EASTLEIGH manager Ian Baird has urged everyone connected with the club to try to stick together during difficult times for the Spitfires.

Baird said he was “more than prepared” to lead from the front and accept the wage cut offered to the players and coaching staff by the club because “the most important thing is Eastleigh Football Club."

The club came to that decision after losing a “six figure sum” in sponsorship income, and suffering two cup defeats in the last week at an estimated total cost of around £20,000 to the club.

And Baird said: “It hurts deeply what’s happened. But what’s happened has happened and you can’t do anything about that.

“My message to everybody at the club and the supporters is let’s try and stick together. We are desperate to do well for Eastleigh and we will try to do our best for Eastleigh.”

Full story in today's Daily Echo