HUFC vs Whitehawk FC by HUFC Programmes

Welcome everyone to a Bank Holiday clash as we welcome fellow Sussex neighbours Whitehawk to the TGS Pilot Field. I have a lot of time for Whitehawk as a club, their supporters are passionate just like ours and every time I have visited their staff have always be welcoming. Therefore, whilst we welcome their staff, manager, coaches, players, and fans today, let’s make sure they leave without too much of a smile in this Sussex derby. Last weekend it was fantastic to see so many supporters make the trip to Beckenham Town for the FA Cup, a game I felt we dominated from the first whistle. It was great to see Hasler and TC get goals but also extra special to see Freddie get his first goal for the club, speaking to his dad afterwards I could tell he was just as delighted as Fred, even though I cheekily claimed an assist by suggesting my shout to ‘run’ led to the goal. Whilst that is complete rubbish it’s been great being back in the stands cheering on our lads. I write this after Ramsgate and without tempting anything I hope today we are looking to add to the points gained in our trip to Kent. I really believe in Chris, his staff and

players and whilst they’ll be lots of twists and turns, if we continue to apply ourselves the way we are, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be up there again for a third time. I am very proud that we broke our opening league attendance record at the club. The crowds and buzz about the place is bigger on a consistent basis in my lifetime and long may it continue, the positivity is there for everyone to see so keep it up. The atmosphere on match days is so attractive to new supporters and it’s on you, the ones that come every week to make the newbies feel welcome and want to be part of our family. Times are changing but more importantly we are representing our town the way we always should and I promise we will always do whilst I am CEO/Chairman. LET’S ROAR IN SUPPORT TODAY, LET’S BANG THE DRUM AND ROLL ON! COYU Billy Billy Wood CEO / Chairman

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Good afternoon everyone. We welcome Whitehawk to the TGS Pilot Field today who will no doubt provide us with yet another tough test. Ross Standen, the new Whitehawk Manager is one of footballs good guys, genuine and honest, a trait which isn’t always associated with football and the various characters working in it. I’m sure he will steer Whitehawk to success and I really do hope he has an enjoyable time at our Sussex rivals …… but not too enjoyable!!!

We are still a long way from where we aim to be …

We are still a long way from where we aim to be. However, we will continue to work hard and try our best, it’s been a challenging pre-season which I’m sure has put us behind schedule, but we also know it’s a marathon and not a sprint ….. no trophies given in August and September - plenty of miles ahead of us that we are thoroughly looking forward to. As always I look forward to hearing the positive supporters getting behind the team, being the 12th man that they’ve been since day one of my time at the Club. COYU’s.

Chris

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TODAY’S MATCH SPONSOR

Good afternoon everyone. Welcome back to the TGS Pilot Field after a hard fought 1-1 draw at home in front of an amazing 949 spectators in our opening game of the season and a great away win in the FA Cup against Beckenham Town. I would like to welcome and thank our Match Sponsor to today's game, Godfrey Martin who are a chartered building company with an enviable reputation, specialising in commercial and residential refurbishment. They have a passion for excellence within the construction industry and have very high standards. They have an enviable reputation for delivering results of the highest quality, on time and in budget. The construction team are professional, highly skilled and pays close attention to detail, whatever the scale of the project. Godfrey Martin are also one of our top Business Partners, sponsor players and have also in the past been our main Academy sponsors and also supported the Club in

various other ways. We hope Kevin and his guests enjoy their day with us and we thank them for their continued support here at HUFC. I would also like to thank and welcome Bob H who continues to be our Matchball Sponsor for both the first team and the ladies team and also sponsors both sets of players. Enjoy your day Bob and thank you for everything. Finally, we have various commercial and sponsorship opportunities available, for more details please call me on 07766 825573. Enjoy the game and hopefully 3 points! Hayley

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FA CUP MATCH REPORT

By Bob Quinn Twitter: @BobJQuinn

Goldsmith create the ‘U’s first opportunity, a one-two down the right is laid off to Hasler who shoots over. The deadlock is broken just after the midway point of an even first-half, with neither goalkeeper having been worked to this point. Dixon and Hasler work together in midfield and feed the ball back to Craig Stone who aims long for Ben Pope. As ever United’s centre-forward is up against two centrehalves, but this is where Pope thrives, he wins the ball for Adams to spread the play wide for Dave Martin. His first-time cross is laid off by Pope to Hasler who thrashes home left-footed into the roof of the net from eight yards. Absolutely no stopping that! Minutes later and Beckenham have their best chance of the game. Chalmers has an unfortunate slip in midfield and the Becks look to take advantage. Tunde Aderonmu finds himself one-onone with Rogers in the United area, the centreforward is favourite to score except Rogers has other ideas and produces a tremendous onehanded stop to preserve the lead.

A centre-midfield masterclass from Jack Dixon inspired Hastings United to a 3–0 win against a competitive Beckenham Town. After an evenstevens opening, Sam Hasler’s ferocious shot midway through the first-half put the game firmly in United’s control. A position they never looked like relinquishing. Tom Chalmers’ header doubled the lead early in the second-half before Freddie Legg ran fifty yards with the ball and thumped home a third to complete the scoring. United put two feet on the road to Wembley on Saturday 21st August 2021, a 3pm kick-off at Eden Park Avenue, the home of Beckenham Town. The day is warm with heavy clouds, the rain has abated, and the playing surface looks exemplary. United are wearing their away colours of sky-blue shirts and socks with white shorts. The Becks are head to toe in red. The home team kick-off and it’s a fairly subdued opening few minutes while both teams feel each other out. The Becks Tom O’Connor has the first shot of the game, struck well from 30 yards, and watched over the bar by Louis Rogers. They are a neat side who like to keep the ball on the floor. Which suits United too. Sam Adams and Marcus 14

At this point Dixon comes to the fore. He wins a tackle in midfield and frees Martin down the left, his early cross is cleared but recycled by Stone to find Martin again. This time his cross is pulled back to Hasler who shoots over from the edge of the area. United press again through Dixon and Chalmers who free Hasler to set up Adams to shoot. A brilliant move worthy of a goal except for a last-ditch block by an outstretched leg. Martin is causing the full-back all sorts of trouble and it doesn’t matter whether he tries to stay tight or drop-off because United’s new signing just has the knack of finding his own space. Dixon, Stone and Gary Elphick are on Martin’s wavelength, repeatedly setting the wide-man off and running. In the final minute of an entertaining half, Pope fires over after a thrilling one-touch passing move takes United from one end of the pitch to the other.

Half-time: Beckenham Town 0–1 Hastings United United restart with no changes in personnel and keep the ball for the opening minutes. Dixon then hits the pass of the game, 40 yards right to left into the path of Martin who doesn’t need to break stride

Minutes later it’s almost three. Stone frees Goldsmith down the right who pulls the ball back for Hasler, onto Martin, first-time cross and Pope side-foots against the goalkeeper’s legs from six yards. Nothing wrong with the first-half performance but this has been a storming start to the second-half from United. Not least because the home team continue to battle hard and keep pushing forward, O’Connor is the pick of their bunch, but United’s back-four is rock-solid today. Beckenham’s chances of getting anything out of the game suffer a self-inflicted blow at the midpoint of the second-half. Dixon is penalised for a foul on Damo Ramsamy in midfield, nothing wrong with the decision, except with both players on the ground Ramsamy has a rush of blood and lashes out with a boot that catches Dixon on the head. The referee is three yards away and completes the home-sides ensemble with a flashing red card. United will play the final twenty minutes against ten men. With fifteen minutes remaining Pope goes close again. Hasler’s pass inside the full-back frees Martin, and you guessed it, a first-time cross to Pope who takes a touch but fires over. Nine times out of ten the net bulges! Hasler, who has grown into this game, tries a cheeky long-range shot which has the goalkeeper desperately back-tracking, and he wouldn’t have got there, but the ball drops the wrong side of the bar. United though will not be denied a third. Ollie Black breaks up an attack and gives Legg the ball midway in the United half. Legg powers forward through the midfield, the defence backs off, so he keeps going and shoots from 25-yards. Perhaps it surprises the goalkeeper, maybe it took a slight deflection, either way he’s wrong-footed and this

time the net does bulge. Job done for the ‘U’s and the next round beckons.

Full-time: Beckenham Town 0 – 3 Hastings United

Man of the Match: Jack Dixon. An excellent passing display, he disrupted the opposition’s play and dictated the pace and flow of the game. At his best today. A mention in dispatches for Chalmers who ran Dixon close for MotM.

Hastings United: Rogers, Black, Elphick, Stone, Chalmers, Dixon (72’ Greig), Pope, Adams [c], Hasler, Goldsmith (62’ Scott), Martin (82’ Legg)

Beckenham Town: Blue, Valler (71’ Hanifan), Johnson, Doci (61’ Ramsamy), Carter, Henry, Pink (61’ Humphries), Waldron, Aderonmu, O’Connor, Townsend

United’s goals: 24’ Hasler, 52’ Chalmers, 88’ Legg

A centre-midfield masterclass from Jack Dixon

Photo: Scott White Photography

in crossing for Pope who fails by a whisker to get a touch. Indeed it misses everyone. For the home side it’s a short-lived reprieve. The ‘U’s make sharp triangles with first-time passes which ends with two Pope shots being blocked, the second for a corner. The cross is deep and Stone chips a delightful ball back toward the penalty spot where Chalmers jumps highest and heads clinically into the bottom corner. The goalkeeper considered diving, but the ball was nestling in the net before he could move. The lead is doubled.

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Isthmian League South East Division Fixtures Monday 30th August 2021 Ashford United Cray Valley PM Hastings United Haywards Heath Town Hythe Town Phoenix Sports Three Bridges Whitstable Town

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East Grinstead Town Corinthian Whitehawk Burgess Hill Town Ramsgate VCD Athletic Sevenoaks Town Herne Bay

Tuesday 31st August 2021 Chichester City v Lancing Sittingbourne v Faversham Town 18

Substitutes in brackets Goalscorers in bold

New Signing Dave Martin in action

Photo: Scott White Photography

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SUPPORTERS PREDICTIONS - THE OUTCOME: SOUTH EAST DIVISION Our supporters have been predicting the final Pitching In Isthmian South East Division table. Here's the result- and your favourite South East Division ground. If you've been reading our predictions series over the last month or so, you might have been wondering when you'd get to see the final tables. Expect to see them printed out and stuck to dressing room walls as inspiration in the near future! The Pitching In Isthmian South East Division is seemingly rather difficult to predict once you get past the champions. Yes, Hastings United are - rather unsurprisingly - predicted to top the table, with fifty percent of our respondents placing them on top of the pile, and all the rest placing them in the top three - but as for the best of the rest, that was rather more difficult for you to decide. You placed Whitehawk second overall, but predictions for the Hawks ranged between first and thirteenth, whilst Cray Valley PM, who you placed third, had a range of between first and fifteenth - the biggest of any club. Herne Bay are fourth (predicted from third to twelfth), with VCD Athletic filling the final playoff place, coming in a squeak ahead of Ashford United. At the other end of the table, things were far clearer. You were convinced that Three Bridges would be holding up the rest, that Sittingbourne wouldn’t be far ahead, and that new boys Lancing and Corinthian would also have their struggles. Your favourite Pitching In Isthmian South East Division ground? Well that honour also goes to the folk at the Pilot Field, as Hastings United won that vote too - with honourable mentions for Whitstable Town and VCD Athletic. We're not going to name any names at any point, but we'll come back at the end of the campaign to see how you did - in the hope that we'll actually finish it this time. Thanks to all supporters who took part, your help is greatly appreciated. 20

BRICKIES BRING IN BANCROFT Gillingham winger Toby makes his debut at Sittingbourne in their win over Lancing. Sittingbourne gave a competitive debut to Gillingham winger Toby Bancroft in their four-nil win over Lancing on Saturday. Toby is anything but new to the Pitching In Isthmian League, as he's had several loan spells here whilst a Gills player. He played for Wingate and Finchley six times during 2019-20, scoring in their last match of the season at Worthing. Last season he made nine appearances for Margate, scoring in the first- a win at Brightlingsea Regent, and he previously played for Ramsgate, making half a dozen appearances prior to his Wingate stay. Toby came through the ranks at Gillingham, starting as an under ten before signing on scholarship terms in November 2017 and going on to play regularly for the Under 18's side. He then graduated to the first team squad.

Photo: Scott White Photography

Captain Sam Adams on the ball

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WHITEHAWK FC HISTORY

Whitehawk are Brighton’s premier non-league club. Founded in 1945, the Hawks have had two periods of unprecedented success as they have risen up the football pyramid from a team playing parks football to be within one game of an FA Cup third round tie at Everton in 2015. Between 1948 and 1952 the Hawks were promoted 4 times to reach senior county level where they remained until 2010, when three further promotions in four seasons took them to just two leagues below the Football League.

a crowd of 5626. For the 1954–55 season, Brighton Corporation allowed the club to move onto a permanently enclosed pitch at the north end of East Brighton Park, on what is now the home pitch, known as the Enclosed Ground. The first match played there was a Sussex County League Division 1 game against Southwick on 1 September 1954, which the Hawks won 6–2. The Hawks won the Sussex RUR Cup for the first time in 1955, beating Eastbourne United 1-0 after extra time at the Goldstone. The club were never out of the top five in the County League Division 1 for the rest of the decade and changed their name to Whitehawk FC for the start of the 1960–61 season.

In 1961–62 under manager Billy Thew, Whitehawk won the first of four County League One titles as The club was founded in 1945 as Whitehawk & Manor Farm Old Boys FC and entered the Brighton well as the Sussex Senior Cup, beating Eastbourne Junior Cup league. The club's first match was a 5–3 United 4–0 at the Goldstone. Billy Ford scored 16 away win on 13 October 1945 against Hove County goals in Sussex Senior Cup football that season out Old Boys at Hove Recreation Ground. Whitehawk & of a personal haul of 93 for the season. The publicity generated by a civic reception at the Royal MFOB then joined the Brighton, Hove & District Pavilion led to Brighton Corporation providing a Football League, winning four titles and their first grant of £3,500 for the club to erect a self-build major senior trophy, the Sussex Senior Cup by grandstand with standing for 500 spectators. In beating Eastbourne Town 1–0 at Woodside Road, 1963–64 the Hawks retained the championship by Worthing in 1951. The Sussex Senior Cup win winning their last six matches of the season. After completed an unprecedented series of cup wins at losing the nucleus of the squad to Lewes the team junior, intermediate and senior levels in successive then struggled and under manager Ron Pavey, who seasons, which still stands as a record in nonlater became the Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove league football. Just how far the club had come in Albion, found itself relegated for the first time ever such a short time was illustrated by the fact that in 1967. They made an immediate return as the reserves won the Sussex Junior Cup in 1952, Division Two champions in 1968. beating Selsey 3-1, so securing a trophy at the same level that the first team had been playing at, The next nine years saw The Hawks continue to just four years earlier. compete in the top division, during which time they lost 2-1 to Horsham at the Goldstone in the Sussex Sussex County League 1952-2010 The club was admitted to the Sussex County League Senior Cup final in 1972. The Hawks were relegated for a second time in 1977. This time they were to Division 1 in 1952–53 and finished third in their spend four seasons in Division Two, having to apply first season. The Hawks' first county league game was a 4-1 win at Crawley on 31 August 1952. The for re-election in 1979 after finishing second from bottom, their lowest ever senior league placing. Hawks were Division 1 runners-up for three successive seasons from 1954–55 onwards, as The club gained its first club house at the end of the well as Sussex Senior Cup finalists in 1954, losing seventies, using what was originally a prefabricated 1-0 to Horsham at the Goldstone Ground in front of building that had been a temporary bank in 22

Haywards Heath. A perimeter fence was added to the ground in 1981 and under new manager Sammy Donnelly, the Hawks won promotion from Division 2 as champions. In 1983–84 Whitehawk won County League One for the third time, winning their last 18 games of the season. 1986–87 saw the Hawks finish as runners-up to Arundel. In 1988–89, again under Sammy Donnelly, Whitehawk had what was at the time their best run in the FA Cup, going out 2-0 in a fourth qualifying round replay to Bognor Regis Town. The home attendance record of 2,100 at the Enclosed Ground stood for 27 years. Floodlights were erected in 1988 and were first used in a match organised to mark the occasion against then First Division Luton Town on 21 March 1988. The game finished 2-2.

National League South 2014-2018 The Hawks struggled in their first season in Conference South. After achieving three promotions in four years, Darren Freeman was sacked in January 2014 and replaced by Steve King. The club then enjoyed their most successful season ever in 2014–15, finishing fourth in Conference South and earning a place in the play-off final against Boreham Wood, which was lost 2-1 after extra time. Whitehawk completed the season with a 5–0 victory over Lewes at the Amex to lift the Sussex Senior Cup.

In 2015–16 the Hawks reached the first-round of the FA Cup for the first time winning 5–3 against National League Lincoln City. Lincoln’s next FA Cup defeat the following season came in the sixth round at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. In the second round the Hawks drew 1–1 at League Two The Hawks won the Sussex RUR Cup for the third time in 1990–91, beating Peacehaven & Telscombe Dagenham & Redbridge, following a dramatic in the final 2–1, with youth player Darren Freeman, headed goal in added time by Jordan Rose, which was broadcast live by the BBC during the afternoon our future most successful ever manager, heading the winner. 1993–94 was another good season for sports programme. In front of a record crowd of 2,174 at the Enclosed Ground, the Hawks lost the the club, finishing once again as runners-up, this second-round replay 3-2 after taking the lead time to Wick. 2002–03 saw the club under through Danny Mills. To force the match into extra manager and former youth player Ian Chapman time, Whitehawk again equalised dramatically in once again finish in second place, this time to added time. The whole match was broadcast live by runaway winners Burgess Hill Town. BT Sport. In February 2016, the club parted The club finally achieved the league title success company with King after picking up just 9 points that had previously eluded them, winning County from the previous 36 available. Under Argentine League 1 in 2009–10 under Darren Freeman, to Pablo Asensio, the Hawks finished the season in gain promotion to the Isthmian League Division One style, but lost in in the promotion play offs to South for the first time. The Hawks also reached the Ebbsfleet United. semi-final of the FA Vase, losing 4-1 on aggregate to Wroxham of the Eastern Counties League Premier The next two seasons saw frequent managerial changes and over 100 different players used, Division. culminating in the inevitable relegation for only the Isthmian League 2010-2014 third time in the club’s history in 2017-18. Not even In their first season at the new level Whitehawk the return of Steve King could arrest the club’s were in the title race but eventually had to settle for fortunes and when he departed at the end of last third place and an end-of-season play-off defeat on season, he was replaced by the Hawks successful penalties to Leatherhead. The Hawks finished as U18 manager Jude Macdonald, with the club Isthmian League Division One South champions the looking to build a more stable team with a mix of following season, as well as lifting the Sussex youth and experience. Unfortunately, the club spent Senior Cup after beating Crawley Down 2–1 at the only one season in the Isthmian League Premier Amex. The club achieved back to back promotions in Division, suffering relegation on the final day of the the 2012–13 season by winning the Isthmian 2018-19 season, despite a 4-0 win over League Premier Division at the first attempt to earn Corinthian-Casuals. a place in the Conference South. 23

WHITEHAWK FC PLAYER PROFILES

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WHITEHAWK FC PLAYER PROFILES CONTINUED

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YOUR FAVOURITE PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE GROUND We've spent the last few weeks documenting how our supporters expect the new season to pan out, and whilst doing that we've asked each of them to tell us about their favourite away ground. We've had quite a large number of suggestions, a few of which we'd never heard of and had to look up (yes, they were not in our league, perhaps the question should have been more specific!), but in the end a collection of clubs were mentioned most often, and here's a run down of your top five. In fifth place, we have Premier Division title favourites Worthing. The Mackerel Men have never really troubled this list before, and their emergence is testament to the work of George Dowell and his team at Woodside Road. In fourth place, we have Tooting and Mitcham United. Imperial Fields is your favourite South Central ground, and it isn't all about the quality of the food, honestly! In third place we're back in Sussex, at Hastings United. the Pilot Field is another one making an appearance in the top five for the first time - it's almost a shame to think that Hastings will be hopefully - on the move in a few years! In second place we're off to AFC Sudbury. Far and away your favourite North Division ground, it gets plaudits for the quality of the welcome as much as it does for the quality of the facilities. So where does that leave us? You know the answer. Our winners, for the fifth year in succession, are the fine folk at The Dripping Pan. Lewes are once again your favourites, even picking up votes from fans of clubs in other Divisions. They mention the fabulous views, the wonderful atmosphere, the welcome and the quality of the beer, amongst other things, but it was never really in doubt, was it? Perhaps next year we'll need to rename it the "Your favourite ground that isn't in Lewes" award to give other folk a chance? Congratulations to all at the Pan, and to Rooks both local and international. 32

HUCKLE RETURNS TO THE TANNERS Hastings United centre-back Ryan Huckle heads back to Fetcham Grove. Two months ago we advised you that centre-back Ryan Huckle had joined Hastings United after departing Leatherhead, but it seems it was only a seaside mini-break as he has now been announced as returning to the Tanners. Ryan came through the youth setup at Gillingham, spending time on loan at Ramsgate and Dover Athletic. The end of his time with the Gills saw him sign for Faversham Town, where he made twentytwo appearances during 2018-19 and another three during 2019-20. Last season he made ten appearances for the Tanners. He doesn't seem to have made a competitive start at the Pilot Field.

Photo: Scott White Photography

Ryan Huckle

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