There will be quite a few Southampton supporters at this game against our neighbours from the National League, so here is all the information that you need to know for the game on Friday evening 7pm at the Silverlake Stadium.
Eastleigh FC is a football club playing in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.
It was formed in 1946 as Swaythling Athletic and they retained this name playing in the Hampshire League, dropping the Athletic in 1977 and then changing it completely in 1980 to Eastleigh FC.
They were founder members of the Wessex League in 1986/87 season and remained at this level until 2002/03 when they won promotion to the Southern League, rising up the ranks to reach the National League South (Then Conference) in 2005.
The dynamic of the club changed in 2012 when Stewart Donald CEO of Bridle Insurance group took over the club, they achieved promotion to the Conference Premier for the first time in the club's history for the 2014–15 season and they have remained there ever since.
The Ground.
Swaythling Athletic moved to the present ground then called Ten Acres in 1957 from their previous ground, Walnut Avenue. The club's record attendance is 5,025 for an FA Cup third round match against Bolton Wanderers on 9 January 2016. The ground being a pretty basic affair up, aside from floodlights being added in 1976 with Saints playing at the ground to mark the occasion.
In 2004 ground improvements started and over the last 20 years it has been transformed from a ground with a small wooden stand and a clubhouse, to the modern stadium it is today.
Back to the Future
So for those attending on Friday here is all the information that you will need courtesy of the Eastleigh FC official website.
TICKETS
There are less than 100 tickets remaining for this fixture and the sale of tickets will cease on Thursday 18th July at 5pm. There will be no tickets sold on-the-day and we kindly ask that that if you don’t have a ticket for this fixture, please do not travel to the Silverlake Stadium as you will be able to access the stadium.
CAR PARKING
Our main car park at the Silverlake Stadium is sold out. please do not try to park at the Silverlake Stadium.
However, there are a number of spaces in Lower Hardmoor for parking at the ground priced at £10 per vehicle. These will be available on a first come, first served basis.
There will no parking available at The Concorde Club for this fixture.
We have a limited number of disability parking spaces, which are free of charge for any Blue Badge holders. Please note, this is subject to availability.
BARS & HOSPITALITY
Our hospitality for this fixture is sold out and those with a ticket will be able to access the Brooks Suite from 5pm onwards.
The Hangar Bar has undergone a refurbishment over the summer and will be open from 5pm. This bar is free to enter to both Eastleigh and Southampton supporters.
The Hangar Bar will only be accessible from outside the ground before the game. Once the game is underway, you will be able to access the Hangar from inside the ground.
The Sherwoods Player Lounge will be open from 5pm which is £4 for entry. Eastleigh and Southampton supporters can access this bar via the reception at the front of the Silverlake Stadium.
Inside the ground, we have the North Kiosk outside The Hanger Bar which will be open from 5:30pm and has a new menu on offer to supporters. The Spitfire Grill in North West corner, and Wrapstar in the South-West corner of the ground will also be open to supporters.
The South Stand concourse will feature all three kiosks in operation for the first time, which will be selling both hot and cold food as well as beer and soft drinks.
There will also be three external kiosks available around the ground. There will be a pop-up Greene King bar outside the away end, an ice-cream van in a similar location, and two burger vans in the main car park.
TURNSTILES
For this fixture, we will have nine turnstiles available for supporters to enter via.
For Southampton supporters who purchased their tickets via Southampton FC, please enter the Silverlake Stadium via turnstiles 1-3. This will grant you access to the east stand terrace and blocks 1-3 of the south stand.
For Eastleigh supporters or Southampton supporters who have purchased their tickets via Eastleigh FC, please enter the stadium via turnstiles 5/6, 8/9, or 12/13.
MIGRATION & SEGREGATION
Supporters attending this fixture will be able to migrate anywhere around the stadium however, we kindly ask supporters to remain in their designated area/seat whilst the match is being played.
We are aware that there will be a number of supporters mixed in all areas of the ground due to the support of both Clubs and we will be managing this with a soft stewarding approach and relaxed segregation.
MATCH COVERAGE
There will be full, live updates available across the club’s social media accounts. Click to follow us on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM.
PROGRAMMES
There will be matchday programmes on sale in the club shop and around the ground. Over the summer, we have increased the number of programme sellers so that buying a matchday programme is easier than ever.
These will be priced at £3 per copy and will include a feature interview with former Saints shot-stopper, and current Eastleigh manager, Kelvin Davis.