Hill raids old club for Flitney (From Daily Echo)

Hill raids old club for Flitney

9:08am Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport By Wendy Gee

Eastleigh have signed goalkeeper Ross Flitney on a month’s loan from manager Richard Hill’s old club Gillingham.

The 6ft 3in, 28-year-old is eligible to play in Saturday’s Blue Square Bet South fixture away at Eastbourne Borough.

Hill assistant to former Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler, believes the Spitfires will benefit from having Flitney’s experience between the sticks and that regular No1 Jack Dovey, who turned 20 this week, will learn from him.

“At our level of football everybody is looking for a quality, experienced keeper,” said Hill. “Ross has played over 200 games and has bags of experience. It suits Gillingham and this arrangement will help Jack who will learn lots from Ross.”

Flitney recently resumed full training after sustaining a knee injury in January. Since returning from surgery in the summer, the former Barnet, Grays and Dover ’keeper has found himself down the pecking order at Priestfield.

Lloyd Anderson, who only recently arrived at Eastleigh as cover for Dovey, has been released.

Meanwhile transfer-listed Spitfires forward/midfielder Chris Flood has joined BSB South rivals Maidenhead United on a one-month deal.

Flood, signed from Dorchester Town last season, recently scored a hat-trick in Eastleigh’s Hampshire FA Senior Cup win over Christchurch.

“Chris asked to go out on loan and this will be a good opportunity to play a few games as he has not had much of a look-in since arriving at Eastleigh,” said Hill.