Features

The Big Interview: Kelvin Davis – Virgil van Dijk’s exit taught me you must live for the moment

The moment Burton Albion signalled their intention to sign Tyrese Shade, Eastleigh manager Kelvin Davis knew the game was up – and memories of Virgil van Dijk’s big money move to Liverpool came to his mind.

by
Chris Dunlavy
17 August 2025

PREMIER CLASS: Boss Kelvin Davis is hoping his Premier League experience can help lift Eastleigh this season PICTURE: Graham Scambler

Eastleigh manager - Kelvin Davis

The moment Burton Albion signalled their intention to sign Tyrese Shade, Kelvin Davis knew the game was up.
“Anybody who’s been in that situation – as a player, as a coach, as a dressing room – knows the score,” says the Eastleigh boss, who saw star man Shade plunder 14 goals after arriving at the Silverlake on a free transfer from Swindon last summer.
“When a player has an opportunity to play in a league above and there’s a substantial fee that’s put to the club, you don’t get the same player afterwards. You simply don’t.”
And Davis should know. Towards the...

Continue reading...

Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per day!

Already a subscriber to our website? Login

Read our latest news on any of these social networks!

Tackle the News

- Sign Up for our weekly Non-League Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

More in Features

Fans’ Forum: Macc’s top cup scalp was a proud day for Non-League

Was Macclesfield's FA Cup third round win against Crystal Palace the biggest shock of all-time? It's up there according to this supporter.
We have to do things differently

FANS’ FORUM ON SATURDAY at 2.10pm, the referee at Bath City called the FA Trophy game against Southend off. A mere 50 minutes before kick-off. Even he agreed that the pitch was completely playable so why did he do this? He thought some of the ‘run off ’ areas around...
Kevin Ellison celebrates 1000 games – I sit and think ‘I’ve done ok’

Kevin Ellison has seen it all during his three decades in football, but joining an exclusive four-figure club was almost enough to leave the vocal winger lost for words.
Gaffer’s Greatest Gaffer: Mike Ford – Denis Smith treated his players like men

Management was always likely to be Evesham United boss Mike Ford’s destiny with the influences he had throughout his childhood.