2008 / 09   Season

Senior Coaching Team :

Phil Thomson, Dave Craddock, Ken Burleton, Mike Meech

2008/09 First XV Captain

The Club is pleased to announce the re-appointment of David Craddock to First XV Captain for his forth term of office. His main aim this season is to establish a strong footing in Hampshire Division One and to avoid an end of season relegation battle.

David was born on 3 January 1982 in Southampton, and was educated at Western Park Boy’s School. He first started playing rugby at the age of 8 in the Eastleigh Junior Section. His most memorable early moment was being selected for the Hampshire U16 side. David joined The Royal Marine Commandos at the age of 16, and during the following 6 years travelled the world playing rugby for the Marine side. David left the Marines a while ago to train as a wall and floor tiller. Very much a family man, he has two sons, Harry and Oscar, no doubt waiting to follow their father into the Eastleigh Junior setup.

Paul Taylor will back up Dave as Vice Captain for the 2008/09 season, and the Club wishes both of them an injury free season of stability and squad strengthening.  

2008/09 Second XV Captain

Carrying on the leadership of the Second XV is Dave Lowe, in only his forth season with the Club. Dave was presented with the ‘Clubman of the Year’ award at the end of the 2006/07 season for his efforts in getting the second team out each week, and indeed playing more Merit Table games than all the other local second teams.

Dave was born on 9 July 1964 in Sheffield, and educated at Newfield Comprehensive School before going to the University of Brighton.

His rugby career began at the Royal Earlswood Hospital  [ 1991 - 1993 ], then Gosport & Fareham [ 1993 - 2005 ] together with the University of Brighton [ 1994 - 1997 ]. Dave moved to Eastleigh from the Portsmouth area in order to be with his wife Sarah. Between them they have three children, Rachel, Ned and Dan. Dave currently works for a Local Authority as an Information Management Specialist.

2008/09 Third XV Captain

The Club hope to organise a full season of fixtures for the Third Team, who only played 13 games last season after re-forming. Glen Lawrence took control in those 13 games and will do so again for the 2008/09 season. Although fairly new to the Club, Glen is also the Sponsorship & Social Secretary, as well as being a Life VP.