The Club is very pleased to confirm that Academy player Dan Hull has been promoted to the First Team squad for the 2019-20 season. Following an impressive 2018-19 season which included a number of eye-catching performances for the ‘U’s U23s and a successful loan spell with Hollington Utd Dan has put pen to paper on a years contract with the Club.
The 6,4’’ left-footed CB is the latest homegrown player to have earned a well-deserved opportunity to join the ‘U’s First Team squad…..where he will be following in the footsteps of Louis Rogers, Tom Climpson, Jamie Fielding, Adam Lovatt, James Pool, Charlie Curran, Davide Rodari and more. On signing the 18 year old commented, ‘So excited to be joining the First Team. I started off with Hastings United when I was 7 years old and was coached at the time by Sean Ray who has also coached me this season with the U18s. I feel honoured that I have this opportunity and I can’t wait to get to work.’
On Dan’s development current Academy U18s Lead Coach and former ‘U’s First Team Captain and Manager Sean Ray explained, ‘I first started working with Dan aged 8 and he has always had lots of natural ability, he’s always been a polite young man who has always been willing and wanting to learn. Over the years he has developed from an attacking midfielder into a left back and now into a centre back where he has really progressed over the last few months. Dan has worked extremely hard this past year both at football and in his own time to improve his game and I feel this contract is thoroughly deserved and just reward for his efforts.’
Ray continued, ‘It is also another great example in how much the management team is prepared to put its trust in our young Academy players and have the confidence to give them a chance. This should act as an incentive to more of our Academy boys to continue to work hard for their chance, In particular our next lot of centre backs who should use the example Dan has set when away from football to improve. I know Dan will continue to work even harder now and I’m excited for his future as I’m sure under the guidance of Agi he has a chance of progressing into full time football like many others coming through the Academy.’
Well done Dan…..COYU’s!