EASTLEIGH are satisfied they have “done right by” Stuart Fleetwood and Jamie Collins by allowing them to move on during the January transfer window.

While manager Richard Hill thinks highly of both players, he believes striker Fleetwood will benefit from a loan move back to Forest Green Rovers, where he made his name.

He also insists gritty midfielder Collins has done the common sense thing in securing an 18-month contract with Sutton United in the Conference South.

Both players will forever hold a special place in Spitfires’ hearts, having been instrumental in winning the Conference South last term and securing Eastleigh a place at non- League’s top table for the first time in club history.

But neither had featured regularly in the starting 11 over the festive period and, no sooner had the January transfer window opened last Saturday, than their twin departure was announced shortly after Brian Howard and Joe Partington (loan) had been welcomed into the Stoneham Lane fold.

Eastleigh caused a major stir in non-League circles when they snapped up former Charlton and Hereford forward Fleetwood from Luton Town two summers ago and his silky skills have lit up the Silverlake Stadium ever since.

But Hill says that whereas last season Eastleigh could afford to give the 28-year-old a “free role” in the Conference South, they have been unable to do that this term against superior opposition in the Vanarama Conference.

“Fleets has come on and done everything we’ve asked him to do, but we’ve changed the shape of the team a little bit and standing on the right or left as a midfield player is not how he made his name,” said the boss.

“He wants to play as a forward.

“He’s not been a regular in the side for the last couple of months and felt it might have been time to freshen himself up at another club.

“He’s gone on loan until the end of the season and who knows what could happen in that respect.

“Fleets lives in Gloucestershire and it’s an opportunity to go back to a club that’s close to him and the club where he made his name.

“Give him his due, even when he was disappointed at not playing he always conducted himself impeccably. But he hadn’t played as many games as he’d have liked, so we gave him the opportunity to go.”

For 30-year-old Collins, his Eastleigh exit was all about financial security for next season.

Hill explained: “I think the world of the bloke, but I’ve always been up front with players and when he asked me what the possibility was of a contract for next season, I couldn’t be 100 per cent certain.

“I was then made aware he had the chance to go to a club in the league below and get an 18-month contract.

“Jamie has a wife and three kids and who was I to stop him securing another 12 months’ earnings for him and his family if I wasn’t certain of giving him a new deal?

“Stewart (Donald, chairman) and I thrashed it out and agreed that when players have done brilliant for us, like JC has, we’ve got to let them maximise their earning potential.

“Whether people agree with that or not, we’ve shown ourselves to be decent people with morals in the way we work.