This Saturday one of Saints’ worst ever signings will return to Hampshire.

Keeper Tommy Forecast will be in the Chelmsford Town squad that takes on high-flying Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium in the Skrill South tomorrow.

Forecast signed at St Mary’s as a supplement in the Gareth Bale deal, which saw the Welshman move to Tottenham Hotspur from Saints in 2005, but the 27-year-old never proved his worth and failed to make a competitive first-team appearance.

Bale, now at Real Madrid and the most expensive player in football history after his £86m move, is a glaring contrast to Forecast’s career, that declined rapidly at Saints before he went on loan to several lower league clubs before being released this summer.

Now he finds himself in a familiar position… on the bench at the Skrill South’s 16th placed side.

Initially Forecast was first choice, but after losing four on the bounce he was dropped and has only made one appearance since September.

In contrast to a player Saints fans couldn’t wait to see the back of, Richard Hill’s contract was one that the Eastleigh faithful will be very glad to see wrapped up.

The Spitfires boss was gifted his first contract at Stoneham Lane after 16 impressive months at the helm, following much speculation that he might join John Gregory at Crawley Town. Instead, he put pen-to-paper on a new deal.

And, after the elation of last weekend, where Eastleigh reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy after defeating Skrill National side Gateshead, Hill’s side have continued their impressive form in the Skrill South with a dramatic 2-1 over Dover Athletic on Tuesday – Stuart Fleetwood bagging a 92nd minute goal.

Eastleigh will be hot favourites for this weekend’s match (Saturday 3pm), despite their opposition remaining unbeaten under new manager Mark Hawkes, who took over at the end of September to replace former Aldershot Town boss Dean Holdsworth.

The Spitfires will then be in action again on Boxing Day at Dorchester Town.