Eastleigh's new stand is taking shape

EASTLEIGH have arranged a full list of pre-season friendlies and will be opening their new 350-seater stand early next month.

The fixtures start on Tuesday July 20th with a trip to Lymington and New Milton, and include a home match against against Gosport Borough on Saturday 24th.

AFC Bournemouth visit the Sparshatts Stadium on Tuesday 27th, followed by the visit of Winchester City on Sunday August 1st in the Hampshire Chronicle Cup.

Eastleigh are at home to a Saints XI on Thursday August 5th when Rupert Lowe is scheduled to open the new stand.

Work is now well in hand on the project which will bring the ground up to the standard required now the side has been promoted to the Ryman Premier League.

The £250,000 project, has Hedge End-based Drew Smith as the main contractors.

The stand will also house home and away team changing facilities with associated showers, a treatment room, directors' room, and kitchen.

"We will soon have a modern compact stadium with a 3,000 capacity," said Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell.

"It means the club will now be top quality both on and off the pitch."

Eastleigh's final pre-season games are away to Fleet on Saturday August 7th, at home to a Matt Le Tissier XI the following day and end with a visit to Netley Central on Wednesday 11th.

Former Eastleigh defender Dave Fear has been appointed as manager of the club's under 16 team.