EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill will be reunited with his big buddy John Gregory next month.

The Spitfires will be playing Gregory’s Crawley Town in a pre-season friendly at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday, July 26 (3pm) as they continue their build-up to their first ever Conference Premier season.

Hill was right-hand man to Gregory at Wycombe Wanderers and QPR and, more recently, they worked together at FC Kairat in the Kazakhstan Premier League.

Gregory was appointed manager of Crawley in December last year and guided them to a 14th-placed finish in League One after replacing Richie Barker.

The Crawley game is one of two friendlies Eastleigh have lined up against League One opposition.

The Spitfires are also due to host Mark Cooper’s Swindon Town, who finished eighth last term, on Thursday, July 17.

Eastleigh begin their summer programme with their annual family fun day at the Silverlake Stadium (10am-4pm). There will be events and games running throughout the day, including a BBQ, live entertainment and a chance to meet the players. For more information call 023 8061 3361.

Their first pre-season game is away to Oxfordshire outfit Didcot Town on Monday, July 7 (7.30pm). Then it’s Marlow (away, July 12), Swindon Town (home, July 17), Billericay Town (away, July 22), Crawley Town (home, July 26) and St Albans City (away, July 29).

Details of further friendlies will follow.