EX-SAINT Dan Harding has returned to his Brighton roots to team up with his former Eastleigh boss Richard Hill.

The 32-year-old left-back has joined Hill’s new Vanarama National League South charges Whitehawk along with fellow ex-Spitfires Glen Southam and Paul Reid.

It means there are now seven Eastleigh players – past and present – at The Enclosed Ground with permanent signings Ben Strevens and Reece Connolly joining earlier this week along with young Spitfires’ loanees Tony Lee and Jack Masterton.

Harding, who began his career at Brighton & Hove Albion, joined Eastleigh – then managed by Hill - on a two-year contract last summer following his release from Nottingham Forest.

He made 31 appearances in his first season with the Spitfires but, having been transfer-listed by Hill’s successor Chris Todd, he was released from contract at the beginning of August.

Former Barnsley defender Reid, 34, was also released in the summer having spent two years at the Silverlake Stadium.

Southam, meanwhile, will forever be remember at the Silverlake as the man who captained the Spitifres to the2013/14 Conference South title and promotion to the National League.

He left Eastleigh in the summer of 2014 and has since played for Chelmsford City, Sutton United and Farnborough.

The trio were signed by Whitehawk in time to play against East Thurrock in the FA Cup today.

Meanwhile striker Yemi Odubade, released by new Eastleigh boss Ronnie Moore last week, has pitched up at Vanarama National League rivals Maidstone United.

The 32-year-old ex-Oxford United and Gateshead man, promised his new club: “I don’t stop, whether it’s the first minute, whether it’s the 91st minute, I give my all. If the fans like that then, fingers crossed, they like me.”