IT’S that time of year when footballers are brushing up on their fitness in pre-season training.

But three Eastleigh players – and one Spitfires’ old boy – recently brushed up on their painting skills instead.

As part of the National League club’s on-going work in the community, the Spitfires are getting behind local charity Shine South which provides specialist support for anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus plus their families and carers.

When word reached the Silverlake that Shine’s New Milton-based accommodation was in need of an external coat of paint, Eastleigh soon had it covered.

Defender/head of recruitment Paul Reid, EFC’s official ambassador for the charity, rallied the troops and got a painting party together.

He, striker James Constable, New Forest-based left-back Michael Green and former Spitfires favourite Yemi Odubade proved to be dab hands with a paintbrush.

They spent a day smartening up Shine South’s wheelchair-adapted lodge at Hoburne Naish, Christchurch Road, which is available for respite and holiday breaks.

Thanks go to Michael Kurn, who continually supports the local community of Eastleigh. Desire, Dream, Vision donated all the paint and products to enable the project to go ahead at a week's notice.

Shine South was formerly known as Southampton and District Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association.

In 2015 they became affiliated to Shine and now incorporate Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.

For more information visit www.shinesouthcharity.org