Welcome Club CEO/Chairman
Billy Wood Welcome to The Continental Pilot Field for a Saturday home fixture! We welcome the directors, staff, management and players of East Grinstead Town for today’s Pitching In Isthmian League fixture. Over 700 supporters in last Tuesday night, an incredible midweek turnout that makes us one of the desirables of non-league football, whatever level you look at. When you look at the other fixture in the league that night only had 152 you do wonder what magic we have together created here at Hastings United. I want to thank all the supporters who turned out for the fixture on a rain swirling Tuesday and hope we have another great crowd today. Three points Tuesday creeps us closer to the spot we desire and keeps us bang in the race, today I am sure Gary will be raring his lads to go out and get another positive result for The ‘U’s. It was great to see Dawesy out there in action, doing what we’ve known he can do all along. Some of those moments I am dazzled and kept the supporters on their toes and that’s exactly what we like to see, I am delighted for the lad because throughout his hardship with injury he has been desperate to get out there and show you what he is about, let’s hope a decent run of games happens for Lloyd over the festive period. Andrew Sesay made his home debut also and I do wonder if Gary filled his boots up with rockets as he got to show you all why we brought him in. Electric pace and a handful of
a player I am sure will create some magical moments both home and away. In my time here, if you take away Sammy Adams’ testimonial, I haven’t seen a reaction from the supporters like that when a player is taking their exit, you all made Sesay feel really welcome here at our home and I know he is buzzing to be here. A little note on Bob Quinn; as everyone knows, Bob is our matchday reporter but sadly due to relocation this will be his last game. I am genuinely gutted Bob is leaving, his reports may be the best in non-league but it’s his character I will miss the most. He has really taken to the club and his attitude and enthusiasm will be missed massively. People come and go but this one will hit hard with us all because he really is a special bloke. Bob’s name will be added to the permanent guestlist of the club, and he will always be welcome through those gates whenever he chooses. I do hope we get him to come back at the end of the season, when we hope to be having the party of all parties … that party only happens if we do what we do best! Let’s get right behind our lads today … BE LOUD, BE PROUD AND BE UNITED!
COYU!
Billy Billy Wood HUFC Chairman / Chief Executive Officer
The Gaffer Gary Elphick Good afternoon and a warm welcome to the fans and our visitors today East Grinstead Town. It was great to get a reaction from the players and earn a good victory against Chichester City midweek. Special mention to both Andrew Sesay and Tom Chalmers, I thought they were both fantastic but an even more important mention to Louis Rogers who made some vital saves when needed. Although I was happy, there is still plenty of work to do, there are still elements within our game that need attention but let it be known the players and staff will work hard during the next few weeks to improve. Get behind the lads again today! Onwards and upwards!
Gary Gary Elphick HUFC First Team Manager
Photo: Scott White Photography
www.hastingsunited.com www.facebook.com/HastingsUtd Twitter: @hastingsufc
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
Commercial Director
Hayley Clout Good afternoon everyone. Welcome back to the Continental Pilot Field after a great win here on Tuesday night against Chichester City and 3 good points. I would like to welcome and continually thank Bob H who is our Match and Matchball Sponsor for today's game, Bob does so much for the Club and we thank him for his continued support both with the men’s and ladies first teams. I would also like to welcome and thank our Mascots to today's game, all are members of our Under 9's team. Thank you to our Academy managers’ Jake and Neil who will be looking after the boys today and keeping them all in check!
We hope you all enjoy your day with us and the matchday experience. Finally, I would like to say a sad goodbye and good luck to Bob Quinn who writes our match previews and reports. You will be sadly missed Bob and thank you for everything. 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
HUFC vs CHICHESTER CITY - MAN OF THE MATCH - TOM CHALMERS Tom was presented with his award by Ian and Jack.
Tom Chalmers was awarded ‘Man Of The Match’ by Match Sponsor Kiley’s Karpets.
Photo: Scott White Photography
MATCH MASCOTS Hastings United U9s Myles Cornwell, Ali Faris, Adam Faris, Junya Olorunda, Lucius Loureiro, Daner Sedik, Joshua Bennett, Jacob Booth, Olly Moneforte, Logan Williams, Kobe Oxley, Rufus Claughton, Ali Towfeq, Ralphy Gale, Shujaat Jaffari, Mathieu Springett, Teddie Field, George Crispe
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.
NEEDED THAT Tuesday night's win over Chichester City keeps United very much in touch with the business end of the table. Great to see the ongoing return to action of Lloyd Dawes, the skill down the left of Andrew Sesay and the performance of Kenny Pogue. City threatened on occasions but this was a thorough performance by United. We all hoped Whitehawk would do us a favour against Herne Bay, it wasn't to be but the U's did the necessaries, are 7 points off the top and, at last, kept a clean sheet. After the Cray Valley game we were 13 points adrift just 3 weeks ago.
UPS 'N DOWNS Assuming we do get a full season completed, you can expect lots of tinkering, relegation reprieves and sideways moves as the FA tries to get the new pyramid structure in place with all divisions at full strength. That is very much not the case at present. The National League is one club short for example. So, instead of relegating 4 clubs, 3 will go down, 4 will come up from National South/North thus getting that top tier back to 24 clubs.
Let's keep it up against East Grinstead this afternoon. An outfit who have given us plenty of problems in the past.
Oh My Cron Here we go again. The doom and gloom merchants will be loving it, the scary headline writers will be rubbing their hands and after two disrupted football seasons, some will be getting concerned about more of that too. Well, it's early days and soooooo far, according to the South African doctor who identified this latest variant of Covid (and there have been several), symptoms are mild and nobody had been hospitalised. Let's hope this brushes over as quickly as 'the end of the world is imminent' fuel shortage crisis! And that I can get on that Emirates flight to Manila on January 25th. And AND we get a full football season in!
National League 22-23 season constitution simplifier.
In order to get National South/North up to 24 clubs next season -currently National N 22 clubs, National S (one short) 21 - they will relegate just 2 clubs to step 3 this season while accepting 8 promoted clubs. National N/S currently 43 clubs - minus 2 relegated = 41 plus 8 promoted from step 3 = 49
minus 4 promoted to step 1 = 45 plus PLUS 3 relegated from step 1 equals 48! There you go! And so it goes on. There are vacancies at step 3 (Isthmian Premier etc) and step 4 (United's level). Remember Whyteleafe who pulled out back in the Summer leaving Isthmian South Central a club short. There was going to be a play off scenario involving step 4 and step 5 clubs to decide final relegation and promotion slots. Based on points per game (ppg). That's all changed. 16 clubs should come down to step 4 - that's 4 from each league. 7 have been reprieved. PPG decides which clubs are reprieved. Going up from step 4 is unaffected. All this will be looked at in further detail in a future column. In the meantime, if anybody understands a word of what I just said on these shuffles and reprieves, feel free to explain it to me .........
Sorry to see Lanre Azeez on his way. Has to be said he wasn't the Azeez of his first spell here but had, somewhat ironically, started showing signs of his talents again. Now gone! To Glebe apparently. Going well in the Southern Counties East Football League - what was the Kent League. Go well, Lanre.
Blast from the recent past. Another player I would have back yesterday. Simon Johnson, talented and hard grafting midfielder now wasted in the County League. That's him at R. Now with Eastbourne Town.
LEAGUE NEWS From: Ian Townsend
South East Division
BRADLEY BACK AT BAY
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE LEADING GOALSCORERS Name
Club
Schafer returns, and scores two on his latest debut.
Ajayi, Joshua Adebayo
Ramsgate
12
Barrington, Marcel Omar
Cray Valley PM
10
Herne Bay last night celebrated the return of Bradley Schafer, and he got to celebrate too twice - as he scored both goals in victory over Whitehawk.
Ansah, Zak Andy
Herne Bay
9
Splatt, Javaun DelMarco
Whitehawk
8
Adesite, Anthony
VCD Athletic
7
Bradley moves back to Winch's Field from Hythe Town, where he had been for less than a month. In that time he played four times, with two wins and two defeats.
Fagg, Thomas
Ashford United
7
Bradley moved to the Cannons from Sevenoaks Town, where he had made fourteen appearances this season and scored three goals, following on from the three goals in twenty six during 2019-20, being injured for the 2020-21 season (he didn't miss much).
All at United wish good luck to recently departed Lanre Azeez.
Photos: Scott White Photography
Goals
Caney-Bryan, Johan Robert Sittingbourne
6
Gayle, Denzel O'shane
Cray Valley PM
6
Peck, Callum John
Ramsgate
6
Pogue, Kenny
HASTINGS UNITED 6
Pope, Benjamin Joseph
HASTINGS UNITED 6
Abdulla, Ahmed Mohamed Sittingbourne
5
Bamba, Youssuf
5
Welcome to new signing Andrew Sesay.
VCD Athletic
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SOUTH EAST DIVISION TABLE 2021/22 WEDNESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2021 # 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 Faversham Town Whitehawk 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 14 6 1 15 4 1 15 5 1 15 4 1 15 4 2 14 1 1 14 3 2 15 2 2 14 3 1 15 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 3 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 4 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 4 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 23 20 3 23 14 13 1 21 1 4 14 4 7 9 18 24 4 2 21 12
SEASON CAREER SUB TOTAL GOALS APPS GOALS
5 8 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 6 1 7 4 2 11 3 4
20 17 5 24 22 6 24 14 13 3 22 7 5 7 18 4 9 20 18 24 7 2 21 16
2 2 2 4 3 3 9 1 1 2 9 11 1 1
589 145 77 4 5 108 2 47 10 7 270 37 67 8 22 4 22 9 8 1 5 7 1 18 2 4 9 224 63 68 40 89 11 1 2 69 5 59 5
W 11 10 10 9 9 9 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 5 6 5 7 7 8 4 8 9 10 9 13
F 30 36 29 36 24 32 25 27 22 13 16 15 15 17 17 19 13 17 14 12
A 9 15 13 19 10 21 23 21 16 25 18 19 22 25 28 31 28 26 26 34
+/21 21 16 17 14 11 2 6 6 -12 -2 -4 -7 -7 -11 -12 -15 -9 -12 -22
Pts 35 34 32 30 30 28 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 2-0 W 733 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 11th December 2021 Burgess Hill Town
v Ashford United
Corinthian
v Hythe Town
East Grinstead T
v Haywards Heath Town
Faversham Town
v Phoenix Sports
HERNE BAY
v HASTINGS UNITED
Lancing
v Sittingbourne
Ramsgate
v Three Bridges
Sevenoaks Town
v Whitstable Town
VCD Athletic
v Chichester City
Whitehawk
v Cray Valley PM
2021/22 UNITED’S TOP GOALSCORERS PLAYER
TOTAL COMPETITION
Ben Pope
11 6 ILSE 2 FAC 3 FAT
Kenny Pogue
9
6 ILSE 2 FAC 1 FAT
Sam Hasler
9
5 ILSE 3 FAC 1 FAT
TUESDAY’s
MATCH REPORT By Bob Quinn @BobJQuinn
Pogue & Chalmers fire United to victory
2 0 Tuesday 30 November 2021
Isthmian League South East Division Attendance: 733
Two goals, a clean-sheet and three points will give Hastings United a welcome boost after they beat Chichester on a wet Tuesday evening under the lights. Both sides could have scored in the opening two minutes with the visitors thwarted by Louis Rogers while United suffered at the hands of the crossbar. The first-half remained goalless despite both sides creating openings before an enterprising start to the secondhalf saw the ‘U’s break the deadlock on 56 minutes, Kenny Pogue sweeping home a corner at the far post. Just three minutes later Chichester almost equalised through Callum Overton when his shot struck the post. With 20 minutes remaining it was left to Tom Chalmers to give United
breathing space when he latched onto Ollie Black’s long throw and headed in United’s second goal to settle the game. Tuesday 30th November, the day before Christmas songs begin playing on the radio. There is thick cloud and sporadic showers swirling in the breeze but compared to the last few games it’s a balmy 11 degrees. The ‘U’s return to their home strip of claret shirts with white shorts, and socks. Chichester meanwhile wear yellow shirts and socks with black shorts. For United there’s a place in the starting line up for Lloyd Dawes who is thankfully returning from injury, and also a home debut for Andrew Sesay. The stadium announcer’s choice of music is to blast out ‘Two Tribes’ in preparation for the teams entering the field and a fresh shower rolls in as the players exit the tunnel. If the intention is to instil a sense of battle it certainly does the trick. Chichester take the kick-off and within 30 seconds have made their way into the United area, the angle is tight and Rogers is able to save the shot at his near post. At the other end Dawes wriggles his way out of a tight spot to win a corner, which Finn O’Mara wins in the air but his header thumps against the bar. A crackling start to the game in which both sides could have scored. Tom Chalmers, who continues to fill in at right back, has a wonderful knack of drifting past players and does so again down the wing. He cuts inside into the area, the defender is behind him and Chalmers is floored by the challenge. The penalty shout is waved away by the referee who instead gives a goal kick. A minute later Chalmers is involved in some excellent interplay in midfield, he slides a pass into the area for Pogue to chase. With a
defender on his heels and a goalkeeper steaming toward him, Pogue manages to stretch and get a toepoke on the ball which goes the wrong side of the post. Craig Stone then launches a long ball wide to Dawes who runs at the defence and pulls the ball back into the area. The pass finds a player in yellow rather than one in a claret shirt, but the good news is, there has been more incision in this opening 15 minutes than United created in 90 minutes last Saturday. Chalmers continues to torment the opponents, he dances past two, a third and then delivers a dangerous low cross into the six-yard area where Sesay can’t quite make contact and the ball is cleared. A lot has already happened, and the game is only 20 minutes old. Chichester then benefit from the referee pulling the game back for their freekick on halfway having initially played advantage. While United regroup a quick freekick is launched over the top into the path of Ethan Prichard who is through on goal only for Rogers to come flying out to meet the attacker and make a vital block. As the half progresses Sam Hasler shoots wide for United before Pogue also heads wide from a corner. While the ‘U’s have created numerous openings they are yet to truly test the Chichester goalkeeper. The remainder of the half also goes a tad scrappy with United on top but each throw-in, freekick, corner or passing move is repelled or the ball will not drop to a United player or someone is offside. Dawes has the final effort of the half when he intercepts a pass on halfway and attempts an audacious long-range lob over the goalkeeper, but the ball beats the bar as well. Half-time: Hastings Utd 0 – 0 Chichester C
The teams re-enter the field together and the ‘U’s restart the game. Sesay is immediately involved with a run and cross down the left and Pogue’s backheel is blocked, the ball is played back to Sesay and another cross is cleared. Back come United again through Sesay who this time lays the ball back to Hasler to cross, met by the head of Jack Dixon which hits the woodwork. On the other side of the pitch Chalmers sets off on another jinking run to give Pogue the chance to cross which is a fraction too high for Sesay. An opening five minutes which has been all United. The pressure continues on the visitors. Another Pogue cross is punched clear, Hasler’s follow-up cross is also cleared before Chalmers wins another corner from which the pressure finally tells. Hasler’s corner is across the six-yard area, there’s no real height but it goes all the way to Pogue at the far post and he gleefully sweeps home. United rewarded for an excellent start to the second-half and they score the first goal for the first time in the last five league games. A lead which is almost immediately
wiped out. A slide-rule pass frees Overton who hits a low shot wide of Rogers which bounces against the bottom of the post and the ball travels across the face of goal before being cleared. A huge let-off and relief all round. The precariousness of a one-nil lead is clear for all to see. After this whirlwind start there’s a lull. Chichester have not wilted and United look to be taking a breather, steeling themselves for another onslaught perhaps? Indeed, so it proves. The ‘U’s win a throw midway in the visitors half on the left. Ollie Black territory and his long throw into the area pays off via the head of Chalmers who doubles United’s lead. United continue to create chances in the final quarter of the game. Knory Scott shoots wide of the far post after being set up by Sesay before Pogue tries to place a shot into the bottom corner and the goalkeeper saves comfortably. Sesay, who has had a seriously impressive home debut, then departs to a loud round of applause for his efforts. There’s still time for Pogue to have another header saved before Sam Adams heads wide and this
Kenny Pogue nets United’s first goal on 56 minutes.
concludes the chances. The points are safe and it’s a first clean-sheet in the league since the 3 – 0 win at Hythe back in October, albeit by the width of the goalpost. Full-time: Hastings Utd 2 –0 Chichester C Hastings Utd : Rogers, Black, Worrall, O’Mara, Stone, Chalmers, Dawes (Scott 62’), Dixon, Hasler (Adams 71’), Pogue, Sesay (Martin 81’) United goals: Pogue 56’, Chalmers 71’ Chichester City : Magee, Davidson, Hutchings, Horncastle, Mendoza, Pashley, Prichard, Dunn, Overton, Rowlatt, Madhani (Dellaud 77’) Man of the match: Tom Chalmers Created a number of opportunities with his dazzling runs and finished his excellent performance off with another goal, his fourth of the season. A mention in dispatches for Andrew Sesay who demonstrated his speed and skills, especially in the second-half, and must have run Chalmers close for the award.
Photo: Scott White Photography
Photo: Scott White Photography
Substitutes used A,B,C,D,E replaced in brackets Goalscorers in bold
MATCH SPONSORSHIP ~ Company logo featured on matchday programme front cover ~ Full page colour advertisement in the matchday programme ~ 4 complimentary matchday tickets for the Directors Box ~ Pre and post-match hospitality in the Boardroom (Alcoholic drinks only served post-match) ~ Selection of the 'Man of the Match' and pitchside presentation to player ~ Company mentions via PA announcements ~ Complimentary matchday programme
Total cost = £125.00 plus VAT Interested in sponsorship? ... Contact: Commercial Director Hayley Clout hayley.clout@hastingsunited.com 07766 825573
OUR VISITORS EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN Club: East Grinstead Town Football Club Nickname: The Wasps Club Founded: 1890 Chairman: Richard Tramontin Vice-Chairman: Brian McCorquodale Managers: Drew Cooney Tony Beckingham
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN
HISTORY East Grinstead Town Football Club was formed on May 8, 1890, although it was another ten years before they played their first competitive matches as founder members of the Mid Sussex Football League. In those early days the club played in blue and white with the town's coat of arms on the breast pocket. It was some years before they adopted their current colours of amber and black and were nicknamed 'The Wasps,' both of which survive to this day. They won the Mid Sussex League in 1902 and their first major honour followed seven years later when they shared the Sussex Junior Cup with Arundel. In 1909 they were awarded senior status which they have held ever since apart from two seasons when they were relegated to the intermediate third division of the Sussex County League in 1989. In 1912 Grinstead reached the Sussex Senior Cup final for the only time in their history but lost 4-1 to St Leonards Amateurs in a ferocious snowstorm.
Ground: The OHOB Community Stadium East Court East Grinstead Capacity: 3,000 Team colours: Home: Amber & Black Away: Blue & White Third: Purple & White The Wasps were original members of the Sussex County League when it was founded in 1920, but they struggled to make any impact and after finishing bottom in 1927 they were not re-elected. Rather than returning to the Mid Sussex League, they had four successful seasons in the Brighton League before stepping up to the Southern Amateur League. A fresh challenge reinvigorated the club and they won the Division Three title in 1932 with 15 victories out of 18. Three years later they played on the Test match cricket ground at Trent Bridge in Nottingham when they defeated Nottinghamshire Amateurs 6-0 in the old FA Amateur Cup. Determined to regain their place in the Sussex County League, they were re-elected back in 1937 after winning the Mid Sussex League again and finished fifth in their first season. In those halcyon days either side of the Second World War, four-figure crowds were the norm at their old ground in West Street, East Grinstead, which they shared with the town’s cricketers. The club's record attendance is 2,006 for an FA Amateur Cup tie against Lancing in November 1947.
Success eluded Grinstead until 1952 when they won the Baldwin Cup, the forerunner of the Sussex County League Cup. That team is reckoned by many to be the finest the club has ever produced. It was certainly the most entertaining - 42 games that season in league and cup produced 222 goals! Grinstead finished third in 1955, but their fortunes began to decline along with crowd numbers after that. They left West Street in 1959 but it wasn't until 1967 that they finally moved to their current home at East Court after a protracted battle to get the ground, which was prone to waterlogging, fit for football. In the meantime, they had a spell at King Georges Field in the town centre. The club again finished third in 1973 in the Sussex County League but that was as good as it got for another 30 years although Grinstead did reach their first cup final since 1952 when they lost 4-1 to Haywards Heath in the RUR Cup in 1974 despite taking the lead. During the 1980s the club regularly hosted Crystal Palace and Brighton in charity fixtures watched by crowds of over 2,000. Wasps found themselves in Division Two for the first time in 1979 and even had two seasons in Division Three before regaining senior status. They were promoted back to Division One in 1993 but lasted just two years. Bob Smith, a former player, led Wasps back to Division One in 2003 and they also won their first trophy for 52 years, beating Three Bridges 4-0 in the final of the RUR Cup. Unfortunately, the club were relegated back to Division Two on the final day of the 2004-05 season and in October 2006 Smith, the longestserving manager in the club’s history, was replaced by another ex-player Steve Norris. In his second season Wasps romped to the Second Division title by a massive 18 points, losing just twice all season. Their winning run of 14 successive league games at the start of the season meant they became the last senior non-league team in the country to drop points. The club established itself in the top-flight over the next decade and and their progress on the field has been matched off it.
Floodlights were installed in 1997 and in 2008 two new stands and a pitch perimeter barrier were erected. In 2014 with East Court already meeting the requirements of the Isthmian Football League after installing additional seating, the club began work on a new dressing room and hospitality area, turnstile block and entrance and a resurfaced car park. More than £225,000 of the cost came from external grant-aid funding. Simon Funnell’s side finished the season in second place, their highest ever County League position, and in May 2014, the club were accepted into the Isthmian League for the first time in our history. In October 2014, Simon was replaced by Tony Beckingham, who returned for a second spell having previously been in charge between February 2010-October 2011. Tony managed to keep the club in the league for a second season despite finishing in 23rd place in the table but left to join Hythe Town in September 2015. Matt Longhurst was appointed manager in October 2015 and consolidated the Wasps at Step 4 for three seasons, despite a big turnover of players. Matt resigned in December 2019 and the former Kingstonian and Whyteleafe manager Leigh Dynan replaced him. The suspension of the league saved the club from relegation, as they were bottom of the table when Covid-19 forced the curtailment, but Leigh rebuilt the squad and the club began the season with renewed confidence and were fourth when the 2019-20 season was abandoned because of the pandemic. Leigh had to step down at the start of 2021 due to work commitments and former Wasps’ striker Tony Reid, who had enjoyed success with Westfield, was appointed in but after a disappointing start to the season Reid left the club in November 2021 and Beckingham returned for a third spell as joint-manager alongside Drew Cooney, who has made more than 400 appearances for the club. During the summer of 2020 the first major overhaul of the pitch since 2003 took place with new drainage and irrigation installed, most of the cost being met by grants. This project was completed in the summer of 2021.
PLAYER PROFILES
Ryan Green Midfielder who signed for the club in November 2021.
Christopher Burrow Drew Cooney
Young defender, 17, who has broken into the first team this season after impressive performances for the under-23s.
The club’s longest serving player, central defender Drew has racked up nearly 400 appearances for the Wasps during three separate spells. He’s also played for Three Bridges and Redhill and made his Grinstead debut back in 2002.
Former Merstham and Corinthian Casuals midfielder who joined the club in November 2021.
Glenn Wilson
Merrick James-Lewis
Another player with vast experience including a spell with Crawley Town whom he helped win promotion to the Football League. Glenn, who can play at right back or in central defence, has also played for AFC Wimbledon, Rushden & Diamonds, Margate and Enfield Town having started his career in the academy at Crystal Palace. Grinstead are the 35-year-old’s 15th club.
London-born central midfielder who came to the club in November 2021. Merrick was a pro with Southend and Colchester nearly two decades ago and the 29-year-old has played for more than 25 non-league clubs since then at all levels of the pyramid. His most recent club was Egham Town.
Matte Pierson Former Merstham and Tooting & Mitcham goalkeeper who joined the club in summer 2021.
Liam Montague Former Aldershot full-back who joined the Wasps this summer.
Oliver Boulding A popular player with the Grinstead fans, fullback Ollie recently returned to the Wasps for a second time, having made 65 appearances and scored four goals in his first spell.
Tom Summerfield Defender who joined the club in November 2021, having previously played for Horsham and Haywards Heath Town.
Oliver Bennett
Richard Pingling Striker who joined the Wasps in November 2021 and scored his first goal for the club against Sittingbourne. Signed for the club from Croydon FC having started his career in the youth ranks at AFC Wimbledon.
Omar Folkes Omar joined Grinstead in November 2021, having started the season with Isthmian premier division side Merstham.
Jordan Hibbert Midfielder, 31, who signed for the club in November 2021. After starting out in Chelsea’s academy he played pro for Barnsley and Peterborough before an extensive non-league career with the likes of Kingstonian, Dulwich Hamlet. Metropolitan Police, Thamesmead Town, Dagenham & Redbridge abd Boreham Wood.
Miles Cornwell
Lloyd Francis
Miles is a recent acquisition for the Wasps and has extensive experience at this level following spells with Sittingbourne, Ramsgate and Herne Bay. He has also played for Tunbridge Wells.
Energetic young midfielder formerly with Eastbourne Borough who has broken into the firstteam squad this season. Good on the ball with an eye for a pass.
Harvey Burgess
Deigo Carmo
16-year-old local youngster who has been promoted to the first-team squad this season after impressing in the club’s development teams. Powerful striker with an eye for goal and one to watch.
Another player to have graduated from the under-23s this season. Midfielder, who can operate wide or centrally.
Seidou Sanogo Goalscoring midfielder who broke into the first team in 2020 before the season was curtailed by the pandemic. Powerful player who offers pace and a goal threat.
Fintan Walsh Fintan joined the club in summer 2021 having previously played for Horsham and Aylesbury. Usually operates on the left.
Alex Battle Striker who has recently joined the club on loan from Crawley Town. The Plymouth-born forward started his career at Home Park and then played for Salisbury and Truro City before joining Crawley in September 2021.
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 21/22 RESULTS & RECENT FORM
PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN Our first scheduled meeting with East Grinstead was arranged for Saturday, 20th November, 1920 in the then one division Sussex County League but EGT were unable to raise a side to travel here to play our predecessors, Rock-A-Nore F.C. and they were awarded the points: They travelled to East Grinstead for the return league game on Saturday, 9th April, 1921 when the match ended as a goal less draw. By the start of the following season we had become Hastings & St. Leonards F.C. and we entertained East Grinstead in our first home league match of the campaign which was not until Saturday, 8th October, 1921 when, before a crowd of nearly one thousand on the upper pitch, we won 4-0 with goals from Swaine (2), Barrett and Chambers. We completed the ‘double’ away on Saturday, 1st April, 1922 when we won 3-2 with goals from Traylen (2) and Swaine. East Grinstead withdrew from the County League for two seasons but we still managed one meeting in an F.A. Cup preliminary round tie in 1923/24 when we won 3-1 away before a crowd of over two thousand. Back for season 1924/25 we again did the double over East Grinstead winning 9-1 at home and 7-1 away. It was a similar picture the following season when we won 8-0 home and 4-3 away. Thereafter we departed to play in the Southern Amateur League and although there were a number of cup meetings in between, our next league meeting was in the East Division of the War Emergency League of season 1939/40 in which we drew 2-2 away but won 2-1 here in the home match on our way to winning the division. Post WWII we were drawn together in three cup ties of which we won two before our next league meeting which took place in Division Two of the Sussex County League when we as Hastings Town won 3-0 with goals from Steve Rimmer, Colin Spray and Chris Tutt on The Firs pitch on Saturday, 25th August, 1979 drawing 0-0 in the return game on Wednesday, 16th April, 1980 on our way to promotion up to Photo: Scott White Photography
Division One. There were then no league meetings between the sides until season 2014/15 when our matches resumed.
Tuesday 26 November 2019 Velocity Trophy Group 4 [East Grinstead’s home tie played at the Pilot Field]
Hastings United
12 – 3 East Grinstead Att 181
Scorers: Davide Rodari (8) Kenny Pogue (2) Sam Adams Tom Chalmers
Scorers: Dadigildo C-Dravid (2) Donte Lodge-Francis
FULL MATCH REPORT ON PAGE 27
Davide Rodari scored 8 goals in a 12-3 Velocity Trophy win
LAST MEETING
MATCH REPORT By Bob Quinn @BobJQuinn
United start the new year in magnificent style
5 1 Wednesday 1 January 2020
Isthmian League South East Division Attendance: 661
Hastings United produced a magnificent New Year’s Day performance, in front of a season high attendance, beating East Grinstead Town 5 - 1. First-half goals from Jake Elliott, Daniel Ajakaiye, Jack Dixon and a Ben Pope penalty put United firmly in control. Dixon scored his second before East Grinstead’s consolation by which time the points were secure. A much changed East Grinstead arrived at the Pilot Field with only one player from the 12 – 3 defeat in their starting line-up. With United’s tormentor-in-chief, David Rodari, unavailable, the Wasps may have thought their chances of a result had
improved. United though had other ideas and scored four times in six devastating minutes. In the early exchanges it was clear United’s passing game was on song. Elliott threaded a pass inside the full-back for Lanre Azeez to fire in a low cross which the goalkeeper claimed. On eight minutes their roles reversed. This time Elliott played a one-two with Azeez and from the angle Elliott’s cross-comeshot landed in the top corner to open the scoring. From the restart United won the ball back and a long pass from Craig Stone released Ajakaiye on the left wing. He broke through the last defenders tackle and sprinted clear to finish clinically. A third goal followed immediately. Elliott passed accurately down the right wing to Pope who pulled the ball back to Dixon on the edge of the area. A step inside the defender and a right foot drive had the crowd on their feet again. And then a fourth. Dixon found Ajakaiye in space again only to be upended as he jinked his way into the area. Pope dispatched the penalty with minimum fuss. Fifteen minutes in and East Grinstead had done little wrong, yet found themselves four goals adrift. For the second home game in succession, United ended the half four goals to the good. Half-time: Hastings Utd 4 – 0 East Grinstead East Grinstead conjured a first shot on target five minutes into the second-half, but this simply spurred United to hit a fifth goal. Pope won the ball on half-way and gave Ajakaiye another opportunity to drive into the area, his low cross was
fired home by the arriving Dixon. Five almost became six. More trickery by Ajakaiye saw him fouled some twenty-five yards out. Ryan Worrall struck the free-kick narrowly wide. So close in fact, many in the main stand thought he’d scored. Then Ajakaiye, deserving of a second goal, hammered a shot against the post/bar junction from twenty yards. With minutes remaining United were caught playing the ball out from the back to gift East Grinstead a consolation. Not to worry. United weaving intricate patterns all over the pitch, first time passes and excellent running off the ball all contributed to what was an emphatic victory. Another dominant first-half performance by United keeps them top of the league. A four point lead with a game in hand. Full-time: Hastings Utd 5 – 1 East Grinstead Hastings Utd : Rogers, Elphick, Stone, Elliott, Ajakaiye (66’ Pogue), Pope, Worrall, Lovatt (63’ Pool), Azeez (63’ Adams), Dixon United goals: Elliott 8’, Ajakaiye 10’, Dixon 11’, 54’, Pope 13’ Pen East Grinstead Town : Daly, Batchelor, Musungu, Stripp, Moanda, Cooney, Bramble (77’ Deen), Clement-Peter (45’ LodgeFrancis), Smith, Uwezu, CarvalhoCravid Man of the match: Daniel Ajakaiye played the game at full pace and ran the defence ragged time and time again.
MATCH REPORT By Bob Quinn @BobJQuinn
Davide Rodari stars in twelve goal demolition
12 3 Tuesday 26 November 2019
Velocity Trophy Group 4
Attendance: 181 After two recent cup defeats, Hastings United took out some of their frustration on a spirited East Grinstead side in their Velocity Sports Trophy group game which finished in a remarkable 12 – 3 scoreline. United overwhelmed the visitors with a display full of attacking intent, typified by Rodari’s excellent eight (8) goal performance. Whilst United were seeking a fourth straight victory in the group stages, East Grinstead’s fate was already sealed having won only one of the four previous group games. As only the group winners progress to the knockout stage it was not surprising
for United to start on the offensive. On twelve minutes, Sam Adams created a first chance for Rodari. Although his shot was blocked it was the most short-lived of reprieves. Ollie Black’s long throw into the area fell to Rodari at the back post who hammered home to open the scoring. Minutes later East Grinstead hit the inside of the post after a loose pass, a let off for United immediately capitalised upon. Craig Stone’s clipped ball over the top freed Rodari to hit his second. A hattrick inside thirty minutes followed after an East Grinstead free-kick on halfway was inadvertently passed straight to Rodari who sprinted toward the area before cutting inside and finishing expertly. Three goals to the good and United’s defence had a couple of minutes to forget. Stone gave the ball away to Cravid who pulled one back from the edge of the area. Immediately followed by a cross into the area not dealt with which Cravid slid home to reduce the deficit to 3 – 2. This prompted a response from United. Tom Chalmers rifled in from the edge of the area before Stone won ‘cross of the month’ for his whipped accurate ball onto Rodari’s head to make it 5 – 2. Half-time: Hastings Utd 5 – 2 East Grinstead Only twelve seconds into the second half, Kenny Pogue scored a sixth after Rodari cleverly flicked the ball into this path. Minutes later Sam Adams started and finished United’s seventh. Adams passed a ball onto the right wing and ran onto the pullback to hammer into the top corner for 7 – 2. After another defensive lapse, East Grinstead pulled a goal back. In all fairness and credit to them, the
visitors did not give in throughout the game. Stone and Rodari combined again, a precision through ball which Rodari finished with another clinical strike for 8 – 3. United continued with their free-flowing football. Adam Lovatt ran from halfway past a number of players before feeding Pogue who fired into the bottom corner for his second of the night. Not content United pressed forward. Adams won another challenge in midfield giving Jack Dixon the opportunity to shoot, pushed out by the keeper but finished again by Rodari for his sixth and United’s tenth. Ryan Worrall created number eleven, a breakaway down the left and a superb cross-field pass inside two defenders into Rodari’s path who didn’t need to break stride to score his seventh. In the last minute Rodari broke forward again, rounded the keeper and hit his eighth. Full-time:
Hastings Utd 12 – 3 East Grinstead
Hastings Utd : Rogers, Black, Hull (45’ Lovatt) Greig (55’ Clark), Stone, Rodari, Adams, Pogue, Chalmers (Dixon 63’), Worrall, Pool United goals: Rodari 15’, 22’, 30’, 42’, 57’, 82’, 90’, 90’, Chalmers 41’, Pogue 46’, 61’, Adams 49’ East Grinstead Town : Bellingham, Agun, Djemaili, Barclay, Lall, Lewis, McGee, Janneh, Lodge-Francis, Phillips, Carvalho-Cravid Man of the match: Davide Rodari with a clinical centre-forward display. Speed of movement exemplary throughout and finishing of the highest level. A record eight goals for United’s number 7.
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
Captain Rebecca Relf in action
LONDON SE WOMEN’S FL DIVISION 1 SOUTH
1
Team
P W D
L GD PTS
A.F.C. Acorns Women
9
1 24 24
8
0
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 8
5
0
3 22 15
6
Newhaven
10 4
0
6 -10 12
7
Bexhill United
10 3
1
6 -26 10
8
Parkwood Rangers
9
2
1
6 -12
7
9
Meridian
8
1
0
7 -32
3
10
Maidstone United Women
10 1
0
9 -35
3
Photo: Scott White Photography
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 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 3PM SATURDAY
4 DECEMBER 2021
HASTINGS UNITED KIT: CLARET & WHITE
vs ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SOUTH EAST
Gary ELPHICK Manager (GK) Louis ROGERS
1
REFEREE
Ollie BLACK
2
JOE McKAY
Ryan WORRALL
3
Finn O’MARA
4
Craig STONE
5
Tom CHALMERS
6
Lloyd DAWES
7
Jack DIXON
8
Ben POPE
9
(Capt) Sam ADAMS 10 Sam HASLER 11
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN KIT: BLUE & WHITE Drew COONEY Manager Tony BECKINGHAM Manager Matte PIERSON (GK) Oliver BOULDING Tom SUMMERFIELD Ryan GREEN
ASSISTANTS
WAYNE HORSFALL DANIEL COOPER
Christopher BURROW Glenn WILSON Oliver BENNETT Merrick JAMES-LEWIS
MATCH & MATCHBALL SPONSOR
BOB H
Richard PINGLING Omar FOLKES Jordan HIBBERT
Marcus GOLDSMITH 12
Miles CORNWELL
Kenny POGUE 14
Harvey BURGESS
Harvey GREIG 16
Seidou SANOGO
Freddie LEGG 17
Liam MONTAGUE
Knory SCOTT 18
Fintan WALSH
Dave MARTIN 19
Alex BATTLE
Kane PENN 19 Andrew SESAY 19
Lewis FRANCIS MATCH MASCOTS
HASTINGS UNITED ACADEMY UNDER 9s
THE CONTINENTAL PILOT FIELD HASTINGS TN34 2AX
Deigo CARMO