KELVIN DAVIS took a little under a minute to make his mark in management – now he’s challenging his Eastleigh side to put smiles on fans’ faces for the rest of the season.
The former Southampton, Ipswich and Wimbledon goalkeeper was named as the new man in charge of the Spitfires following the departure of Richard Hill last Saturday night, just hours after the 3-0 defeat at Ebbsfleet.
And the 47-year-old wasted no time in turning fortunes around at the Hampshire club, bringing a halt to a 12-match unbeaten run with a thumping 5-2 victory at Oxford City on Tuesday night.
Hill’s third spell in charge at the Silverlake came to an end with the club lying just four points above the drop zone and winless since before Christmas.
With assistant and former teammate Danny Butterfield, Davis only walked through the door for the first time on Monday, but within 24 hours they had led the Spitfires to, arguably, their most important victory of the season, thanks to a blistering fourgoal first-half blast.
Striker Paul McCallum, making his 100th appearance for the club, gave Davis a dream start with the opening goal within a minute and a second inside seven before Ludwig Francilette added a quickfire third.
Scott Quigley and Jake Taylor then netted either side of the break to make it 5-0, deeming Josh Parker’s penalty and a Levi Lumeka strike as late consolations for bottom club Hoops.
“I feel like I’ve been here longer than a day, to be honest,” Davis beamed on the club’s YouTube channel. “The lads have been brilliant.
“We wanted the team to be more connected and together and they were today. They gave us a lot of effort. We asked for more and they wanted to give more.
Reaction
“Right from the start, they were open to new ideas, so it’s pleasing when you give those ideas and they come to fruition.
“We changed things round a little bit and the lads were given a lot of information. We tried to balance that information without filling their heads too much and they seemed to take it all on board.
“The start was pleasing. We wanted a reaction from the team. We wanted them to come out and be quite hot.
“We felt it was a game where we’d be in a position to do that so did what was asked of them. To score as early as we did sets you up for a bit of momentum and that drove the lads on.
“It’s great to give the fans a win. I had a few family members up here myself, supporting their new team. You want to put smiles on faces, it’s what we want to do.
“I’m really pleased for the club, I’m really pleased for the players, the fans, and proud of the work the staff have put in to produce a performance like that.”
Davis is well-known locally, having made over 300 appearances for Southampton, and has been searching for work since the summer of 2022 when he was sacked as assistant manager at St Mary’s – a post he held for four-and-ahalf years.
And he says he is relishing the opportunity to make his mark as a number one having joining the Spitfires on a deal, initially, until the end of the season.
Style
“I’m excited, it’s a big deal to be Eastleigh manager,” Davis told The Echo. “It kind of came at an unexpected time. I’m thrilled to be here and get into the environment. I’m looking forward to it.
“I know the area, I’ve been down to the Silverlake a few times to watch games. By the nature of its area, Eastleigh have always been a second club for me.
“It’s funny how the football gods work sometimes. My coaching path has ended up bringing me here. There were lots of reasons why I wanted to come here.
“I’ve been out of work for a little while and I had highlighted two or three clubs that I felt suited me and my style. Eastleigh was one of them. I’m really happy to get the call and have the opportunity.”
