The third episode of what now seems to be a regular pre season friendly where Saints travel to Eastleigh, most of those attending this game will probably have been to the Silverlake Stadium before, but here is all the information that you need to know.

Eastleigh FC was formed in 1946 as Swaythling Athletic and they retained this name playing in the Hampshire League, dropping the Athletic in 1977 and then changing it completely in 1980 to Eastleigh FC as they sought to align themselves with the town of Eastleigh which had no team bearing it's name at that time.

They were founder members of the Wessex League in 1986/87 season and remained at this level until 2002/03 when they won promotion to the Southern League, rising up the ranks to reach the National League South (Then Conference) in 2005.

The dynamic of the club changed in 2012 when Stewart Donald CEO of Bridle Insurance group took over the club, they achieved promotion to the then Conference Premier, now National League for the first time in the club's history for the 2014–15 season and they have remained there ever since.

The Ground.
Swaythling Athletic moved from their pitch on Walnut Avenue in Swaythling to the present ground then called Ten Acres in 1957. The ground was a fairly basic affair and aside from floodlights being added in 1976 with Saints playing at the ground to mark the occasion, remained in essence the same field surrounded by a fence and a small wooden seated stand along part of one side with a club house behind the goal.

In 2004 ground improvements started and over the last 20 years it has been transformed from that ground with a small wooden stand and a clubhouse, to the modern stadium it is today.

The game is being played on Saturday evening with a 7.45pm kick off, which seems a silly time for a pre season friendly and will undoubtably have an affect on the crowd, why it couldn't have been on the Saturday afternoon God only knows.

The previous two seasons have seen the bulk of the crowd being Saints supporters and in fairness a large chunk of Eastleigh's fans are disenfranchised Southampton fans who either no longer attend St Mary's for one reason or another, or who go to the Silverlake Stadium when Saints aren't playing.

That means that although we will have an official "Away Section" wherever you are in the ground you will find Saints fans.

Last year Eastleigh put out information for supporters for the te fixture, but with only a day to go before the game there has nothing been put out yet, so this guide may need to be updated in the next 24 hours or so.

TICKETS

Saints were allocated 1,700 or so tickets for this game and it seems that all of the seats have been sold for the fixture but there are some still left and if not you will be able to purchase tickets via Eastleigh's own website.

CAR PARKING

Our main car park at the Silverlake Stadium usually only for those who have bought a seasonal pass. so do not try to park at the Silverlake Stadium.

However, there are a number of spaces in car parks for the Lower Hardmoor sports complex just along Stoneham Lane towards Southampton although last year they were priced at £10 per vehicle. These will be available on a first come, first served basis.

There will no parking available at The Concorde Club for this fixture, however you can park free of charge in roads either at the Eastleigh or Southampton end of Stoneham Lane although it is around 1/2 a mile in each direction form the ground.

They do have a limited number of disability parking spaces, which are free of charge for any Blue Badge holders. Contact Eastleigh FC directly for these.

BARS & HOSPITALITY

The hospitality for this fixture is not yet sold out, but is very limited.

The Hangar Bar will be open, this bar is free to enter to both Eastleigh and Southampton supporters, but Eastleigh in the past two years struggle to cope with a large crowd and it was almost impossible to get a drink

The Hangar Bar will only be accessible from outside the ground before the game. Once the game is underway, you will be able to access the Hangar from inside the ground.

The Sherwoods Player Lounge will be open which is £4 for entry. Eastleigh and Southampton supporters can access this bar via the reception at the front of the Silverlake Stadium.

The South Stand concourse will feature three kiosks in operation , which will be selling both hot and cold food as well as beer and soft drinks.

There will also be three external kiosks available around the ground. There will be a pop-up Greene King bar outside the away end, an ice-cream van in a similar location, and two burger vans in the main car park.

TURNSTILES

There will be around nine turnstiles available for supporters to enter, so the advice is arrive early as there will be queues.

For Southampton supporters who purchased their tickets via Southampton FC, please enter the Silverlake Stadium via turnstiles 1-3. This will grant you access to the east stand terrace and blocks 1-3 of the south stand.

For Eastleigh supporters or Southampton supporters who have purchased their tickets via Eastleigh FC, please enter the stadium via turnstiles 5/6, 8/9, or 12/13.

MIGRATION & SEGREGATION

Supporters attending this fixture are usually able to migrate anywhere around the stadium however, EFC kindly ask supporters to remain in their designated area/seat whilst the match is being played.

Last year Eastleigh were are aware that there were a number of supporters mixed in all areas of the ground due to the support of both Clubs and they will be managing this with a soft stewarding approach and relaxed segregation.

With Eastleigh's support in the main made up of those who also follow Southampton FC , as per last year there is expected to be little trouble, however there is a small element in their support, as at many clubs at National League level, that will consider themselves "Ultras" and feel no empathy with Saints and will be looking for some banter to coin a phrase, this is usually as far as it goes, so best to not rise to the occasion.

EATING & DRINKING.

As mentioned earlier there are plenty of food and drink outlets in and around the stadium, but in previous years they were insufficient for the numbers present at the game, even being an evening game meant that demand was not as high as it would normally have been on a Saturday game.

The nearest pub to the ground in Eastleigh is the Cricketers Arms on Chestnut Avenue, this is about 0.8 miles away and a 15 minute walk to the ground.

From the Southampton direction there is only the Fleming Arms and this again is near on a mile walk and you should allow 15-20 minutes.

These are just about the only two pubs within walking distance in either direction.

All Photos Via Reuters