Eastleigh manager Richard Hill urged that it has been a “magical time” recently for the football club after they relish the real possibility that they could face Manchester United in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.
This will happen if they overcome a resilient and stubborn Newport County side tomorrow night, the Welsh side won’t lie down easily as they also want that luxurious tie against one of the World’s biggest side’s.
The Hill stated. “Even a pre-season friendly against Manchester United would be massive, the prize is absolutely massive.
“Forget what it could lead to financially, just to get Manchester United at the Silverlake Stadium would be…I don’t know what it could be…but it would be massive for both clubs.”
Tomorrow night they have another chance at making history when they face off against Newport in the Third Round FA Cup replay at the Silverlake Stadium, after a thrilling 1-1 draw in the first encounter nine days ago.
If Eastleigh progress in the competition, they will reach the Fourth Round of the tournament for the first time as well as setting up the biggest ever game in their existence, against the Red Devils.
The Silverlake Stadium will be bouncing tomorrow night, against higher league opposition just like against Reading in the last round, as a tie with Manchester United is at the end of their fingertips.
On such a massive occasion for the club, Hill made a rallying call to the Spitfires’ fan’s.
“I thought they were absolutely fantastic at Newport in the first game, you [Eastleigh fans] could be our 12th man and it needs to be the same tomorrow night.
“We need them to get behind us, support us, right from the start to the finish as there will be lots of time we will be under pressure and without the ball, we really need the fans behind us and get the atmosphere to make the hairs stand on the back of their necks.”
The Spitfires manager insisted that he will not change his tactics before the encounter, even after his leaky defence haven’t kept a clean sheet in 16 appearances in all competitions.
“We play a way were we can be exposed at times but when we have three forwards (Paul McCallum, Scott Quigley and Chris Maguire) like we [Eastleigh] have got, we don’t want them defending.”
“Are we going to have to score two goals to give us a chance to get through”
The 60-year old has been part of the football club for 11 years now and he reminisced about his first game at SO50 which was against Maidenhead, in the Conference South, which is now the National League South, in 2012.
“I remember there was 360 people in the ground, it was against Maidenhead and the week before they had won 8-3 so they brought a few extra as well.
“For the fans, from where it has come from and to where it is now, it is all about the football club, not about me.”
The Hampshire side have had an eventful and special journey to where they are now, they just need a little bit more magic to pull the rabbit out of the hat and set up the fairytale tie against Manchester United.
