Captain Glen Southam lifts the trophy with club founder Derik Brooks (photo by Tony Smith).
Eastleigh have made history after finally clinching the Skrill South title following a 2-1 victory at home to Hampshire rivals Basingstoke Town yesterday.
In their ninth season in the conference south, manager Richard Hill has done what no other Eastleigh manager could achieve in getting promoted to the top tier of non-league football.
Second half goals from Yemi Odubade and on-loan striker Ben Wright was enough to seal the all important three points in front of a home bumper crowd of 1505.
Despite being eleven points behind Bromley at one point this season, the Spitfires will be the highest they have ever been next season in their 68 years existence.
Yemi Odubade celebrates Eastleigh’s first goal with his team mates (photo by Tony Smith)
After a goalless first half, Hill’s men knew they only needed one point to secure promotion to the conference national, and Odubade stepped up the challenge with a goal just after the hour mark.
Eastleigh’s captain and man of the match Glen Southam was at the heart of the goal as the midfielder won the ball in the centre circle and done superbly to run with the ball towards 18 yard box.
Southam managed to find Ben Wright who then set up Odubade to curl in a right footed first time effort that gave substitute Ross Adams no chance in goal who normally plays in defence.
Ben Wright then went from creator to scorer like he has done for his majority of his loan spell.
Right back Dan Spence made a superb run into the box to find the former Basingstoke loanee to send the faithful Eastleigh fans into raptures.
Striker Ben Wright crowd surfs after scoring Eastleigh’s second (photo by Tony Smith)
The game still had enough time for the visitors get a consolation goal in injury time as Liam Enver-Marum netted for Basingstoke.
As the final whistle blew, the majority of ground cheered and applauded the joyous Eastleigh side that gave fans what they wanted at their own home.
Players and staff of the visiting side showed a lot of class as they joined in with applauding to show the appreciation of the Skrill South champions.
Faithful Eastleigh fans celebrate at the final whistle (photo by Paul Paxford)
Eastleigh players lined up to celebrate with the trophy as it was presented on the day by league representatives in what was a proud day for everyone involved at the club.
Fans were greeted by all the players and staff from the club after the game in the clubhouse including a very happy owner Stewart Donald.
The atmosphere around the stadium after the game certainly had a party theme to it as fans will be celebrating and remembering this victory for a very long time in what looks to be very exciting times for the Spitfires.
An elated Richard Hill shows appreciation to club founder Derik Brooks (photo by Tony Smtih)
Proud players, staff and fans took to Twitter following the game and shown just how much the victory meant to them.
Captain Glen Southam shows his love for the club.
Special day love my team #proud pic.twitter.com/uNs9lpypRR
— Glen southam (@suvs8) April 19, 2014
Winger Stuart Fleetwood after the game.
3/3 We've done it now and I'm so proud of @eastleighfc and everyone connected with the club. Roll on the Summer!!! #Champions
— Stuart Fleetwood (@F13Training) April 18, 2014
An elated Chris Todd thanks the support.
Thanks for the messages of Congrats and RT's #HappyIsAUnderstatement #greatsupport :-)))
— Chris Todd (@ChrisToddBook) April 19, 2014
Assistant manager Guy Butters shows off his medal.
https://twitter.com/GuyButters/status/45728817529225625
Eastleigh fan Callum Smith celebrating with manager Richard Hill.
https://twitter.com/StonehamLane/status/457253756984627200
Eastleigh fan Mark Blake, happy with the result.
Wow wow wow I can't quite believe what has happened today!
— Mark Blake (@BlakeEfc) April 18, 2014
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