Baird sorry to lose Ross

By Wendy Gee -  

IAN Baird says parting company with towering utility man Ross Bottomley is one of the hardest things he has had to do in four years as Eastleigh boss.

Having been briefed to strengthen the squad for a push to the Conference, Baird has reluctantly agreed for Bottomley to rejoin his old club AFC Totton.

Since becoming a Spitfire in February 2010, Bottomley has been a whole-hearted jack of all trades for Eastleigh, filling in at full-back, centre back, central midfield and even centre-forward.

"Rosco came in at a difficult time when we were beaten 8-2 by Thurrock and he's been absolutely brilliant for me," said Baird.

"He's a lovely, honest lad who can play in every position and I honestly think if he believed in himself more, he could play much higher.

"He's one of the players I've been most disappointed to lose. He's the kind of lad you'd like your daughter to marry, but that has perhaps cost him in football terms because he's so nice that he hasn't used all the attributes he's got.

"I told him I really don't want to lose him, but with everything that's happening at the club, with new players coming in, we've got to shift some bodies."