East Stand at Sandy Park (home of Exeter Chiefs RFC) was rebuilt along the Premier Telecom side of the ground as well as behind the clubhouse goal, providing a covered terraced accommodation for 2,000 spectators. On 2 December 2014, the newly completed 2,290-seater South Stand was opened for the first time in a Conference Premier game against Dartford, with the club allowing spectators in for free to celebrate the occasion. In early 2018, the 352-seat grandstand was extended to bring its capacity to 900 seats. This brought the stadium's capacity to 5,500. Club colours, nickname and mascot Eastleigh's colours are blue and white. They play in predominantly blue shirts with a white trim. They have white shorts and blue socks. The club were without an official nickname until 2005 when a competition was run amongst the fans and "Spitfires" was chosen by supporter Mike Wimbridge. The Spitfire aeroplane was built in Southampton and first flown from Eastleigh Aerodrome, now Southampton Airport. After the club gained its official nickname the club had an irregular mascot, Sammy the Spitfire, who was a dog. However, in 2015 a new mascot was selected, Brooksy the Bear, in honour of Mr Derik Brooks, who founded the club in 1946. Rivalries In Eastleigh's earlier Wessex League days they had rivalries with Sholing Sports, Hamble as well as a continued rivalry with A.F.C. Totton, who beat them 2–1 in the Wessex League cup final in the 2002–2003 season. As Eastleigh rose through the leagues their main rivals became Salisbury City whom they enjoyed a 4–0 victory over in the 2003–04 season. They have also had a rivalry with Havant & Waterlooville in recent years, largely sparked by the appointment of Ian Baird as Eastleigh manager in 2007. As Eastleigh joined the Conference it lost any league games to teams within a radius of 40 miles, but regularly contested the Hampshire Derby with Aldershot Town and with Havant & Waterlooville. Players First team squad Out on loan Notable former players Among the players who have played for Eastleigh and went on to play in The Football League are: Will Aimson Tyrone Mings Mark Marshall Aaron Martin Damian Scannell Brett Williams Anton Robinson Harry Pell Jamie Turley Josh Payne Joe Partington Luke Coulson Mikael Mandron Bondz N'Gala Ryan Bird Mekhi Leacock-McLeod David Pipe Ben Close Tyler Garratt Hakeem Odoffin Callum Howe Samuel Matthews Joey Jones Rob Atkinson Maksymilian Stryjek