Hastings United are delighted to announce the signing of exciting 18 year old winger, Jack Lyons.
Lyons, joins us from Rusthall, where he has received plaudits and praise for the 24/25 season.
Jack Lyons:
“Joining Hastings United at 18 means a lot to me. I’m ready to work hard, learn and give my best on the pitch for my teammates and the supporters. Ready to get started!”
Lee Carey:
“Signing Jack is a coup as he has a lot of interest over the last 6 months from Football League and non league clubs higher up the pyramid. At 18 he has the ability to really push on and we feel this is the right environment for Jack to thrive and light up the Isthmian South East.”
We are pleased to invite you to join the Hastings United Media Team
We have the following roles available
Matchday PA Announcer – Be the Voice of The Pilot We’re on the lookout for a passionate, energetic volunteer to bring The Pilot Field to life. From naming the starting line-ups to shouting out goal scorers, sponsors, and our Player of the Match — you’ll be centre stage every game. If you’ve got a big voice, love football, and want to be part of Hastings’ matchday heartbeat, we want to hear from you. It’s your time on the mic!
Game Day Photographer – Capture the Moments That Matter We’re building something special — and every rebuild needs its story told. Join us as our official matchday photographer and help capture the energy, emotion, and community that defines Hastings United. Working closely with our marketing team, your photos will be featured across social media, matchday programmes, and more. Whether you’re a budding creative or an experienced lens, this is your chance to shape the visual identity of The ‘U’s.
Hospitality Bar Staff – The VIP Matchday Experience Starts With You Help us raise the bar. Literally. We’re looking for friendly, proactive volunteers to serve drinks and bring a buzz to our hospitality suite on matchdays. You’ll be key to delivering a great experience for our VIP guests — from local partners to club legends. It’s a brilliant way to get closer to the club, meet brilliant people, and be part of something new.
Does this sound like something that you can do, Can you add something to the fan enjoyment then why not get in contact?
For more information or to apply email adam.smith@hastingsunited.com
Out third Pre Season Friendly saw the U’s travel to Haywards Heath
Tom Dyson-Laurie was our man at the ground
With the weather in question as to if the game was going ahead, Hastings United travelled back down to West Sussex for the second Saturday running, this time visiting Haywards Heath.
Wearing the same kit from Tuesday evenings game against Whitehawk, 4 changes were made to the starting 11 from the Whitehawk game with Trialist A getting a start alongside Charlie Bull, James Hull and Tom Vickers. Charlie Scarles and Harry Thompson were on the substitutes bench whilst there was no Dan Hull in either the starting 11 or substitutes bench.
FIRST HALF
As a glimpse of sunlight slowly emerged, it worked in Hastings’s favour early on as Finn Chapman was bought down for a free kick. The resulting free kick which came back off the woodwork ended up with neither side doing anything with the ball, before Dean Gunner found himself in the right place at the right time to poke the ball into the goal opening his Hastings account giving Hastings a 1-0 lead within the first 3 minutes of the game.
Despite United being in the lead, the hosts were coming back into the game as an effort from 15-20 yards out was heading towards the bottom corner which came back of the post and into play leaving Finn Holter in goal watching on in relief it did not go in as the U’s managed clear their lines.
Another effort shortly after from the hosts who were looking ruthless with the ball, saw a long throw in on the right hand side headed outside the penalty area and volleyed just over the crossbar first time.
Down the other end and Tom Vickers played a delightful through ball to Freddie Legg who took a touch into space and struck a powerful effort which flashed just wide to the right of the keepers post.
Yet again, and the hosts were showing signs of wanting to get an equaliser by half-time only to be halted by Dean Gunner who produced a superb header off the line after Hastings failed to get rid of the ball and with Heath coming forward at Hastings with direction and pace down the right and through the middle it was inevitable there were to be more goals in the game.
A Hastings counter attack saw James Hull play the ball out wide to Freddie Legg who struck low and with the keeper clawing the ball away, Hull was inches away from getting a touch to the ball to put it in the goal, but the Heath defenders prevented him from doing so by getting their bodies in the way at the last minute.
Hastings kept going and JJ Walker used his strength to hold off a Haywards Heath player and saw him clip a pass into Legg who struck low at the keeper rather than squaring it to Hull.
How different it could have been if it was taken as Heath went up the other end and drew level. 1-1 resulted in Heath then turning the game around after a through ball saw a breakdown in communication between Gunner and Holter with both players going to the same ball and the latter out of his goal, the ball fell to a Heath player who from 15-20 yards out had an easy job of firing the ball into an open goal and giving the home side a 2-1 lead moments before half time.
Heath weren’t done there and a cross from the right over to the left saw one of their players take the ball down superbly. Fortunately for Hastings, the shot came back off their own player.
SECOND HALF
Two subs made were made and it was not long before Finn Holter was called into action pulling of a tremendous save from close range keeping the score at 2-1.
Hastings’s best chance of the second half came when an inswinging corner from Freddie Legg was headed wide by Gunner.
Heath who were relentless since scoring their second goal went on to get a third after another counter attack this time – Holter having no chance keeping the ball out. 3 could have become 4 moments only for Holter to deny Heath by keeping the ball out with his legs from close range.
A late effort from second half substitute Callum Barlow saw his effort on target which was deflected into the keepers hands after a loose pass. It was the time in the second half that the Haywards Heath keeper had to be called into action, as he was rarely troubled with very little to do.
3-1 to Haywards Heath it finished as the long pre-season commutes draw to a close with Hastings traveling to Westfield on Tuesday evening in just 3 days time looking to bounce back to winning ways.
Tom Dyson-Laurie
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝑮𝑶
Our L&SERWFL South first release of fixtures are here
Hastings United are delighted to confirm the signing of striker Brooke Nicholson-Rogan.
Brooke is no stranger to Hastings United, she sits in the Top 5 all time goalscorers since the reformation of the Women’s Team in 2020, joining the club in 2022.
Brooke Nicholson-Rogan:
“I’m excited to be back at Hastings, it’s more than a club to me it’s home. After having some time away I’m ready to come back stronger than ever. Buzzing to be back with all the girls and excited to see what the season holds for us.”
Billy Wood:
“I originally signed Brooke in 2022 and it’s great to bring her back to the club. She has come back determined to work hard for her teammates. She has a keen eye for goal and expect her to have a really strong season.”
Hastings United are delighted to announce the retention of defender Vix Phillips.
Phillips, the second all-time appearance record holder at the football club, goes into her 5th season with The ‘U’s.
“I’m really looking forward to the season ahead and building on the foundations set last year. I’ve felt at home at Hastings since day one, and am excited to see what this fantastic group of players can achieve over the next 10 months.”
Billy Wood:
“The humblest footballer I’ve come across but also one of the most valuable. Since we got promoted into this division Vix was always such a massive part of any squad I put out, and I couldn’t imagine her not being part of it. She has stuck with the club through it all and the importance of keeping her with us wasn’t lost on my staff as I wouldn’t stop going on about it! There is a reason even if tough times the defence has been solid at this club, and Vix alongside Sharpy and Rosie is testament to that. Other teams and players coming up against us shouldn’t underestimate it.”
We are delighted to announce the retention of midfielder, Katie White.
White picked up the ‘Young Player of the Year’ Award last season, playing 21 times for the First Team.
Katie White:
“I enjoyed my first season in womens football and I am proud to be playing for my local town. I am looking forward to the upcoming season with the girls.”
Billy Wood:
“Katie is a local player, with bundles of quality. Another who possesses a great left foot and I think will really excel in the way we want to play. Getting the balance between young and hungry player plus experience has been so important on our recruitment. There is no two-tier sort of recruitment approach here, it’s simple, will you work hard for your teammates? Are you locked into the way we want to play? Do you want to be here? If the answer to those is yes you fit us. Katie is a young player who will want to drive those standards and have a better season for her teammates and for herself.”
HUFC are pleased to present the ‘Elvis Show’ with live music & entertainment provided by the fabulous Trevor Dodson with Richie Lee. You can also enjoy playing the Las Vegas style Casino tables.
Your entry ticket entitles you to 10 free chips for you to start playing at the tables and extra chips available to buy on the evening. At the end of the evening the 3 highest chip stacks will receive cash prizes
Hastings United Sports & Social Club
Elphinstone Road
Doors & Pay Bar open at 7pm
Tables open at 8:00pm
Carriages Midnight
𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗔 𝑴𝑨𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑵 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗔 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧
Our Isthmian League South East Fixture list in FULL
#COYU
Our second 25/26 pre season friendly saw us take on Isthmian Prem side Whitehawk
Tom Dyson-Laurie from Hastings United Radio was at the game for us
1st half:
After a dominant display against Horsham YM on Saturday, Hastings United were back on the road just 3 days later as this time Whitehawk were the opponents. Choosing to opt for our NEW white kit look as well as four changes being made from Saturday, United were playing uphill first half in conditions which can only be described as gusty winds as those around me had their hoods up, however the wind may have played a part in the U’s favour as Freddie Legg struck a fierce effort down the middle after being laid off by Brad Barry who skippered the side again but was kept out by the keepers legs.
With Whitehawk struggling to play the ball out from the back at times, an attack from the hosts saw the U’s counter and a cross field pass from Joe Clifford picked out Fin Chapman who curled a beautiful effort into the far corner of the net giving United a 1-0 lead. A superb goal and the first real test of the whole game for either keeper.
Whitehawk came back into the game and had a few chances, one headed over the bar from a set piece and the other was blazed over the crossbar from just outside the box as the Hastings defence were caught out from a cross from the right.
No further chances were created, however a very solid display from Hastings – especially defensively who tracked back in numbers superbly.
2nd half:
Two initial changes at half time were made, however the first chance of the second half went Hastings’s way and once again, replicating a carbon copy of the first, Fin Chapman again cut inside onto his right foot and curled another superb into the far corner. 2-0 to Hastings and it could almost have been three as whilst typing out the second, a cross from the left was played to Freddie Legg who in a 1v1 looked on odds to make it 3 but too many touches from Legg saw the ball get blocked and behind for a corner.
Three Hastings subs were made after that, and whilst Finn Holter made his only save all game after catching a header from a cross, a trialist who came on stood up a cross to the back post with Chapman knocking down – no player in white got a connection to the header.
Whitehawk went up the other end and pulled a goal back to make the score 1-2. Lee Carey wasted no time and bought Dan Hull back on for Joe Clifford to keep it tight at the back and whilst a late effort from Whitehawk flashed over the bar, United had no further chances and so after another solid display, United go into Saturdays game away against Haywards Heath looking to make it 3 from 3.
Tom Dyson-Laurie
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