Belief in the Beautiful Game

Hastings United have had a memorable season, but their status in the Ryman Premier Division is now under threat. The relegation battle has taken over as the main concern since the remarkable FA Cup run for United, with a lack of form hastening the drop to rock bottom. HOT’s Liam Willis explains the ins and outs of the season as it developed.

United managed to pick up a very important point in Canvey Island on Saturday, a point that was even more crucial after fellow-Sussex strugglers Lewes picked up three. United’s topsy-turvy season started with a 1-0 defeat away to Hampton and Richmond Borough in mid-August, but  the U’s  first league victory at home to Wingate and Finchley was just around the corner.

United  found their best form in the cup competitions this season, but especially the FA Cup. A magical FA Cup run saw United beat Chatham Town, Staines Town, Hitchin Town, Blackfield & Langley, Bishop’s Stortford and Harrogate Town to play the mighty Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. United drew 1-1 in Harrogate and a reply was scheduled for December 13th at the Pilot Field. On a memorable evening, United beat Harrogate in a tense penalty shootout with United winning 6-5 as after 120 minutes the score was one all. United, in front of their record attendance of 4028 made history – a place in the FA Cup Third Round against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

United fell victim to a 4-1 defeat at the Riverside, but the chances of winning were minute – a day that the United faithful will never forget. The FA Cup run brought in around £150,000 for United, which means a great deal to a little club. Since then, United have been able to purchase a new tunnel, a lawnmower and are currently working on the guttering work within the close proximity of the pitch.

Since the FA Cup, United’s league performance has given rise to constant criticism regarding their league form. United drew all of their league games in December and failed to win in the league for 15 weeks and four days, separating a home win at Enfield (3-2) and an away win at Cray Wanderers (3-0).

However, since being knocked out of the FA Cup, United were still very much contestants in the Ryman League Cup and the Sussex Senior Cup. A remarkable Wednesday evening at the Pilot Field saw United overcome League One’s Crawley Town by three goals to nil in the Sussex Senior Cup until eventually being knocked out by Bognor Regis Town, in the semi-final. United were knocked out of the League Cup by Concord Rangers.

United’s star man, Bradley Goldberg, took a knock at a 4-0 defeat to Concord Rangers in early February and has not made an appearance for United since. After talks with his father regarding Bradley’s future with the club, a statement confirmed that Goldberg is still very much with the club. However, United have had to say goodbye to one of the most loyal players over the past few years; Josh Jirbandey, United defender hung up his boots for the last time at the Pilot Field after playing for United for a good three years. He is jetting off to north-eastern California for a four year scholarship at Lassen Community College in Susanville from which Jirbandey can reasonably hope to progress to a full-time footballing career.

United also had to say goodbye to left-back Matt Whitehead after a dispute regarding medical treatment. The club issued a statement on its website explaining the dismissal of Whitehead and why the club had little option. On the brighter side, United brought in many new players after the first few months of the year: Defender Ben Judge, Adrian Stone, Rory Murphy, Freddie Warren, Gareth Williams, and striker Alassane N’Diaye. The supporters’ favourite, Sam Adams, came “back home” from fellow-Sussex rivals, Rye United.

The lack of United form towards the end of this season, has divided supporters’  opinions and shaken their belief in, but not their support for, the club. Now all of us supporters have to come together and urge on our team towards survival. United’s failure to win points has left the supporters confused with the motivation of the team. United have only won seven matches during the whole season,  drawn fifteen and lost seventeen. With 36 points on the board and two points needed to steer clear of the relegation zone, some supporters are going wobbly, but this is not what we need. Self-belief in success is what we, Hastings United, need so that all supporters can join together and bolster the team as “twelfth man”.

The last home game of United season is on Saturday (27 April) when United host Kingstonian, hoping to do the double over Alan Dowson’s side. As the last game it could  make the difference between survival and relegation. Come to support your local club, be that twelfth man and push the team on towards survival!

Around the Pilot Field I asked some of the regular fans and one player a set of questions;

Season in one word?
FA Cup run in one word?
Favourite league game?
Most Tense Game?
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season?

Peter Hufton;
Season in one word? “Frustrating”
FA Cup run in one word? “Remarkable”
Favourite league game? Hastings 3-3 Lewes
Most Tense Game? Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season? 12th

Nathan Clee;
Season in one word? “Disappointing”
FA Cup run in one word? “Unbelievable”
Favourite league game? Hastings 2-0 Harrow Borough
Most Tense Game? Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season? 19th

Pat McCrossan;
Season in one word?      “Chaotic”
FA Cup run in one word?     “Incredible”
Favourite league game?     Hastings 3-2 Enfield Town
Most Tense Game?     Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season?     “Top Half”.

Dan Willet;
Season in one word?     “Eventful”
FA Cup run in one word?     “Mind-blowing”
Favourite league game?     Lewes 1-2 Hastings
Most Tense Game?     Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season?     8th

Windy  Gale;
Season in one word?     “Unpredictable”
FA Cup run in one word?      “Courageous”
Favourite league game?     Hastings 2-0 Harrow
Most tense game?     Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season?    5th

Sue Beatie;
Season in one word?     “Unpredictable”
FA Cup run in one word?     “Glorious”
Favourite league game?     Hastings 3-3 Lewes
Most tense game?     Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season?     “18th”

Jamie Crellin (player);
Season in one word?     “Long and hard”
FA Cup run in one word?     “Unforgettable”
Favourite league game?     Lewes 1-2 Hastings
Most tense game?     Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season?     “Top Half”

Jack Dixon (player);
Season in one word?     “Long”
FA Cup run in one word?     “Unforgettable”
Favourite league game?     “Hastings 1-1 Lewes – last game with my best mate JJ”
Most tense game?     Hastings v Harrogate
Prediction for Ryman PREMIER Division finish next season?     “Too hard to call, anyone could win it”

If you are interested in having your say regarding your local club, please feel free to add your opinions below and send messages of support to the team. It would also be interesting to hear your take on the season, so please do not hesitate to comment below.

United face Kingstonian on Saturday at the Pilot Field and, if you are at the game and wish to comment direct to me personally, I will be in a Hastings United shirt and will have a clipboard. So approach me me with your comments and leave your name – or  write them below – it’s your option. See you Saturday!

 

   
   
   
   
 

 

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