No worries for Eastleigh - Malone
By Wendy Gee - 
The Spitfires' director of football reckons newly-appointed first-team coach/assistant manager Paul Williams's knowledge will dovetail in nicely with that of team boss Ian Baird and head of recruitment Kevin Braybrook.
Although ex-Saint Williams, 40, is new to the non-League scene, he boasts all the right credentials for Eastleigh's new Player Development Scheme which will focus on rehabilitating young players released vy Football League clubs and helping them back into the professional game.
The 6ft centre-back made more than 300 appearances for Derby County and Coventry City before signing for Gordon Strachan at St Mary's in October 2001. He went on to make 40 league and cup starts for Saints before moving to Stoke City.
More recently Bassett-based Williams has been busy completing his coaching licenses and doing some work with the Saints Academy.
"Willo's new to the non-League scene, although he did start his career at Burton Albion, but he has a huge amount of football experience and he's very keen to coach the full-time lads coming into the club," said Malone.
"Both Bairdy and Kevin Braybrook know a lot about non-League, so we've got that area covered.
"Paul is a highly experienced and respected ex-player and he's a really nice guy as well. He will be a valued addition to the management team."
One of Williams's first duties will be to cast an eye over the next batch of hopefuls looking to join the Spitfires' Player Development Scheme.
Eastleigh have two more assessment days lined up on June 13 and 15 and between six and ten of those who attended last month's assessment days have been invited back to be reassessed.
The best of the trialists will feature in a June 22 match against the Falkland Islands, who need a warm-up for the NatWest Island Games on the Isle of Wight (June 25-July 1).
Although some Spitfires fans are getting twitchy about next season following the departures of 11 of last term's experienced Blue Square Bet South squad, Malone sees no need to panic.
Four of Eastleigh's valued senior players - skipper Tom Jordan, goalkeeper Gareth Barfoot and versatile duo Danny Smith and Ross Bottomley - have joined striker Richard Gillespie and top scorer Jamie Slabber on contract.
"People think we've got naff all done for next season, but it's just the opposite," said Malone.
"There's plenty going on at the club.
"We've got more trialists coming in and, along with the six senior players who are staying, we've got three other players in mind - two of whom have played Conference South standard and one who has played in the Football League."
Manager Baird agreed: "There's no panic. We're quite comfortable where we are.
"We've done all the dates for pre-season training and friendlies and I've got a new assistant manager.
"The ball is starting to roll."
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