_life_jackets_as_Baird_keeps_the_faith/
Ex-Saint Hughes leaves Eastleigh
FORMER Saints midfielder David Hughes has left Eastleigh by mutual consent.
The 35 year-old player/assistant manager, who has been instrumental in Eastleigh’s rise up the non-league pyramid in recent years, agreed to leave The Spitfires in order to help the club reduce its wage budget and at the same time try and get first team football elsewhere.
The Spitfires financial problems have been well documented, with the club having lost a six-figure sum of sponsorship income and an estimated further £20,000 as a result of two cup defeats last week.
Hughes joined Eastleigh in June 2002 from Saints where injury brought a premature end to his professional career.
Back then Eastleigh were in the Wessex League but in Hughes' first season they won the title to earn promotion to the Southern League.
While making over 250 appearances for the Stoneham Lane club, scoring 38 goals, Hughes also helped Eastleigh up to the Blue Square South, after they switched from the Southern to the Ryman League for the 2004/05 season.
A statement released by the club read: "Eastleigh Football Club can today confirm that we have agreed (by mutual consent) to release David Hughes.
"As is typical of Hughsey, he has agreed to leave the Club in order to help reduce our costs and, at the same time, in order to ensure first team football for himself in the twilight of his career.
"David Hughes has been an integral part of the rise through the Leagues for EFC. Since joining the Club from Southampton in 2002, he has made well in excess of 250 appearances – many more than any other current player.
"He has also worked tirelessly to promote the Club, and was instrumental in encouraging other ex Saints players (Matt Le Tissier, Francis Benali, Jason Dodd et al) to adorn Eastleigh colours.
"During the past two seasons, Dave has acted as both Manager and Assistant Manager and has always been 100% behind the Club.
"This Club owes David Hughes an immense debt of gratitude, and of course we wish him well for the remainder of his career. He will always be welcome at the Silverlake Stadium."
No need for life jackets as Baird keeps the faith
THINGS could go one of two ways for Eastleigh after a difficult couple of weeks for the club, according to manager Ian Baird.
But there is only one he expects to see.
The Spitfires lost three times in seven days last week, including two cup defeats which director of football David Malone estimated would cost the club about £20,000 in prize money.
Coupled with the loss of a six figure-sum of sponsorship income, the club were forced to announce an across-the-board pay cut starting next month in a bid to help ensure it remains financially sustainable.
The news has no doubt created an uncertain atmosphere at the Silverlake Stadium with the players among those having to contemplate their futures.
Baird said: “There are two ways you can look at the situation.
“One is that everybody sticks together, we dig in and make the best of the situation and hopefully it can drive us on to success.
“What success I am looking at this moment, though, I don’t know.
“On the other side of the coin, the wheels could fall off, everybody could put life jackets on and jump off the ship as soon as they can and the season could be a disaster purely on a survival basis.
“But I have got every faith in the players and the staff we have got at the club that everybody will stick together.”
The effects of this week’s developments have been immediately felt by Baird.
Defender Warren Goodhind’s release was announced at the same time as news of the pay cut.
And player/assistant manager Dave Hughes and striker James Baker, who has agreed a deal to join Blue Square South side Welling, have also followed Goodhind through the exit door.
Baird said: “We have worked extremely hard since pre-season to try and turn things around and improve on what we had before.
“So it’s very disappointing to lose three players very quickly, but I am crossing my fingers and legs that I won’t lose any more.”
Links:
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3762720.Ex_Saint_Hughes_leaves_Eastleigh/
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3766010.No_need_for_life_jackets_as_Baird_keeps_the_faith/
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