EASTLEIGH chairman Stewart Donald remains committed to the Spitfires – even though he is set to acquire a ten per cent stake in League Two outfit Oxford United.

Donald’s investment in Oxford will be in excess of £500,000 and will also see his company, Witney-based Bridle Insurance, sponsor the Us’ women’s team, academy and this month’s pre-season tour to Austria.

It is the fruition of conversations between Donald and United chairman Darryl Eales since the latter’s ENSCO 1070 bought 51 per cent of the club from Ian Lenagan a year ago.

Donald has pumped an estimated £3 million into Eastleigh since taking over in 2011, transforming the Stoneham Lane outfit both on and off the field.

He will not be joining Oxford’s board and is confident the investment will not be a conflict of interest.

“The simplest way to look at it is like having two children. You try not to love one more than the other and try to do your best for both of them,” he said.

Armed with Donald’s funding, Eastleigh were promoted to non-League’s top flight as 2013/14 Conference South champions.

Under the astute management of Richard Hill, they made the play-off semi-finals in their debut National League campaign and sent average attendances soaring to over 1,700 at the Silverlake Stadium.

Stressing that the Spitfires remain his “prime club financially”, Donald said: “Everybody at Eastleigh knows I’m an Oxford fan and the fact I’m taking ten per cent and not any more shows I’m retaining my interest there.

“I have to be careful because I’ve got Eastleigh, but you’re allowed to own ten per cent of another club for investment purposes.

“Eastleigh is my prime club financially and I’m just as committed as ever to make sure they have a successful season.

“It is very simple from my perspective.

“I’ve been an Oxford fan for 30 years and I’ve always tried to help them over the last few years.

“I just got the sense that Darryl would appreciate a little bit more help to try and make sure he can achieve the things he wants.

“We were talking numbers and the money was a little bit more, so he said ‘why don’t you take a little share of the club?’ “I’m an Oxford boy, so it’s a big pull for me and I completely buy into Darryl and what he’s trying to do.”

Donald added: “I would envisage what we have done now will just be the start of me spending money at Oxford United.

“It’s a substantial investment in the club – it will be in excess of half a million pounds – and it says ‘I’m here to help.' ”

Eales is thrilled with the deal which is due to be officially rubber-stamped in a few days.

He said: “Stewart and I have been talking for some time and share a common vision for the club, especially in building success both on the pitch and in the community.

“I am delighted that we will continue to build a strong relationship and that his passion and knowledge will be available to help drive the club forward.”

Mark Ashton, the Us’ chief executive, added: “It is clear Stewart is extremely passionate about Oxford United and having an investor in the club which has such great links with the local business community can only be a positive thing.”