Welcome to The Continental Pilot Field
Hastings United Football Club can confirm that with immediate effect The Pilot Field will now be called The Continental Pilot Field following a new stadium sponsorship agreement which will continue until the end of the 2022/23 season. The deal is an extension from the previous TGS agreement and relationship with owner, James Reynolds of Continental Facilities Management. “James has been a really supportive sponsor of the football club especially through the Covid-19 period and we are delighted to extend his arrangement for a further year, highlighting the extension and growth of his business into Continental Facilities Management. James has seen the value of being involved here and we are looking forward to getting all our sponsors and business partners together in the coming few weeks as we look to restart our business lunches. This is something we have wanted to do for a long time but haven’t due to the pandemic, this town has some exciting business leaders and entrepreneurs, and we hope our lunches can bring people together.” If you are interested in becoming a Business Partner please email billy.wood@hastingsunited.com Find out more about Continental Facilities Management here: https://continentalfm.co.uk/
Welcome Club CEO/Chairman
Billy Wood Welcome everyone to our last midweek fixture of 2021 as we welcome Chichester City to The Continental Pilot Field. Saturday was a tough one to take, a game we should at least be looking to get a point out of but came away disappointedly with nothing. I felt first half we had a lot of possession and really should’ve put one away, it wasn’t meant to be and in the second half we give away a cheap goal and give ourselves a mountain to climb. It hasn’t fallen our way yet but 14 games in we have a lot of football to play, and first up are Chichester City here tonight. We have done a special on tickets to say thank you to the large crowds we have been getting this season. It’s been remarkable and with it being the last Tuesday night of 2021 we want to say thanks with our ticket special and we hope we can be loud and proud tonight.
Super Sammy Adams
Lanre Azeez has departed, and we wish Lanre well. He has been a great character here, but going forward Lanre will be playing closer to home and he leaves with our respect for his performances especially in the 2019/20 season. We have welcomed two players in and one has departed, they’ll be some movement as the new management team mould the squad to their way of playing. I have really enjoyed working with Gaz so far and we are determined to deliver success to this club. BE LOUD, BE PROUD AND BE UNITED!
COYU!
Billy Billy Wood HUFC Chairman / Chief Executive Officer
Photo: Scott White Photography
Good evening and welcome to tonight’s match against Chichester City.
The Gaffer
A club I have huge respect for and also have friends in their dugout. It will be a tough match but also one myself and the team are looking forward to.
Gary Elphick
It’s been five games since I took over, three wins and two defeats, I’ve learnt a lot about my players in these games and feel like I’m closer to achieving the blend that I want to see on the pitch. Haywards Heath was a bitter pill to swallow in all honesty, three times they attacked our goal and scored in two of those situations. The weather was always going to effect the game, but really we should be at least coming out 0-0 and unfortunately concentration departed us at crucial times in the game. I’m looking for a response tonight and hoping that players bring their ‘A game’ and buy into what myself and the coaching staff are trying to achieve. Let’s get the stadium rocking tonight and hopefully the team do the business. Onwards and upwards! COYU’s ...
Gary Gary Elphick HUFC First Team Manager
Photo: Scott White Photography
www.hastingsunited.com www.facebook.com/HastingsUtd Twitter: @hastingsufc
MATCH SPONSOR
HUFC vs SITTINGBOURNE - MAN OF THE MATCH - LANRE AZEEZ Lanre Azeez was awarded ‘Man Of The Match’ by Match Sponsor KLE Scaffolding.
Lanre was presented with his award by Dan of KLE Scaffolding.
Photo: Scott White Photography
Commercial Director
Good evening everyone. Welcome back to the Continental Pilot Field after a disappointing away result on Saturday at a very cold Haywards Heath. We have a busy fixture schedule coming up and it's so important to get behind the management team and players as we have a long way to go, onwards and upwards we go. I would just like to give a quick mention and "Thank You" to all our amazing fans who follow us both home and away whatever the weather! You are all amazing and mean so much to this great Club. I would like to welcome and thank our Match Sponsor to tonight's game, Kiley's Karpets, who have a large showroom in St Leonards-on-Sea. They have been providing flooring for homeowners and businesses in the South East since 1992. They cover carpets, vinyl, wood, laminate and natural flooring and have a wide range of remnants too. Their reputation, service quality and buying power are just some of the reasons customers say they choose and recommend them. All their domestic carpet prices include fitting, underlay, gripper and delivery so the price you see is the price you pay and also expect excellent service and guarantees. They have a qualified team offering the highest quality finish and service. Kiley's Karpets are also a Business Partner here at the Club and have been for many years and we thank them greatly for all the support both now and during the height of Covid.
Hayley Clout We hope Dain, Aaron and their guests enjoy the match and evening with us. I would also like to welcome and continually thank Bob H who is our Matchball Sponsor for every Isthmian League game. Bob does so much for the Club and we thank him for his continued support both with the first and the ladies team. I would finally like to welcome and thank our Mascot to tonight's game, Jakob who is 6. We hope you enjoy your evening with us and the matchday experience. Enjoy the game and hopefully 3 points!
Hayley If you would like any further details on our Commercial side, please call me on 07766 825573 P.S. Happy Birthday for yesterday to my lovely Mum Ged who is our Club Shop manager!
MATCH MASCOT
Jakob Felstead - Age 6 Favourite Team - Manchester United Favourite Player - Ronaldo
HASTINGS UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT & OFFICIALS
CLUB DETAILS
DIRECTORS & SECRETARY
Co Name: Hastings United Football Club Limited
Chairman / CEO / Director Billy Wood Vice Chairman / Director Pat McCrossan Director Hayley Clout Director Craig Barrow Director Ross Shewry-Maryan Director Peter Sherlock Non-Executive Director Daren Burney Company Secretary Dane Martin
TGS Pilot Field Elphinstone Rd Hastings TN34 2AX 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 Telephone
01424 444635
CLUB PRESIDENT Dave Ormerod
Email club@hastingsunited.com Website www.hastingsunited.com
MEMBERS OF
FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT
Pitching In Isthmian Football League Sussex County Football Association
Director of Football Dean White FIRST TEAM MANAGEMENT & STAFF First Team Manager Gary Elphick Assistant Manager Andrew Brown First Team Coach Jon Meeney Coach Peter Heritage GK Coach / Opposition Scout Ben Cornelius Kit Coordinator/Matchday Physio Dane Martin Sports Therapist / Physio Paige Wise Performance Analyst James McCrossan
LIFE MEMBERS Les Britton Peter Eastman David Harding David Nessling Dave Ormerod Charles Pilbeam Tony Cosens
VICE PRESIDENTS C Barrow
J Downton
A Keen
U23 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD MANAGEMENT
OFFICIALS
U23 Manager
Club Secretary
Dane Martin
Commercial Director
Hayley Clout
Programme Editor
Paul Hoggard
Press Officer
Billy Wood
Public Address/Matchday Media Team: Eddie Denyer Pat McCrossan Nick Clarke Ryan Segal Bob Quinn Matchday Liaison Officer Steph McCrossan 1st Team Photographer (M & W )
Scott White
1st Team Videographer (M & W )
Joseph Knight
U23/U18 Photographer
Joe Knight
Health & Safety Officer
David Russell
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
www.hastingsunited.com
U18 SQUAD MANAGEMENT
U18 Manager
Andrew Brown Andrew Brown
ACADEMY Coaching Partner Skiltek Education Scheme Partner East Sussex College Hastings Head of Academy Senior Development Phase Lead Andrew Brown Management Group Craig Barrow, Andrew Brown, Sean Ray Welfare Roger Bond / Louise Chalmers Administration Roger Bond Discipline Hannah Smith Social Media & Press Officer Charmaine Ridgers Recruitment Andrew Brown, Sean Ray U16 Manager Bernie Walker U15 Manager Tony Field U13 Manager Guiseppe Lombardelli U11 Manager Russell Small U10 Manager Neil Cornwell U9 Manager Sean Ray U8 Manager Shane Ridgers U7 Manager Jake Daniels
Gut Feeling Simon Stoddart My waffle and opinions, I don't speak for Hastings United. Personal observations on the world of semi-pro football and sport in general.
FRUSTRATING OR WHAT! Saturday at Haywards Heath. Just doesn't want to go right. At least on a consistent basis. We went to Maidenhead in mid October with 8 wins on the trot. Did well against a side three steps higher, acquitted ourselves well. Time to concentrate on the league as they say, as our FA Cup run came to an end. 9 league games since then have seen 5 wins and 4 defeats which is about as mid table a sequence of numbers as you'll ever get. Of huge concern is our awful record against the sides we need to be beating if we want to get up to step 3 football. Paul Hoggard must be psychic, he sent me a mini league table which perfectly illustrates what we are not doing right. 5 games against top 5 sides have yielded one lousy point (see table on opposite page). I have this theory about FA Cup runs. Good runs wreck our league programmes. 2002-2003, we went to Stevenage for a 1st Round tie. 5th or 6th in the Southern Premier, adjusting really well after 3 seasons of rule book enforced Eastern Division football (Yea, I'm still bitter and twisted about that) - we went out 1-0 that afternoon, finished with 9 men and from that day the spiral back to the Eastern Division. Relegation. The THE FA Cup run that saw us getting through to the 3rd Round, Middlesbrough away getting on for 10 years ago. It all ended that afternoon and the spiral back to Ryman South started. Relegation. Been trying to get back ever since. This season, the FA Cup hangover seems to be
affecting our promotion ambitions. Of course there's more to it than that. Managerial changes are always disruptive no matter how welcome the new faces are. And we all welcomed Gary Elphick as our new boss, but he still needs time to get things running how he likes them. It's all very hit and miss. Corinthian and Haywards Heath were pretty much the same - never got going, Cray Valley was so unlucky and Three Bridges and Sittingbourne saw us scrape through against two teams who were a man short for most of those games. One good thing about a miserable afternoon at Hanbury Park on Saturday was seeing our new signings, Lloyd Dawes and Andrew Sesay. Well, Lloyd is a new signing to all intents and purposes eh! Let's hope his injury woes are behind him. Andrew looks to give more options down the left wing - how traditional is that, a nippy left winger!
SATURDAY Well, it was a grim, bleak afternoon all round. 412 attendance, the Haywards Heath gates are well up this season, being in the top 5 consistently obviously helps. I've seen 4 of the 5 games against that top 5 and still think Cray Valley are the best along with Herne Bay. We just cannot keep clean sheets. Two all season, 14 league games, 2 clean sheets. Ouch! And sure enough we concede early on Saturday and we're chasing again. And that ball would not bounce right in the opposing area, especially in the first-half. That magic ingredient, consistency. In all it's forms. The cross Andrew Sesay put in for Ben, any other day that would've been in.
PODCAST Give it a whirl. Chris Laverick runs a first class online account of all things Hastings United. We had a chat a week or two ago - episode 46 - and amongst other things we talked about programmes - digital or printed. Found a survey, by the way, on Twitter asking people how they liked their programmes. 84% prefer printed.
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SOUTH EAST DIVISION TABLE 2021/22 # 1 2 3 4 5 6
Team Ashford United Cray Valley PM Haywards Heath T Ramsgate Herne Bay HASTINGS UNITED
P HW HD 15 7 1 15 4 3 15 6 0 15 4 2 13 6 1 14 3 1
HL AW AD 0 4 1 0 6 1 2 4 2 2 5 1 1 2 2 2 5 0
AL 2 1 1 1 1 3
W 11 10 10 9 8 8
D 2 4 2 3 3 1
L 2 1 3 3 2 5
F 30 36 29 36 22 30
A 9 15 13 19 9 21
SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2021 +/21 21 16 17 13 9
Pts Home Away 35 1-3 L 1303 34 1-2 L 1003 32 0-2 L 412 30 2-3 L 648 27 1-1 D 949 25
Above ... Paul Hoggard's results added table clearly illustrates the grim view of our record to date against the top 5.
THIS LEAGUE How many times do you hear it, we need to get out of 'this league'. Well, 'this league' is like any league, tough to get out of with the lottery playoffs awaiting those who don't finish top. It's hard graft over 8 or 9 months, 38 games. And this season there seem to be more clubs wanting to feature at the business end, we are still one of them but it's a tougher league than ever. 90 minutes of blood pressure hiking stress every weekend!
HUFC Podcast. Find it and follow it.
Hanbury Park on Saturday. Penalty box ping-pong as the home keeper spills the ball.
LEAGUE NEWS From: Ian Townsend
South East Division
COONEY AND BECKINGHAM TAKE OVER AT GRINSTEAD East Grinstead Town have decided on not one but two managers, as Drew Cooney and Tony Beckingham become joint bosses. Drew has made nearly four hundred appearances for the club, including four this season. He has also found time - we're not sure where - to feature for Horsham, Redhill, Three Bridges and Croydon, and has spent time on loan at Langney Wanderers.
Ryan Huckle
Tony has experience of the Wasps dugout, as he has already been manager at the club in the past. He has also been in charge at Phoenix Sports, Hythe Town, Chatham Town and Lingfield.
has moved on from Leatherhead to a National South club.
Chairman Richard Tramontin told the club website: "We’re really pleased that Drew and Tony have accepted the challenge. We think they will bring stability and can take the club forward. We did consider other candidates, but the management committee were very impressed with the presentation they put forward and their desire to progress the club in the short and long-term.
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE LEADING GOALSCORERS Name
Club
Goals
Ajayi, Joshua Adebayo
Ramsgate
12
Their priority is to win matches and make sure we remain a Step 4 club, but one which is looking upwards rather than over our shoulders.
Barrington, Marcel Omar
Cray Valley PM
10
Ansah, Zak Andy
Herne Bay
9
Splatt, Javaun DelMarco
Whitehawk
8
The committee were also impressed by their longterm vision, not least their desire to get more locally based players into the first team squad, especially from our existing youth set-up.
Adesite, Anthony
VCD Athletic
7
Fagg, Thomas
Ashford United
7
Gayle, Denzel O'shane
Cray Valley PM
6
Peck, Callum John
Ramsgate
6
Pope, Benjamin Joseph
HASTINGS UNITED 6
Drew has got a lot of respect in the changing room and isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet. But he’s already planning when he retires and this is the first step, working alongside Tony who has lots of managerial experience and knows how the club operates."
Abdulla, Ahmed Mohamed Sittingbourne
5
Caney-Bryan, Johan Robert Sittingbourne
5
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SOUTH EAST DIVISION TABLE 2021/22 # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Team Ashford United Cray Valley PM Haywards Heath T Ramsgate Herne Bay HASTINGS UNITED Sittingbourne VCD Athletic CHICHESTER CITY Hythe Town Burgess Hill Town Corinthian Whitehawk Faversham Town Three Bridges Sevenoaks Town Lancing Whitstable Town East Grinstead Town Phoenix Sports
P HW HD 15 7 1 15 4 3 15 6 0 15 4 2 13 6 1 14 3 1 15 5 1 15 4 1 14 4 2 14 1 1 14 3 2 15 2 2 14 3 1 14 3 1 15 2 2 15 2 1 15 2 1 15 1 2 15 2 3 15 0 1
HL AW AD 0 4 1 0 6 1 2 4 2 2 5 1 1 2 2 2 5 0 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 3 4 5 1 2 2 2 4 3 1 3 2 1 3 2 1 3 1 6 4 3 1 5 1 2 4 2 0 3 0 1 7 1 0
AL 2 1 1 1 1 3 5 4 3 2 3 3 4 4 1 4 4 6 6 6
2021/22 APPEARANCES & GOALSCORERS STARTS PLAYER
Sam Adams Lanre Azeez Jack Bates Ollie Black Tom Chalmers Lloyd Dawes Jack Dixon Gary Elphick Marcus Goldsmith Harvey Greig Sam Hasler James Hull Nathan Jenkins Freddie Legg Dave Martin Finn O’Mara Kane Penn Kenny Pogue Ben Pope Louis Rogers (GK) Knory Scott Andrew Sesay Craig Stone Ryan Worrall
15 9 2 22 19 2 22 14 13 1 20 1 4 14 3 7 8 18 23 4 1 20 11
SEASON CAREER SUB TOTAL GOALS APPS GOALS
4 8 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 6 1 7 3 2 11 2 4
19 17 5 23 21 5 23 14 13 3 21 7 5 7 17 3 9 19 18 23 6 1 20 15
2 2 2 3 3 3 9 1 1 2 8 11 1 1
588 145 77 4 5 107 2 46 9 6 269 37 67 8 22 4 21 9 8 1 5 7 1 17 2 3 9 223 62 68 40 88 10 1 1 68 5 58 5
W 11 10 10 9 8 8 7 6 5 6 5 5 5 5 3 5 3 3 2 1
D 2 4 2 3 3 1 2 3 5 2 4 3 2 2 8 2 3 2 4 1
L 2 1 3 3 2 5 6 6 4 6 5 7 7 7 4 8 9 10 9 13
F 30 36 29 36 22 30 25 27 22 13 16 15 16 15 17 19 13 17 14 12
A 9 15 13 19 9 21 23 21 14 25 18 19 23 22 28 31 28 26 26 34
SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2021 +/21 21 16 17 13 9 2 6 8 -12 -2 -4 -7 -7 -11 -12 -15 -9 -12 -22
Pts 35 34 32 30 27 25 23 21 20 20 19 18 17 17 17 17 12 11 10 4
Home 1-3 L 1303 1-2 L 1003
Away
0-2 L 412 2-3 L 648 1-1 D
949
2-1 W 734
3-0 W 225 3-2 W 325 1-2 L 127 2-0 W 1214 2-1 W 189 4-1 W 206 4-1 W 790 4-2 W 174
Pitching In Isthmian League South East FIXTURES - Saturday 4th December 2021 Burgess Hill Town
v Corinthian
Chichester City
v Ashford United
Cray Valley PM
v Herne Bay
HASTINGS UNITED v EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN Hythe Town
v Phoenix Sports
Sevenoaks Town
v Whitehawk
Sittingbourne
v Ramsgate
Three Bridges
v Faversham Town
VCD Athletic
v Lancing
Whitstable Town
v Haywards Heath Town
2021/22 UNITED’S TOP GOALSCORERS PLAYER
TOTAL COMPETITION
Ben Pope
11 6 ILSE 2 FAC 3 FAT
Sam Hasler
9
5 ILSE 3 FAC 1 FAT
Kenny Pogue
8
5 ILSE 2 FAC 1 FAT
LEAGUE NEWS From: Ian Townsend
South East Division Round Up Ashford United have been in fine form of late, and took the lead on eighteen minutes as Jay May broke the deadlock against VCD Athletic. It was two-nil just after the half hour, Josh Wisson with that one as the Nuts and Bolts looked to go top, but Athletic weren’t done, and on fifty four minutes Youssef Bamba halved the arrears. Gary Lockyer made sure for the hosts one minute from time, three goals and three points sending them to the summit. Ramsgate hosted Cray Valley PM, who led the way at the start of play, and let everyone in for free because they’re nice like that. It was the majority of the bumper crowd of seven hundred and three who were given something to warm them up just after the half hour, an own goal breaking the deadlock in the Rams favour. Matthew A-Warren equalised for the Millers just before the hour, and that was that a result which sees both sides drop a place, the Millers to second and the Rams to fourth. Haywards Heath Town hosted Hastings United in a Sussex derby, and went ahead on ten minutes, Josh Clack with his fifth of the campaign. The afternoon got worse for the visitors immediately after the break, Sam Remfry making it two-nil with his fourth goal of the season, and there was no comeback from out title favourites, who stay sixth whilst Heath are up to third. Fifth place Herne Bay and Burgess Hill Town, who end the day in eleventh, couldn’t see a goal between them. The away fans, pictured above courtesy of Colin Bowman, had only drumming and singing to keep them warm on the Kent coast- and credit to so many of them for making the trip. Sittingbourne’s new signing Duane Ofori-Acheampong opened the scoring at East Grinstead Town on twenty four minutes with a drive into the bottom right hand corner of the net, and then got another five minutes later- and there was time for a third before the break, this one going to Johan CaneyBryan as Brickies fans pinched themselves - and not
in a vain attempt to warm up. The Wasps stung back eight minutes after the restart, Richard Pingling with the afternoon’s fourth goal, and then with fourteen minutes to go Seidou Sanogo made things very interesting when making it two-three, but the next goal went to the Brickies, and it was a hat trick for Ofori-Acheampong. Sittingbourne are seventh. Corinthian and Chichester City was goalless at half time, but City were ahead soon after the break, Rob Hutchings opening the scoring. It was two-nil ten minutes from time, Ryan Davidson with that one, and City end the day in ninth. Sevenoaks Town got our first South East goal of the afternoon, Dean Gunner opening the scoring at Faversham Town after just five minutes. The next goal of the game came sixty four minutes later, and it also went to the Oaks, Bobby Dunn doubling their advantage. The Lilywhites made it interesting when Emmanuel Oluwasemo got one back eleven minutes from time, but there was no equaliser, despite Louis Collins seeing red for the visitors. Lancing and Hythe Town managed no goals in eighty three minutes, so the opener came in the eighty fourth, and it went to the Cannons, Jordan Sarfo giving them all three points, which sees them tenth. Three Bridges travelled to bottom side Phoenix Sports and took an early lead, Dan ‘hitman’ Perry scoring after just seven minutes, but it wasn’t long before Sports were level, Byron Walker with the equaliser. The next goal came nine minutes from time, and it went to Camron Lawson for the visitors- but there was still time for Sports to equalise, an own goal seemingly giving them a share of the points. But no! Joe Kay got the winner for Bridges to break home hearts! Whitehawk hosted a Whitstable Town side who were in Kent Senior Cup Final action in midweek, but there was no hangover as Kemo Darboe gave the Oysterboys the lead sixteen minutes from time. That turned out to be the only goal, as the visitors climbed out of the bottom three.
Substitutes used A,B,C,D,E replaced in brackets Goalscorers in bold
Photo: Scott White Photography
OUR VISITORS CHICHESTER CITY Club: Chichester City Football Club Nickname: Lillywhites First Club Founded: 1873 Current Founded: 2000 (Millennium merger) Chairman: Andrew Bell Vice-Chairman: Ashley Clack Manager: Miles Rutherford
CHICHESTER CITY FC HISTORY The first Chichester Football Club was formed in 1873 and added the title 'City' to its name in 1948. The club's original home was Priory Park but it relocated to Oaklands Park in the early fifties. The club was represented at the inaugural meeting of the Sussex County FA in 1882 and featured in the first ever Sussex Senior Cup competition in the same year losing 5-0 to Storrington. In 1896 Chichester became members of the newly formed West Sussex League and remained there until they joined the Sussex County League in 1920. The first major honour was achieved in 1926 when they won the Sussex Senior Cup but inter-war success was limited. In 1960 Chichester clinched their first Sussex County League title and then retained it the following season, shared the Sussex RUR Cup with Brighton & Hove Albion after a 2-2 draw
Ground: Oaklands Park Chichester Capacity: 2,000 Team colours: Home: Green/White striped shirts, Green shorts, Green/White socks. Away: Yellow shirts, shorts and socks.
and reached the first round proper of the FA Cup, only to lose 11-0 to Bristol City. Chichester beat Eastbourne in the RUR Cup in 1964 and recaptured the league title in 1968. In the 1970s Chichester's fortunes were mixed; the high point being another league championship in 1973 and a good run in the FA Amateur Cup. At the end of the decade, City faced relegation for the first time. However, the appointment of ex-Plymouth and Portsmouth player, Richie Reynolds, as manager sparked an amazing revival which saw City claw their way to safety. The following season was one of City's best ever as Reynolds masterminded a league championship win. The club was relegated though in 1983 after a dismal season. Promotion and Division Two Cup success followed in 1985 but they returned to the Second Division for the 1987-88 campaign winning the Division Two Challenge Cup again in 1988.
Steve White took over as Club Manager in 1990 and the side enjoyed another promotion campaign alongside Division Two Challenge Cup success. The club struggled for several seasons in the County League top flight before again being relegated to Division Two in 1994. In 1997, City returned to the top flight after finishing runners-up. Permission was finally granted for floodlights at Oaklands Park and they have been in the top flight of the Sussex County League ever since. Following a millennium merger with Portfield FC the club became known as Chichester City United FC and in 2004 Adie Girdler and his assistant Gary Brockway led Chichester to their first Sussex County League title since 1980. The club also won the Brighton Charity Cup in 2005 and 2006 and the RUR Cup for a third time in 2007. At the start of the 200910 season, following discussions with Chichester District Council, it was agreed to revert back to the name of Chichester City FC as this more clearly reflected the club and the city. The club faced challenges after this, both on and off the pitch, for a number of years. However, the management team of Miles Rutherford, Graeme Gee and first team coach Danny Potter has transformed things at Chi in all sorts of ways. A top five finish in the
Southern Combination Football League premier division in 2015-16 was followed by a third place spot in 2016-17, a six month unbeaten run in the league and a record equaling 4th round appearance in the FA Vase. Chichester went one round better in the Vase the following season, losing 1-0 to 1874 Northwich in the last minute of the game. Chi won the RUR Cup in the 2017-18 season, beating local rivals Pagham 4-0 in the final at Culver Road, and gained promotion to Step 4 of the non-league football pyramid for the first time ever in the club’s history after clinching the SCFL premier division title in 2018-19. Darin Killpartrick joined the coaching staff at Chichester in the summer of 2019 and an exceptional start to life in the Isthmian League was complemented by an extraordinary FA Cup adventure as City progressed through six rounds of qualifying to make it to the first round proper of the competition – a run in which Chichester beat three Step 3 sides. And in a unique FA Cup first round draw Chichester, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, were given the bye into the second round.
CHICHESTER CITY FC 21/22 RESULTS & RECENT FORM
FROM THE ARCHIVES - 1971/72 Season
Previous incarnations of the named clubs met at the Pilot Field in the 1971/72 Season for an FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Replay following a 1-1 draw at City. United won the encounter 9-1 with goals from Steve Gill (3), Danny O’Leary (2), Joe Nixon (2), Roger Wedge (1) and Colin Murphy (1).
ON THIS DAY 30th November 1872 The first ever official international match was played when England played Scotland at the West of Scotland Cricket Club ground in Partick. A crowd of around 4,000 saw a 0-0 draw. 30th November 1994 The 'golden goal' arrived in English football. At an Auto Windscreens Second Round match between Huddersfield Town and Lincoln City. Huddersfield's Iain Dunn became the first player to score a sudden death winner, in the 107th minute of the match. Later in the season Birmingham beat Carlisle in the Wembley final of the same competition with a golden goal.
LAST MEETING
MATCH REPORT By Bob Quinn @BobJQuinn
Dominant United thrash Chichester City
5 1 Saturday 7 December 2019
Isthmian League South East Division Attendance: 602
Hastings United confirmed their league leaders’ credentials with a 5 – 1 thrashing of Chichester City. Davide Rodari continued his hot scoring streak with a first-half double, adding to goals by Sam Adams and Daniel Ajakaiye. City reduced the arrears with an early second-half goal, but any hint of a recovery was immediately quashed by Ryan Worrall’s penalty after Rodari was felled in the area. Before kick-off, midfielder Adam Lovatt received a plaque to commemorate his hundredth appearance for United. United manager, Chris Agutter, continued with Rodari leading the line in place of Ben Pope and was
once again rewarded by the striker. After a positive start, United took the lead on nine minutes. Ollie Black picked up a loose ball some forty yards out and spotted an intelligent run by Rodari. Black threaded an accurate pass into Rodari’s feet on the edge of the area and in the blink of an eye the ball was nestling in the back of the net. Adams almost made it two a few minutes later, only for his shot to be blocked. United though were on the front foot and soon extended their lead. They retained possession and remained patient for a couple of minutes, then Lanre Azeez produced a magic turn in midfield and freed Jake Elliott down the right. His low cross was slid home by Adams despite the defenders around him. For all their flair, a third goal followed in a manner which truly demonstrated United’s hard-working ethic. After a move on the left wing broke down, Black and Ajakaiye hurried and harried the City defence into a mistake allowing Ajakaiye to retrieve the ball. His drive into the area ended with a shot hammered against the far post and in. Midway through the first-half and United in total control, three goals to the good. After Ajakaiye had a shot deflected over the bar, City put together their best move of the game. Passing the ball at speed they worked the ball down the right before an excellent whipped cross was met by Scott Jones. His header was athletically tipped over the bar by Louis Rogers. United responded with another patient move resulting in their fourth goal. Azeez heavily involved again, finding a pocket of space in midfield before playing a ball to Rodari who simply took the ball in his stride and passed into the corner. The pass from Azeez so accurate and the clever run from Rodari terrific.
The referee blew his whistle for halftime and United headed for their cup of tea to a standing ovation after an outstanding first-half display. Half-time: Hastings Utd 4 – 0 Chichester C City kicked-off the second-half and immediately won a corner down the right. A deep cross was headed goalward and headed in by Corey Heath from close-range to reduce the deficit. United instantly thwarted any thoughts of an unlikely recovery. Adams with another neat pass to complement Rodari’s run resulted in the forward being held back as he was about to shoot. The referee had little choice but to award United a penalty, which Worrall fired unerringly into the top corner. Minutes later Adams played a wonderful pass inside the full-back for Ajakaiye to run onto. As the goalkeeper rushed out, Ajakaiye’s chipped shot drifted just wide of the far post. United’s fifth goal had taken the sting out of City and as the secondhalf petered out it allowed time to reflect on the season to date. United still unbeaten in the league now stretching to fourteen games. Victory today also maintained their 100% home league record with seven out of seven victories. Rodari is the top scorer, having hit eleven goals in four games and nineteen in total for the season. The defence have conceded only eight league goals, by far the best defensive record. Little wonder attendances are increasing. Saturday’s attendance of 602 was the highest of the season, and United did not disappoint. Full-time: Hastings Utd 5 –1 Chichester C
Hastings Utd : Rogers, Black, Elphick, Stone, Elliott (77’ Beale), Rodari (68’ Pope), Ajakaiye, Adams, Worrall, Lovatt (65’ Pool), Azeez (Unused subs: Hull, Pogue) United goals: Rodari 9’, 39’, Adams 18’, Ajakaiye 24’, Worrall 51’ Pen Chichester City : Mowthorpe, Davidson, Hutchings, Axell (74’ Bennetts), C Cody, Heath, Clack, Horncastle (46’ Dunn), Jones, Rowlatt, Haitham (79’ G Cody) (Unused subs: Gicu, Kelly) Man of the match: Lanre Azeez was full of boundless energy and displayed a bagful of tricks to torment City throughout the game. He also displayed a great ability to find space in a congested midfield, offering United a different route out of defence and into attack.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS Our first meeting with Chichester took place almost a century ago in the first season of the then one division Sussex County League when we were still Hastings Rock-A-Nore on Saturday, 11th September, 1920; Chichester coming to play on the first pitch marked out on this site. A crowd of one thousand saw us lose 1-2, our goal scored by Len Chambers. Five months later we travelled to West Sussex where we lost the return 1-3. Thereafter we met in that League twice a season until we departed to the Southern Amateur League in 1927 that season we had two totally contrasting results on 29th January we lost 5-6 at Chichester but just five weeks later recorded our second highest ever score winning 14-1 here, Alan Wisden leading the scoring with five goals. Thereafter our only meetings were at the unregionalised Quarter-Final stage of the Sussex Senior Cup in both 1928 and 1931. There was then an almost thirty year gap until the next meeting which took place on Saturday, 19th November, 1960 when we as Hastings & St Leonards, playing in Division Two of the County League, were thrashed 1-10 away to a City side riding high in the top division at the second round stage in the Sussex Senior Cup. League meetings resumed in season 1980/81 and in three consecutive seasons we never lost to Chichester City home or away, winning on four occasions, the last two being 8-0 victories. In 2001/02 we met here in the first qualifying round of the F.A. Cup a tie we won 3-0 and then two years ago we visited Chichester for a preseason friendly which we won 4-2.
SEASON 2019/20 Tuesday 3 September 2019
Chichester City Photo: Scott White Photography
Adam Lovatt made his 100th appearance.
U’s Line-up
Velocity Trophy Group 4
0 – 2 Hastings United Att 100
Rogers, Black, Stone, Elliott, Rodari, Beale, Pogue (1), Worrall, Pool, Lovatt, Chalmers (1) Subs used: Ajakaiye, Adams, White
MATCH REPORT By Bob Quinn @BobJQuinn
United leave Haywards Heath emptyhanded
2 0 Saturday 27 November 2021
Isthmian League South East Division Attendance: 412
For the fourth time this season Hastings United suffered defeat against one of their promotion challengers, this time going down 2 – 0 to a well organised Haywards Heath Town. Despite a high percentage of possession the ‘U’s struggled to create any chances of note and were twice undone by opportunistic breaks by the home side. Ben Pope had an early shot cleared off the line before Heath scored with their first attack through Josh Clack’s excellent finish. With their noses in front Heath sat back and though Pope and Jack Dixon went close neither effort troubled Billy Collings in the Heath goal and United trailed at half-time. The second-half began in the same fashion before the ‘U’s conceded a second after a defensive mix-up left Sam Remfry with an open goal. Sam Adams flashed
a shot wide, and Lloyd Dawes headed straight at the goalkeeper but those efforts aside it was a frustrating afternoon as United failed to score in a game for the first time this season. Saturday 27th November, a cold, damp afternoon with a brutal wind dropping the temperature below zero. The ‘U’s put new signing Andrew Sesay straight into the starting line-up. United are in a strip made up of claret shirts, shorts, and socks. Heath’s kit is white shirts with a blue stripe and blue shorts and socks. There are gloves for some, long sleeves for others and short sleeve shirts for those who somehow don’t feel the cold. United have the honour of starting the game and they control possession for the opening period which ultimately leads to an early chance on seven minutes. From midway inside the Heath half Bates swings a freekick into the area, the wind plays its part, and Collings fails to gather. Finn O’Mara’s challenge gives Pope a chance 10 yards out and though his shot is on target and beats the goalkeeper the ball is blocked on the line by a defender and the rebound falls back into the grateful hands of Collings. This early let-off for the home side is compounded minutes later with an opening goal out of nothing. There looks to be little danger when the Blues Jerson Dos Santos finds Clack on the right but the winger cuts inside onto his left foot, finds a yard of space and curls a shot into the top corner giving Louis Rogers no chance. For the third consecutive game a positive United start ends with the opposition taking the lead. The visitors continue where they left off before conceding. Ryan Worrall’s pass out wide toward Sesay is initially won by the fullback but Sesay wins the ball back and delivers an enticing cross toward Pope who gets
a touch but diverts the ball wide of the far post. As the half ticks by United are still having the bulk of the ball while Heath seem quite happy to sit, defend and spring on the break when the chance arises. The wind is also playing havoc with any pass knocked in the air, however accurate the pass may be the wind is doing whatever it likes. A case in point. A Heath long goal kick holds up in the wind and Craig Stone and O’Mara both go toward the ball, yet it breaks into the path of Dos Santos who is faced by an onrushing Rogers and can only loft a shot wide. United come again through Pope and Knory Scott who set up Dixon to send in a 25-yard shot which flies a few feet wide. Despite 55 minutes of the game remaining Collings delays taking the goal kick and is warned for time-wasting. The final 10 minutes of the first half sees the ‘U’s fire crosses into the area from Worrall, Scott and Sesay. All are repelled by a well marshalled defence and the game reaches halftime with neither side having troubled the goalkeepers further. Half-time: Haywards Hth 1 – 0 Hastings Utd Haywards Heath restart the game and it’s a big second half coming up for United. A half which begins with disaster. Heath play an aimless ball forward from right back to a central area which is covered by both Stone and O’Mara, yet the ball bypasses them both and gives Dos Santos a free run into the area. Rogers again rushes out, but this time Dos Santos squares the ball to his left and Remfry has an empty goal to fire into. Seemingly the wind caused the misjudgement, but either way a tough task just got a whole lot harder. The pattern of the game though remains unchanged. United with the
ball, Heath content to defend. A Sesay cross is punched clear by Collings and a Pope cross just evades Sam Adams as the ‘U’s keep plugging away. A long Ollie Black throw-in then presents Stone with a chance to head goalward and it takes a combination of the crossbar and Collings’ to gloves clear the ball, but only to Tom Chalmers whose shot is blocked and then cleared properly. A few minutes later Worrall’s cross is halfcleared to Adams who hits a difficult half-volley cleanly but wide. United change personnel with Kenny Pogue and Lloyd Dawes joining Sesay and Pope as attackers. It makes little difference to Heath who keep on defending what’s in front of them and forcing United to cross from an angle which offers the least
threat. Adams twice and then Worrall punt crosses into the area but there’s no way through. Collings is then booked for timewasting having been warned twice before. Even so, there is no denying Heath have defended well and United are frustrated at being unable to break through their rearguard. Then when another Adams cross finally finds a United player, Dawes’ header is straight at Collings. There are four minutes of added time, which seems insufficient given we’ve had six second-half substitutions and repeated delays for goal kicks and throw-ins. Though, it makes little difference today as there’s to be no late recovery or lastminute heroics. The home side deservedly take the three points and United can have no complaints.
On the positive side Sesay showed positive glimpses of what he can offer, especially in the first half, and there was the welcome return of Lloyd Dawes. Full-time: Haywards Hth 2 – 0 Hastings Utd Hastings Utd : Rogers, Black, Worrall, O’Mara (Dawes 70’), Stone, Chalmers, Dixon, Pope, Bates (Adams 46’), Sesay, Scott (Pogue 51’) Haywards Heath Town : Collings, Morrison, Gilbert, Rowe, Cooper, Christie, Clack, Ndozid (Carvalho 85’), Remfry (Robinson 80’), Dos Santos (Briggs 68’), Cadman Haywards Heath Town goals: Clack 10’, Remfry 47’
Lloyd Dawes in action earlier in the season.
Lloyd Dawes made a welcome return last Saturday against Haywards Heath Town.
Photo: Scott White Photography
HASTINGS UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB POLICIES Ground Regulations and Customer Charter Full details of our Ground Regulations and Customer Charter are available to read at our website:
www.hastingsunited.com.
Health & Safety Hastings United Football Club takes seriously your health and safety during your visit to the TGS Pilot Field. Please note that the officers and stewards of Hastings United Football Club will enforce Ground Regulations. A copy of these regulations is posted at the entrance to each turnstile 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.”
These include our policy on ticket and pricing, abandoned matches and our involvement in the Hastings Community.
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.
(The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162 )
We expect our staff and volunteers to treat every customer as they would like to be treated themselves.
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.”
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 WOMEN’S TEAM
Molly Hill in action
Photo: Scott White Photography
LONDON SE WOMEN’S FL DIVISION 1 SOUTH
1
Team
P W D
L GD PTS
A.F.C. Acorns Women
9
0
1 24 24
8
2
HASTINGS UNITED Women 8
7
1
0 23 22
3
Ashford
8
6
1
1 23 19
4
Herne Bay FC Women
9
6
0
3 27 18
5
Welling United FC Womens 7
4
0
3 18 12
6
Newhaven
10 4
0
6 -10 12
7
Parkwood Rangers
8
2
1
5 -9
7
8
Bexhill United
9
2
1
6 -29
7
9
Meridian
8
1
0
7 -32
3
10
Maidstone United Women
10 1
0
9 -35
3
HASTINGS UNITED WOMEN’S TEAM RESULTS & FIXTURES Date Opposition Comp H/A ResultW/D/L RESULTS AUGUST 22 Meridian League H 10-0 W 29 Herne Bay League H 3-1 W SEPTEMBER 5 AFC Acorns League H 1-0 W 12 Regents Park WFACup H 9-0 W 19 Parkwood Rg League A 2-0 W 26 Ashford United League A 1-1 D OCTOBER 3 Islington Boro WFACup A 2-1 W 10 Maidstone Utd League H 5-0 W 17 Bexhill United League H 1-0 W 24 Bromley WFA Cup A 0-2 L NOVEMBER 7 Ashford Ladies LSE Cup H 4-0 W 21 Newhaven SxChCup QF H 3-0 W 28 Newhaven League H 2-0 W FIXTURES DECEMBER 5 AFC Acorns LSE Cup H 12 Welling United League A 19 Brighton & HA SxChCup SF H
Attd
Scorers
193 153
Hill 4, Heather 2, Tibble 2, Corrigan 2, Williams Heather 2, Johnson
TBA TBA TBA TBA
Baitup Heather 4, Johnson 3, Williams 3 Johnson 2 Relf
TBA 155 221 TBA
Hill 2 Sheppard, Johnson, Critchfield, Fletcher, Relf Hyland
122 TBA TBA
Heather 2, Hill, Carter Johnson, Hill, Corrigan Hill, Johnson
-
SQUADS 7.45PM TUESDAY
30 NOVEMBER 2021
HASTINGS UNITED KIT: CLARET & WHITE
vs ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SOUTH EAST
Gary ELPHICK Manager
CHICHESTER CITY KIT: GREEN OR YELLOW Miles RUTHERFORD Manager
(GK) Louis ROGERS
1
REFEREE
Ollie BLACK
2
CIARAN FIDLER
Ryan WORRALL
3
Finn O’MARA
4
Craig STONE
5
Tom CHALMERS
6
Lloyd DAWES
7
Ryan DAVIDSON
Jack DIXON
8
Dan WOOD
Ben POPE
9
Kieran MAGEE (GK) Rob HUTCHINGS Corey HEATH Jack FARRIER
ASSISTANTS
GREIG WALKER JONATHON WILKS
MATCH SPONSOR
(Capt) Sam ADAMS 10
Lewis HYDE Ben PASHLEY
Emmett DUNN Fori VUCAJ
Sam HASLER 11
Ben MENDOZA
Marcus GOLDSMITH 12
Jamie HORNCASTLE
Kenny POGUE 14
Morgan MOCKFORD-ALLOTT
Harvey GREIG 16
Charlie OAKWELL-BOULTON
Freddie LEGG 17
MATCHBALL SPONSOR
Knory SCOTT 18
BOB H
Kaleem HAITHAM Lloyd ROWLATT
Dave MARTIN 19
Ethan PRICHARD
Kane PENN 19
Tyrone MADHANI
James HULL 19
Callum OVERTON
Andrew SESAY 19
MATCH MASCOT
JAKOB FELSTEAD (6)
THE CONTINENTAL PILOT FIELD HASTINGS TN34 2AX
Scott JONES