Mason signs for Winchester

Twenty-year-old midfielder Chris Mason has joined Winchester City in pursuit of regular first-team football having spent the best part of four years on the first team fringes at Eastleigh and gathering Southern League experience with Bashley.

Mason graduated from Eastleigh’s youth to first team in November 2007 but struggled to dislodge more experienced players from Ian Baird’s Blue Square Bet South side.

He has spent much of the last two seasons on a dual-signing at Bashley where he had 61 outings for Steve Riley’s men, scoring two goals.

Winchester owner Paul McCarthy knows Southampton-born Mason well through his son Conor.

"Chris was at Saints and Pompey as a youngster with Conor and I’ve always rated him highly," he said.

"He is somewhat of a small legend on the south coast.

"He’s a well-respected individual and is a great signing for us.”