Eastleigh Matchday Programme

Cian

10 Minutes with Harries

An England legend as an icon, gracing the Ajax pitch and how he came about taking penalties, get to know Rovers’ newly acquired centre back Cian Harries.

Footballing idol growing up?

That would be Steven Gerrard.

Best stadium you’ve played in?

Ajax’s stadium I think, but my favourite stadium is Villa Park.

One memory that has stuck with you throughout your career?

Would have to be playing at Villa Park.

Toughest opponent you’ve faced?

Toughest probably won’t be the best opponent but I played Joe Garner at Wigan a few years ago, he’s at Oldham now, but five or six years ago he was a right good handful.

How did you get into taking penalties?

Lying really. Lying that I’d taken a load before and scored a load before!

How would you describe yourself as a player?

Composed, assured and a good teammate.

Why did you join FGR?

Position in the table, promotion chances and working with the Gaffer.

Harries26

WeAre FGR

Opposition The

Eastleigh make the 185-mile round trip to The New Lawn for the first time 2016 ahead Forest Green Rovers National League clash with the Spitfires.

That meeting back in September of 2016 saw Rovers earn a 1-1 draw as Rhys Murphy cancelled out Mikael Mandron’s opener.

But in our most recent meeting with Spitfires back in October a dominant second half performance saw Rovers come away 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Harry Cardwell, Tom Knowles and Charlie McCann.

Since that fixture, the Hampshire side have hit a grey patch of form in the league winning just three games since October whilst drawing eight of their last 18 league games.

In their recent form in the league, they have picked up just one win drawing two and head to The New Lawn on the back of successive defeats against Altrincham and Sutton United.

That form sees them occupy 13th in the National League but, with how tightly fought the division currently is, sees them sit four points off the play-off spots.

Manager Kelvin Davis is closing in on a year in charge of the Spitfires after taking the helm back in February of last year.

Since taking charge, the former Southampton goalkeeper has overseen 41 matches picking up 15 wins in that time.

There’s some impressive talent and goals throughout their squad such as, Tyrese Shade and Chris Maguire who both have six goals whilst striker Paul McCallum still leads the way with eight goals.

But their star striker has been with without a goal in the league since October and has also missed the last three games through injury, which he picked in the sides 1-0 win over Solihull Moors.

And one of the most in form players comes from their backline as centre-back, Ludwig Francillette, who has bagged three goals in his last seven league games.

Established

Eastleigh FC was founded on 22nd May, 1946 by Derik Brooks and a group of friends at the Fleming Arms public house in Swaythling, Southampton.

Crest

Eastleigh F.C.’s new logo design is striking, bold, simple and iconic. It references the history of Eastleigh and brings the football club's nickname - The Spitfires - to life.

Stadium

In 1957, Swaythling Athletic moved to Ten Acres where the club has remained to this day and has been known as the Silverlake Stadium over the last ten season due to Eastleigh’s stadium right naming partnership with local automotive recycling company Silverlake Automotive Recycling.

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