Young Guns

Whilst Eastleigh Football Club gear themselves up for their promotion assault this season, it is exciting times at the Silverlake and a host of high profile players have joined the Spitfire ranks.

There is also extremely positive news about the wealth of promising and talented younger players we have recruited with a healthy number securing contracts with us for the 2012-2013 campaign. There could be more to follow throughout the season as we aim to reward young gifted players who show great ability, attitude and potential to grow as a player. It is a situation which we will monitor and review on an ongoing basis.

A delighted Dan Wright, head of FIC at Eastleigh said: "We are really excited with the group we have assembled so far and looking forward to helping them reach their full potential. Our trialist open day was a roaring success and already first team manager Ian Baird has wanted a closer look at one of our promising youngsters, giving Corey King an appearance in Saturday's recent first team friendly against Reading".

Introducing tomorrow's stars:

	David Whittaker - A Tigerish midfielder previously with Winchester Youth. David is better known as ‘DJ' and only missed one game last season. A member of the double winning Hampshire County Youth League Under 18 side, David has made good progress through Wyvern League and Suburban League teams claiming a regular Suburban League side place in November. The quiet one of the youth squad who turns eighteen in November.
Joe Chamberlain - Seventeen year old Joe has recently been sporting the captains arm band for the Suburban League side and is better known as ‘JC'. Normally a central defender he can also adapt to full back or a midfield role. Making his Suburban League debut last September he became a regular member of the squad and shown maturity beyond his years. Joe is another graduate from the double winning season and scored twice in the cup final against Christchurch.
	Davidson Tejaiye - The ex Thurrock teenager is a new arrival at the Silverlake and immediately put pen to paper on a one year contract. Davidson only turned eighteen this year and is an exciting future prospect who started his career at Sunderland. Best described as a competitive midfielder with an excellent range of passing.
Callum Casson - Predominately a left back who has shown that patience can pay. Callum has been on the fringe of the first team for the past four seasons having graduated from the clubs youth system. Born on the Isle of Wight, Callum will be twenty in September and has signed his first contract with the Club. The plan is for Callum to spend some time on loan to gain some Southern League experience having been a regular in the Suburban League side since 2008.
	Tom Coffey - The youngest of the new recruits who has been recognised as having great potential. Tom is a sixteen year old goalkeeper who joined the club last season and because of his tender years is too young to be placed on contract but will be signing up when he comes of age. Tom was part of the Under 16 squad last season that won their cup final at St. Marys.
Cassius Newton - Son of Chelsea midfielder Eddie Newton, the 20 year old is an exciting attacking midfield player who joined Eastleigh FC in April having previously had spells with Brentford, AFC Bournemouth, M K Dons, Winchester City, Salisbury City and the Glenn Hoddle Academy. Cassius is to join Southern League Sholing, on a loan deal for the first three months of the season to gain valuable experience.
	Corey King - Previously with Macclesfield Town, Corey has also played for Yeovil Town and Reading. The midfielder has enormous potential and at just 17 years of age has secured a two year contract at the Silverlake. Having been introduced to us by ex Man City, Swindon and Portsmouth midfielder Fitzroy Simpson, Corey made his first team appearance for the club during our home friendly against Reading at the weekend. The attacking player is a threat out wide or through the middle.
Ryan Holloway - Ryan is a seventeen year old full back who broke into the Suburban League side at the tail end of last season making seven appearances for us having been a regular for the Hampshire County Under 18 side. Ryan continues to show great promise and has agreed a one year deal.
	Lerone Plummer - A very talented, pacy, eighteen year old striker who has previously played for Romsey Town and St Francis. Nicknamed ‘Rudi' he signed for the Club last April from QK Southampton, scoring two goals on his Suburban League debut against Hampton & Richmond Borough. By the time the season finished he had scored five goals from four appearances.