Saints link up with Eastleigh

4:12pm Tuesday 27th November 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Wendy Gee

Saints link up with Eastleigh Saints link up with Eastleigh

SAINTS have struck up a new partnership with non-league neighbours Eastleigh.

Starting with the visit of Newcastle United on Monday, December 17 (7pm), Saints will be playing some of their Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixtures at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium home in Stoneham Lane.

Additionally, the two clubs’ youth programmes will share ideas on how to develop local youth football.

Eastleigh boss Richard Hill said: “This is a positive move for the club and says a lot about Eastleigh and where we are going that Southampton approached us.

“We have a Premier League club on our doorstep and it is imperative we have strong links and be in pole position when any mutually beneficial opportunities arise in the future.

“Likewise we want to have close links with as many local clubs as possible.”

Les Reed, executive director of Saints’ Football Development & Support Centre, hailed Saints’ new agreement with the Blue Square Bet South promotion hopefuls.

“This is a great opportunity for our two clubs to form a relationship which benefits football in and around the Southampton community,” he said.

Saints’ under-21s are battling for a place in the Elite Group Stage of the Professional Development League and will play more home games at the Silverlake after Christmas.

They currently play in one of three National Groups which consists of the 22 teams who applied for Category One status under the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan.

Competitions rules state that teams can name three over-age outfield players plus an over-age goalkeeper in any match day squads. The likes of Artur Boruc, Danny Butterfield, Tadanari Lee, Ryan Dickson and Jonathan Forte have already featured.

Comments(7)

Puddletown Saint says...
4:48pm Tue 27 Nov 12

This partnership could be even better if some of our talented kids who are not ready for the first team can be loaned out to Eastleigh. Playing in the Blue Square South would be a great challenge for career development and if they do not shine here then may be they will not make it. Players like Hoskins Sinclair and Stephens.

Roll on Wednesday.

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CB FRY LIVES says...
5:27pm Tue 27 Nov 12

Puddletown Saint wrote:
This partnership could be even better if some of our talented kids who are not ready for the first team can be loaned out to Eastleigh. Playing in the Blue Square South would be a great challenge for career development and if they do not shine here then may be they will not make it. Players like Hoskins Sinclair and Stephens.

Roll on Wednesday.
I agree should be of mutual benefit for both clubs.i think AARON MARTIN played for Eastleigh before signing for us.Talking of him does anyone no if he is injured.I don't think he has featured for Crystal Palace for awhile.

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CB FRY LIVES says...
5:28pm Tue 27 Nov 12

CB FRY LIVES wrote:
Puddletown Saint wrote:
This partnership could be even better if some of our talented kids who are not ready for the first team can be loaned out to Eastleigh. Playing in the Blue Square South would be a great challenge for career development and if they do not shine here then may be they will not make it. Players like Hoskins Sinclair and Stephens.

Roll on Wednesday.
I agree should be of mutual benefit for both clubs.i think AARON MARTIN played for Eastleigh before signing for us.Talking of him does anyone no if he is injured.I don't think he has featured for Crystal Palace for awhile.
Should be does anyone know on the last post.my fingers are too quick for the pesky keyboard.

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Seedhouse the Unrepentant says...
5:57pm Tue 27 Nov 12

It's good to form relationships with local small and lower league clubs, they can feed their talent into us.

As a gesture of goodwill maybe we should include Poopey? Have to hurry though, December is nigh.

Just asking like.


14.12.12

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Tye-Dye pt2 says...
6:43pm Tue 27 Nov 12

Well they are the 2nd biggest club in Hampshire on the South Coast, cant think of any others? UTS!!

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Taunton Saint says...
8:19pm Tue 27 Nov 12

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
It's good to form relationships with local small and lower league clubs, they can feed their talent into us.

As a gesture of goodwill maybe we should include Poopey? Have to hurry though, December is nigh.

Just asking like.


14.12.12
To be fair Seed the idea has merits, but I propose it as follows;

First in Chain - Saints

Second in Chain - Saints U21's

Third in Chain - Saints U18's

Fourth in Chain - Eastleigh

Fifth in Chain - Eastleigh Reserves

Sixth and bottom (as a skate should be) - The Blue Few

After 14.12 that will be about right

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AndyAndrews says...
10:18am Wed 28 Nov 12

Are these games going to be open to the public and, if so, what will it cost?

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