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.
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.
Kian MoynesFreddie Legg
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“
A massive thank you to everyone who joined us for our Presentation Evening
A fantastic night celebrating the players, staff, supporters and all those who make our club what it is
Scroll down for photos and award winners
CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR
Caroline Hoad
THANK YOU
David Russell
THANK YOU
Gina Stephens
THANK YOU
Joseph Knight
THANK YOU
Charmaine Ridgers
THANK YOU
Phil & Barbara Glazier
PRESIDENTS PLAYER
George Walker
PRESIDENTS MANAGMENT PERSON
Bobbi-Jay Deegan
PRESIDENTS VOLUNTEER
Tom Dyson-Laurie
PRESIDENTS CLUBMAN
Neil Cornwell
INCLUSIVE & DISABILITY – MANAGERS PLAYER
Keegan Hutton
INCLUSIVE & DISABILITY – PLAYERS PLAYER
Charlie White
INCLUSIVE & DISABILITY – OUTSTANDING PERFORMER
Elijah Smith
INCLUSIVE & DISABILITY – SUPPORTERS PLAYER
Aaron Hazelwood
UNDER 18’s – MANAGERS PLAYER
Archie Baker
UNDER 18’s – PLAYERS PLAYER
Ollie Palmer
UNDER 18’s – OUTSTANDING PERFORMER
Joe Clifford
UNDER 18’s – SUPPORTERS PLAYER
Ollie Palmer
WOMENS FIRST TEAM – MANAGERS PLAYER
Lauren Skinner-Swain
WOMENS FIRST TEAM – PLAYERS PLAYER
Victoria Phillips (Chloe Deny collected the award on Vix behalf)
WOMENS FIRST TEAM – OUTSTANDING PERFORMER
Sharna Greenaway
WOMENS FIRST TEAM – YOUNG PLAYER
Katie White
WOMENS FIRST TEAM – SUPPORTERS PLAYER
Rosie Muggeridge
MENS FIRST TEAM – OUTSTANDING PERFORMER
Davide Rodari
MENS FIRST TEAM – PLAYERS PLAYER
Louis Rogers
.Louis Roges
MENS FIRST TEAM – SUPPORTERS PLAYER
A massive thank you to Jon Smalldon for these photos and all our match photos this year
We can confirm that following on from discussions ahead of the 2025/26 season Davide Rodari has turned down our offer of a new contract and will leave the club with immediate effect.
The club would like to thank Davide for his efforts across the last 2 seasons and we wish him well as he seeks new opportunities in his career.
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Chairman Dean White said
“Davide’s record as a goalscorer at Hastings United speaks for itself and as a result he has many offers to consider from National League clubs. He is a great lad and will always be welcome back to the Pilot Field‘’
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Davide Rodari
‘’It’s never easy to say goodbye to a place that feels like home. Thank you to everyone at the club for the last two years. I am sorry we couldn’t keep the club up towards the end of the season but I truly believe Hastings will get back to where they belong.
“To the fans, I love you all, and thank you for supporting us week and week out, you make this football club what it is and I’m proud to have represented the badge. This club will always hold a special place in my heart.”
