HEADING FOR THE BLUE SQUARE PREMIER? Eastleigh's ex-Saint David Hughes in action against Bognor on Easter Monday.
WHILE the main football focus in this area is whether Saints can avoid the nightmare drop into League One, one of the greatest success stories in Hampshire footballing history could well be written over the next few weeks.
Following their 1-0 home win over Bognor Regis on Bank Holiday Monday, Eastleigh FC believe they need just three wins from their remaining six games to win a place in the Blue Square Conference South play-offs.
It's a large if' but were Eastleigh to win promotion for the fourth time in six seasons, they would complete a sensational rise from the Wessex League to the top division of non league football in remarkable time.
The irony of Eastleigh's rise at the same time his beloved Saints are struggling so badly is not lost on Spitfires assistant manager Paul Doswell.
He knows all too well that Saints and Eastleigh could be seperated by just two divisions if the former go down and the latter go up - a statistic Doswell describes as "sobering."
While remaining hopeful Saints avoid another catastrophic demotion, the man who kickstarted Eastleigh's footballing revolution when he took over as manager in 2002 is also confident the Spitifires can finish in the Blue Square South play-off zone.
advertisement
He is also hoping Saints fans can play their part in helping roar Eastleigh onto a top-six finish.
Doswell has said that all Saints adult season ticket holders can pay just £6 - normal price £10 - to watch this weekend's crunch clash at the Silverlake Stadium with fellow play-off hopefuls Bishop's Stortford (3pm).
No such cut-price offer applies the following Tuesday for a game which Doswell bills as "as good as it gets if you like non league football" when Eastleigh host Hampshire rivals Havant & Waterlooville.
There is no love lost between the two clubs after a series of barbed comments have appeared in the media in recent months with regards to Eastleigh's ultimately failed attempt to sign Hawks centre half Tom Jordan.
That followed Ian Baird's shock departure as Havant boss last October in order to replace ex-Saint David Hughes as Eastleigh manager.
"We have some huge games coming up," said Doswell.
"The next four are all against teams either in the top six or hoping to get in the top six.
"Bishop's Stortford is a massive game and I can't emphasise just how big the Havant game is next Tuesday.
"Even though Arsenal v Liverpool is live on TV, we're hoping for a crowd of around 1,500 - and it could be as high as 2,000.
"It's a game that could define both side's season. If we win, we could be looking good for the play-offs while a Havant defeat could be the death knell for them.
"I know there's no love lost between the two teams, and I wouldn't attempt to say otherwise.
"If you're a fan of non league football, it doesn't get much better than this game.
"It would be nice to see as many Saints fans as possible coming along to these games.
"Saints aren't playing at home this Saturday, so my message to all their fans is please support us'."
Doswell knows that top two Eastbourne and Lewes are almost certain to finish in those positions, though who will claim the title and the sole automatic promotion place that accompanies it is not so easy to answer.
So that leaves three play-off places available, and at present Doswell wouldn't discount any team from Eastleigh in third place down to Newport County in 11th.
"A week or so ago you would have thought Newport would have one of the play-off places nailed on, but they've now lost three on the bounce and have to win all their games in hand to get back in it.
"I'm confident we will make it and I reckon the other two will come from Hampton, Havant or Bishop's Stortford.
"Hampton are a typical Conference South side, they are big, strong, lots of six-footers.
"They play it long from back to front and look to pick up second balls. They aren't a passing side, but they can leave you in a real mess if you don't cope with them.
"Just because they haven't got the biggest budget or are the biggest name, I don't think they get the credit they deserve
"Havant will undoubtedly be up there as well."
Doswell has spent almost all his time since being appointed Eastleigh boss attempting to increase the size of the club's home gates.
From attendances of less than 100 in their Wessex League days, they are now consistently getting crowds of more than 500 and attracted over 700 on Easter Monday.
Regular gates of 1,000, though, will only come with promotion to the elite division of non league football and games against the likes of 1986 League Cup winners Oxford, Exeter, Torquay, Stevenage, Weymouth and Salisbury.
"If and when we go up, we'll attract a few more locals but we'll also get much larger travelling support," said Doswell.
"I don't think we can regularly get crowds of 1,000 just from locals."
Posted by: RendelFC, Soton on 10:07am Thu 27 Mar 08
Don't kid yourself Mark. Its about all you've got left to look forward to this season. Or are you still in the russell cotes cup?
Whereas the mightly beastleigh are destined for the playoffs.
Don't kid yourself Mark. Its about all you've got left to look forward to this season. Or are you still in the russell cotes cup?
Whereas the mightly beastleigh are destined for the playoffs.
Posted by: Loud & Proud EFC, Bishopstoke on 11:11am Thu 27 Mar 08
Ketch you now it is a big game.
I know you don't think you can make the play off's.
So its a big game for you because you can put a big dent in a local rivals attempt.
See you @ the 'Lake mate.
Ketch you now it is a big game.
I know you don't think you can make the play off's.
So its a big game for you because you can put a big dent in a local rivals attempt.
See you @ the 'Lake mate.
Posted by: mark the hawk, hawksville on 2:34pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Rendell,I just knew you'd bite,whats all we've got left to look forward to ? , playing Eastleigh? rather high opinion of yourselves there I must admit.
Ian, i'm sorry but putting a dent in your play off ambitions doesn't make it a big game for me.As I posted it is a big game , but nowhere as big Dozy is trying to make out.
"big as it gets in non-league", personally I feel that going to one of the "big four" in the fourth round of the FA cup as a conf south side is "as big as it gets in nonleague"
as for the russell coates , I presume youre sneering a bit at that Rendell, how very Eastleigh , to poke fun at a competition that raises funds for injured players in Hampshire, one that a couple of seasons ago you were creaming yourselves over winning.perhaps that was before you started watching them eh ?
Rendell,I just knew you'd bite,whats all we've got left to look forward to ? , playing Eastleigh? rather high opinion of yourselves there I must admit.
Ian, i'm sorry but putting a dent in your play off ambitions doesn't make it a big game for me.As I posted it is a big game , but nowhere as big Dozy is trying to make out.
"big as it gets in non-league", personally I feel that going to one of the "big four" in the fourth round of the FA cup as a conf south side is "as big as it gets in nonleague"
as for the russell coates , I presume youre sneering a bit at that Rendell, how very Eastleigh , to poke fun at a competition that raises funds for injured players in Hampshire, one that a couple of seasons ago you were creaming yourselves over winning.perhaps that was before you started watching them eh ?
Pretty unlikely Havant will make the playoffs. They've got a must win at St. Albans tomorrow which is will be very tough and they won't have an easy game at the silverlake either.
A 4th round of the FA cup fixture is hardly a "non-league game" is it? Dozzy was more referring to league games.
For your information, though its not really relevant, I have supported Eastleigh long before Dozzy came along as manager. Back in the days of swanage, Horndean and whitchurch.
We weren't very exicted about winning the russell cotes, but it was a good warm up to our ryman playoff win.
Looking forward to April 1st anyway - by the tone of your posts it looks like you're getting a bit edgy.
Pretty unlikely Havant will make the playoffs. They've got a must win at St. Albans tomorrow which is will be very tough and they won't have an easy game at the silverlake either.
A 4th round of the FA cup fixture is hardly a "non-league game" is it? Dozzy was more referring to league games.
For your information, though its not really relevant, I have supported Eastleigh long before Dozzy came along as manager. Back in the days of swanage, Horndean and whitchurch.
We weren't very exicted about winning the russell cotes, but it was a good warm up to our ryman playoff win.
Looking forward to April 1st anyway - by the tone of your posts it looks like you're getting a bit edgy.
Posted by: mark the hawk, hawksville on 1:35pm Fri 28 Mar 08
ok so its not a league game but its the biggest game i'll ever see my club play , regardless of whatever happens in the league ever.
but I stand by my opinion that 3rd v 9th in conf south is not "as big as it gets in non-league".
and i'm the one supposed to be getting edgy , i havn't got a clue who your playing tomorrow, but you seem quite clued up on the rest of our season !!!
but having said that as a gesture of goodwill I'll allow to buy me a beer on tuesday , just speak to Loud ,he'll point you in the right direction.
ok so its not a league game but its the biggest game i'll ever see my club play , regardless of whatever happens in the league ever.
but I stand by my opinion that 3rd v 9th in conf south is not "as big as it gets in non-league".
and i'm the one supposed to be getting edgy , i havn't got a clue who your playing tomorrow, but you seem quite clued up on the rest of our season !!!
but having said that as a gesture of goodwill I'll allow to buy me a beer on tuesday , just speak to Loud ,he'll point you in the right direction.
Tahnks for the offer-very magnanamous!
We've got Bishops Storford tomoorrow, why don't you pop along Mark, I know you live close and lets be honest you've got a soft spot for Eastleigh too.
As for the Hawks playoffs chances, well its possible, the league changes with every week but IMO the're unlikey to get to 73 points (they would need 5-2-1). Think they need 4 points from visits to st.albans + us which I doubt they'll get. I'd put Us, hampton, Bishops + Newports chances above Havant.
Lets hope we can have another great 3 points for the spitfires tommorrow with a big crowd too :-)
Cu
Tahnks for the offer-very magnanamous!
We've got Bishops Storford tomoorrow, why don't you pop along Mark, I know you live close and lets be honest you've got a soft spot for Eastleigh too.
As for the Hawks playoffs chances, well its possible, the league changes with every week but IMO the're unlikey to get to 73 points (they would need 5-2-1). Think they need 4 points from visits to st.albans + us which I doubt they'll get. I'd put Us, hampton, Bishops + Newports chances above Havant.
Lets hope we can have another great 3 points for the spitfires tommorrow with a big crowd too :-)
Posted by: mark the hawk, hawksville on 4:44pm Fri 28 Mar 08
tell you what Rendel ,i'll give you a wave as i go past on the way to St.Albans.
living in Hedge End its easier to get to WLP than it is to the scrapyard.
a big crowd expected then,mind you youre having to copy the Hawks again, we've been letting PFC season ticket holders in for a fiver for two seasons now.
licking my lips in anticipation of a nice cool pint on tuesday
tell you what Rendel ,i'll give you a wave as i go past on the way to St.Albans.
living in Hedge End its easier to get to WLP than it is to the scrapyard.
a big crowd expected then,mind you youre having to copy the Hawks again, we've been letting PFC season ticket holders in for a fiver for two seasons now.
licking my lips in anticipation of a nice cool pint on tuesday
Posted by: Loud & Proud EFC, Bishopstoke on 6:13pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]mark the hawk[/bold] wrote:
tell you what Rendel ,i'll give you a wave as i go past on the way to St.Albans. living in Hedge End its easier to get to WLP than it is to the scrapyard. a big crowd expected then,mind you youre having to copy the Hawks again, we've been letting PFC season ticket holders in for a fiver for two seasons now. licking my lips in anticipation of a nice cool pint on tuesday[/quote] Does that make you a cheap skate we are charging £6 :-)
mark the hawk wrote:
tell you what Rendel ,i'll give you a wave as i go past on the way to St.Albans. living in Hedge End its easier to get to WLP than it is to the scrapyard. a big crowd expected then,mind you youre having to copy the Hawks again, we've been letting PFC season ticket holders in for a fiver for two seasons now. licking my lips in anticipation of a nice cool pint on tuesday
Does that make you a cheap skate we are charging £6 :-)
Posted by: Loud & Proud EFC, Bishopstoke on 9:11am Mon 31 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Ric Flair[/bold] wrote:
SAINTS HAVE MORE FANS THAN EASTLEIGH DO, THEY'VE GOT MORE STEWARDS THAN FANS[/quote] We must be catching you up now tho.
The wrestling was as bad as Saints @ Cardiff.
Coz everybody knew wot the result would be befor it started.
Ric Flair wrote:
SAINTS HAVE MORE FANS THAN EASTLEIGH DO, THEY'VE GOT MORE STEWARDS THAN FANS
We must be catching you up now tho.
The wrestling was as bad as Saints @ Cardiff.
Coz everybody knew wot the result would be befor it started.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Your best coverage for all levels of sport in Southampton and Hampshire
Print
Email this
Comment
