Spitfires Set To Stay In Safe Hands As A Sale Gets Closer

Owner Stewart Donald put the Spitfires up for sale at the end of the season after five years at the helm.

The businessman turned his attention to Sunderland and trying to restore the fallen Premier League club following their relegation to League One.

That commitment meant he would be forced to relinquish control at the Silverlake - something he called “a very difficult and emotional decision”.

The wheels are in motion for a sale and the Spitfires are close to being bought.

A club statement confirmed: “Eastleigh Football Club can confirm that owner and majority shareholder Stewart Donald has agreed to sell the club to the existing board members, along with a number of senior management staff currently working for the club.”

Donald said after putting the club up for sale: “Eastleigh has become, and will always be, extremely close to my heart. I have always tried to look after the club to the best of my ability and this will never be more important than now when considering perspective new owner/s.

“The football club is in the strongest financial position it has ever been in. With a much-improved stadium and increased revenues enabling the club the ability to seriously compete in the top tier of Non-League football.

"Whilst I have been unable to deliver League football, I hope the fans will reflect on my chairmanship as a positive one.”