Matt Gray gives his first thoughts on joining Eastleigh as their new manager, after Richard Hill’s interim spell come to an end.
Hill came in following Scott Bartlett’s departure, the club finished 17th in the National League with 50 points from 46 games played, 8 points above the drop zone.
Gray was last in charge of National League South side Eastbourne Borough but departed after 10 games, picking up 5 draws and 5 defeats.
Prior to that, he spent four years at Sutton United, took them to the English Football League and FA Trophy final, before his exit in December 2023.
Eastleigh Football Club is excited to announce the appointment of Matt Gray as our new First Team Manager! ✍️✈️
— Eastleigh FC (@EastleighFC) May 14, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Eastleigh Football Club is excited to announce the appointment of Matt Gray as our new First Team Manager.
Our new manager will be a familiar face to many in SO50; Gray was previously at the club as assistant manager between 2007 and 2011.
Following his time with the Spitfires, Gray would then go on to have assistant manager positions at Aldershot Town and Crawley Town before joining the coaching staff at Sutton United in 2018.
He was appointed as interim manager for Sutton United’s final fixture of the 2018/19 season. Following that match, Gray was given the role on a permanent basis ahead of the 2019/20 National League campaign.
Gray wasted no time before making his mark at Sutton. In his second season in charge, he took Sutton United to the EFL for the first time in the club’s history after winning the National League. His side boasted the best attacking record in the league and finished four points clear of the rest of their competition.
In their first season in League Two, Sutton would finish just one point outside of the play-off places. Gray’s side scored 69 goals in the league that season, which was the fourth highest total in the division. Their eighth-place finish remains as their highest ever league position in the club’s history.
His time at Sutton United would come to an end in 2023. Following an 18 month break from management, he had a brief spell with Eastbourne Borough at the start of last season.
Gray will be joined at the Silverlake Stadium by Jason Goodliffe, who has been assistant manager to Gray for over 200 games. He joined Gray at both Sutton United and Eastbourne Borough.
Prior to his roles with Gray, Goodliffe had spells as assistant manager at Stevenage, Boreham Wood and Woking. He is approaching 500 games in the dugout during his coaching career, so brings a wealth of experience with him to the Silverlake Stadium.
Check out what he had to say in his interview…
Upon returning to Silverlake Stadium, Gray 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 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!”
Here’s how fans reacted after Matt Gray gives his first thoughts on joining Eastleigh as their new manager…
— Charlie (@Charlie140392) May 14, 2026
Good luck, Matt! 💛🤎
— Sutton United (@suttonunited) May 14, 2026
@Archie111111111: If he can do what he did with sutton instead of eastbourne for us i’m all for it 👍
@CalTalksNL: Style of football isn’t great I’ll be honest, but he’s what you would call a ‘steady’ manager. Won’t blow you away but will get results. Kind of what Eastleigh needed. #Spitfires🔵
@KHall1992: MATTY GRAY’S BLUE AND WHITE ARMY!!! Let’s hope we can crack on now and get some stability around the club… decent appointment, get some decent signings in (Harvey Saunders 🤞🤞🤞) and pray for a good season. Up the Spits #Spitfires #EastleighFC
@MilesR502: Like the addition of the plane emoji. Get used to spotting a few flying over while the ball spends 80% of the time in the air
@Kaiw_03: Obviously got Sutton promoted and done well with them but was winless in 10 as Eastbourne gaffa last year. Really don’t know what to think 🤷♂️ #Spitfires
@pentosufc444: top bloke and manager if your board give him the right tools then no reason why you couldn’t challenge
@Ethan141321: Let’s see if we can keep him all season shall we ?
@ConnorBondonno: Great guy and great manager hopefully puts you back on track for the playoffs next season. (Hopefully not over us Ofc)
@EastleighKIKI: Is he actually any good? Before we get gassed
@HoweStewart5685: Good luck Matt…… until you meet Sutton 😉
@Peza100: Fantastic appointment. One of the best around and top man to boot. New Eastleigh fan here!
@loulangdown: Congrats Matty. Top man and would say he’s the best candidate for me. Good work Eastleigh 👍
@JennyCorkett: Good luck Matt and Jason, great appointment for Eastleigh. Top men and hope they do well except in two fixtures!! 😊
@Spitfire6491: Welcome back to the Silverlake Matt, its been a while, good luck UTS
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