Club Overview
Full Name: Eastleigh Football Club
Nickname: The Spitfires
Founded: 1946
League: National League
Ground: Silverlake Stadium (Ten Acres)
Location: Eastleigh, Hampshire
Colours: Blue & White
Eastleigh FC have risen from local Hampshire football to become one of the National League’s most established clubs. Nicknamed “The Spitfires” due to Eastleigh’s aviation heritage, the club achieved promotion to the National League in 2014 and has since become a regular challenger for the play-off places. Their modern Silverlake Stadium is one of the most recognisable grounds in the division.
Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 |
| Nickname | The Spitfires |
| Ground | Silverlake Stadium |
| Capacity | 5,525 |
| Opened | 1957 |
| Postcode | SO50 9HT |
| League | National League |
| Club Colours | Blue & White |
| Former Name | Swaythling Athletic |
Eastleigh adopted their current name in 1980 and have enjoyed unprecedented success during the modern era of the club.
Stadium Guide
Silverlake Stadium
Ground Information
- Capacity: 5,525
- Seating: Approximately 2,500
- Opened: 1957
- Surface: Grass
- Address: Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 9HT
- Commonly known as “Ten Acres”
The Silverlake Stadium has undergone extensive redevelopment since the club’s rise through the pyramid. Covered stands on all four sides and excellent facilities make it one of the better modern grounds in the National League.
Record Attendance
5,150 vs Bolton Wanderers
FA Cup First Round
November 2014
The stadium regularly attracts some of the strongest attendances in Hampshire outside the Football League.
Club History
Eastleigh FC was founded in 1946 as Swaythling Athletic and initially competed in local Southampton leagues. The club moved to its current ground at Ten Acres in 1957 and steadily progressed through the Hampshire football pyramid.
A major turning point came in the early 2000s when investment allowed Eastleigh to pursue promotion through the non-league system. The club won the Conference South title in 2013/14, securing promotion to the National League for the first time in its history.
Since reaching the fifth tier, Eastleigh have become one of the division’s most consistent clubs. The Spitfires have regularly challenged for play-off positions and reached the National League Play-Off Final in 2019 before narrowly missing out on promotion to the Football League.
The club has also enjoyed memorable FA Cup moments, including victories over Football League opposition and televised ties that helped raise Eastleigh’s profile nationally.
Honours
League Honours
- Conference South Champions (2013/14)
- Southern League Premier Division Champions (2002/03)
- Wessex League Champions
- Hampshire League Champions
Cup Honours
- Hampshire Senior Cup Winners (multiple occasions)
- Russell Cotes Cup Winners
Eastleigh’s rise through the pyramid has been one of the most significant success stories in modern non-league football.
Club Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Ground Capacity | 5,525 |
| Highest League Level | National League |
| National League Play-Off Finalists | 2019 |
| Conference South Champions | 2014 |
| Stadium Opened | 1957 |
Famous Players
- Ben Strevens
- Danny Hollands
- Paul McCallum
- Chris Zebroski
- Sam Smart
Several players who featured for Eastleigh have gone on to enjoy successful Football League careers, while others became club legends during the rise through the divisions.
Rivalries
Main Rivals
- Aldershot Town
- Woking FC
- Farnborough FC
- Havant & Waterlooville
Matches against fellow Hampshire and south-coast clubs often produce the best atmospheres of the season.
Matchday Guide
Getting There
By Train
- Eastleigh Railway Station is approximately 25 minutes walk from the ground.
- Southampton Airport Parkway is also nearby.
By Car
- Excellent access from the M27 and M3.
- On-site and nearby matchday parking available.
Food & Drink
- Stadium sports bar
- Matchday food kiosks
- Hospitality suites
- Local pubs within walking distance
Nearby Attractions
- Southampton Airport
- Itchen Valley Country Park
- Southampton City Centre
- New Forest National Park
The location makes Eastleigh one of the easiest away days for travelling supporters in the south of England.
What Makes Eastleigh Special?
The Rise Through the Pyramid
Very few clubs have climbed from local Hampshire football to become established National League contenders in such a short period.
Aviation Heritage
The club’s “Spitfires” nickname celebrates Eastleigh’s important role in aircraft manufacturing and aviation history.
Ambition
Eastleigh continue to target promotion to the Football League and possess the facilities and infrastructure to compete at a higher level.