2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Eastleigh

Player Decisions

Retain

Jordan Cousins, Kieron Evans, Temi Eweka, Josh Lundstram, Sam Pearson, Aaron Pierre, Barney Stone, Nick Townsend, Connor Underhill

Release

Richard Brindley, Inih Effiong, Lloyd Humphries, Niall Maher, Paul McCallum, Josh McNamara, Jake Vokins, Angel Waruih

Lose

Aaron Blair

Loan End

Ricky Aguiar, Jack Baldwin, Jake Tabor, Luey Giles, Archie Harris, Jayden Moore, Harvey Saunders

Retained Squad

New Signings

Declan Rose (AFC Totton – free)

One thing that is going to be a theme of these pieces is that there is a clear emphasis towards signing a younger, more energetic, up-and-coming profile of player. Along the lines of more Aaron Blair’s and Temi Eweka’s. The first player that I would look at signing is Declan Rose. 

Rose has impressed with AFC Totton in the National League South this term, and despite strong competition for the right-back berth the 23-year-old has very much made it his own. 

In terms of his profile, Rose is a ‘modern day’, attacking full-back. A good engine to get up in support of the play. Extremely comfortable on the ball in playing out. Good delivery from deep. Quick, mobile and comfortable in defending wide spaces and tracking runners. Despite only being a diminutive customer, he is deceptively combative in the tackle. Given his size, he has learnt to have clever use of his body and strong positioning in defending long balls in the air. 

The youngster has spent much of his career to date on the South coast, with spells in the youth at Yeovil Town, before playing at Poole Town and then more recently AFC Totton, and so signing for Eastleigh is something that represents a strong geographical fit. Better still, The Spitfires are on the proverbial doorstep of AFC Totton, and so this would enable the young defender to stay at home where he is currently albeit stepping up into the higher division. 

The full-back has had a spell out with injury, but he is now back fully fit and has had a strong 2025-26 with The Stags in helping them to consolidate in their first season in the National League South. AFC Totton would no doubt like to retain his services going forward as he is one of the best up-and-coming full-backs in the non-league scene, but if he wants to take that next step in his career and test himself in the National League then the opportunity of signing for The Spitfires would provide him with exactly that challenge.

Archie Harris (AFC Bournemouth – free)

The first player that will need little in the way of an introduction to Spitfires supporters given that he ended the 2025-26 campaign on loan at the club is youngster Archie Harris. 

The 21-year-old has played 40 times for The Spitfires this season, and so has been an ever-present. During that time, the youngster has managed to register a total of eight assists. I think that the season has been a really good development for the young Welshmen in terms of going and getting regular minutes at first-team level, and without a doubt he is better off for that loan spell. 

As a player, Harris is an attack-minded, dynamic full-back that is always looking to get forward and provide good delivery into the front players. He has got a good engine and the speed to get up on the overlap, and is a proficient dribbler in being able to carry the ball from deep. In terms of what you look for in a full-back at the level, I think that Harris represents a really nice profile. 

With a pathway into the first-team with The Cherries perhaps a little way off and the defender already 21 years of age, I think that this summer may be the one in which to start having the conversation about whether or not he should make a permanent move away from The Vitality. I feel that he would make for a sensible free pick-up for The Spitfires if they can seal the move, and the capture of a good long-term project for Eastleigh to work with.

Cian Harries (Forest Green Rovers – free)

One option that I think The Spitfires should be looking at to strengthen their options at centre-back is experienced Cian Harries. While he was announced as being still under contract with Forest Green Rovers, I think that he will try and find a new opportunity in 2026-27. As such, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him push for a mutual termination. If so, I feel the former Addicks man could well represent a useful acquisition for The Spitfires. 

The majority of signings that I have picked out as being potential candidates for Eastleigh to sign in this piece are on the younger side, with a greater emphasis placed on signing young, hungry, up-and-coming players with a point to prove. However, if Eastleigh are to be competitive at the right end of the table then strengthening the leadership group of the squad is key. As such, the addition of a player of Harries’ experience and leadership could be key. 

The Spitfires have already got two aggressive, front-footed, aerially-strong centre-backs in the form of Temi Eweka and Aaron Pierre, both of which like to go and engage the opposition to win the ball back. Alongside him, I feel that having a more reserved, composed, positionally strong centre-back that sits deeper and defends his box through strength of his positioning and reading of the game could provide nice balance. If you have Eweka stepping out to win it, having that whose more natural instinct is to sit back behind the ball in Harries then you’ve got a nice combination. 

In terms of his skillsets, I think Harries represents a really nice profile. One thing that he has which I feel is quite rare for a centre-back is that he offers real versatility and variety in his play style. He has got good decision-making and a mix between being a more combative, box defender, but has equally got the technical quality and composure on the ball to play out. 

They have perhaps missed that naturally left-footed option, and in particular a centre-back that is capable of progressing the ball from deep. That resulted in them largely having to move Lloyd Humphries behind the ball in deeper positions to get attacks going. Having a more technical, ball-playing centre-back in Cian Harries at their disposal allows them to be more progressive and intricate in passing out into midfield. 

Harries has spent much of 2025-26 sitting on the sidelines with a watching berth, and so I think that 2026-27 needs to be about getting back playing. Unless agreeing a fee, the move would require a mutual termination for him to go and join another side permanently. Robbie Savage has talked about how he wants to make a lot of changes to his squad in the summer and so this may be something they are open to in giving them wiggle room and scope to add. Signing for Eastleigh allows him the chance to remain at the level and I feel that he would be open to this move.

Theo Widdrington (Aldershot Town – free)

One player that might be a surprise inclusion on this list, and yet someone that I think is both attainable and perhaps – in terms of his profile – necessary is Theo Widdrington of Aldershot Town. 

I feel The Shots are set to undergo a fair bit of change this summer with a new manager replacing John Coleman, likely an overhaul of the playing squad amid a reduction in the budget, and a number of other changes at the club. I think that Widdrington has had a good spell with The Shots since signing for them in 2023, but I wonder whether this summer may represent a convenient point for him to go and find a new challenge and fresh opportunity. 

If he does, I think that Eastleigh could well be a realistic option. To my knowledge, Theo Widdrington is either based – or from – the Southampton region, and so not a million miles away from The Spitfires. 

One of the reasons as to why I feel that Theo Widdrington could well be a useful addition to this Spitfires squad is because of his off-the-ball qualities, and in his leadership. The Spitfires have been too easy to play against at times, and so finding a player that is committed in the challenge, a tough tackler, combative and physically imposing would – I feel – complement the more technical types of Lloyd Humphries, Kieron Evans and Josh Lundstram fairly well. 

When I have watched The Spitfires this term, one of the criticisms that I have come away thinking is that they lack the overall balance to function as a unit and that they lack that leader who is going to grab a game by the scruff of the neck or exert themselves physically. In this regard, I feel Theo Widdrington could be a good option for The Spitfires to pursue. He wears his heart on his sleeve, a vocal player, organises well and someone that the dressing room respects as a ‘winner’. It might be a bit of an ‘out of the box’ pick, but I can see the merits of it and why Theo Widdrington might be interested in the deal.

Tommy Backwell (Cheltenham Town – free)

Having watched Eastleigh in 2025-26, I feel that they could do with some extra open-play creativity. A creative, ball-playing midfielder that gets on the ball and picks a killer pass in the final third. 

One of the benefits that they get with signing a player of Tommy Backwell’s profile is that he is capable of playing in any of the midfield roles; be it as a #6, #8 or #10. He is suitably press-resistant, a strong passer and mobile to sit slightly deeper as a holding midfielder. He has got the energy and athleticism to be a box-to-box midfielder. Conversely, he has the intricacy in tight areas to play as an attacking midfielder and in unlocking the opposition. 

I don’t see Backwell being part of Steve Cotterill’s plans next season, and so I wouldn’t be surprised – especially with Backwell out of contract at the end of the campaign – to see him moved on during the summer. On a free transfer, I feel that signing the 22-year-old would make for a sensible project for The Spitfires to put faith in long-term to be a success. Out of a good academy with Bristol City, I think that he can go on to be a good player for the level.

Ollie Dewsbury (Bristol Rovers – loan)

Another player on this list that follows suit in having spent time in the National League South during 2025-26 – similarly on at Weston-super-Mare – is youngster Ollie Dewsbury. He remains incredibly highly-rated within The Gas circles, yet I think that they will again favour a loan over and above his integration in the first-team under Steve Evans. 

Dewsbury is a diminutive, skilful, quick-footed attacking player that likes to play in the #10 positions. Pick up pockets of space in which to get on the turn. The trickery and close control off either foot. I feel that he is at his best when in a system that allows him to drift and pick up good positions, but ideally as close as he can to the main #9 in getting on the end of knock-downs, neat interplay with the forward and the clever manipulation of the ball out of his feet to work shooting opportunities. 

One of the main reasons as to why I feel that the opportunity to sign for The Spitfires and test himself in the National League is of particular importance is because Dewsbury still needs a lot of physical development. More efficient of his body in the career and in shielding defenders. The physicality to ride challenges. Develop that aggression to his play. Playing against fitter, strong and more physically robust players in the fifth tier will do him the world of good. 

I feel that signing for a National League is the logical next step for Dewsbury having impressed with Yate Town (2024-25) and then Weston-super-Mare (this season) as well as having had the odd flashes of experience in the first-team last season. A full season out on loan with The Spitfires and providing himself in the National League would represent the right development opportunity such that the season after – or perhaps in January if he is ahead of schedule – he can get a League Two opportunity.

Ross Crane (King’s Lynn Town – fee)

Sticking to the theme of The Spitfires signing young, up-and-coming players, one target I would look at – albeit based in the North – is King’s Lynn Town’s Ross Crane. 

While The Linnets have underperformed massively in 2025-26, Crane has still provided flashes of technical brilliance. Winning a Player of the Year award with The Linnets this year. Prior to joining The Linnets, Crane impressed lower in the pyramid with Leiston, where he was regarded as one of the best up-and-coming players in the non-league scene with his technical quality, in-possession creativity and goal threat. 

In terms of his profile, Crane is a really intelligent, intricate wide player. He isn’t your ‘speedboat’ type winger that will look to get in behind the last line of the opposition at every opportunity. Instead, he has got a variety to his game and an appreciation of how the play is developing around him, when to pass, when to get a cross in and the type of finish and final action that is required. As you’d expect for such a clean ball-striker, he is good from set-pieces in getting accurate delivery into the area. 

Despite being seen as a bit of a flair player, the youngster is actually strong in a defensive capacity in terms of ball recoveries and makes effective use of the ball. A report from the Analysts Bar highlights how he makes good decision-making under pressure, backs himself with the composure to play out against the press and in having the underlying technical qualities to dribble his way out with good use of his body to protect him in the carry and in having the intelligence to know when to play. These skillsets are somewhat rare for a wide player. 

Crane is only 23 years of age, and so represents a good project for The Spitfires to work with long-term. The best transfers that The Spitfires have done in recent seasons has been in signing Tyrese Shade on a long-term deal and moving him on to the Football League, and Aaron Blair looks destined to follow in his footsteps in being the next to sign for a team higher in the pyramid. Crane is a good age, and has sufficient long-term value. If they can get him on a free, I believe they would get a return in 12-18 months down the line.

Lewis Walker (Braintree Town – free)

While Braintree Town were relegated from the National League this season, one player that will come away from the campaign with credit in the bank having impressed with The Iron is 27-year-old Lewis Walker. 

The Spitfires have missed a player off that right-hand side that can provide the energetic, direct, ball-carrying qualities that they had in Tyrese Shade, and while he is perhaps not as slick a ball-carrier or as technically polished as Shade I think that Walker is capable of providing the stylistic fit they need off that right. Someone who will hold the width, looking to stand up his man, isolate defenders and then use his speed and power in knocking the ball past the opposition full-back and attacking space in behind. 

One of the advantages that The Spitfires get in signing a player of Walker’s profile is that he is a versatile player, given that he can play on both sides of the pitch as an out-and-out winger and can also be deployed through the middle as more of a secondary striker. Eastleigh could have benefitted from having that speed and agility in the forward line this season, and so Walker – a good athlete, and powerful runner – can offer that transitional threat. 

Walker’s most effective season came with Woking in 2024-25 in which he hit double figures off the left-hand side. He has got the pace to hit the byline off the right and in getting on the overlap, yet equally that short, sharp, deft touches of the ball to manoeuvre it onto his right to get shots off at goal. He is someone that has really matured in the last 12-18 months, knuckled down, and found his best form. The Spitfires would be getting a player who is very much operating at their peak, and so I feel that it would represent good business.

Ryan Broom (Cheltenham Town – free)

One option that I think The Spitfires could consider as more of an experienced option is Cheltenham Town’s Ryan Broom. 

The 29-year-old finished the 2025-26 campaign on the books of League Two side Cheltenham Town, albeit featured sparingly with The Robins. Indeed, he only made a total of 28 games over the course of the season. As Steve Cotterill looks to freshen up The Robins’ squad going into the 2026-27 campaign, I think that Broom may well be one that is allowed to depart for pastures new. He hasn’t been a first-choice with Town, and so I expect he may look for a new opportunity. 

If The Spitfires are to go with a number of players that are stepping up to the level or on the younger side, strengthening the leadership core of the group will be hugely beneficial in ensuring that they are capable of managing games in the National League. Especially in big games. That bit of experience and nous. I think that it is invaluable in giving them the characters in the dressing room to handle the challenges they face in the fifth tier. 

Ryan Broom is predominantly a right winger, albeit can provide options anywhere down the right-hand side with The Spitfires be it in an attacking capacity or as a wing-back. The experienced campaigner can also play centrally in midfield. He provides good delivery from wide, and is effective in working half a yard to get a cross in. His low centre of gravity and speed allows him to play on the last line of the opposition, and make intelligent runs direct to goal. He makes effective use of the ball and provides Eastleigh with a more experienced option to go alongside the younger, more up-and-coming signings.

Harvey Saunders (Tranmere Rovers – free)

The one player on this list that will not come as a surprise as a recommendation for The Spitfires to sign is Harvey Saunders. 

He finished the campaign on loan with Eastleigh, and ended with 9 goals and 7 assists during his loan spell. I think that – especially in a struggling Spitfires side – that represents a decent return for the forward. They are likely going to lose Aaron Blair after the form that he has been in this term, and so the option to retain Saunders’ services and provide some form of continuity is incredibly useful. 

As a profile, Saunders has been a real livewire for The Spitfires this term with his speed and agility in running off the shoulder. A willingness to stretch the team and run the channels, and the mobility in the top line of the pitch to link the play effectively. 

After securing survival in League Two, I am expecting that Tranmere Rovers will massively shuffle the pack ahead of 2026-27, with Pete Wild being rather ruthless in who he keeps and moves on. With Saunders having been surplus to requirements this season, I feel that he will be one of the casualties to leave Prenton Park. He did fairly well during his loan spell with The Spitfires, and so a return on a permanent deal seems a logical follow.

Shaq Gwengwe (Poole Town – fee)

One player that I have been an advocate for 12-18 months in getting the chance to sign at a higher level and who – off the back of another good campaign – I feel is ready is Shaq Gwengwe. 

The striker is currently plying his trade with Poole Town in the Southern League, and so he would be stepping up two levels to sign for The Spitfires. Personally, I don’t see the level as an issue, and given Eastleigh’s recent signing record I would much prefer to sign someone from lower in the pyramid with a point to prove and that is hungry for the opportunity. 

Gwengwe is your archetypal #9. Good back-to-goal, aerially strong, the aggression and power in his game to bully defenders, quick off the shoulder, and he has demonstrated – particularly this term – that he is an instinctive finisher with good ball-striking. Sometimes, you can compromise on the technical composure and output for the sake of physical attributes, but Gwengwe’s combines them together pretty well. 

His goal-scoring record this season speaks for itself, with 42 goals in 43 starts which is quite frankly a ridiculous stat. Outside of the National League, I think that you could make a realistic case for him having the best striker in the lower leagues this season. One of the advantages that you perhaps get with a player like Gwengwe leading the line compared to an Aaron Blair that we have seen this year is that Gwengwe is more of your typical goal-scorer, fox-in-the-box type, where Blair is a good finisher as well as his all-round, off-the-ball work for the team. 

It is always difficult to predict whether or not a player is capable of simply translating their form at a lower level to play higher, but I feel that Gwengwe is a good enough profile to be able to do that. Physically superb, a good finisher, and the self-sufficient qualities that allow him to remain a threat in all phases of play regardless of the collective. He won’t be short of interest, but if I am Eastleigh then I would be going all out to bring him into the club.

Princewill Ehibhatiomhan (Southampton – loan)

The final player that I have picked out on this list for The Spitfires to sign is youngster Princewill Ehibhatiomhan. Eastleigh maintain good links with the Saints academy, and I feel that they should utilise those existing relationships to navigate the possibility of signing the 20-year-old. 

The youngster has had the opportunity of playing first-team minutes at a decent level – with Swindon Town and Salford City – but in neither of those spells was he a regular pick and so perhaps hasn’t had the development time he would have been hoping for prior to arranging those loans. Furthermore, given that the youngster has hardly ripped up any trees and in fact has struggled a little at times across both spells may suggest that actually the right level at which to pitch him is the National League. 

It is perhaps not the ‘done thing’ to loan a player to a lower league than the one they were at last, and so often the loan experiences are to keep pushing a player to give them increasingly challenging tasks to try and overcomne. However, if I was in The Saints’ shoes and indeed in Princewill Ehibhatiomhan’s position –  I would be looking at the possibility and credibility of actually whether or not taking a step back, getting 40+ games under his belt and being a regular pick may be more beneficial.

In terms of his attributes, Ehibhatiomhan is a physically imposing and aerially strong #9 that provides a platform for his team mates to play. Clever use of his body. Effectively occupies defenders and quite unorthodox to play against. For someone that has the stature as the youngster does, I think he is surprisingly mobile and has got a turn of pace in offering energy and dynamism in the forward line. That final action is definitely something that he can refine, but he has a good physical profile and so there are some raw skillsets there to work with. 

The forward needs to go somewhere and play football, and so joining Eastleigh is worth consideration on his part. It would give him a good standard and in a tough league, and I think that he would go back to Southampton a better player off the back of it. Signing for The Spitfires would provide him with a chance to go and play regularly, at a level which I feel is pitched more appropriately for where the development of his game is at, and so I think it would be a good option for him