soccer

Hill back at Eastleigh to 'steady the ship'

Newly appointed Eastleigh interim boss Richard Hill said that he is back at the club to "steady the ship" and offer a helping hand to owner Stewart Donald.

The Spitfires currently sit 18th in the National League and parted company with Scott Bartlett over the weekend.

Despite this being his fourth time back at the club, Hill insists that this will be his final spell in the Silverlake dugout.

"My job is to go in there, steady the ship and put some smiles back on the player's faces to get them going," Hill told BBC Radio Solent.

"This is time number four (back at Eastleigh) but I'm not seeing it as number four, this is just a short-term agreement between me and Stewart to the end of the season, after that someone else will come in.

"I've got a wife and two boys that have both asked me not to do this, but I had a conversation with Stewart over the weekend and I believe because I've been here before and know how Stewart works, that was why he asked me.

"I have to go in and make things simple, give them the instructions of how I want to play, they need a bit of a cuddle and some love, that's been missing."

In a lengthy statement on Eastleigh's website, vice chairman Tom Coffey, detailed the reasoning behind Hill's reappointment.

He voiced his backing for their owner Donald who suffered a personal tragedy last year with the passing of his wife who had cancer.

Coffey also revealed that over the past 12 months he had been looking into the potential of a change at the very top of the club.

"Over the past 12 months I have actively explored opportunities for additional investment or a potential change of ownership in the best interests of the club, recognising that personal circumstances could necessitate a transition," Coffey said.

"It has become clear that there is currently no appetite from external parties to fund the club at anywhere near the level required to compete in the National League."

Coffey also shared that the cost of the club's utility bills now outweighs the income generated from season tickets.

Despite being urged to not take the interim job by his family, Hill believes that his return will be a helping hand to the Spitfire's owner Donald.

"Sometimes you have to repay people who put trust in you in the past and be there if they need a bit of help," Hill added.

"Stewart's personal life has been pretty difficult for him and it's been far worse for him than any statement can read.

"What he doesn't need is people questioning his commitment to the football club when he puts £100,000 a month into the club.

"Without Stewart Donald here I don't know where the football club would be without his continued investment which is heavy investment, and that is fact."

Read full story at Yahoo Sport →