FORMER Dell striker Ian Baird is helping to spread the word for Havant & Waterlooville in the 'enemy' camp of Southampton.

The 40-year-old, who made 21 starts for Saints before carving out a career with Leeds, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, has joined the board of directors of the Conference South newcomers.

A good friend of Hawks vice-chairman Peter Demott, Baird, who runs his own vehicle leasing firm in Southampton, will be using his ample business contacts to help develop H&W's commercial wing.

He also has a lot of football contacts, having played professionally and worked as a football agent, and is hoping to capture a former Premiership striker as Hawks' big summer signing.

Baird, a former England schoolboy international, has had plenty involvement with the non-league game since hanging up his professional boots.

He played for Salisbury City, Farnborough Town and BAT and recently turned down the chance to become assistant manager of Conference outfit Stevenage Borough.

Baird explained: "Stevenage have gone full-time, which would have meant moving up there.

"I couldn't because of my business, so I thought I might as well focus on Havant & Waterlooville.

"I've seen quite a bit of Havant over the last few years and everything's in place to progress.

"I'll be there as a buffer between Dave Leworthy (manager) and the board and will help to raise the club's profile.

"Eastleigh have taken over with all the publicity recently, but Havant have a got a better history than they have and they play a better standard of football in a better league.

"It would be difficult to take Eastleigh on (publicity-wise) because Paul Doswell has done really well and they've progressed every season.

"We're using them as a yardstick really."

Havant secretary Trevor Brock is delighted to have Baird on board, saying: "He's got a good background in the pro game and lots of contacts in Southampton.

"We haven't previously broken into that part of the world commercially and Ian is already proving his worth. It's all part of making the club more professional."

Hawks have underscored their faith in manager Dave Leworthy by rewarding him with a three-year managerial contract and an improved budget.

Through no fault of his own, Leworthy had a disastrous start to his Westleigh Park reign, but a sizzling run of six wins from the last eight games ensured Hawks made the promised land of the Conference 2.

Next season's North and South champions will be automatically promoted to the national Conference along with the North/South play-off winners. Brock said: "We've raised the budget so that Dave can have a good crack at at least reaching the play-off places (top five)."

The highlights of Hawks pre-season campaign are three home friendlies against Portsmouth (July 21), Oxford United (July 24) and Woking (July 31).

They travel to Arundel (July 17), Brockenhurst (July 19), Burnham (July 27), Salisbury City (August 3), Bashley (Aug 8) and BAT (Aug 9).