26th March 2003
The
competition to be next year's sponsor is well under way, with more than £15000
already raised through ticket sales. Arrangements are in hand for the prize draw
which will take place on the 3rd May during the half time interval of our home
match against Stafford Rangers. BBC TV cameras will be at the Pilot Field and a
representative from the BBC will draw the winning ticket, so if any more of you
are interested in taking part, or know of businesses who would like the
opportunity to sponsor Hastings United for the price of a single £50
ticket,you have just over five weeks left to get involved.
26th March 2003
We have today
signed Ahmet Sulemanoglu, a 19 year old midfielder from Wimbledon
11th January 2003
Following
discussions on 7th January, the FA has not accepted Conference proposals to
create either a second division or two regional divisions by inviting clubs from
the three Premier Division feeder leagues to join them. Along with many other
clubs, Hastings United had opted to take up the invitation of two regional
divisions if the proposal was given FA backing, at the expense of a possible
£4,000 fine from the Dr Martens League. The proposals have not, however, been
accepted by the FA, but instead they have been referred to the National League
System Committee with a recommendation that the NLSC and the Conference work
together to find a solution 'in the best interests of football'. It now remains
to be seen whether the FA will approve the Ryman/Dr Martens league agreement to
swap seven clubs (of which Hastings United would be one) between them,
effectively redefining the boundaries of the two leagues.
4th November 2002
United have
been drawn at home to Eastbourne Borough in the next round of the FA Trophy on
November 30th, after beating Chelmsford City 1-0 on Saturday.
31st October 2002
Hastings
United are through to the 1st Round Proper of the F A Cup after beating
Kettering 5-0. Coaches will be available to take supporters to Stevenage Borough
on 16th November at price £10 for adults and £4 for children, but seats MUST be
booked. Please telephone Tony Cozens on 01424 444635 to make arrangements. On
this occasion, payment will need to be made in advance and you will be given a
ticket for your seat. Please note that this is only for your seat on the coach
and does not cover your entrance to Stevenage's ground!!
14th October 2002
Hastings
United have been drawn at home to Kettering Town on 26th October in the Fourth
Qualifying round of the FACup after beating Hendon 2-1 on Saturday.
Kettering were last season's Dr Martens Premier division champions, gaining
promotion back to the Conference on goal difference over Tamworth, but are
currently lying bottom of the table having won only one of their first fourteen
games. For anyone prefering not to queue on the day, advanced tickets will be on
sale from the Pilot Field from Thursday 17th October - telephone 01424 444635
for details.
12th October 2002
Hastings
United are through to the fourth qualifying round of the F A Cup after beating
Hendon 2-1 at home today - the draw takes place on Monday 14th.
1st October 2002
Stuart
Playford was admitted to hospital with stomach pains on Sunday and was found to
be suffering with appendicitis. He underwent surgery on Monday morning to remove
his appendix and is now recovering comfortably in hospital. It is anticipated
that he will not be permitted to return to football for around six weeks. The
club would like to wish Stuart all the best and a speedy recovery.
28th September 2002
Hastings
United are through to the third qualifying round of the F A Cup after beating
Selsey 4-1 at home on Saturday 28th September - the draw takes place on Monday
30th
10th September 2002
Hastings
United Football Club has announced the appointment of David Bealey as Chairman
and David Ormerod as Vice Chairman, both on a temporary basis. A spokesman for
the Club said "The Club needed to register a new Chairman so David Bealey has
agreed to take up the position in name only until a permanent Chairman can be
appointed. We have had several chairmen over the past few years and this is not
good for the image of the Club. We need to get the right person into the job and
David's appointment will give the club some breathing space whilst it actively
seeks a new Chairman and General Manager. David, who also edits and produces the
matchday programme as well as running the Club's various fund raising schemes,
will share the job of running the administration of the football side of the
club with Treasurer David Ormerod and Secretary Tony Cosens."
26th August 2002
Do you have a
mobile phone? Do you want to keep in touch with the scores from all the games in
the Dr Martens Premier Division? Now you can, by having all the scores sent by
text message to your mobile phone for just £32.50 per season. Pick up an
enrolment form at the Club Shop.
9th August 2002
A new £20,000
PA System has just been installed at the Pilot Field thanks to a 90% grant. All
of the installation work has been carried out and speakers have been installed
in the main stand. It is anticipated that the new system will be available for
use from 10th August with only the pylon speakers to be installed when they
arrive from Holland.
9th August 2002
Following confirmation that planning permission had
been obtained for the new Wood End stand, a grant application was made
approximately two weeks ago. This should be heard in September.
3rd August 2002
There is at
present no immediate replacement for Nigel Jones, but as it is not anticipated
that this will have any particular bearing on the players as they prepare for
the start of the season on August 17th, the Club has chosen to proceed
cautiously in choosing a replacement to ensure that the correct decision is
made.
31st July 2002
Dave King was taken to hospital last night
following a collision with a goal post at Horsham. X-rays were taken as a
precautionary measure and doctors decided to admit him overnight for
observation. After a comfortable night, a further scan was undertaken and
Dave was finally allowed to return home this afternoon to rest. The Club
extends its best wishes to him and we look forward to seeing him back between
the sticks as soon as he is fit and well.
19th July 2002
New Reserve Team joint managers Vince Moorton and
Graham Bishop have been around local football for many years. Vince is a former
player for Eastbourne Town , Eastbourne United, Hailsham Town and Langney Sports
(Eastbourne Borough) who went on to be Mark Leaney's assistant at Hailsham Town,
while Graham has had spells as Physio/Coach at Hailsham, Assistant Manager at
Eastbourne United and Reserve Manager at Hailsham Town.
Vince and Graham have been pleasantly surprised by the number of both new and existing players who have turned up for pre-season training. Some of those returning from last season are Jimmy Penfold, Joe Cornwall, James Sims, Tim Olarunda, Mark Turner, Mark Gall and Dave Henham. New additions to the squad include 17 year old Steve Graham (midfield/striker) and Matt Brown (goalkeeper) both from Hailsham Town, who have attracted attention from Cambridge United and clubs within the Dr Martens league. Promising youngster James Body has also signed, following spells at Shinewater and Eastbourne Town.
Friendlies arranged so far include Shinewater, Newhaven & Cray Wanderers, with other games to be scheduled at a later date.
12th July 2002
At the Southern
league AGM last week, the club delegates voted in favour of a rule change
proposal allowing 5 substitutes to be named (still a maximum of 3 to be
played). It was a fairly close vote with our General Manager and Club
Chairman among those who voted against it. Nigel Jones expressed his
concerns: 'This will only benefit the clubs with more money. It's OK at
Conference and League clubs, but not at this level'.
12th July 2002
League Cup Draw - Crawley Town / Sittingbourne v
Hastings United
12th July 2002
Stuart Playford has just undergone a cartilage
operation. In recognition of the excellent service Stuart has given the
club over such a long period, the directors of Hastings United very kindly met
the cost of private treatment for him.
12th July 2002
The Hastings
Town Youth 2000 section will retain their name and colours but will continue to
be the youth arm of Hastings United, and their close relationship with the club
will continue. There will be no Under 18s team next season, but the Youth
2000 section may well have a team at this level, but playing their home fixtures
at Netherfield. The Ladies Team are also changing their name to Hastings United
as decided at their recent AGM. They will change their kit colours to
claret and blue, with the help of Mick Maplesden who is making a contribution
towards the change of kit. Club chairman Nigel Jones commented on the recent
letters in the Hastings Observer which gave an adverse response to the change of
name. "I chose not to respond until I had had the opportunity to hear from
various people, in particular the Youth and Ladies Team. The two
individuals who have written to the Observer are very good supporters whom the
club value and they have made some interesting points after a very successful
season; however the majority of people I have spoken to are in favour of the
change, proving that it has been a good move for the club. I hope that the
individuals in question will continue to support us as we kick off a new season
in the Premier Division."
12th July 2002
A substantial
grant has been agreed from the Football Trust for the drainage works and
re-laying of the pitch, however this came through later than anticipated.
The timescale involved will not permit the work to be carried out in the close
season, so this will have to wait until next year.
12th July 2002
The progress on a new stand behind the 'Wood End'
goal has been a lot slower than the club would have liked, but matters have been
given a push and it is hoped that a grant application will be submitted some
time in June. If this is successful, work could start on a new stand
during next season.