AN ambitious fan has submitted an application for the vacant managerial position at Eastleigh, with his bid to become boss gathering astonishing interest on social media.
Gareth Wright, originally from Newport on the Isle of Wight but now based in Scotland, has only been supporting the Spitfires since August, but felt compelled to put his name in the hat for the job when Richard Hill departed the Silverlake Stadium last month.
The National League side, who have had more than 70 applicants for the vacant role and sit 11th after 14 games, have been left gobsmacked by the interest the #gazforeastleigh campaign has gained on Twitter.
Eastleigh have apparently shortlisted eight prospective manager and are set to conclude interviews by the middle of next week.
Wright cited experience on computer games FIFA and Football Manager in his witty email application to the Stoneham Lane club, which stated: “I feel I am ready for a management role with your great club”.
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(photo: Twitter) The email sent by Gareth Wright.
He also added: “With great aero-links between Aberdeen and London, the commute wouldn't pose too much of a problem for me.”
The oil and gas industry planner, who is a season ticket holder at Aberdeen, is yet to see a Spitfires game after adopting them as his National League team in the summer.
Although he is planning a trip to Hampshire before the end of the season.
(photo: Twitter from @dj_gaz_eddies) Gareth Wright.
He and friends from Inverurie, in Aberdeenshire, are regulars in one of the town’s pubs called the Black Bull, where they came up with the idea of supporting a team from Conference top-flight level each.
One of the stipulations of adopting a team each, is that if the manager departs, they would have to apply for the job, which led Wright, 36, to put his name in the hat for the Silverlake job. Bants.
It has created quite a stir on Twitter, with Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald admitting the club have had five such tongue-in-cheek applications for the role.
Donald tweeted to Wright and his mates: "(I) Will organise a free meal/beers/tickets for all you guys if you ever fancy taking in a game."
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