HUFC vs Folkestone Invicta FC - ILP

WELCOME BILLY WOOD CHAIRMAN

/ CEO

Welcome everyone back to The Continental Pilot Field.

Just like buses you don’t have any forever and two come around at once! But no place I’d rather be than home.

Welcome all from Folkestone Invicta, from the directors, management, staff, coaches, players and of course the supporters.

Saturday’s 0-0 was just lacking a goal, we played well, defended when needed to and just lacked that little bit of cutting edge, something that has been a bit of an issue this season. It’s something we talk

about. If we are honest, we’ve not always made the best options of strikers coming in but that’s been trial and error, we hold our hands up and look to do better.

Under the lights there is no atmosphere that matches here in Hastings, let’s rally and suck the ball into the net and get back on that winning run!

COYU ... Billy

Photo: Scott White Photography

GARY ELPHICK THE GAFFER

Evening all ...

Welcome to this evening’s match against Folkestone Invicta.

Folkestone have been resurgent since their new management team has taken over. For me they still possess some of the best attacking options within the league and tonight will be a tough fixture.

I was delighted with the way we played Saturday and unfortunately we just couldn't finish our attacks. The performance for me is something to build on, and we must continue the hard work. The clean sheet was also a pleasing factor.

Onwards and upwards! ...

Gary

01424 712004

Sponsored by: Dot Knight & In Loving Memory of Pete Knight

Photo: Scott White Photography

Alex was presented with the award by Robbie Clifford (L) and Adam Smith

HASTINGS UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT & OFFICIALS

CLUB DETAILS

Co Name: Hastings United Football Club Limited

ContinentalPilotFieldElphinstoneRdHastingsTN342AX

Private Limited Company: Incorporated 24/9/1997

Company Registration Number: 03441850

Registered office address: 36 Cambridge Road Hastings East Sussex TN341DU

Ownership - Major shareholders:

Bohemia Hastings LLP - 95.27% -

Daren Burney & Peter Sherlock 100% controlling party

MEMBERS OF

Pitching In Isthmian Football League

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Billy Wood CEO

Pat McCrossan Vice Chair Health & Safety Lead / Ground Maintenance

Hayley Clout Commercial Director

Craig Barrow Director and Business & Commercial Team

James Hopkins Business & Commercial Team

Bob Hodgson Business & Commercial Team

Dave Ormerod Director and Business Team

Adam Smith Communications Manager

Steve Brook Operations Manager

Ben White Academy Lead

Dave Russell Safety Officer

CLUB OFFICIALS

Web Admin / Radio Host Adam Carder

Programme Editor Paul Hoggard

Public Address/Matchday Media Team:

Pat McCrossan Nick Clarke Ryan Segal

Adam Smith Andy Quye

Matchday Liaison Officer Steph McCrossan

1st Team Photographer (M & W ) Scott White

1st Team Videographer (M & W ) Joseph Knight

U23/U18 Photographer Joe Knight

Deputy Safety Officer Greg Agathocli

Club Shop Managers Ged Clout & Sue Gallop

Pilot Bar Manager Dane Martin

Kit/Laundry Manager Sue Cornelius

Head Groundsman Simon Rudkins

DIRECTORS & SECRETARY

Chairman / CEO / Director Billy Wood

Vice Chairman / Director Pat McCrossan

Director Hayley Clout

Director Craig Barrow

Director Peter Sherlock

Director Dave Ormerod

Non-Executive Director Daren Burney

Company Secretary Dane Martin

CLUB PRESIDENT Dave Ormerod

Sussex County Football Association

LIFE MEMBERS

Les BrittonTony CosensDavid Harding

David NesslingDave OrmerodCharles Pilbeam

VICE PRESIDENTS

C BarrowJ DowntonA Keen

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

Director of Football Dean White

FIRST TEAM MANAGEMENT & STAFF

First Team Manager Gary Elphick

Assistant Manager Jon Meeney

GK Coach / Opposition Scout Ben Cornelius

Kit Coordinator/Match Physio Dane Martin

Sports Therapist / Physio Paige Wise

Performance Analyst James McCrossan

U23 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD MANAGEMENT

U23 Manager Jon Meeney

U18 YOUTH SQUAD MANAGEMENT

U18 Manager Ben Cornelius

ACADEMY

Coaching Partner

Skiltek

Education Partner East Sussex College Hastings

Head of Academy Jon Meeney

Management Group Craig BarrowSean Ray

Welfare Roger Bond Louise Chalmers

Administration & Discipline Roger Bond

Social Media & Press Officer Charmaine Ridgers

Recruitment Sean Ray

Boys Year Managers

U16Emlyn McCann

U14 Guiseppe Lombardelli

U15Bernie Walker

U13Sean Ray

U12Shane Ridgers U11Dan Allen

U10Gary Hart U9Tony Field

U8Jordan Ray U7Jake Daniels

Girls Lead Coach James Hopkins

HAYLEY CLOUT COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Good evening everyone.

Welcome back to the Continental Pilot Field after a 0-0 draw here on Saturday in front of a crowd of over 1,000, which was amazing. Thank you all so much for your support.

I would like to welcome and thank our Match Sponsor for tonight’s game, EnviroREND.

Established in 2013, EnviroREND has continued to grow and build an exceptional reputation within the rendering and façade industry. They take pride on delivering a first class and professional service to all their clients throughout the South East of England including, London, Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Essex, Brighton, Berkshire and Hampshire.

Offering full support from start to finish with competitive rates, combined w ith their extensive knowledge and highly skilled operatives, they are able to deliver a quality finish to domestic, commercial and retrofit clients.

They offer a range of services including, Monocouche Renders, Silicone Renders, External Wall Insulation and Brickslips.

For more details please visit their website or give them a follow on social media.

Website – www.envirorendse.com

Instagram – envirorend_ltd

We hope Robbie and his guests enjoy their evening with us and we thank them for supporting the Club.

I would also like to welcome and thank Tom Newman who is our Matchball Sponsor. Tom has been involved with and a supporter of the Club since October 1979, he had various roles at the Club before retiring in 2012 and moving to Eastbourne but still attends all home games and some away to this day.

Thank you Tom for all your support, it’s very much appreciated.

A big thank you to Bob Hodgson for all his support and for being our Matchball Sponsor from the start of the season. Bob will continue to help us out with various other things, sponsoring players and also being involved with the ladies team and is a great support for them too. We are truly grate ful for everything he does for us both now and in the future. Thank you Bob.

Enjoy the game and hopefully 3 points!

Hayley

Tom’s association with the U’s goes back to October 1979, when he started as a part-time groundsman under the newly appointed manager, Peter Sillett, with the remit of mowing, rolling and marking out the pitch.

His tasks were made more onerous due to poor drainage under the Pilot Field, turning the playing surface into a mudbath by Christmas. Other daily tasks followed, including harrowing the speedway track, picking up litter, sweeping the stands and terraces, cleaning the dressing rooms and many other menial tasks, not to mention acting as Physio on a number of occasions.

This role continued on and off until the late 1990’s when he took on the mantle of matchday PA Announcer until his retirement in 2012. Even to this day, he still looks for the U’s result first every Saturday, and although he’s now mov ed to Eastbourne, he can still be seen at home matches carrying on his support.

GUT FEELING SIMON STODDART’S

My views - not United's - on semi-pro football and occasionally, other topics.

MARGATE

Ohhhhhh. A classic 0-0 bore draw if ever there was. I'm not sure Louis really had anything to do other than get a yellow card when he ventured out sharpish on a rare occasion Margate looked as if they might threaten.

United simply couldn't find a way through.

To grab a positive out of a dull afternoon - a welcome clean sheet. But all round a pretty horrendous sporting weekend with the England Rugby Union side going down to Scotland at Twickenham.

WELCOME BACK ANYTIME

Facebook and Twitter are both very useful sources of material for Gut Feeling. And this photo on Facebook - posted by our very own Joe Knightbrought back memories of a more than decent local talent - Sam Cruttwell who currently plays his football at Little Common. Step 5, County League - and for a player of his ability - wasted at that level.

To be fair, Daniel Jinadu in the Margate goal had a pretty quiet afternoon till late in proceedings when he had a drop of good luck when Freddie Legg had a goal disallowed after the b all was spilt. Jinadu had a bit more to do late on as the U's pressed.

The dreariest of games only came to life when Freddie came on. Perhaps it was not such a surprise with both sides having had dodgy spells of late. Margate were totally unambitious but

Crutts reached 200 games for United in no time at all. What was he - 20? He did appear to have re-signed for the U's in 2019 but that, for some reason, didn't work out and back to Russell Eldridge's Little Common he went. What a shame. He could do a good job at Isthmian Premier level and would be up to 350-400 games had he stayed.

Other old U's favourites here - Ollie Rowe in the background - hugely reliable centre-back last known of playing for Glenafton Athletic in the West of Scotland League. And, of course, Garry Wilson

who was ridiculously sacked by Mark Gardiner - the short lived Hastings Town Lottery winning ownerback in 1998. That sound move - based on a 'gut feeling' - saw Garry off to Eastbourne Borough who he took from the County League to the top tier of the National League. Garry had a short spell back here which sadly didn't work out.

Another ex U who could do a job - all the more so with goal scoring an issue - Kenny Pogue ........

He is - like Crutts - wasted playing step 6 football at Lydd Town. Like Crutts - have him back tomorrow.

Those of you who were at Hardenhuish Park two seasons ago won't ever forget his goal against Chippenham. Love to see those two back.

RONALDO MAKES ENDS MEET

A fit KP would surely be an asset back here where the constant coming and going up front shows the trouble Gary is having in his search for someone to get our goals for column moving a bit quicker.

Well, he shouldn't have to worry too much about sky high electricity bills or cancelling his satellite TV contract as his footballing career winds down.

He's nearly 38 now and has set up the pension pot to beat all pension pots signing for a Saudi Arabian outfit, Al-Nassr, on around £3.5 million a week. Not too shabby eh? 3 and a half million smackers a week to play - EFL 1 to average Championship standard? Apparently around a million a week is football, the rest is image rights, commercial this'n that and - here we go, ambassador for the, er, Saudi 2030 World Cup bid. So tempting to say something controversial

What standard is the Saudi top tier? Lower end Championship at a guess.

GREEN SPACES

Not as much as there once was on Harrow Lane if this drone shot is anything to go by ...

Harrow Lane

Find it all difficult to marry this up with Hastings Borough Council's 'Green Spaces' based excuse to deny the U's the opportunity to go ahead with the long running Tilekiln stadium project.

And while acknowledging the two schemes might not have too much in common - it's still interesting to contrast one Council against the other when you look at what's happening at Ashford United .......

Oh to have your local council on your side, eh.

GROUNDHOPPING

My colleague Luke, who's football travels featured earlier this season, continues to get around and in recent weeks has been to Haywards Heath vs Faversham for an Isthmian SE fixture (2-2) and then ...

Top level French football at Parc des Princes where PSG drew 1-1 with Reims. That's Luke's excellent photo.

3.45 AM.

Really ....... 3.45 am is a bit anti social eh. And that's what the time is here in the Philippines as United take on Folkestone Invicta with both sides wanting to get a forgettable weekend out of their respective systems. Folkestone went down 2-1 to National South candidates, Hornchurch, while we fired blanks here against Margate.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA FC

Club: Folkestone Invicta Football Club

Club Founded: 1936

Nickname: Invicta

Folkestone Invicta Football Club, which was formed in 1936 and played in the East Kent Amateur League, took over use of the Cheriton Road ground in early 1991 after the demise of the old Folkestone club who had enjoyed a long history in the Southern League.

Under manager Gary Staniforth, Invicta joined the Winstonlead Kent League and completed the Division Two league and cup double during the 1991-92 season, also winning the Kent Intermediate Shield that season. Invicta achieved senior status and joined Division One of the Winstonlead Kent League, making steady progress in its first two seasons at this level under club stalwart Staniforth. The nearest the club came to another trophy during these two seasons was when they lost the 1994 Plaaya Kent Senior Trophy Final 3-1 against Alma Swanley at Gravesend & Northfleet’s Stonebridge Road.

Former Folkestone, Dover Athletic, Hythe Town, Crawley Town and Sittingbourne player Tim Hulme then took over as player-manager for the 1994-95 season. Invicta at one point chased the Kent League treble that season, but ended up empty handed. The club were runners up for a second successive season in the Plaaya Kent Senior Trophy after losing a penalty shoot out in the final against Deal Town at Dover’s Crabble ground following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Invicta entered the F. A. Cup for the first time during the 1994-95 season, beating Hailsham Town and then Southern League Premier Division side Sittingbourne before going out 2-1 at home to a Worthing side which included former Tottenham striker Mark Falco.

Hopes were high for the 1995-96 season as Invicta strengthened their squad, but things turned sour during the second half of the season as Hulme left the club, with his assistant Micky Dix taking over for the remainder of the season.

First Team Head Coaches: Roland Edge Micheal Everitt

Ground: The Buildkent Stadium Folkestone

Capacity: 4,000  (336 Seated)

Former Canterbury City boss Darren Hare was recruited for the 1996-97 season, but after a poor start he was soon replaced by one-time Folkestone Town manager Denis Hunt, assisted by veteran player Bobby Wilson.

It was during this season that a club record 2,332 saw the club play hosts to West Ham United in a benefit game following freak floods in the town. Harry Redknapp brought down a strong West Ham side that won 6-0 and included Portuguese World Cup star Paolo Futre, Julian Dicks, a young Frank Lampard and Stan Lazaridis.

It was the arrival of manager Neil Cugley from Ashford Town during the summer of 1997 which was to provide the catalyst for the return of Southern League football to the town.

Cugley made an immediate impact as promotion was achieved by finishing runner-up to Herne Bay in 1997-98 when the club also finished runner-up in the Kent Senior Trophy for the third time after losing 1-0 in the final to Greenwich Borough at Ashford Town’s Homelands ground.

2021-22 saw Invicta go further in the F A trophy than the club had ever gone before – losing 5-1 behindclosed-doors away to National League club Wrexham; reach the Fourth Round Qualifying of the F A Cup with a thrilling 3-3 away draw and then 3-2 home defeat against National League club Eastleigh after extra time. Invicta also reached the semi finals of the League Cup (losing to eventual winners Horsham) and the final of the Kent Senior Cup (losing 6-2 against Dartford at Chatham Town FC) but just missed out on a play-off place. Ian Draycott broke the club’s all-time senior goalscoring record last season when the club also won the Isthmian League Premier Division Fair Play Award.

PEN PICTURES

LENNY ATHERTON (Striker): A member of the youth team who also became the first member of the club’s Academy side to appear for the first team when coming on as a substitute in a 5-0 home win over Haringey Boro. Scored his first senior goal at home to Merstham over Christmas 2021. Date of birth: October 2, 2004.

JOE COLEMAN (Goalkeeper): Returned to the club in December 2022 and made his senior debut as a substitute away to Margate on Boxing Day. Had previously been a part of the youth team’s treblewinners of 2018-19. Date of birth: October 10, 2000.

KADELL DANIEL (Forward): A Guyana international who joined the club from Hayes & Yeading United during the summer of 2022. Kadell started his career with local club Crystal Palace and was an unused substitute in their 2012 F A Cup tie against Derby County. He joined Charlton Athletic in September 2013 and had loan spells with Hayes & Yeading United and Torquay United. After leaving Charlton, he had spells at Woking, Welling United and Dulwich Hamlet before joining Leatherhead, initially on loan. Kadell then joined Dover Athletic in August 2017 and scored a superb solo goal in a 2-0 win at Aldershot that took Dover top of the National League for the first time. He then joined Margate, initially on loan, before joining Kingstonian for the 2020-21 season. He joined Hampton & Richmond Borough in May 2022 before re-joining Hayes & Yeading United in November 2021. Date of birth: June 3, 1994.

CALLUM DAVIES (Defender): Joined the club initially on loan from Maidstone United during August 2016 and has now made over 250 appearances for the club. Swept the board at the club’s Player of the Year presentations during 2017-18 winning Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year and even walking away with the Young Player of the Year award! Callum began his career at Gillingham, for whom he began as a trainee, captained the youth team, progressed to the reserves and made 29 first team appearances between 201015. He won a League Division Two title medal under Martin Allen in 2013 but injury restricted his progress under Justin Edinburgh. During that time he also had loan spells at Lewes, Thurrock, Dover Athletic, Bromley and Eastleigh before joining Maidstone. Date of birth: February 8, 1993.

ROBBIE DOLAN (Utility): Joined elder brother Ronnie at the club during the summer of 2022 having been ever present in the Kennington side that finished fifth in its first season in the SCEFL Premier Division. They

had been promoted based on their results in the abandoned 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. Has also played for Canterbury City, K Sports and Ashford United. Date of birth: April 11, 1997.

RONNIE DOLAN (Midfield): Midfielder who scored with his first touch for the club as a substitute at home to Corinthian-Casuals in November 2014. Joined the club from Hastings United and has also had spells at Ashford Town, Ashford United, Hythe Town and Welling United. Was a part of the 2015-16 Isthmian League Division One South championship winning team. Has been unlucky with injuries but is a very consistent player. Date of birth: March 3, 1992.

IAN DRAYCOTT (Striker): Broke James Dryden’s record of 141 senior goals for the club when he scored from the penalty spot at home to Potters Bar Town in September 2021. Joined the club from Leatherhead during the summer of 2014. He scored 43 goals in 57 appearances in his debut season and then 40 goals in 53 appearances during the championship-winning season of 2015-16. In 2014-15 he shared the Isthmian League Division One South Golden Boot with 34 goals and then won it outright in 2015-16 with 40 league goals. Was included in the Team of the Season selected by the managers for 2014-15. Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year in 2014-15. Helped Leatherhead (2013-14) and Maidstone United (2012-13) to play off success in the Isthmian League Division One South. Has also played for Lewes and Bedford Town. Had a loan spell at Chatham Town at the end of 2019-20. This is his testimonial season. Date of birth: June 18, 1988.

IAN GAYLE (Defender): Joined the club in the summer of 2022 from Eastbourne Borough / Cray Valley (PM), with whom he had been on dual registration. Ian started out in the youth system at Dagenham & Redbridge in 2010 before joining St Neots Town on a youth loan in March 2011 and the club went on to win the United Counties League. He completed his scholarship and progressed into the Dagenham first team under John Still, with loan spells at Grays Athletic (two spells), Kingstonian (two spells), Histon and Whitehawk. He made his Football League debut for Dagenham as a substitute against Wycombe Wanderers in April 2014. There were further loan spells at St Albans City (twice), Bishop’s Stortford and Welling United before he joined Braintree Town in August 2016 and then Welling United in June 2017, Wealdstone in January 2018 and Woking in June 2018. Born of Jamaican descent in Welling, Ian is the brother of Cray Valley PM’s Denzel and the cousin of cricketing legend Chris. Date of birth: October 23, 1992.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA FC

PEN PICTURES

NATHAN GREEN (Defender): Joined the club from Cray Valley (PM) during the summer of 2022. Having started out at Croydon Athletic, he was loaned to Chipstead but returned to become part of the Croydon Athletic side that won the Isthmian League Division One South title in 2009-10. He followed manager Tim O’Shea to Lewes, then in the Conference South, in November 2010 before joining Bromley in August 2011. In January 2012, he joined Billericay Town and helped them win the Isthmian League Premier Division. He had a loan spell at Kingstonian in December 2012 and joined Tonbridge Angels in January 2013. He made Football League appearances for Dagenham and Redbridge from September to November 2014 and had a loan spell at St Albans City. Nathan finished the 2014-15 season in the Conference with Dartford before joining Margate in the Conference South. He then joined Dulwich Hamlet for 2016-17 and was a member of the team that won promotion to the National League South in 2017-18. He then joined Welling United in June 2019 and Cray Valley (PM) during the summer of 2021.

Date of birth: May 27, 1991.

SCOTT HEARD (Midfield): Re-joined the club from Dagenham & Redbridge during the summer of 2017 having signed for the Daggers in October 2016. Originally joined the club from Whitstable Town during November 2015 and was a part of the 2015-16 Isthmian League Division One South championship winning team. Had come from the youth system at Whitstable and also represented Kent at youth level. Made over 200 appearances for Whitstable having started out as a youngster at Canterbury and is an exciting player who covers a lot of ground. Has made over 200 appearances for the club. Had a loan spell at East Thurrock United from Dagenham & Redbridge. Won Goal of the Season for 2021-22 for equaliser in F A Cup Fourth Round Qualifying replay at home to Eastleigh.

Date of birth: July 23, 1993.

IRA JACKSON (Striker): Rejoined the club from Weladstone during August 2022. He had initially joined the club during January 2019 having appeared against Invicta for Sittingbourne in The Alan Turvey Trophy earlier in the season. He went on to score 32 goals in 57 appearances for the club including a starting debut goal at Carshalton Athletic and a first half hat-trick on his starting home debut against Lewes in March 2019. He joined Football League club Grimsby Town for the 2020-21 season, scoring three goals in 22 appearances. He made his Grimsby ebut in a 2-2 EFL Trophy group stage fixture with Harrogate Town and scored the decisive penalty in a 5-4 shoot out win. His EFL debut came as a substitute against Mansfield Town in December 2020 when he scored just six minutes after coming on. When Grimsby were relegated into the National League he was transfer listed and joined Wealdstone, for whom he scored four goals in 23 appearances for the National League club. Ira has also had spells with Margate, Whitstable Town, Faversham Town, Ramsgate, Dover Athletic, Worthing, Leatherhead and Ashford United. Date of birth: January 28, 1997.

MATT NEWMAN (Defender / Midfield): Re-joined the club from Hythe Town during August 2017 and impressed as a central defender having played predominantly in midfield during his first spell with the club. Originally joined the club during March 2013 from Chatham Town, where he had been Player of the Year. A member of the 2015-16 championship-winning side before joining Hythe Town early in the 2017-18 season. His other previous clubs include Erith & Belvedere, Ashford Town, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge Angels. Players;’ Player of the Year for 2018-19. Has made over 350 appearances for the club. Date of birth: February 10, 1988.

PATRIK OHMAN (Goalkeeper): Swedish goalkeeper signed just before Christmas from Concord Rangers having been playing on loan at Ashford United. Patrik played for IK Sirius, Syrianska, Upsala IF and Skiljebo SK in Sweden and has also had spells with Merstham,

Faversham Town, Braintree, Margate, Carshalton Athletic, Hungerford, Hendon, Hungerford, Chelmsford Bishop’s Stortford, Glebe FC and Egham Town. Made his debut away to Margate on Boxing Day. Date of birth: June 21, 1995.

IBRAHIM OLUTADE (Striker): Signed for club from Tonbridge Angels in the summer of 2022. After impressing for Hanwell Town against them, Ibrahim joined Leatherhead in November 2018 and scored 13 goals for The Tanners having scored on his debut for them. He then joined Maidstone United in May 2019 before re-joining Leatherhead on loan. Ibrahim joined Tonbridge during the summer of 2021 and scored four goals from his first three starts with the Angels. He represented England with a FA rep team in the Falklands under Paul Fairvclough. Date of birth: July 4, 1998.

JAMES ROGERS (Midfield): Joined the club during the summer of 2022 having previously had loan / dual registration spells during 2011-12 and Isthmian League Division One South championship-winning season of 2015-16. Was player-manager of neighbours Hythe Town from November 2021 until the end of last season. Initially progressed from Dover Athletic youths before joining the first team in 2003-04 and scoring direct from a corner on his debut. At Dover he won the Isthmian League Division One South title in 2007-08 and the Premier Division in 2008-09. He joined Margate early in 2010-11 and then Dartford in March 2011. After re-joining Dover in September 2013 he helped the club win the National League South title. He then joined Maidstone United in the summer of 2014, winning the Isthmian League Premier Division, back-to-back promotions and the club’s Supporters’ Player of the Year award. At one point his playing career boasted six promotions in nine seasons. He became former team mate Steve Watt’s first signing at Margate in September 2017 before re-joining Watt at Hythe in October 2019. Date of birth: December 9, 1984.

JOSH VINCENT (Defender): Now the club’s longestserving player, Josh stepped up into the first team squad during 2008-09. He has now made 550 appearances for the club and has scored for 14 consecutive seasons. The club’s Young Player of the Year in 2008-09. Goalscoring right back who scored in the 2009-10 Isthmian League Division One South playoff final win against Godalming Town. A member of the 2015-16 Isthmian League Division One South championship winning team. Was rewarded with a testimonial season for 2017-18. Date of birth: February 8, 1990.

ONE TO WATCH

ADE YUSUFF

Leading Isthmian Premier Goalscorer

ADE YUSUFF (Striker): Striker who re-joined the club in April 2021 having left at the end of the 2018-19 season to join Dulwich Hamlet. Originally joined the club during 2017 and was top goalscorer during 2017-18 with 30 in all competitions and again during 2018-19 with 21. Having started out as a youngster at Stevenage Borough he had a loan spell with Biggleswade Town before joining St Neots Town, Banbury, AFC Hornchurch and Aveley. He then signed for Chatham Town in December 2013, from whom he made a high profile transfer to Dagenham & Redbridge in September 2014. After loan spells at St Albans City, Leatherhead, East Thurrock United and Welling United he re-joined Chatham Town before moving on to Billericay Town and then back to AFC Hornchurch and on to Heybridge Swifts. After joining Dulwich, Ade also had spells with Dover Athletic, Tonbridge Angels, Cray Valley (PM) and Braintree Town. He played in a televised F A Cup tie for Dulwich at home to Carlisle United and for Cray Valley (PM) in the F A Cup First Round at Havant and Waterlooville.

Date of birth: May 25, 1994.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA FC

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

NEIL CUGLEY (Head of Football Operations): Stood down as team manager during October 2022 when in his 26th season as the club’s manager with 1,299 competitive games in charge. Neil became the longest-serving manager in the top seven tiers of English football when Arsene Wenger left Arsenal at the end of the 2017-18 season. Led the team to winning the Isthmian League Division One championship by 24 points in 2015-16 when he collected many personal accolades such as Manager of the Season and the Ray East Award. He also received a Lifetime Achievement award from The Non-League Paper at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge. Neil has also managed Ashford Town, Folkestone Town and Hythe Town. As a player, Neil had three spells at Folkestone Town and also played for Ashford, Dartford, Margate, Dover Athletic, Maidstone Unit ed and Thanet. In the 1982-83 season he broke Folkestone’s goalscoring record with 46 goals. Date of birth: November 20, 1956.

ROLAND EDGE (Joint Head Coach): Stepped up from Assistasnt Manager to Joint Head Coach in October 2022. Re-joined the club from Maidstone United during the summer of 2010 having originally joined the club during 2007. A leftsided player who had been out of the game after his professional career was curtailed by injury. He joined his hometown club Gillingham as a 16-year-old and made 126 appearances for the club, scoring one Football League goal between the 1997-98 and 2002-03 seasons. He then joined Hibernian and concluded his professional career at Hull City. Has the distinction of having played at both Wembley Stadium, when Gillingham beat Wigan Athletic 3-2 after extra time in the 2000 Second Division play-off final, and Hampden Park when Hibernian lost 2-0 against Livingston in the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final. Date of birth: November 25, 1978.

MICHEAL EVERITT (Joint Head Coach): The club’s record appearance holder (776 at end of last season) who was appointed to the coaching staff during the summer of 2017. Stepped up from Coach to Joint Head Coach in October 2022. Supporters’ Player of the Year for 2009-10 - when helped the club to promotion from the Isthmian League Division One South and was ever present in all competitions – and again in 2018-19. A member of the championship-winning side of 2015-16. Micheal came through the successful youth system at Invicta, where he captained the side that played away to Millwall youths in the Second Round of the F. A. Youth Cup in 1999-2000. He was rewarded with a testimonial at the club during 2008. Has also had a loan spell at Sittingbourne, where he was captain during the 2001-02 season, and also had a spell as Player-Coach at Whitstable Town. Date of birth: October 16, 1982.

2021/22 LEAGUE FINISH

6th  Isthmian Premier (Step 3) - 22 Clubs

P W D L F A Diff Pts

42   20  1210  85  62  23  72

Highest League Attendance 21/22: 974 vs Margate Lost 0-1

Monday 18 April 2022

Lowest League Attendance 21/22: 339 vs Bishop’s Stortford Draw 0-0

Tuesday 7 December 2021

Average League Attendance 21/22: 713

PREVIOUS MEETING ISTHMIAN PREMIER

TUESDAY 16th AUGUST 2022 00

Att: 883

FOLKESTONE INVICTA

1 Bailey Vose

2Joshua Vincent

3 Nathan Green

4 Ian Gayle

5 Callum Davies

6James Rogers

7 Scott Heard

8 Ronnie Dolan

9 Ira Jackson

10Adam Yusuff

11 Kadell Daniel

Featured Subs:

12 Ibrahim Olutrade

14 Ian Draycott

HASTINGS UNITED

1 Louis Rogers

4Finn O’Mara

5 Craig Stone

6 Tom Chalmers

9Ben Pope

10 Sam Adams

11 Sam Hasler

12 Alex Brefo

14Kai Brown

16Kane Penn

17 Kian Moynes

Featured Subs:

15 James Hull

18 Knory Scott

Substitutes used A,B,C,D,E replaced in brackets                Goalscorers in Bold

ChalmersCarvalho (A)PopeHasler Brown (1) (C)AkehurstScott (B)Brefo (A), Adams (B), Hull (C)

Pope (B)AdamsHaslerBrefoBrown (A)PennMoynesHull (A), Scott (B)

DixonPope (C)Adams (B)HaslerBrefoPennMoynes (A)Hull (A) , Scott (B), Brown (C)

CarvalhoDixonPope (A) Hasler (1) Brefo Gbode (2) (C)elliott (B)Brown (A), Penn (B), Hull (1) (C)

DixongbodeAdams (A)HaslerBrefoBrown (B)PennCarvalho (A), Scott (B)(C), Hull (C)

DixonBrefoBrown (B)HullPenn (C)elliottMoynes (A)Dawes (A), Adams (B), Worrall (C)

Adams (C)HaslerBrefoPenn Gbode (1) (B)Scott (A)elliottCarvalho (A), Pope (B) , Worrall (C)

Pope (1) (C) Adams (A)HaslerBrefoPennScott (B)elliottWorrall (A), Carvalho (B), Dawes (C)

DixonPopeAdams (B) Hasler (1) BrefoPenn (C)elliottDawes (A), Worrall (B), Scott (C)

DixonPope (A)AdamsHaslerBrefoPennelliott (C)Hull (A), Scott (B), Carvalho (C)

Dawes (A) Dixon (C)PopeBrefoHull (B)PennelliottAdams (A) , Scott (B), O’Mara (C)

Dixon (C) Pope (1) (B)HaslerBrefo Penn (1) Scott (A)elliott Adams (1) (A), Chapman (B), Moynes (C)

Dixon (A)Pope (B) Adams (1) Hasler Brefo (1)Penn (1) elliottMoynes (A), Hull (B), O’Mara (C)

DixonAdams (B)HaslerBrefo Penn (1) Scott (A)elliottPinto (A), McKenzie (B), Hull (C)

Dixon (C) Pope (2) (B)AdamsHasler Brefo (1) PennelliottHull (A), McKenzie (1) (B), Chapman (C)

DixonPope (B)Adams (C)HaslerBrefoPennelliottPinto (A) , McKenzie (B), Hull (C)

ChalmersDixonPope (A)Adams (B)HullPennelliottScott (A), McKenzie (B)

Turner McKenzie (1) (D)MoynesChapmanLeggHull (A) Scott (1) Pinto (A), Lubanga (B), Briedis (C), Honey (D)

DixonPope (A)HaslerBrefoPenn Gbode (2) (C)Scott (B) Adams (1) (A), Hull (B), McKenzie (1) (C)

Adams (A)BrefoHullPenngbodeScottelliottPope (A)

Pope (1) (B)Hasler (A)BrefoPenngbodeScott (C)elliottHull (A), Adams (B) , Black (C)

MapstoneMcKenzieMoynesChapman (B)Pinto Hull (1) PennHoad (A), Peacock (B) McKenzie (1) (B)Dixon Pope (1) (C)BrefoHull (A)Penn Scott (1) Pinto (A), Adams (B), Moynes (C)

DixonPope (A)BrefoHull (B)PennScott (C)elliottHector-Ingram (A), Adams (B), Pinto (C)

DixonBrefoPinto (C)PennHector-Ingram (B)Scott (A)elliottAdams (A), Pope (B), McKenzie (C)

ChalmersMcKenzie (A)Dixon Pope (1) (C)Brefo Penn (1) elliottHector-Ingram (A),Hasler (B),Adams (C)

DixonPope (A) Hasler (1) BrefoPenn Hector-Ingram(1) (B)elliottAdams (A) , Hull (B)

DixonPopeHaslerBrefoPennHector-Ingram (B)elliottScott (A) (C), Adams (B), Hull (C)

PopeHasler (A)BrefoPennHector-Ingram (B)ScottelliottAdams (A), Hull (B)

Collins (C) Dixon (1) PopeHasler (A)Brefo Penn (2) elliottAdams (A), Scott (B), Hector-Ingram (C)

Dixon (B) Pope (1) (A)Adams (C)BrefoPennScottelliottSmith (A), Hasler (B), Hull (C)

DixonAdamsBrefoSmithPennScott (A)elliottPinto (A), Hector-Ingram (B)

Collins (C)DixonBrefoSmith (A)PennScott (B)elliottPope (A), Legg (B), Adams (C)

Photos: Scott White Photography

JACK DIXON

LEAGUE NEWS FROM IAN THOMPSON

SATURDAY PREMIER ROUNDUP STORTFORD IN POLE POSITION

League leaders, Bishop’s Stortford, knew that with a three point gap between themselves and fourth place Cray Wanderers they could easily be dethroned - but a comfortable win over relegation threatened Corinthian-Casuals averted any such possibility. Darren Foxley opened the scoring on six minutes, Frankie Merrifield made quite sure twelve minutes from time, and Foxley added a third right at the end. That’s seventeen goals for the season so far for funtime Frankie, and six defeats in a row for the pink and brown visitors.

Second place Enfield Town had won five of their previous six, and defeated their hosts, Billericay Town, as recently as 24th January. Well now they’ve won six of their last seven and done the double over the Blues - and they did it in style, winning four-nil and disappointing most of the 1,071 watching on. Andre Coker’s ninth of the season opened the scoring just before the half hour, and after the break a one way street was introduced in the direction of the home goal, Chez Isaac, Jake Cass and Lewis Taaffe making it two, three, four. The Towners remain second, two points behind Stortford.

Third place Aveley welcomed a resurgent Bowers & Pitsea, but the Millers ended the visitors three match unbeaten run and cemented their own position in doing so. Both Millers goals arrived after the break, a George Sykes penalty breaking the deadlock on sixty-five minutes, Manny Ogunrinde adding the second eight minutes from time.

Cray Wanderers, three points off the top at start of play, dropped out of the top five after defeat at relegation-threatened Wingate & Finchley

The hosting Blues had only one win from their previous ten and had lost four of their last five, but they climbed out of the bottom four - and completed a double over their promotion-chasing visitors - by scoring the only goal of the game on fifteen minutes. Ben Siggers got it - his fourth of the campaign - and it may turn out to be invaluable. Wands have now won only one of their last eight against the Blues.

Hornchurch had lost their way a little, but did deliver a thumping win over Billericay Town in the County Cup in midweek and got back to winning ways in the league at Folkestone Invicta, despite ending the match with ten men. The Urchins took only eleven minutes to take the lead, Ellis Brown with the goal, but the hosts drew level just before the break, Ade Yusuff converting his twenty-fifth goal of the season, this one from the spot. Ten minutes after the break Sam Higgins, on from the bench, took his tally for the campaign to twenty-three as he put the visitors ahead once more - and although Rickie Hayles saw red with twenty minutes to go the hosts couldn’t find an equaliser. Hornchurch are up to fourth - four points behind the leaders with a game in hand. 832 watched on as the visitors completed a double over their opponents. .

Canvey Island climbed back into the top five with victory over the side directly behind them in the table at start of play, Carshalton Athletic Bradley Sach opened the scoring for the travelling Gulls immediately before the break, and Charlie Edwards sealed victory eleven minutes from time. That’s thirteen points from their last fifteen for Canvey, thr ee games without a win for the Robins.

Lewes closed to within three points of the top five, and climbed to seventh, as struggling Kingstonian were despatched at the Dripping

Pan. Joe Taylor got them underway from the spot just after the half hour - his twenty-seventh of the season - scoring for the seventh match in succession. Ryan Gondoh doubled their advantage to the approval of most of the 751 watching on, and eight minutes from time defender Will Salmon rounded things off by adding a third. The K’s have now taken only five points from their last eleven matches - and that run now sees them drop into the bottom four.

Potters Bar Town, back to winning ways in midweek, welcomed Haringey Borough to the Lantern Stadium. The Scholars had gone seven without a win before their triumph at Herne Bay, and they almost suffered defeat in this one, a late, late goal from Liam Hope earning them a point. Miles Mitchell-Nelson put the hosts ahead on thirty-five minutes but they were in front for only four minutes before Erald Desa equalised. Just before the hour Ben Allen got a second for Borough, who must have thought they’d picked up three points before Hope doused their hope.

Herne Bay v Horsham was abandoned after a serious injury to a home player. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Hastings United welcomed Margate to the Pilot Field. Gate have found their feet once more having won their last two and gone three unbeaten, and they stretched that run to fourbut neither side managed a goal. 1,088 watched on - United are twelfth, Gate are fifteenth.

Bognor Regis Town delivered a big win in the County Cup in midweek, and a comeback gave them another as Brightlingsea Regent lost a two goal lead at Nyewood Lane. Jake Thompson and Tom Richardson put Regent two goals up in the first half, but that sparked a Rocks comeback. Alfie Bridgman got one back just before the break, and the equaliser arrived just before the hour, Dan Gifford with it. Fifteen minutes more and the hosts were out of sight, Nathan Odokonyero’s twenty-first of the season and another from Bridgman making it four-two and lifting the hosts to eight points above the bottom four. Regent remain in twentieth spot.

OTHER NEWS

MANAGER OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2023

Premier Division

We’re off to the Island of Canvey, where we salute the work of Brad Wellman and his team. January saw the Gulls take on three of their promotion rivals, leaders Hornchurch, Aveley and Cray Wanderers, and deliver victories over the Urchins and the Millers whilst drawing with Wands. Herne Bay were next to arrive, and another three points was delivered to cap off a fine month for Brad and his charges.

South East Division

We’ve already been to one Island, and now we’re off to another, as we head to Sheppey United. It isn’t too long ago that the Ites were looking nervously over their shoulders at the wrong end of the table, and their turnaround since then has been quite breathtaking to watch - culminating in an unbeaten January that saw them win four matches and draw the other. Ashford United, Chichester City, Hythe Town and Littlehampton Town were all vanquished - the latter conceding seven goals in the process - and it’s no surprise that we’re giving our trophy to Jack Midson.

AB1 GOLDEN GLOVES AWARDS JANUARY 2023

Premier Division

We head to the Camping World Community Stadium to deliver our first set of gloves in 2023 to Horsham keeper Taylor Seymour. The Hornets were unbeaten during January, kept two clean sheets, and only conceded two goals during the entire month. Hastings United and Margate failed to breach their mean defence, Billericay Town got one yet conceded three, whilst Carshalton Athletic were the only side to get a point - but one was all they got.

HUFC vs MARGATE FC - MAN OF THE MATCH - RYAN WORRALL

Ryan was awarded ‘Man Of The Match’ on behalf of Match Sponsors

SLM Group / SLM Nissan

ON THIS DAY FEBRUARY 7

1970

George Best gave a masterclass performance when he scored 6 goals in an FA Cup Fifth Round match at the County Ground home of Northampton Town. Manchester United won thematch 8-2. Northampton's goalkeeper, Kim Book, later said 'not even the Berlin Wall could have stopped Best that day' while Ray Fairfax, Bests' marker, said “the closest I got to him was when we shook hands after the game.”

Photo: Scott White Photography

Pictured with Ryan making the presentation is Matchball Sponsor Tom Newman

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION TABLE 2022/23 AS AT 6 FEBRUARY2023

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER GOALSCORERS

2022/23 U18 ISTHMIAN YOUTH LEAGUE

2022/23 U23 ISTHMIAN DEV LEAGUE SOUTH TABLE

U23 FIXTURES

U18 FIXTURES

2022/23 APPEARANCES

STARTSSEASONCAREER PLAYER SUB TOTALGOALSAPPSGOALS

SamAdams1515303637153

BaileyAkehurst1-1-1OscarBarry2-2-2OllieBlack516-1274

AlexBrefo291302302

ArmandasBriedis-11-1-

KaiBrown426161

GilCarvalho448-8TomChalmers26-2619614

FinChapman224-4LouisCollins4-4-4LloydDawes134-183

JackDixon29-29132043

JakeElliott26-26-764

JoeGbode6-6565

SamHasler2022236114

JHector-Ingram448181

LouieHoad-11-1CharlieHoney-11-1-

JamesHull815232425

FreddieLegg112-101

JamalLubanga-11-1HarveyMapstone2-2-3ChineduMcKenzie46104104

KianMoynes639-9FinnO’Mara92111375

AlfiePeacock-11-1-

KanePenn301316566

DeNiroPinto268-8BenPope23427811559

LouisRogers(GK)33-33-146-

KnoryScott169252564

DavidSmith213-3-

CraigStone25-25-1177

JoshTurner2-2-2RyanWorrall22426-1046

Photo: Scott White Photography

Hastings United Football Club takes seriously your health and safety during your visit to the Continental Pilot Field.

Please note that the officers and stewards of Hastings United Football Club will enforce Ground Regulations.A copy of the regulations is posted at the turnstile entrances and within the ground on the wall next to the food bar. Please note that the following are offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991, as amended: the throwing of any object within the ground without lawful authority or excuse, the chanting of anything of an indecent or racist nature: the entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful authority or excuse.

Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, the following are offences for which a person can be arrested by a police officer: attempting to enter the ground or being inside the ground whilst drunk: being in possession of any intoxicating liquor, or bottle, can or other portable container which could cause damage or personal injury when entering the ground.

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE RESPECT STATEMENT

“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.”

( The FA: 0800 085 0508 / Kick It Out: 020 7253 0162 )

“The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and  opportunities for all members of the community.”

These include our policy on ticket and pricing, abandoned matches and our Hastings Community involvement.

THE CLUB BELIEVES

Customer care starts on the inside, with a good team of staff and work ethic. Most of our staff are volunteers but the Club expect our staff to always do their best.

Our staff should remain courteous even in difficult situations. The Club and its staff know they are offering a service and that they would like every customer to return.

We believe that people come first when offering a service.

We expect our staff to be friendly and helpful and to know their job or be able to call upon someone who is able to respond to the needs of our customers.

We expect our staff to give their full attention to a customer in any situation that arises.

IN ADDITION

We expect our staff and volunteers to care about their job as this will ensure they care about our customers.

We expect our staff and volunteers to treat every customer as they would like to be treated themselves.

We in return expect our customers to treat our volunteers and staff with respect and the Club will not tolerate any physical or verbal abused aimed at them.

HASTINGS UNITED - 2022/23 BUSINESS PARTNERS

HASTINGS UNITED WOMEN’S TEAM

TeamPWDLGDPTS

3EastbourneUnited109012227

4Bromley14725823

5Newhaven15726-523

6WellingUnited107033121

7HerneBay11605818

8MontpelierVilla15519-2816

9BexhillUnited154110-4113

10SteyningTown14338-2212

11MaidstoneUnited140311-623

12CrayValley(PM)120210-401

Photo: Scott White Photography

Ella Roper

Photo: Scott White Photography

HASTINGS UNITED

KIT: CLARET  & WHITE

gary ELPHICK Manager

(gK) Louis ROGERS 1

Ollie BLACK 2

Ryan WORRALL 3

Finn O’MARA 4

Craig STONE 5

Tom CHALMERS 6

Lloyd DAWES 7

(Capt) Jack DIXON 8

Ben POPE 9

Sam ADAMS 10

Sam HASLER 11

Alex BREFO 12

James HULL 15

Kane PENN 16

Knory SCOTT 18

Jake ELLIOTT 19

Kian MOYNES 19

De niro PINTO 19

Louis COLLINS 19

David SMITH 19

Freddie LEGG 19

FORM - LAST 6 MATCHES

SCORED 4 - CONCEDED 9

2 CLEAN SHEETS

SQUADS

7.45PM TUESDAY

7 FEBRUARY 2023

vs

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER

REFEREE WILL BRIERS ASSISTANTS GREIG WALKER DOM BARROW

FOLKESTONE INVICTA

KIT: AMBER  & BLACK

Roland EDGE Joint Head Coach

Micheal EVERITT Joint Head Coach

1 Patrik OHMAN  (gK)

2 Josh VINCENT

3 nathan GREEN

4 Ian GAYLE

5 Callum DAVIES (Capt)

6 James ROGERS

7 Ian DRAYCOTT

8 Ronnie DOLAN

9 Ibrahim OLUTADE

MATCH SPONSOR

MATCHBALL SPONSOR

TOM NEWMAN

THE CONTINENTAL PILOT FIELD HASTINGS TN34 2AX D

10 Ade YUSUFF

11 Ira JACKSON

12 Kadell DANIEL

14 Matt NEWMAN

15 Robbie DOLAN

16 Scott HEARD

17 Joe COLEMAN  (gK)

FORM - LAST 6 MATCHES SCORED 12 - CONCEDED 7 2 CLEAN SHEETS