adam.smith, Author at Hastings United Football Club

We grabbed a few words with Danny Searle and he gave us his view on the past week at Hastings United

First we asked Danny his thoughts on Monday nights defeat to Carshalton

I thought we was very unfortunate, the level of the performance was probably one of the best performances we’ve had since I’ve been at the club over the 90 minutes and from my perspective it was good to see some relationships starting to build with a few new players coming in and we’re really unfortunate they’re the games that we’ve lost so far far me, I don’t think we’ve been unlucky, I think we’ve deserved what we’ve got, whereas Monday was the first game I watched this and I thought, you know what we were, we were toe-to-toe with this side who were challenging for the playoffs and actually looking at the game could have gone either way especially after we equalised. I was pleased with the boys and it’s a positive.

Then we had a couple of new players to meet, Firstly Teddy Perkins

Teddy, I know well, he is a tall defender and joins us from Welling. I think we’ve been lacking that that real leadership in a centre half someone who communicates well and that does that the nasty bits well and is also good on the ball, his distributions good too, so it brings real strength and real character to the team and improves us, which is what it’s all about

Then Heon Jin who has been in our last three match squads

Heon Jin, he’s a lad who and came in on almost a trial trial game for him against Binfield in the League Cup and I liked what I saw. I thought he had some nice little bits, considering he hadn’t play for nearly a year. He’s been in Korea dealing some family issues, so when he came in it was literally just his first 75/80 minutes of the year. He did some good stuff and is technically good, capable in the ball so he’s available for selection.

And finally we look ahead to our Sussex Derby at The Pilot Field on Saturday

Looking forward to Saturday it’s a massive game for us, well they’re all massive games, We’ve got cup finals now till the end of the season. Being a local Derby at home at The Pilot Field with a massive crowd and I think from our perspective, if we can achieve the level of performance we did on Monday night against a good side then we can do it again. We will try and play and I think we can we can win the game which is what it’s all about now. We need to start putting points on the board so I’m looking forward to the game. Lewis are a good side with a good squad, but I think we’re building a good squad now and we’re getting some strength in depth in areas which we didn’t have before.

Let’s get the Pilot Field rocking U’s fans

HASTINGS UNITED v LEWES – GRAB YOUR TICKET

The club can confirm that following discussions with manager Danny Searle, Jack Dixon has decided to leave the club to explore other options, citing personal and family reasons as well as an inability to fully commit behind his decision.

Over the years Jack has given us many many amazing memories from FA Cup runs to league champions and for this we thank him and wish him well for the future.

We spoke with Jack and current U’s manager Danny Searle regarding Jacks decision

Danny Searle

I had really long conversation with Jack and says he’s in a very difficult position from his mental perspective because he loves the club. He’s been a great servant of the club but unfortunately his current situation is that he doesn’t feel he can fully focus and commit to what we’re trying to do.

I appreciate his honesty, and commend him for his this because there are a lot of players that will just keep turning up just trying to get a salary and he’s got more respect for the club than that. Obviously it’s a disappointment because he’s the sort of personality you do want around the building, but we also have to respect the fact that there is a life outside of football and when you have children your life changes. For him to be honest and let us know that his ability to be able to commit fully to what we want to do is not there at the minute and it is obviously a shame.

Jack goes with our best wishes and we’ve left the door open for him if ever that situation changes and he wants to be back involved with what we’re doing he’d be welcome back with open arms but we wish to him the very best luck and thank him for all of his contribution in the short time I’ve had him at the club but obviously the bigger picture is the long term effect he’s had on the club.

Hopefully we see him soon back at The Pilot Field soon

Jack Dixon

After much thought I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from the club. I felt I needed to either take a break away from the game or explore a new challenge.

I’ve enjoyed many years at the Pilot Field and I have some very special memories. I will continue to support and follow the club closely

Hastings United Inclusive & Disability Team is back for 2025 and we are bigger and better

As we don’t have a league game until February we were lucky enough to be invited by 1066 Specials to have some friendlies.

A really good morning was held at Bexhill college where we had one team of 8v8 and one team of 7v7.

It was really good to see some new faces join in the games with a new player will be in the process of signing on to the team. We also had two players from our youth team also involved. The two youth players should have great potential and I cannot wait to see how their future in the team progresses.

Our next games are in the league which starts February. I am hoping for some good games and hopefully some more points for the table.

It’s great to see the growth in both teams but we are still always looking for new players, whether it’s the Adults or Youths

Lewis Willard (Hastings United Inclusive & Disability Team Lead Coach)

Training EVERY TUESDAY at Bexhill Leisure Centre, Down Road, Bexhill, TN39 4HS (Off King Offa Way)

YOUTHS – 5:00pm – 6:00pm

ADULTS – 6:00pm – 7:00PM

To find out more information or interested in signing up please feel free to contact me at lewis.hastingsuniteddisability@gmail.com

We are really looking forward to the rest of this season and more friendlies in the next coming months.

Up the ‘U’s

Everyone at Hastings United would like to pass on our thanks and gratitude to the quick thinking the fans, the staff at Chatham Town, their medical team, paramedics and air ambulance staff who attended the medical emergency of one of our supporters at yesterdays game

Our thoughts and prayers are with the supporter and his family at this time

Job Role: Events & Community Fundraising Organiser – Hastings United Football Club

Salary: Commission based salary with out-of-pocket expenses (telephone/ travel & incidentals)

Hours: Hours are flexible, except there is a requirement to be available weekly on a Thursday between 2 – 4pm and have availability for two hours on one Friday each month.

Accountable to: General Manager

Reporting to: Commercial Manager

The Role

The role of the Events & Community Fundraising Organiser will play a crucial part in the ongoing development of Hastings United Football Club.

The role will involve engaging with Fans, Corporate supporters and the local community. Reporting to the Commercial Manager, you will be required to develop and implement campaigns to raise funds through sponsored activities, community engagement, events and assist with the Club’s Sports & Social Club incorporating the 1893 Lounge for matchday hospitality. The post holder will work closely with and be a member of the Club’s Commercial team.

The role requires a dynamic individual who can build strong relationships, create innovative fundraising initiatives and lead on event planning and execution to support the Club’s financial goals.

Desirables

Experience in delivering effective and practical fundraising campaigns with local communities

Good communication skills, including familiarity and knowledge of social media

Ability to work as a member of a team

Please send a detailed CV to Bob Hodgson at Hastings United FC at

Robert.hodgson@hastingsunited.com

Welcome to the January
Bulletin from Hastings United FC and a very happy and peaceful New Year to all
our Fans, Business Partners and Sponsors

TEAM NEWS

MENS FIRST TEAM

“Firstly, I hope you all had a nice Christmas with your loved ones.

It’s been a whirlwind since taking over at the start of December, with fixtures coming thick and fast there’s been little time for work on the training ground. However, the response from the players and staff has been fantastic. There’s always a period of uncertainty when change is made, new culture, new philosophies and relationships mean it isn’t always easy for all involved, but I’m pleased to say that the buy in from all so far has been excellent.

We started well with good results against Chichester and Billericay but there was obvious disappointment with not just the results but the manor of the losses against Bowers & Pitsea and Dover. This made the trip to Bognor for the final game of 2024 a very important game for us. We emphasised the importance of starting to keep clean sheets, our work ethic to our run the opposition and being more efficient on the ball. Anyone who was at the game could see how the players did their best to instil these principles, and it was no surprise that we came away with not only the 3 points but our first clean sheet in the League since the beginning of November.

There are plenty of positives to take but also still plenty to improve on as we head into the New Year. Your support and patience will play a major part in our mission to improve. So, thank you for your support so far and let’s make even more noise in 2025!

Happy New Year to everyone and we look forward to seeing you all soon“

Danny Searle

4^th January home to Canvey Island

11^th January away to Carshalton Athletic

18^th January home to Cray Wanderers

21^st January home to Binfield (Velocity Cup)

25^th January away to Chatham Town

WOMENS FIRST TEAM

“Firstly I’d like to wish everyone a happy new year!

The weather has not been kind to us this December, having 2 out of the 3 games postponed this month however we played a league cup game against Herne Bay which went to extra time unfortunately ending up on the losing team with the last kick of the game.

We have been playing some exciting football but unfortunately just haven’t found the finishing touches.

So far this season we’ve played 8 league games, 5 losses, 4 of those by 1 goal, 2 draws that should have been wins and 1 win. We’ve drawn to a team in the league above then unfortunately lost on penalties. So, we can see that we are so close to being where we want to be. 1 training session a week for an hour is difficult to work on certain things especially being on a 7/9 a side pitch but we are putting the work in for that hour trying to turn things around.

We have used 9 U18 players this season which shows great progress from our academy and links from Marsh. We are a very young squad in general and learning every week on the pitch and at training.

I really hope this half of the season we can start picking up more points and getting us out this relegation battle and our goal is to finish 6th with at least 20 points which is 15 points in 10 games.

Come down and see if we can achieve that on the 19th of January. All your support doesn’t go unnoticed, and we could really do with it heading into the home stretch“

Jason Tibble

5^th January away to Bognor Regis Town

19^th January home to Soccer Elite Football Academy

26^th January home to Steyning Town Community

INCLUSIVE & DISIBILITY TEAM

“It has been a very good year with the Hastings United Inclusive and Disability team. Not only are we seeing the numbers rise to a good amount with the adults; In September we started the youth team and have seen the numbers gradually rise with them as well”

Info on the youth team – In just a few months I have seen a major difference in the skills and ability of the youth players. They arrived always ready to learn, have fun and up their level. It was amazing to see their faces when we did our last Christmas session. Players and their parents joined in, and it was just great to see them enjoy themselves and socialise with each other. It will be great to see this team progress and get bigger in the new year.

Info on the adult team – With their progress with the Sussex fa disability league, we have focused with more in-depth sessions. To a fitness session which is done three times a year to see their progression in speed, stamina and agility to see the difference from the beginning of the season to the end, to set pieces and 1v1 to 2v2 transitions. We were pleased to see two new players register for the league and look forward to more registering as the season progresses. During the last off season, we did a social which was crazy golf down in Hastings seafront. We hope for more socials in the new year to help make the already bond the players have stronger. I say this all the time, but both the youth and the adults have made me so proud since I became Lead coach. In January we hope to have a friendly which will keep the players fit and ready for us to return to the league in February. I plan on getting more friendlies as we have season games one Sunday a month so it would be amazing to get friendlies in to fill the gaps between league games and get them playing more of the sport they love. I was given the great opportunity to become the Head of the whole youth and adults’ disability programme, and I hope that I can make the team proud and help them get to their very best as players. I look forward to seeing what the new year brings. On my behalf I hope that everyone at Hastings United and fans had a great Christmas send best wishes for the New Year.

Lewis Willard

WALKING FOOTBALL TEAM

“It was a busy December for our Walking Footballers in the Southern Combination league. There were two amazing incidents: the first was a return for our first team player manager after a heart attack in November. Mick Elliott was rushed to hospital after a game with the Old Bexhillians at the Academy in Ore. Mick was treated at A and E in Hastings and spent a few days there before being transferred to Brighton. Everyone believed he was to be given a by-pass operation but after three weeks it was decided to fit stents instead. Within another fortnight Mick was recovering at home and – incredibly – returned as a sub to his team for the next match. You just can’t keep a good man down! Everyone at HUWF wishes him well for the New Year. The second incident was an historic one – our second team beat the front side for the first time in four years of trying. The Hastings Hornets, under the guidance of manager Paul Reardon (who also played between the sticks due to the absence of the regular keeper) beat United one-nil thanks to a goal from Andy Batsford. It was a belter! The win bumps the Hornets into third place in the league and pushes the first team into mid table. There are months left yet before the end of season and it’s sure to be a hard fight for silverware. Our new sponsors were confirmed as Pension Bee for United and Rye Oil for the Hornets and we’ll be wearing the new Hastings United colours in time for next season. Anyone over 50 (over 40 for ladies) can join us. We train on Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 1pm”

Email tonyharris750@hotmail.com for more details

CLUB NEWS

Why not kick off 2025 by booking The Titanium Executive Box. It’s a great way to bring together friends, family, work mates or business associates to enjoy a group matchday experience in your own private pitch side executive box with direct access onto our terraces!

Our full package includes:
12 adult box tickets
Welcome Drink
Complimentary Team sheets, Matchday programmes,
Editorial Feature within our Matchday Programme
Choice of Half-time Food & Pay Bar Facilities
Mentions via PA announcements,
Commemorative group photo of the occasion
£270.00 plus VAT

To book please email commercial@hastingsunited.com

We are delighted to announce: –

That Lightning Fibre have joined Hastings United Football Club as a new business partner for the foreseeable future.

Lightning Fibre are a cutting edge, community minded full fibre Internet Service Provider (ISP) based in East Sussex.

Unlike a ‘fibre’ network, which may include old copper wire, Lightning Fibre’s network is ‘full fibre’ broadband (TTP, fibre to the premises). Covering towns and cities including, Hastings, St Leonard’s, Hailsham, Eastbourne, Heathfield and Broad Oak. An FTTH network connects the street cabinets directly to your modem using fibre optic cables all the way. This is why a full fibre network is both hyper reliable and hyper fast.

The company won the Best Internet Service Providers’ Association Awards ‘Best Consumer ISP with fewer than 100,000 customers award’ in November 2024. With a shop inside the Enterprise Centre Eastbourne, and a responsive, local customer service call centre in Eastbourne (open every day 8am to 8pm), they do not increase their prices during your fixed term contract (typically two years).

Thank you, Lightning Fibre, your support really is appreciated.

To find out more about Lightning Fibre and their services please visit: Lightning Fibre | Lightning Fast Full Fibre Broadband or call 01323 380260

That Hastings and St Leonards based Offerfair Self Storage as a new Major Sponsor to the Club for the forthcoming season.

Offerfair Self Storage offer a wide range of self-storage units for homes and businesses across seven sites in the Hastings and St Leonards area and are also one of the few self-storage companies in the area who are open Sundays. So, whether you’re an individual who’s recently moved home, decorated, renovated or de-cluttered, or a business needing extra storage for a smarter use of existing space, you can be sure that choosing Offerfair self-storage will mean your storage solution requirements are secure, convenient and accessible and one less thing for you to think about.

Lorna White, Commercial Manager for Hastings United FC said ‘ We would like to thank Offerfair Self Storage for showing their support for their local football club. Offerfair’s generous support will help us further develop the work we are delivering, bringing more events and football for all our community, girls/boys/men/women, disability and inclusive alike. To gain the support of another new well respected local business employing local people is a real boost and vital to the future of Hastings United Football Club and the vision we have for the future of the club. We are also looking forward to working with the team at Offerfair to bring new community events to the Pilot Field.

Roger Willems, Director of Offerfair said ‘Offerfair and her parent company Penn Elcom are delighted to become a sponsor for our hometown football club, Hastings United FC. We are also keen supporters of The Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra and are working hard to make our town a more prosperous place to live and are hoping to see some great performances from both in the coming year. Hastings United have impressed us with their commitment to local youth and disability and inclusive football.’

Thank you to Roger and his team at Offerfair Self Storage and Penn Elcom, your support really is appreciated.

To find out more about Offerfair Self Storage please visit; Offerfair Self Storage | Hastings & St Leonards

That Park Holidays UK as the new sponsors of the Cole Warren Stand for the foreseeable future.

Park Holidays UK who are an award-winning provider of holiday parks covering England, Scotland and Wales with parks in both country and coastal locations are very much part of our local community with both their head office, employing over 200 people and 4 holiday parks within a stone’s throw of the Pilot Field. Park Holidays offer great value family holidays and short breaks, with a selection of touring and camping too, along with a wide range of static caravan holiday homes and luxury lodges for sale.

Lorna White Commercial Manager for HUFC said ‘We are very excited to be working with Park Holidays, to gain the support of another new well respected local business employing local people is a real boost and vital to the future of Hastings United Football Club and the vision we have for the future of the club. Thank you to Danny, Brad, Rachel and the team at Park Holidays UK for your support, we really do appreciate it.

Brad May, Chief Marketing Officer at Park Holidays UK, said: ‘We’re thrilled to partner with Hastings United FC and support the local community through this sponsorship of the Cole Warren Stand. As a business rooted in the area, with our head office and holiday parks nearby, it’s fantastic to collaborate with a club that shares our commitment to bringing people together and creating memorable experiences. We look forward to a successful partnership and wish Hastings United every success this season and beyond.’”

More than 50 Family Holiday Parks in the UK – Park Holidays UK

FEATURES / FORTHCOMING EVENTS

HASTINGS UNITED ON THE ROAD

Supporters are now able to book a seat on the players’ coach to travel to away games via our online ticketing platform. Priced at £20 per person, limited seats are available on the team coach, and you will be picked up and returned to the Pilot Field. Tickets can be booked via this link: Away Travel Coach Ticket – HUFC

NB This ticket is for coach travel only and will not gain you admission/entrance to the stadium. A Separate ticket must be purchased from the away Club

HALF SEASON TICKETS

Support the U’s and ensure you catch every game of what is shaping up to be an exciting second half of our current season by buying a half season ticket.

Kicking off with the first fixture in 2025 v Canvey Island on Saturday January 4th our Half Season Ticket’s also includes our league games v Cray Wanderers, Lewes, Dulwich Hamlet, Wingate & Finchley, Hendon, Chichester City, Billericay Town, Hashtag United and our final home game of the season v Potters Bar Town on Saturday April 26th.

PLUS in addition to the 1st team home league fixtures, season tickets also give you full access to all U18 fixtures at the Pilot field

Adults £90.50 (Saving £39.50)

Concession £66.50 (Saving 23.50) – Over 65’s and Blue Light

FREE admission to under 16’s if accompanied by an adult

Link to buy Tickets: Half Season Tickets.

New Year – New Commercial Opportunities

With The Macron Sports Hub –returning to Hastings United Football Club as the U’s technical kit provider, we have some fabulous sponsorship opportunities for the 2025/2026 season to include:

Back of The Shorts Sponsorship

Become a main kit sponsor at Hastings United Football Club and your company logo would be showcased on the back of the men’s and women’s first team shorts for all league and cup games.

The sizing and placement of your logo is governed by league restraints (your logo would be no larger than 100mm square and would be placed on the back of the right leg of the shorts).

Sponsorship of The Men’s and Women’s 1^st Team Players Training & Travel Wear

This is an excellent opportunity to enhance your brand visibility while supporting local athletes as we travel across the Southeast. Players wear their tracksuits to every game and for all events and individual player appearances. . There are no size limitations with regards to your branding on the tracksuits.

As a bonus on any of the above opportunities, sponsors would get your branding and all the associated exposure for the remainder of the 2024/5 season FOC.

To find out more about the above opportunities and to discuss your requirements please email commercal@hastingsunited.com

Why not kick off 2025 by booking The Titanium Executive Box for our fixture v Canvey Island on Saturday 4^th January 2025 Kick Off. It’s a great way to bring together friends, family, work mates or business associates to enjoy a group matchday experience in your own private pitch side executive box with direct access onto our terraces!

Our full package includes:

12 adult box tickets
Welcome Drink
Complimentary Team sheets, Matchday programmes,
Editorial Feature within our Matchday Programme
Choice of Half-time Food & Pay Bar Facilities
Mentions via PA announcements,
Commemorative group photo of the occasion

£270.00 plus VAT

To book please email commercial@hastingsunited.com

We are delighted to announce that Lightning Fibre have joined Hastings United Football Club as a new business partner for the foreseeable future.

Lightning Fibre are a cutting edge, community minded full fibre Internet Service Provider (ISP) based in in East Sussex.

Unlike a ‘fibre’ network, which may include old copper wire, Lightning Fibre’s network is ‘full fibre’ broadband (TTP, fibre to the premise). Covering towns and cities including, Hastings, St Leonard’s, Hailsham, Eastbourne, Heathfield and Broad Oak. An FTTH network connects the street cabinets directly to your modem using fibre optic cables all the way. This is why a full fibre network is both hyper reliable and hyper fast.

The company won the Best Internet Service Providers’ Association Awards ‘Best Consumer ISP with fewer than 100,000 customers award’ in November 2024. With a shop inside the Enterprise Centre Eastbourne, and a responsive, local customer service call centre in Eastbourne (open every day 8am to 8pm), they do not increase their prices during your fixed term contract (typically two years).

Thank you Lightning Fibre, your support really is appreciated.

To find out more about Lightning Fibre and their services please visit: Lightning Fibre | Lightning Fast Full Fibre Broadband or call 01323 380260

t has been a very good year with the Hastings United Inclusive and Disability team. Not only are we seeing the numbers rise to a good amount with the adults. In September we started the youth team and have seen the numbers gradually rise with them as well.

Info on the youth team

In just a few months I have seen a major difference in the skills and ability of the youth players. They arrived always ready to learn, have fun and up their level. It was amazing to see their faces when we did our last Christmas session. Players and their parents joined in and it was just great to see them enjoy themselves and socialise with each other. It will be great to see this team progress and get bigger in the new year.

Info on the adult team.

With their progress with the Sussex fa disability league, we have focused with more in depth sessions. To a fitness session which is done three times a year to see their progression in speed, stamina and agility to see the difference from the beginning of the season to the end, to set pieces and 1v1 to 2v2 transitions. We were pleased to see two new players register for the league and look forward to more registering as the season progresses.

During the last off season we did a social which was crazy golf down in Hastings seafront. We hope for more socials in the new year to help make the already bond the players have stronger. I say this all the time, but both the youth and the adults have made me so proud since I became lead coach. In January we hope to have a friendly which will keep the players fit and ready for us to return to the league in February.

I plan on getting more friendlies as we have season games one Sunday a month so it would be amazing to get friendlies in to fill the gaps between league games and get them playing more of the sport they love.

I was given the great opportunity to become the Head of the whole youth and adults disability programme and I hope that I can make the team proud and help them get to their very best as players. I look forward to seeing what the new year brings.

On my behalf I hope that everyone at Hastings United and fans have a great Christmas and New Year.

Lewis Willard

Head of Hastings United Youth and adults Inclusive and Disability.

Hastings United FC are delighted to announce Hastings and St Leonards based Offerfair Self Storage as a new Major Sponsor to the Club for the forthcoming season.

Lorna White, Commercial Manager for Hastings United FC said ‘We would like to thank Offerfair Self Storage for showing their support for their local football club. Offerfair’s generous support will help us further develop the work we are delivering, bringing more events and football for all our community, girls/boys/men/women, disability and inclusive alike. To gain the support of another new well respected local business employing local people is a real boost and vital to the future of Hastings United Football Club and the vision we have for the future of the club. We are also looking forward to working with the team at Offerfair to bring new community events to the Pilot Field‘

Roger Willems, Director of Offerfair said ‘Offerfair and her parent company Penn Elcom are delighted to become a sponsor for our hometown football club, Hastings United FC. We are also keen supporters of The Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra and are working hard to make our town a more prosperous place to live and are hoping to see some great performances from both in the coming year. Hastings United have impressed us with their commitment to local youth and disability and inclusive football.’

Thank you to Roger and his team at Offerfair Self Storage and Penn Elcom, your support really is appreciated.

To find out more about Offerfair Self Storage please visit; Offerfair Self Storage | Hastings & St Leonards

Hastings United Inclusive & Disability Team is back for 2025 and we are bigger and better

Our Sponsors