Eastleigh

Eastleigh Football Club, affectionately known as ‘The Spitfires’, is a well-established club with a growing legacy in English non-league football. Founded in 1946, the club has steadily risen through the ranks to become a competitive force in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

Known for their ambition and progressive development, Eastleigh has built a strong reputation both on and off the pitch. The club enjoys a loyal and passionate fan base, with Silverlake Stadium providing a vibrant home atmosphere.

Eastleigh Updates

Eastleigh Football Club have delivered a competitive campaign in the 2024–25 National League, showing consistency in performances and a strong push for a play-off position.

The team has demonstrated balance across the pitch, combining disciplined defending with creative attacking play. Key players have contributed significantly, with the midfield providing energy and the forward line maintaining a steady goal output. However, injuries have posed challenges throughout the season.

Team morale remains high, driven by a strong dressing-room culture and solid leadership from the coaching staff. The squad’s resilience and adaptability under pressure have been crucial, especially in tight fixtures. Eastleigh looks poised to finish the season strong, maintaining optimism among fans and reinforcing their ambition for promotion.

Eastleigh Transfer News & Rumours

​Eastleigh Football Club has been active in the transfer market to bolster their squad for the ongoing 2024–25 National League season. Notably, they secured the signing of Nathan Tshikuna from Tamworth on March 10, 2025, aiming to enhance their midfield creativity.

Defensive reinforcements were added in the shape of Niall Maher, who joined the Spitfires from Grimsby Town and Richard Brindley who came in from Notts County.

Compared to other National League clubs, Eastleigh's transfer strategy reflects a balanced approach, focusing on strategic signings to address specific squad needs. 

The integration of these new players is expected to positively influence team performance, aiming to solidify their position in the league and contend for promotion.

Eastleigh Signings

Eastleigh’s latest signings signal a strategic push to strengthen key areas for the 2024–25 National League campaign. Notable additions include Nathan Tshikuna, a dynamic midfielder known for his creativity and passing range.

Richard Brindley also joined to reinforce the defence with composure and versatility. Collectively, these signings enhance squad depth, attacking power, and defensive resilience.

Player	Age	Nationality	Left	Fee	Contract Duration
Tyrese Shade	24	St Kitts/Nevis	Swindon Town League Two	Free	1 Year
Niall Maher	29	England	Grimsby Town League Two	Free	N/A
Richard Brindley	31	England	Notts County League Two	Free	1 Year
Jake Vokins	24	England	Southampton U21s Premier League 2	Free	N/A
Jai Semenyo	21	Ghana	Cardiff City Championship	Free	N/A
Angel Waruih	20	England	Bretford B England	Free	N/A
Deji Sotona	21	Ireland Nigeria	Doncaster Rovers League Two	Free	3 Years
Nathan Tshikuna	26	England	Tamworth National League	Free	6 Months
Lloyd Humphries	26	Wales	Weston-Super-Mare National League South	Free	1 Year
Luis Fernandez	22	England	Hampton & Richmond National League South	Free	1 Year
Ben Close	28	England	Doncaster Rovers League Two	Loan	Season Long
Rekeil Pyke	27	England	Grimsby Town League Two	Loan	Season Long
Jesurun Uchegbulam	24	Nigeria	Oldham Athletic National League	Loan	Recalled
Noa Boutin	20	France Ivory Coast	Bournemouth U21s England	Loan	Recalled
Alex Stepien-Iwumene	19	England	Derby County Premier League 2	Loan	Recalled
Wes McDonald	27	England	Without Club	Free	Released
Dominic Gape	30	England	Without Club	Free	3 Months

Eastleigh Key Matches Of The Season

Some of Eastleigh’s most important matches of the 2024–25 season include key clashes against rivals Aldershot Town and Dagenham & Redbridge, alongside upcoming fixtures against York City and Barnet, both promotion contenders.

Crucial victories over Solihull Moors and Altrincham earlier in the season boosted morale. Upcoming games against Yeovil, York City, and Woking could define their final league standing.

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Eastleigh Key Achievements

Eastleigh Football Club, founded in 1946, rose to prominence through steady progression in non-league football. The club gained national recognition after earning promotion to the Conference South (2005) and later the National League (2014), showcasing their ambition and competitive edge.

A major milestone came in 2014–15, when they reached the National League play-offs, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Football League. Eastleigh has also made notable FA Cup runs, reaching the Third Round in 2016.

• Wessex League Champions – 2002–03
• Conference South Champions - 2013-14
• Hampshire Senior Cup Winners – 2012-13
• Hampshire League Division Two - 1969-70

Eastleigh Current Squad

Eastleigh’s 2024-25 squad features a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, with an average age of 27 years.  

Key players include goalkeeper Joe McDonnell, defenders Richard Brindley and Ludwig Francillette, midfielders Jake Taylor and Chris Maguire, and forwards Paul McCallum and Tyrese Shade. 

Eastleigh Attackers

Eastleigh FC’s attacking lineup in the 2024-25 season has been pivotal to the team’s performance. As of March 28th, Tyrese Shade leads the goal-scoring charts with 12 and is followed by Ludwig Francillette who has eight.  

Winger Tyrese Shade has contributed five assists, just ahead of Lloyd Humphries on four. Collectively, the team averages 1.4 goals per game, highlighting the importance of these players in securing results. 

Eastleigh Midfielders

Eastleigh FC’s midfield has been pivotal in the 2024-25 season, with key players like Jake Taylor and Chris Maguire contributing nine goals between them.  

New signing Nathan Tshikuna, who joined from Tamworth, brings additional attacking prowess, having scored eight league goals prior to his transfer.  

Overall, the midfield’s contributions have been instrumental in both offensive and defensive phases, underpinning the team’s performance this season.

Eastleigh Defenders

The Spitfires' defensive lineup in the 2024-25 season features key players such as Richard Brindley, Ludwig Francillette, and Niall Maher.

The defence has been instrumental in the team’s performance, maintaining a goal concession rate of 1.4 per game, aligning with the league average. Their consistent performances have been vital in securing Eastleigh’s mid-table position this season.

Eastleigh Goalkeepers

Eastleigh’s goalkeeping department is anchored by Joe McDonnell, who has been the team’s primary goalkeeper since joining in the 2020/21 season. As of March 28th, McDonnell has made 36 appearances and kept 10 clean sheets.

His consistent performances have been pivotal in Eastleigh’s defensive strategies. McDonnell’s experience and leadership are invaluable assets to the squad. 

Eastleigh Manager & Coaching Staff

Eastleigh Football Club’s management team is led by First Team Manager Kelvin Davis, a former Southampton goalkeeper with over 600 professional appearances.  

His assistant, Danny Butterfield, brings experience from Crystal Palace and coaching roles at MK Dons and Lincoln City.  

First Team Coach Jason Bristow continues his long-term association with the club, while Goalkeeping Coach Vince Bartram, formerly of Arsenal and Southampton, adds valuable expertise.

Kelvin Davis - Manager

Kelvin Davis, appointed Eastleigh FC’s First Team Manager in February 2024, brings extensive experience from a playing career spanning over 600 appearances, including more than 300 with Southampton FC.  

Transitioning into coaching, he served as Southampton’s assistant manager from 2017 to 2022. At Eastleigh, Davis emphasizes high-energy, high-pressing football, aiming to foster an environment where players enjoy their work and feel excited about their daily routines.  

His leadership has already yielded positive results, including a 5-2 victory over Oxford City shortly after his appointment. Davis’s approach reflects his commitment to dynamic play and player development.

Danny Butterfield - Assistant Manager

Danny Butterfield has been Eastleigh's assistant manager since February 2024 and brings a wealth of experience from his playing and coaching career. As a player, he represented clubs like Crystal Palace and Southampton.

Transitioning to coaching, Butterfield held roles at Southampton’s academy, MK Dons, Macclesfield Town, and Lincoln City.

At Eastleigh, he emphasizes defensive solidity and adaptability, drawing from his own playing versatility.

Jason Bristow - First Team Coach

Jason Bristow, Eastleigh's First Team Coach, joined the club in 2018 after a long and distinguished spell at Basingstoke Town as player, coach, and manager.  

At Eastleigh, Bristow has been instrumental in fostering a more expansive and possession-based playing style, emphasizing structured defence and patient build-up play.  

His coaching philosophy centres on developing young talent and promoting disciplined, tactical football, contributing significantly to the team’s competitive performance in the National League.

Vince Bartram - Goalkeeper Coach

Vince Bartram has been Eastleigh's goalkeeping coach since June 2023 and emphasizes developing well-rounded goalkeepers through tailored training.

His playing career spanned over 500 appearances across all English football divisions, including stints at Arsenal and Gillingham. Prior to Eastleigh, Bartram spent 12 years at Southampton’s academy, focusing on goalkeeper development and recruitment.

His coaching philosophy centres on nurturing technical skills, game understanding, and mental resilience, aiming to prepare goalkeepers for the demands of modern football. 

Eastleigh Former Managers & Key Coaches

Eastleigh Football Club has been guided by several notable managers who have significantly influenced its trajectory. Richard Hill, appointed in 2012, led the team to promotion to the National League in 2014 and achieved a fourth-place finish in their debut season.  

Chris Todd succeeded Hill in 2015, steering Eastleigh to the FA Cup third round for the first time. In 2018, Ben Strevens took charge, leading the team to a seventh-place finish and a playoff semi-final appearance. These managers have each contributed to Eastleigh’s growth and competitive presence in English football.

Kelvin Davis (2024-) took charge in February 2024 and guided the team to a 13th-place finish.

His tenure began with a 5-2 victory over Oxford City, ending an 11-match winless streak. In April 2024, Davis signed a three-year contract extension. His playing style emphasizes high-energy, high-pressing football that is exciting for players and fans alike. 

Richard Hill (2023-24) was appointed for the third time in September 2023, initially as an interim. He secured 11 points from seven games, leading to his permanent appointment.  

A highlight was the 2-1 FA Cup victory over League One’s Reading in December 2023, advancing Eastleigh to the third round. His leadership during this period reinforced Eastleigh’s competitive presence in the National League.

Lee Bradbury (2022-23) In his first full season, he led the team to a ninth-place finish in the National League, narrowly missing the playoffs.

Bradbury aimed for aggressive, attacking football with high pressing and defensive solidity. However, a winless start to the 2023-24 season led to his dismissal after five games. 

Ben Strevens (2018-23) managed Eastleigh from November 2018 to January 2022.

In his first season, he led the team to the National League play-off semi-finals, narrowly missing promotion after a penalty shootout loss to Salford City.

The following seasons saw mid-table finishes, with the team placing 16th and 9th. Strevens was known for fostering young talent, notably promoting players like Joe Tomlinson and Ben House to higher leagues. 

Eastleigh Legends

Michael Green (2009-11, 2011-21)

Green made 409 appearances. He was instrumental in the club’s 2013–14 Conference South title win, securing promotion to the National League. Green’s consistent performances and leadership contributed significantly to Eastleigh’s success during his tenure.

Andrew Boyce (2017-22)

Andrew joined Eastleigh from Grimsby Town. Over five seasons, he made 196 league appearances, scoring seven goals, and featured in 12 FA Cup matches. A significant achievement during his time was helping Eastleigh reach the National League play-off semi-finals in the 2018-19 season.

Joe McDonnell (2020-)

He joined from Notts County and has since become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. As of the 2024/25 season, he has made 199 appearances for Eastleigh. In the 2022/23 campaign, McDonnell kept 18 clean sheets, a club record, earning him the Player of the Season award.

Paul McCallum (2017-19, 2023-)

He made 67 appearances and scored 36 goals in his first spell, aiding the club’s 2019 playoff run. Returning in May 2023, McCallum netted 31 goals in the 2023/24 season, becoming the National League’s top scorer. Notably, his brace against Reading secured Eastleigh’s historic FA Cup third-round spot. As of September 2024, he has 77 goals in 140 appearances.

James Constable (2014-19)

James made 173 appearances and scored 41 goals. In the 2015–16 season, Constable was the club’s top scorer with 15 goals, significantly contributing to Eastleigh’s push towards the National League play-offs. Constable’s consistent performance and leadership were instrumental in establishing Eastleigh as a competitive force in the National League during his years with the club.

Tyrone Barnett (2019-22)

He scored 31 goals in 111 Eastleigh appearances. In his first season, he was the club’s top scorer with 11 goals in 34 appearances. The following season, he netted 12 goals in 38 games, sharing the top-scorer title with Joe Tomlinson.

Eastleigh Team Metrics & Performance

As of March 30, 2025, Eastleigh Football Club is competing in the 2024–2025 National League. After 40 matches, they occupy 11th place with 13 wins, 14 draws, and 13 losses, amassing 53 points.

The team has scored 53 goals (1.3 per game) and conceded 51 (1.27 per game). Goalkeeper Joe McDonnell has started 37 matches and kept 10 clean sheets.

Historically, Eastleigh has experienced varied league standings. In the 2023–2024 season, they finished 13th with 16 wins, 11 draws, and 19 losses, scoring 73 goals and conceding 87.  

After winning the Conference South in 2014, the Spitfires earned a playoff spot in the National League in 2015 but since then their best finish has been 7th, a get they’ve achieved twice.  

In the current 2024–2025 season, under manager Kelvin Davis, the team aims to improve upon previous performances and contend for promotion.

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Eastleigh Pitch & Amenities

Eastleigh Football Club’s home ground, Ten Acres—commercially known as the Silverlake Stadium—has been central to the club’s identity since 1957.

Located in Eastleigh, Hampshire, the stadium has a capacity of 5,192, including 2,700 seated areas. Key developments include the installation of floodlights in 1976 and the construction of a 352-seat grandstand in 2004 following promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division.  

Further enhancements in 2014 introduced a 2,290-seat South Stand and additional covered terraces, significantly improving the matchday experience. The record attendance of 5,075 was set during an FA Cup third-round match against Newport County on January 16, 2024.  

These continuous upgrades reflect the club’s ambition and commitment to providing a quality environment for players and supporters alike.

Eastleigh Fan Base & Support

Eastleigh Football Club, affectionately known as ‘The Spitfires’, boasts a dedicated and passionate fan base. Supporters demonstrate unwavering loyalty, attending matches at the Silverlake Stadium and actively engaging in club activities.

The Spitfires Supporters Club plays a pivotal role in fostering community spirit, organizing events, and enhancing the matchday experience. In 2024, Eastleigh FC partnered with Fanbase to improve fan engagement, offering a streamlined platform for ticketing and rewarding supporter loyalty.  

This collaboration underscores the club’s commitment to strengthening connections with its fans, who remain integral to Eastleigh FC’s identity and success.

Eastleigh Rivalries & Notable Matches

Eastleigh maintains spirited rivalries, notably with Aldershot Town and Havant & Waterlooville. These Hampshire derbies are looked forward to with excitement by fans. 

On February 15, 2025, Eastleigh secured a 2-0 victory over Aldershot Town at the Silverlake Stadium, with goals from Jai Semenyo and Tyrese Shade. 

Historically, Eastleigh has also shared a rivalry with Salisbury City, highlighted by a 4-0 triumph in the 2003–04 season. 

Eastleigh Facts

Eastleigh History

Eastleigh Football Club, affectionately known as ‘The Spitfires’, was founded on May 22, 1946, by Derik Brooks and friends at the Fleming Arms public house in Swaythling, Southampton. Initially named Swaythling Athletic, the club joined the Hampshire League in 1950 and moved to its current ground, Ten Acres, in 1957. The club was renamed Eastleigh in 1980 and became a founding member of the Wessex League in 1986. 

Under manager Paul Doswell, Eastleigh achieved three consecutive promotions from 2002 to 2005, elevating them to the Conference South. A significant milestone was reached in the 2013–14 season when Eastleigh won the Conference South title, securing promotion to the Conference Premier (now National League), the highest level of non-league football. 

The club’s nickname, The Spitfires, was adopted in 2005 and pays homage to the Supermarine Spitfire’s first flight from nearby Eastleigh Aerodrome in 1936. Eastleigh’s primary rivalries include matches against Aldershot Town and Havant & Waterlooville, known as Hampshire derbies, which are highly anticipated by supporters. 

Beyond the pitch, Eastleigh Football Club is deeply embedded in the local community, offering initiatives such as free girls’ football sessions, partnerships with Eastleigh Basics Bank, and holiday courses for children. These programs underscore the club’s commitment to fostering local spirit and engagement.

In recent years, Eastleigh has experienced managerial changes, including the appointment of former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis as first-team manager in February 2024. The club continues to strive for success in the National League, balancing on-field ambitions with a strong community presence.

Eastleigh Social Media Links

Staying connected with Eastleigh through social media is a great way for fans to get the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content from Silverlake Stadium.

Stay up to date by following the Spitfires on X @eastleighfc and by visiting the club's official website www.eastleighfc.com.

Eastleigh Outlook & Forecast

As of March 30, 2025, Eastleigh FC holds 11th place in the National League, with 13 wins, 14 draws, and 13 losses, totalling 53 points. The team has scored 53 goals and conceded 51, resulting in a +2 goal difference.

Recent signings include midfielder Dominic Gape on a short-term deal in October 2024 and the return of 19-year-old midfielder Alex Stepien-Iwumene from Derby County U21 in January 2025. Both have since left the club with Gape now at Shrewsbury Town and Stepien-Iwumene back with the Rams.

Strategically, Eastleigh aims to enhance midfield creativity and bolster defensive solidity to push for a playoff position.

Upcoming fixtures against Rochdale and FC Halifax Town are pivotal for their promotion aspirations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eastleigh

How much would it cost to buy Eastleigh Football Club?

Determining the exact cost to purchase Eastleigh Football Club is challenging, as it depends on various factors such as the club’s financial health, assets, and ongoing investments.

In 2017, then-chairman Stewart Donald revealed he had invested approximately £10 million into the club over five years, enhancing both the team’s performance and stadium facilities. In 2015, Donald mentioned a personal investment nearing £3 million, with the club operating profitably due to increased sponsorship and attendance.

These figures suggest that any potential sale price would need to account for such substantial investments. However, without current financial disclosures or an official valuation, it’s difficult to provide a precise figure.

What is the nickname of Eastleigh Football Club?

Eastleigh are known as The Spitfires.

Who is the manager of Eastleigh FC?

Former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis has been the manager of Eastleigh since February 2024.

Who owns Eastleigh Football Club?

As of March 30, 2025, Eastleigh Football Club is owned by Stewart Donald, who, through his company SJD Leisure Holdings Limited, acquired an 85% controlling stake in the club on May 2, 2023. Donald serves as the club’s chairman, with Tom Coffey as vice-chairman. Previously, Donald was the majority shareholder of Eastleigh before selling his stake in 2018 to purchase Sunderland A.F.C. His return in 2023 marks a renewed commitment to the club’s development and ambitions.

Is Eastleigh a big club?

While not a 'big club' by broader standards, Eastleigh is one of the stronger non-league teams with aspirations of achieving EFL status.

Where to watch Eastleigh Football Club?

You can watch Eastleigh Football Club’s matches primarily at their home ground, Silverlake Stadium in Eastleigh, Hampshire. For away games, visiting the opposing club’s stadium is the usual option.

For live broadcasts, selected National League matches, including Eastleigh’s games, are sometimes streamed via platforms like BT Sport, which holds broadcasting rights for certain fixtures. Additionally, the National League TV streaming service offers live coverage of matches not covered by TV deals.

Check Eastleigh FC’s official website or their social media channels for the latest information on live streams, highlights, and ticket availability.