Welcome to the August Bulletin from Hastings United FC as we begin the 2024/25 season
TEAM NEWS – Mens First Team
Danny Bloor – Mens First Team Manager
It only seems 5 minutes ago I was appointed Manager of Hastings United, but we are well into pre-season now and we know our first league game is at the Pilot Field against Horsham. Pre-season has been hard, but the players efforts have been fantastic, but we are ready for the real action now. We will try to play an entertaining brand of football this season and with Davide Rodari and Billy Vigar in attack we want to score goals.
We want our team to be on the front foot from the first whistle to the last. Enjoy the season.
Mens Fixtures – August
10th August home to Horsham 13th August away to Whitehawk
17th August home to Bognor Regis Town 24th August away to Potters Bar Town
28th August home to Folkestone Invicta 31st August FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
A sad moment at Hastings United as we announce that our Performance Analyst James McCrossan will be leaving us. In his time with us James has gone from fan to a key part of the U’s title winning success. Very best wishes for your future James.
We also are saying goodbye to our Sports Therapist Paige Wise. Paige leaves us to pursue new opportunities after 8 years of getting our players fit and in top condition for the challenges of non-league football. We would like to place on record our thanks for all Paige’s hard work and dedication to the Club over her time with us.
TEAM NEWS – Inclusive & Disability Team
Great news, we have the league fixtures for the Sussex Disability Football League 24/25 season.
We would like to thank 247 Transport Solutions for providing free of charge a driver and 16-seater minibus for all league fixtures, this will enable more players who are in need of football to play.
Youth Disability Phase – Launching Sept 3rd 2024
Comets Disability Football Launching Sept 2024
We are dedicated to the expansion of our offering for Disability and Inclusive football here at Hastings United FC. Please contact James Hopkins – Disability Lead for more details James.hopkins@hastingsunited.com
Our first league fixture will be on 1st September at Lancing
James Hopkins – Inclusive & Disability Lead
TEAM NEWS – Womens First Team
The women are currently in the 7th week of pre-season, and they have been working very hard on a new system and fitness programme in this period.
We would like to welcome all the new staff, Leigh Adams (Assistant Manager) Mike West (Head of S&C) & Bryn Smith (S&C Coach). Mike and Bryn are from Limitless gym and have been working effectively to get the girls in the best shape ready for the season.
Jason Tibble – Womens First Team Manager
First friendly we played Newhaven who won our league last season and drew 1-1, with a very good finish from one of our trialists. We used 19 players in the friendly, all playing a minimum of 30 minutes. But the impressive thing was the style of football we played, and the fitness levels were higher than expected which is great!
This weekend we played Ashford United, and we got an excellent 1-1 result, against a well-established side in the league above, another new signing scored our goal, and the women again gave a good account of themselves! Next weekend we face Saltdean United in a tough friendly, but the ladies are up for it!
We have currently announced all retained players on socials, and we will have new signing news this week!
A few DS players have featured in pre-season training and games. They have stepped up to a first season in women’s football and have an exciting season ahead.
All the staff and players are looking forward to our first league fixture to newly promoted XL on the 18th August and we have our first home fixture the week after as we host Montpellier Villa at the Pilot Field, all fixtures will be announced shortly. The women would love all the support you can give off the pitch, a big season ahead for Hastings United Women.
Womens Fixtures – August
18th August Away to XL 2.30pm
25th August Home to Montpellier Villa 2pm
1st September Home to Welling United 2pm
CLUB NEWS
A Tribute
Joe Knight was an integral part of the Hastings United Family for many years. He came to the Club in 2013 and was quickly established as the first team photographer. He went on to become photographer for Eastbourne Town, where he spent 7 very happy years and was also much loved and respected at Westfield, Hollington United, and Bexhill United amongst the many others who benefitted from his friendship and his talent. He later returned to Hastings as Academy photographer – a position he held until his sad passing.
Joe didn’t just catch the action shots – he captured the atmosphere around the game as well, often setting the scene with photos around the ground before games started, and often after the game had ended. In truth, his camera was never away from his side, and it was that ability to ‘capture the moment’ that gave his best work.
Joe was more than a photographer – he was a good friend to so many people at so many clubs. The tributes that poured in after his sad passing serve as a testament to that, and the fact that he will never be forgotten.
Joe and his son, Joseph, were simply a part of the fabric, not just of our club, but many across the southeast. One of our abiding memories of ‘father and son’ will always be that day at Westfield, a few years ago- in glorious sunshine. Young Joseph standing on a platform on the roof of the car, filming the match, and Senior sitting in the boot under the tailgate taking photographs. They were a team and were often seen together at football and music events across the county.
We are so proud that Joe left us a legacy in his son, Joseph, who is our club videographer and has been so for many years now. Our thoughts, prayers and support will be with Joseph as we stand by him as colleagues, but more importantly, as his football family.
Rest in Peace Joe and thank you for the memories.
(Tribute written by our Vice President, Pat McCrossan on behalf of Hastings United Football Club)
KIT SPONSORS
Kurt J. Lesker are the Club’s front of shirt sponsor for both the Men’s and Women’s first teams for the 2024/2025 season.
Our Partners and friends at Kurt J Lesker are always looking for talented people to help them continue to grow and would be delighted to hear from Hastings United Fans looking for new career opportunities.
Here is a link to check out their current vacancies: Kurt J. Lesker Company | KJLC Career Opportunities | Enabling Technology for a Better World
Triangle Fire Systems will be our back of shirt Sponsor for the Men’s team and we are most grateful for their continued support and sponsorship.
HOME KIT 2024/2025 – Available now!
The new home shirt, which was debuted on Wednesday 31st July vs Brighton & Hove Albion, is now available to buy at the club shop. News about the Away, Third and ‘Limited Black’ edition shirt will follow shortly.
SEASON TICKETS
Thank you to everybody who are showing their support for the U’s by buying a season ticket. Your season tickets will be available for collection prior to our opening league game v Horsham on Saturday 10th August.
There is still time to grab yourself a bargain with our limited second release of Early Bird Season Tickets offer for the 24/25 season,. Your ticket will gain you access to every men’s/women’s home league games along with our under 18’s and B team fixtures. Buy your tickets here: SEASON TICKETS (onlineticketseller.com)
BUSINESS PARTNERS
Ace Roadmarkings Ltd have joined Hastings United Football Club as a new business partner for the foreseeable future. Ace Roadmarkings Ltd is a family run business based here in Hastings for over 20 years, who offer road, car park, playground markings, and much more in East Sussex and surrounding areas.
Thank you to Damon Ridley and the team at Ace Roadmarkings Ltd for your support, it is very much appreciated. To find out more about Ace Roadmarkings services please check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AceRoadmarkings
We also welcome S T Containers as a New Business Partner for 2024/25 and thank them for their valued support.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank many of our existing partners who include, LWC, CB Electrical, Kileys Karpets, Cornfield Law, The Painted Maiden, Victoria Tyre Centre, Rush Witt & Wilson, Percy Walker Solicitors, M&W, Hastings Windows, Town Taxis, Ashdown Hurry, Helia Renewables, WeComm Group and Wilson, Wilson & Hancock Independent Quality Eye Care, for their continued support, it really is appreciated.…. More exciting announcements coming soon!
FEATURES / FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Apparel Partnership
We are thrilled to announce local company Superstitch86 as our Off-Field Apparel Partner
Check out the exciting new apparel here
http://www.superstitch86.co.uk/shop/
A polite request to our fantastic Fans
At Hastings United FC we know we have the best fan base in the whole of the Isthmian Leagues. However, sometimes the passion of the moment leads to some chanting that is not acceptable.
As you are aware – we pride ourselves on being a family Club and last season introduced a very successful schools programme for the local primary & secondary schools in Hastings and the surrounding areas. It has come to our intention that some chanting during games, especially as heard at the Sussex County Cup Final does not do credit to Hastings United FC or you as our incredible fans. We did receive several complaints after our cup final, from officials and more importantly some of the Club’s sponsors. We hope you will accept this request with the good intention that is meant and continue to be our Loud, Proud and very noisy fans but in the right way. Thank you all
Date for the Diary – Saturday 12th October – Las Vegas style Casino evening featuring ‘Elvis’; more details to follow in due course.
C O Y U’s
