Eastleigh play at the Silverlake Stadium and were originally known as Swaythling Athletic and then simply, Swaythling until 1980 when they changed their name to Eastleigh. The club played in the Hampshire League until 1986 when they joined the newly formed Wessex League. In 2003, they won the Wessex League Championship and the club were promoted to the Southern League Division One East and, subsequently, in 2004, to the Isthmian League Premier division after the formation of the regional Conference divisions.
The club made the play-offs in their first season after finishing 3rd and beat Braintree (2-0) and Leyton (1-0) to gain promotion to Conference South. In 2012/13, they made the play-offs finishing 4th, but lost to Dover Athletic in the semi-final on penalties. However, last season they were Conference South champions and will play in the top tier of non-league football next season for the first time. The club are managed by former Stevenage Borough manager, Richard Hill.
Barnet & Eastleigh met for the firts time earlier in the season at the Hive and Barnet won 1-0 with a goal from Sam Hoskins.
Players who have played for both Barnet and Eastleigh include former Barnet captain, Mark Hughes whose winning goal at Burton in 2012 saved the Bees from relegation to the Conference that season, Ashley Carew, Ross Flitney, Mark Marshall, Glen Southam, Tony Taggart, Craig McAllister and Ben Strevens, Lee Roache & Richard Graham who were all members of Barnet’s Conference championship winning squad of 2004/05. Strevens’ goal in the 3-1 home win over Halifax Town actually clinched promotion for the Bees.