DEON BURTON’S arrival may have taken the combined age of Eastleigh‘s forwardline to 133 but the veteran says there’s no substitute for striking experience.
The 38-year-old joins the Spitfires looking for a third promotion in a row having tasted success last season for Scunthorpe United and in 2013 at Gillingham.
Eastleigh’s attacking options already boast know-how and match-winning wisdom. James Constable is the youngest of the senior forwards at 30, with Jack Midson one year older. Player/assistant manager Craig McAllister is 34.
Burton says he is going for a promotion hat-trick after swapping Scunthorpe for the south coast on a three-month deal.
The former Jamaica international, a Premier League goal-getter at Derby County and Portsmouth, says he certainly doesn’t feel his age.
He said: “I wouldn’t say carrying on keeps me feeling young, but I am as enthusiastic for football and get the same buzz out of training as I did when I was an 18-year-old.
“You need a bit of experience in your team and especially in front of goal when you are going for promotion. We’ve got that at Eastleigh and if I can help where I can, even if that’s coming off the bench, then fantastic.
“When I was playing at Portsmouth ten years ago we actually trained just over the road from Eastleigh’s ground. I lived in Southampton for a while so I’m not new to the area, I have friends here so it should help me settle in nice and quickly. I have played with three of the squad before so there’s nothing to lose.
“I have two promotions back-to-back so why not add a third? At 38 you just don’t know if you’ll get another chance so I intend to make the most of this one.”
His new manager Richard Hill says the arrangement is a very good one for the Vanarama Conference club and believes Burton’s experience could prove critical in the run-in.
He said: “It was a no-brainer for us and we’re delighted that Deon has decided to sign. It’s a great deal for us from a financial point of view and he’s a fantastic lad too.
“He knows how to win promotion and you never know how important that could prove to be.”
