Hastings United gates

Farsighted United Excited

Speculation continues through the summer about the signings of various players, and for the players and supporters of Hastings United, this is quite usual. HOT’s Liam Willis, now also Hastings United Program Editor, rounds up a few of the developments at Hastings United Football Club.

The departure of Jack Dixon and Hugo Langton led to a few other 2012/2013 players and staff moving elsewhere. Not long after Dixon’s confirmed departure, Zac Attwood announced that he has signed for Margate, shortly followed by Elliot Cox. Jack Dixon and Tom Vickers have joined the squad at fellow Sussex rivals, Lewes, whilst Jamie Crellin, in the absence of encouragement from the club, signs for Worthing and Dee Okojiee made himself part of Kingstonian’s 1st team squad.

Player/manager Sean Ray hasn’t been sitting back; he’s been relentlessly trying to bring in some new players and some old favourites. Life-time supporters of the club would remember Terry White, who played for United in the 1980s and who worked with Neville Southall during his managerial time at the Pilot Field. The Club is delighted to announce that Terry White has now replaced Hugo Langton as the First Team Coach for United.

Ray has also brought in an old United colleague in Tim Olorunda, who left the Pilot Field a few seasons ago, along with brother Ade for Tonbridge Angels. As Tim signs for Hastings, Ade goes to the Dripping Pan of Lewes FC. Jono Richardson has also re-signed at the Pilot Field along with Josh Pelling, who had a couple of games in goal for United last season. Another United fan’s favourite, Matt MacLean,  has also been welcomed back to the Pilot Field after three years away. MacLean, who played 62 times for the U’s scoring six goals, will be back at the Pilot Field in an attacking role.

Bailo Camara has also confirmed that his imminent future lies at the Pilot Field. Ex-United Club Captain Lee Carey has spoken with the press, stating that he does not wish to be part of the United side playing in the Ryman League South and now looks to find a club elsewhere. The hair-product salesman told the Hastings Observer that “Offers have been lying elsewhere and it’s down to personal ambition – I don’t want to play in the Ryman League South”.

United’s first two pre-season affairs came within a week of each other. The first pre-season game against Brighton came on Tuesday evening (9th) and United welcomed back in defence Josh Jirbandey, who had left the Pilot Field in January for a scholarship in California and came back over for a few weeks. United held strong in the first half, but fell victim to Brighton’s strong youth team in the second period. Deniss Rakels’ header gave Brighton the lead in the beginning of the second half and Josh Jirbandey headed into his own net to double Brighton’s lead from the last touch of the game.

Westfield hosted the U’s second pre-season game today (Saturday 13th) and United fell victim to another defeat from a side two leagues below. United started strong in the first half – Bailo Camara put the U’s in the lead after twenty minutes. Jack Shonk doubled United’s lead shortly after half-time. A few changes were made to the side and United seemed to fall weak to a good Westfield side. An instant reply from Westfield halved their deficit which was then halved again, putting Westfield on level terms with half an hour to go. Two more late goals saw Westfield triumph to a 4-2 win against the Ryman South Side.

Meanwhile, in cup competitions, United have been drawn two home ties in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy. United’s remarkable cup runs last season saw them get to the third round of the FA Cup against Middlesbrough, and United hope to pull off another great cup run. The FA Cup will start at home to Ramsgate and the FA Trophy will start at home to Brentwood Town.

United still have six more pre-season matches to go before the start of the season; including a visit from League One’s Gillingham on Saturday 27 July. United’s pre-season games are;

Saturday 20 July: Hastings United v Thamesmead Town XI
Tuesday 23 July: Hastings United v Eastbourne Borough XI<
Saturday 27 July: Hastings United v Gillingham XI
Tuesday 30 July: Eastbourne United Association XI v Hastings United
Saturday 3 August: Crowborough Athletic XI v Hastings United
Tuesday 6 August: Newhaven XI v Hastings United

On behalf on the club and myself, I hope to see you there.

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