Welcome to the March
Bulletin from Hastings United FC
TEAM NEWS
MENS FIRST TEAM
February has been another stop start month for us. Despite some of the results our performances have been improving, and the squad feels confident about the direction we are going in. We fully understand that this needs to be converted into points but the confidence in the group is good.
Everyone at the Pilot Field for the game against Lewes would have seen a very dominant performance with the ball but unfortunately on the day our finishing let us down. We were then undone by a dubious penalty, which was Lewes’ only chance of the game. This was followed by a very disciplined performance against a very good Horsham side, an excellent first half against Cheshunt and then finally a poor game but a point at home against Dulwich Hamlet.
The biggest concern for us in this period has been converting and creating chances, which is why we added Reece Grant to the squad. He brings a wealth of experience and the edge that we need to help us start scoring and capitalising on our improved performances.
Games will come thick and fast in March so there are plenty of opportunities for us to get the points we need.
Stick together!
Danny
4th March away to Chatham Town (19.45)
8th March home to Hendon
15th March away to Dartford
22nd March home to Chichester City
25th March home to Canvey Island (19.45)
29th March home to Billericay Town
WOMENS FIRST TEAM
Off the field, some excellent news bringing in Josh Oatham, who’s CV speaks for itself; myself and all the girls are very excited to see what we can do under the guidance of Josh. We are certainly looking to hit the run in with everything we have!
2 league games and 1 League Trophy game in February, unfortunately losing all 3. The Trophy game saw us play Soccer Elite at Home, 0-0 at Full time, unfortunately with a lack of subs, fitness took its toll and no recognised goalkeeper from half time, and we sadly lost 2-0.
We then travelled away to 2 title chasing sides in Aylesford and Bognor Regis Town. We went to Aylesford with 10 U18’s in the squad, which shows a great pathway for the young players in our area being exposed to Step 6 football. Unfortunately, our lack of experience cost us to a very good Aylesford side.
Bognor, we went with 13 players with 2 U16’s making the bench for debuts. We went 1-0 up within 2 minutes via an Amy Critchfield wonder strike. Unfortunately, after a real battle, we conceded 2 very good long-range strikes and 2 corners. We definitely gave them a run for their money, but again, a very good side. We face both at home soon!
We have 9 games left, 6 being at home, we really need as much support as possible, it really does push the team on, we are doing all we can off the pitch to get us out this relegation battle, which the players and myself know what to do to achieve this. Next up we face a massive game at Three Bridges away, where we are looking to take home 3 points back to the Pilot Field! Next home game we have Bognor which we again are looking to fight for our lives and put us in a place the club deserves to be.
Jason
9th March away to Three Bridges
16th March home to Bognor Regis Town
23rd March away to Bexhill United
30th March home to Saltdean United Dev.
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Hastings United are pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Oatham as Head of Women’s and Girls Football
Josh’s role will see him work closely with Women’s First Team manager Jason Tibble as well as developing a longer-term strategy within the Girls Academy and Development squad as we look to grow and refine our offering in women’s and girls’ Football.
Josh has previously held a full-time position of first team coach at Charlton Athletic with the women’s first team in the Women’s Championship, as well as managing Gillingham and Billericay Women
Welcome to Hastings United Josh
Hastings United Inclusive & Disability Team
Hastings went up to lancing on the 9th February. We played against Wicks and Brighton.
Hastings United 0 Wicks 0.
A really good game to coach. I told them to press and make their passes count. They did exactly that, maybe just needed to work on the quickness of pressing as they gave Wick sometimes with the ball before being able to win the ball back. We were so lucky not to get a goal be wise in my opinion I feel we were the strongest team.
Hastings United 0 Brighton 1
Again, a game that I think we were unlucky not to finish with a draw as the goal happened in the last minute. Again, really good defending and working as a team. I am confident on this team that now we can go to Lancing and almost come away with points with every visit.
We have gone up to Lancing three times now and two out of the three we have come back with points.
Players player went to Charlie our goalkeeper who was fantastic and always putting his body on the line.
Managers player went to Alex and Jack. Alex is our brick wall on defence and always works hard every game he’s at. Jack has been with us now at Lancing for two visits and he’s really found a place in the team. He worked hard as well and was everywhere on the pitch. We look forward to next month’s games and hope we can continue playing as well as we have been.
Lewis Willard
Head of Hastings United Youth and Adults Inclusive and Disability Team
CLUB NEWS
We are delighted to announce: –
That One You East Sussex is a new sponsor to the club for the foreseeable future.
“One You East Sussex (OYES) are the FREE Healthy Lifestyle service for the residents of East Sussex. Everything we do is completely FREE of charge and can be accessed in a number of different ways. We can help people lose weight, become more active, drink less or even eat a little healthier.
One area we are focussing on this year is helping local residents to stop smoking, we all know the health benefits of stopping smoking, but did you know you are 4x more likely to quit the habit for good with the help of a dedicated trained stop smoking advisor and that is where OYES come in! You can access a FREE stop smoking advisor either face to face in one of our 50+ locations across East Sussex or if you prefer, we can speak to you on the phone. Not only do you receive a dedicated smoking advisor, but you also get access to FREE products such as Nicotine replacement Therapy (Patches, Gum etc) or if you prefer, we offer FREE Vapes to help you quit for good.
As part of their sponsorship One You East Sussex are our Match Day Programme Sponsors for our next home game v Hendon on Saturday 5th March if you are thinking of giving up smoking come along and meet Dan and his team who will be located in front of our main stand where they will be giving away FREE vapes.
To find out more information or to sign up for any of One You East Sussex FREE programmes please check out www.oneyoueastsussex.org.uk (where you can make a free referral) or call us on 01323 404600
Thank you to Dan and your team, we really do appreciate your support.
Terms & Conditions apply
FAN FORUM
There will be a Fans Forum on Thursday 13th March at 6.30pm in the Pilot Bar. Further details about the Forum will follow soon and be posted on the HUFC social media channels
FOOD HYGIENE RATING
The Club is pleased to announce that following an inspection by the Environmental Health and Licensing Team from Hastings Borough Council the Club’s Food Hygiene Rating under the Food Hygiene Standards rating process has been upgraded from Rating 3 to the highest standard of a Rating 5
New season ahead –
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
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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 1st 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
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 1st June – It’s a Knockout Spectacular Pilot Field at 12pm
Saturday 27th September – Elvis Show and Casino Night 7.00pm in Hastings United Sports & Social Club
Friday 21st November – Hastings United FC Fireworks Evening at Pilot Field 7.00pm (Please note times may be slightly varied and will be confirmed nearer the date of the event)
Features/Forthcoming Events
The Titanium Executive Box
There is just one opportunity left to book the Box, which is for the fixture v Hendon on Saturday 8th March 3:00pm 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
To acknowledge the fantastic support from our Business community we have developed the Sponsors Shield which will appear on our Facebook pages featuring all our sponsors to say thank you. Thanks to Paul and Adam for making this happen.
