SPITFIRES' JOE FLIES SO HIGH

BEN Strevens says Joe Tomlinson will put in the hard graft to become a hit in the Championship – and believes he won’t be the last Eastleigh player to land a big Football League move.

- David Richardson

The 21-year-old has joined Peterborough United from the National League club on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Tomlinson, a versatile left back, played 42 times in his one season with the Spitfires and scored 12 goals.

The talented defender was signed by Strevens, who only watched him once due to Covid, after impressing at National League South side Hungerford Town.

The then Crusaders manager, Ian Herring, called the Eastleigh boss and delivered a glowing reference of the up-and-coming star.

“Ian deserves a huge amount of credit for speaking to me about him.,” Strevens told The NLP. “Joe’s done the rest from there. He’s had a lot of help from his teammates along the way, he’ll be the first to say that.

“When we speak to these young boys we say about giving them the opportunity to get into the League together but if it doesn’t happen for the club then hopefully it will help them do it.

“He’s done really well and everyone at the club is really pleased for him.”

Posh intend to use Tomlinson at left-back or left-wing back although he’s capable of playing in different roles.