Former Eastleigh assistant manager Mark Dennis has been astounded by the job chairman Stewart Donald and manager Richard Hill have done at the Spitfires.

The ex-Saint has watched on in admiration as Donald and Hill have taken Eastleigh to the play-offs in their first season in the Vanarama Conference.

Dennis took up a number of roles under Paul Doswell’s management, including assistant boss, when the Spitfires rose from the Wessex League to the Conference South between 2002 and 2007.

He was known as integral part of that rise up the non-league pyramid, until his departure at the end of August 2007.

And it is a subject of pride for the Dell favourite that the club he still holds dear to his heart has fulfilled the potential he saw back in his days on Stoneham Lane.

In vastly experienced boss Hill, ambitious chairman Donald and an ever growing band of supporters, Dennis believes the Silverlake Stadium have the perfect combination for success to go even further than they already have.

Being a football man himself, Dennis is continually impressed with the way Hill has built a team bred for winning, especially 19-goal top-scorer James Constable.

“Yes, you’ve got Stewart pumping money into the club,” he said. “But the key is spending that money well.

“You have to get the right players and Hill has done that perfectly.

“Hill has bought wisely – that boy James Constable is superb, a brilliant signing.

“You look at Eddie Howe ( at Bournemouth) as well, he’s got money but has spent it wisely and even at times decided not to spend it.

“Hill is doing the same thing in the Conference.

“Stewart puts the money on the table, but like Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, they’ve been a revelation because Richard Hill is using the money wisely.

“You can have the money, but it’s what you do with it that’s important.

“Stewart Donald and Richard Hill have done an absolutely amazing job,” he said.

“Donald has got that money and the passion and has pushed them all the way.

“The supporters have really rallied behind them, coming in their droves.

“They’ve been there since coming up from the Wessex.

“It’s really something quite impressive.”

Dennis, who is still in touch with striker/assistant manager Craig McAllister, knows that the hunger from the fans is very much matched by the desire for promotion from the players.

It comes just a year after they won the Skrill South for the first time in their history.

“It would be wonderful if they could follow Bournemouth’s lead and go up,” he said. “Think about the success that South Coast football has had – it’s absolutely fantastic.

“I honestly think all the momentum is with Eastleigh and, with the fans behind them, I really think they can do it.

“I’m very confident they can take this run and use it to go into the Football League.

“It would be an outstanding achievement for everyone at the club not just the manager and chairman.

“You’ve got people there who have there for a long time, people like Mick Geddes – everyone there has pulled together.”

Since arriving at the club in early 2012, Donald – the Bridle insurance chief executive – has overseen a transformation on and off the pitch.

Average crowds of 500-600 when Donald first took ownership have grown into attendances of more than 4,000. Something they’ve achieved twice this season.

Eastleigh latest landmark – the result of finishing fourth in the non-league’s elite level – will be welcoming Grimsby Town to the Silverlake Stadium in the first leg of the semi-final.

The Silverlake will likely see another record-breaking attendance to get behind the team.

Dennis reckons that nobody in the play-off places would fancy coming up against his former charges.

“Grimsby won’t fancy it over two legs,” he said. “I know everyone in that top five wouldn’t fancy playing Eastleigh over two legs.

“Eastleigh have got all the momentum and they’ve got that winning habit.

“Richard has installed that winning habit into them and I think they’ll go on to get promotion.

“Away from home they have been outstanding,” he continued.

“These aren’t short journey either. “You’ve got trips to Gateshead, those places are long, long way away.

“Paul Doswell pushed the club on, through the Wessex and you’ve got Paul Murray who did the same.

“But Stewart and Richard have now taken it to the next level.

“The crowd are chomping at the bit.

“I know Craig McAllister very well, he’s an absolutely brilliant pro over the years.

“He’s still going strong and I know he’ll also be chomping at the bit to get up.”