PLAYER PROFILES

EASTLEIGH FOOTBALL CLUB PEN PICTURES

 Manager 

Ian Baird – Took over the role of manager in October 2007 after leaving fellow Blue Square Southern Division side Havant & Waterlooville. A highly rated striker in his playing days Ian had spells with Southampton (24 apps/5 gls), Cardiff City (12/6), Newcastle United (5/1), Leeds United (192/57), Portsmouth (22/1), Middlesborough (76/21), Bristol City (64/12), Heart of Midlothian (79/19), Plymouth Argyle (29/7) and Brighton & Hove Albion (42/14). Ian also played for Salisbury City and Farnborough Town before having gained managerial experience with Interdict (Hong Kong) and the Hong Kong National XI. Born 1^st April 1964 in Rotherham. 

 Player/Assistant Manager 

 Coach 

Matt Gray – Appointed as Coach at Eastleigh Football Club in October 2007 joining from Havant & Waterlooville with Ian Baird. A fully licensed coach, Matt had to retire from playing football owing to a back injury but had spells with Havant & Waterlooville, Hayes, Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City. Born 16^th September 1981 in London.

 Goalkeeping Coaches 

Gareth Howells – Arrived at Eastleigh in October 2007 from Havant & Waterlooville. His playing career included spells with Sutton United, Tottenham Hotspur, Torquay United (83/0), Swindon, Leyton Orient, Hellenic (Sth Africa) and Aldershot.  Born in Guildford 13^th June 1970.

 Goalkeepers

Jason Matthews – March 2008 signing from Blue Square Premier Division Weymouth. Has also played for Taunton Town, Nuneaton Borough, Salisbury City and Exeter City (18/0). Born in Paulton 13^th March 1975.

 Defenders

Luke Byles – Played for Hamble ASSC until joining the Saints Academy as a 17 year old second year student in 2001. During the 2002/03 season he played in the Premiership side’s reserves and was one of two players retained as graduating professionals in May 2003. Luke was released at the end of August 2004 and played for Havant & Waterlooville until his transfer to Eastleigh in August 2007. Born in Southampton 8th January 1984.

Andy Harris – Joined Eastleigh on a initially on a one-month loan deal from Nationwide National Division side Weymouth early September 2006 but became a permanent Eastleigh player at the expiration of the loan deal. Has also played for Liverpool, Southend United (70 apps/2 gls), Leyton Orient (149/2), Chester City (19/0) and Forest Green Rovers. Born Springs (South Africa) 26^th February 1977.

Tom Jordan - Joined Eastleigh in July 2008 from local rivals, Havant & Waterlooville. 6'5" tall, the 23 year old started his career in Bristol City’s youth side, where he spent 13 months from August 2001. Moved to Southend United for the 2002/03 season, and then onto Tamworth where he made 19 league appearances from August 2003 onwards. He signed for Conference National side Forest Green Rovers after a month’s loan in March 2004 but left for the Hawks at the start of the 2004/5 season. He started in the England Semi Pro side that drew 2-2 with Belgium in November 2004. Son of Scottish International, Joe Jordan, Tom was born in Manchester 24th May 1981.

Trevor Challis – Signed in June 2008 from Blue Square Premier Division Weymouth. Has also played for Shrewsbury (51 apps/0 gls), Telford United, Bristol Rovers (172/1) and Queens Park Rangers (15/0). Born in Paddington 23^rd October 1975.

Aaron Martin – Graduate from the Clubs youth system who appeard for England Schools at the end of the 2007/8 season. Centre back who has also played for Winchester City. Born 29^th September 1989 in Newport IOW.

Steve Clark – Signed from fellow Blue Square South side Bromley in October 2008. Previously played for West Ham, Southend United (60/2), Hornchurch, Dagenham & Redbridge, Fisher Athletic, Chelmsford City, Macclesfield Town and Weymouth.  Can also play in a midfield role. Born 10^th February 1982 in London.

Neil Sharp – December 2008 signing from BGB Southern League Premier Division Cambridge City. Has also played for Havant & Waterlooville, Woking, Swansea City (32/1), Merthyr Tydfil, Barry Town and Boreham Wood. Born in Hemel Hempstead 19^{th January 1978.}

Midfielders

Anthony Riviere – Talented midfielder signed in July 2007 from Fisher Athletic. Previously played for Faversham Town and Welling United. Born 9th November 1978 in Bromley.

Peter Adeniyi – Signed for Eastleigh in December 2007 from fellow Blue Square South side Bromley. Has previously played for Beckenham Town, Erith Town, Lewes and Dulwich Hamlet. Born 23^rd January 1980 in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Chris Mason – Promising midfielder who has worked his way into the first team squad from the clubs youth system having linked up with Eastleigh from A F C Bournemouth. Has also had a spell with Southampton. Born 11^th January 1991 in Southampton.

Tony Taggart – Signed in July 2008 from Havant & Waterlooville. Previously played for Weymouth, Farnborough and Barnet. Born in London 7^th October 1981.

Strikers

Jamie Brown – Joined Eastleigh for a four-figure sum in September 2006 from fellow Nationwide South side Dorchester Town. Had been at Dorchester for some six seasons following a move from B A T Sports. A Carpenter. Born 14^th July 1981 in Southampton.

Andy Forbes – Top scorer for Eastleigh last two seasons. Arrived at ten Acres in August 2004 from Winchester City. Won the FA Vase whilst with Winchester and also the acclaim of Non League Player Of The Year by the Non League Directory. Previously played for Reading and Andover. Manager of an Electrical Wholesaler. Born in Reading 28^th May 1979.

Matt Groves – Joined Eastleigh at start of 2008/9 season from Lewes. Matt has played for Portsmouth, Dorchester Town (making nearly 400 appearances from 1998 to 2007) and Lewes. Born 14^th July 1981 in Southampton.

Arron Milburn – Skilful striker on the fringe of the first team after progressing through the clubs youth team ranks after linking up from Portsmouth F C. Has also played for Moneyfields and Copnor North End. Born 22^nd April 1991. in Winchester.

Joe Maxwell – Striker graduating from the youth team ranks finished the 2007/8 season as leading scorer for both the Clubs South West Counties Youth and Reserves Suburban League sides. Born 28^th November 1989.

Brett Williams – Was originally with Eastleigh as a youth team player but left the club to play senior football at Winchester City. Returned to Eastleigh from Winchester in November 2008. Born 1^st December 1987 in Southampton.

Lee Roache – Currently on a one-month loan from BGB Premier Division Cambridge City. Has also played for Barnet. Born in Leytonstone 30^th April 1984.