Matt Gray targets Football League dream with Eastleigh return

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Eastleigh have appointed former Sutton United boss Matt Gray as their new manager, with the National League title winner aiming to lead the Spitfires into the Football League for the first time.

Gray returns to the Silverlake Stadium having previously served as assistant manager with the club between 2007 and 2011.

The 44-year-old arrives alongside long-time assistant Jason Goodliffe after a brief spell together with Eastbourne Borough earlier this season.

Gray established a strong reputation in Non-League football during his time with Sutton, guiding the club into the EFL for the first time in their history after winning the National League title in 2021.

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Delighted

Speaking after his appointment, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to be here! It seems like a long time ago since I left here when I was assistant manager.

“Going around the ground today with Tom Coffey and my assistant, Jason Goodliffe, and seeing the changes that have been made and the development to the facilities is truly phenomenal; credit to Stewart Donald [Eastleigh chairman] on that!

“This is a proper football club, and it is one with excellent off-the-pitch facilities; hopefully we will be able to match that with performances on the pitch!”

Following his earlier spell at Eastleigh, Gray held assistant manager roles with Aldershot Town and Crawley Town before joining Sutton’s coaching staff in 2018.

He initially stepped into the top job on an interim basis for the final match of the 2018/19 season before earning the role permanently ahead of the following campaign.

Gray quickly transformed Sutton into promotion contenders and, in his second full season in charge, led the U’s to the National League title with the division’s best attacking record.

His side finished four points clear at the top to secure promotion into League Two.

Big goal

Sutton then narrowly missed out on the play-offs in their first Football League season, finishing eighth in the 2021-22 campaign.

However, the club dismissed Gray midway through the following season after a heavy 8-0 defeat against Stockport County left Sutton bottom of the table and six points from safety.

“I was very fortunate in my first job that I managed to have the success we had,” he added.

“Sutton United are a very special club with some great people there.

“Bruce, the chairman, Adrian Barry, the vice-chairman. So, some great people I worked with on board level and then the staff that I had in and around me.

“A special group of players that went on and created history for the football club and to get promoted to the Football League for the first time in the club’s history.

“Obviously, Eastleigh haven’t been there. It’s a big goal of Stewart’s and I’d love to go and deliver that for Stewart as well.”

Special connection

Gray takes over from Richard Hill, who finished the season in interim charge following Scott Bartlett’s departure in February and guided Eastleigh to 17th place, eight points above the relegation zone.

Speaking about his connection to the club, he said: “I had such a great four years here as assistant manager to Ian Baird.

“I loved my time here and so many good memories, a really good side, [making the] play-offs. I always look back fondly on my time here.

“So, when I have returned, either watching games or being in the opposition dugout a couple of times, to see directors who are still here, obviously Ray [Murphy] the club secretary, supporters as well I’ve bumped into.

“I’ve got a real special connection with a lot of the people still involved in the club.

“So, when this opportunity came up, and knowing obviously where the club has come from and developed, and promotion under Richard Hill up to this level, I was really pleased to be back and can’t wait to get started.”

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