History
The club was formerly known as Swaythling Athletic, which then changed to Swaythling. In 1950 they joined Hampshire League, and in 1980 were renamed Eastleigh. In 1986 they were accepted as one of the founding members of the Wessex League. In 2002–03 they won the league and were promoted to Division One East of the Southern League. After finishing fourth in their first season, the club were promoted due to the formation of the Conference North and South taking clubs from the division above, and were transferred into the Premier Division of the Isthmian League.
The club finished third in its first season in the Premier Division, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Braintree Town 2–0 in the semi-final, they were promoted to the Conference South after a 1–0 victory over Leyton in the final. In 2008–09 they finished third, but lost to Hayes & Yeading United in the play-off semi-finals.
The ownership of the club changed in late 2011. On 26 November 2011, following a meeting of the Board, it was announced that an offer for the majority shareholding of the club from Bridle Insurance Limited had been recommended for acceptance by the current shareholders, who were the primary sponsor of Oxford United. The company, based in Witney, Oxfordshire, is known for providing financial backing to Glen Hoddle's football academies. Chief executive Stewart Donald and chief operations officer Neil Fox would both come on to the Eastleigh board as directors, with Paul Murray remaining as chairman. Part of Bridle's 5 year plan for the club is to get the ground up to league standard, by looking at financing a 7,500 all-seater stadium, and to get the club into the football league.
The takeover by Bridle Insurance was eventually confirmed, when the club announced the company had acquired the club's shares on 1 February 2012. Later, on 9 February, Director of Football Dave Malone, who joined the club in May 2006, stood down from his post, in order to allow the new owners to take the club forward in the manner they see fit.
On 23 March 2012, Chairman Paul Murray stood down from his post with immediate effect. Murray had stood down as Chairman when the club was sold to Bridle Insurance, but had remained at the club in the Non Executive Chairman role. Mick Geddes was later appointed as his successor.
On Tuesday 11 September 2012, following 3 successive league defeats, the last 4-0 away to newly promoted side Billericay Town, the club announced following a meeting between manager Ian Baird and Stewart Donald, it was agreed that Ian Baird would leave the club with immediate effect. Baird's replacement was announced the following day as ex-Stevenage Borough manager Richard Hill. Hill has also had spells assisting John Gregory at both Wycombe Wanderers and QPR, and Brian Little at Aston Villa. He has also been employed as assistant manager at Gillingham, Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town.
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