Hastings United Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of combative midfielder Tom Vickers.

Vickers, a well-known character amongst Sussex football returns to The Pilot Field after spells at Bexhill United, Newhaven and lastly Eastbourne Town in the Isthmian South East last season.

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Tom Vickers:

“I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to come back and play for my hometown club. A very exciting group of players is being assembled of new and old faces, we can’t wait to get going!”

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Lee Carey:

“As soon as I got the Managers job I reached out to Vickers. One of the best technicians I have played with over the years, and I know first hand he can drive the culture I believe Hastings United is all about. He knows what it means to represent his hometown club, I and the backroom staff are really looking forward to working with him.”

Hastings United Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Finn Holter, who joins us from neighbours Eastbourne Borough.

Holter, who made his National League South debut last season for The Sports kept 2 clean sheets and was unbeaten between the sticks in his 4 league games for Adam Murray’s men. Finn also had spells on loan at Burgess Hill Town and Three Bridges.

Finn Holter:

“Hastings has always been a club close to my heart as I was there as a youngster. I cannot wait to get started and help the club get back to where it belongs.”

Lee Carey:

“Finn is an exciting young goalkeeper and being full time at Eastbourne Borough the last two years would’ve been massive for his development. I am sure he is excited by the opportunity of playing week in week out and I am sure we will see the best of him next season.”

Welcome to the Pilot Field

#COYU

Hastings United are delighted to announce the return of Dan and James Hull.

Dan Hull, a composed left sided centre half joins back with The ‘U’s following spells in the Isthmian League with Lancing and Eastbourne Town.

Forward James Hull, a member of our Isthmian South East League winning side of 2021/22 rejoins the club following spells at Lancing, Eastbourne Town and Eastbourne United.

Both players came through our Academy, with James picking up the U23 Sussex Cup and Isthmian League also.

Dan Hull:

“I am buzzing to be back home; this club will always have a special place in my heart, and I am so glad to be back and looking forward to working with Lee. Our aim is to get the club back where it belongs. Up The ‘U’s.”

James Hull:

“I couldn’t be more excited to get back into a Hastings shirt and be representing my boyhood club again. Hastings has always had a special place in my heart, playing seven years within the academy, making my first team debut and being part of the league winning side in 21/22. After I left it has been a goal of mine to return to the club and I couldn’t think of a better time to do it. I can’t wait to get going and see all the fans again! COYU.”

Lee Carey:

“To be honest I was 30 seconds into conversations with both Dan and James when they politely interrupted and said, “Lee we want to play for Hastings”. These are two lads who have come through the club, played for the first team, then went off on their journey and return to us with vital experience at this level. Dan is a left footed, combative centre half and James has proven he is a goal scorer. With those qualities as players, but also as men, they will give us the foundations we are looking for.”

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Hastings United Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of defender Dean Gunner.

The experienced and imposing centre half joins us from Merstham where he was in his second spell, his first spell at the club delivered promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division, which he repeated with Dorking Wanderers in 2016-17.

Lee Carey:

“I am delighted to bring Dean to Hastings United, he is an absolute leader on and off the pitch, his experience at this level will be so valuable for the group. He optimises the sort of character I want in this squad and I can’t wait to work with him for the 25/26 season.”

Dean Gunner:

“I’m excited to be here and I am looking forward to the challenge of playing at this huge club. Looking forward to getting going and hope to play my part in bringing some good times back to Hastings.”

Welcome to The Pilot Field Dean #COYU

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The Hastings united Inclusive and Disability team have had another successful season.

Last season saw us win our first game half way through the season, But this season we were strong enough to go up to Lancing and bring away points on nearly every visit. We have improved so much in such a small time and we still have plenty of room to improve for next season. We had some new players signing in and some strong talent coming through I believe that next season will be even better.

We have played some tournaments which one we were unlucky to just miss out on the final. We have two more tournaments coming up. One in Eastbourne and the last is Godstone Pan Disability. We’ve also had plenty of friendly matches against 1066 Specials throughout the year which has been great practice for the team. We also hosted Eastbourne at the pilot field for a 11 aside game which we came away with a 3 0 win.

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We then ended the year with our presentation evening which every player went away with medals which they all thoroughly deserved. Charlie White went away with players player. Aaron Hazelwood went away with supporters player. Elijah Smith went away with outstanding player. Managers player went to Keegan Hutton. A huge well done to you all for this season. This cannot be done without the most important people which are of course the players. One final thank you goes to Kev Farrise for helping throughout the season.

I look forward to seeing how we do in the new season, I believe it will be an even better year.

Lewis Willard – Head of Hastings United Inclusive and Disability team.

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The Club is delighted to announce that the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex will be our new Charity Partner for Season 2025/2026

This partnership is in recognition of the amazing care and treatment given to our lifelong support Chris after a serious medical emergency at an Away game. 

As a Club we wanted to show our support and give thanks to this most worth while cause that relies on public donations.

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Learn more about the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) below

We are Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) and we are committed to saving lives and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Every life is important

The world is unpredictable, and medical emergencies happen, changing lives forever. That’s why KSS has dedicated the last 35 years to saving lives and providing pre-hospital critical care. The charity is a vital part of your community. In 2023-2024 KSS were called to respond to a record number of missions, over 3,300 (3,382) incidents.

Time is critical.

We can reach patients by helicopter within just 30 minutes, often much faster.

When KSS arrives on scene, our patients are in critical need of emergency care. KSS clinical teams can deliver emergency anaesthesia, administer blood transfusions to patients suffering from life-threatening blood loss, and can perform lifesaving emergency chest and heart surgical procedures. They can do all of this at the side of a road, on a beach, in a park, in a patients own home – in all weathers, 24 hours a day, 365 day of the year.

But we can’t do this without your support.

It costs it costs E56K per day to operate our world leading, lifesaving service, with 88% of our total income raised through the incredible generosity of our supporters.

Every life matters and with your support we can give every patient the best possible chance of survival and recovery.

Please support KSS and Hastings United, in our fight to save lives.

Hastings United Football Club can confirm that Kian Moynes and Freddie Legg have both turned down 2-year contracts on improved terms and will sadly depart the club this summer for pastures new subject to compensation being agreed.

Both players have progressed through our Football and Education programme with East Sussex College Hastings as well as representing our successful U18 and U23 teams in the last few seasons on with Freddie representing England School Boys and making more than 100 appearances over the last 3 seasons in the first team.

Chairman Dean White said

“It’s disappointing to be losing Kian and Freddie, particularly after offering them new contracts but I wish them both well, and I am sure that if they work hard, they will be a success at their new clubs‘’

We thank both players for their dedication and contributions and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

Hastings United Appoint Billy Wood as Women’s First Team Manager & Georgia Townsend as Head of Girls Academy

Hastings United Football Club are pleased to confirm the return of Billy Wood as Women’s First Team Manager, with Georgia Townsend stepping into the role of Head of Girls Academy.

Georgia has been an integral part of the Girls Academy since its inception. Currently coaching two age groups, she will now lead the continued development and progression of young talent at the club.

Billy returns to Hastings after spells managing Haywards Heath Town in the Women’s National League and Eastbourne Borough during the 2023/24 season.

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Georgia Townsend:

“I am really excited to start the new role with the club. Having been a phase lead for the past year working alongside Craig Ottley, the Girls Academy has grown. We have lots of very enthusiastic and talented players across the age groups, all with the desire to pull on a Hastings shirt when they get to senior football. My role is to ensure that the girls footballing pathway at the club is fun and engaging whilst ensuring we continue to produce homegrown players to represent the women’s first team and beyond’’

Billy Wood:

“I’m happy to be back home. During my time away at other clubs, my proudest achievement was helping young players break into first team football, which laid the foundation for trophy success this season for that squad. At Hastings, whilst focused on building a competitive, attacking side we will be tasked with delivering a clear pathway for young talent to step up into senior football.”

The club can confirm that George Walker will be moving on to pastures new for 2025/26 season.

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Chairman Dean White said

“George moves on with our best wishes. He has a bright future and unsurprisingly has offers from National league clubs to consider”

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George Walker

“I’d like to firstly apologise to the fans and people around the club as the season didn’t end how we all would have wanted it to. However I will still cherish my time with the club and also hold it close to me. A massive part of this is because of the fans and how much support they showed me at all times and that I will never forget. Although my time here was only short and I’m now moving onto a new challenge. I wish the fans and everyone to do with Hastings nothing but well. I’m sure the club will be back where it belongs in no time and I will be keeping watch. I’m sure I will be down to support in the home end with the fans in future but until then it’s bye for now“

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Once a U always a U – George Walker

Following discussions with club captain Adam Lovatt we can confirm that the player has left the club with immediate effect. 

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Chairman Dean White said

“Despite not seeing the best of Adam consistently on the pitch last season we did offer him terms to stay on board with us next year. However, Adam has decided he would like to try and play at a higher level and we wish him well in that quest“

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Adam Lovatt said

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to a club that has meant so much to me. Over the past few years, I’ve been proud to wear the armband and represent this fantastic club. I want to thank everyone involved — from the staff and my teammates to the incredible supporters — for the memories, the trust, and the constant support“

“I’m heartbroken that we couldn’t keep the club up this season. As captain, I take a huge share of that responsibility, and I’m truly sorry we couldn’t deliver the outcome we all fought so hard for. But I believe in this club, and I’m sure it will bounce back“

“To the fans — thank you for everything. Your passion, loyalty, and energy are what make this club so special. It’s been an honour to play for you, and this place will always hold a special place in my heart“