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Hastings United have appointed John Lambert as their third First Team Manager in the space of less than five months, taking over from Tony Dolby, who recently stepped down from the role after successfully leading the Club to Ryman League Premier Division safety in a fifteen week stint at the helm.
John spent the 2007/08 season managing United’s youthful Reserve side, guiding his young team to a fifth place finish in the Sussex County Reserve League Premier Division table, the semi-finals of the Sussex Intermediate Cup, and to a well deserved victory in the final of the Hastings Intermediate Cup. At the age of forty-nine, he even rolled back the years by turning out in defence on ten occasions during the season, scoring one goal in the process.
It marked an unlikely return to Pilot Field action for John, who first played for United in the mid-1970s, making his First Team debut in 1977, before moving to Hastings Town in 1980, only to find himself back at the Pilot Field when United went out of business five years later, and Town were promoted to the Southern League in their place. Having finally decided to quit the Club in 1987, he continued playing in local football for several years, and enjoyed spells in management for County League sides Westfield and Bexhill.
Just after Christmas 2007, with United on a dreadful run of form, John found himself thrust into the role of Caretaker First Team Manager, after promotion winning boss Nigel Kane parted company with the Club. His three matches in temporary charge yielded only two points, although one was secured in arguably United’s finest result of the campaign, a superb 1-1 draw away to eventual league champions Chelmsford City.
Also stepping up from the Reserves with John, is assistant manager Wayne Farrier, another popular, local, footballing figure, whose own playing career included a long spell with Stamco, and saw him captain Sidley United to the County League title in 2001. He then moved to Westfield, where he ultimately linked up with John, joining him at the Pilot Field at the start of last season.
The pair face a testing couple of months as they prepare for life in the Ryman League though, with United having already lost keeper Lee Worgan, striker Ade Olorunda, and central midfielder Tim Olorunda, to Premier Division rivals Tonbridge Angels, and with three other players said to be in talks with Division One South side Ashford Town.
Hastings United Football Club is once again searching for a new First Team manager, after Tony Dolby reluctantly confirmed that he will not be returning to take up the role on a full-time basis for the 2008/09 campaign.
The former Tonbridge Angels boss only took over at the Pilot Field in January, with his long time number two at Longmead, Mike Rutherford, joining him in accepting the task of trying to keep United in the Ryman League Premier Division, following the departure of Hastings’ promotion winning manager Nigel Kane.
Together, Tony and Mike oversaw an immediate improvement in results, taking four points out of six against eventual beaten play-off finalists Staines Town, and leading Hastings to their first away league victory of the season at Margate. Successive defeats at AFC Wimbledon and East Thurrock United in early March left United deep in relegation trouble though, before a run of six wins in their last nine games led them to safety, sealed by a 3-0 success at bottom club Leyton on the final day of the season.
United Chairman Dave Walters commented, "When he first accepted the job at the Pilot Field, Tony did so on the basis that neither of us was committed in any way beyond the end of what turned out to be a successful battle against relegation. Obviously, after keeping us up, I was keen to secure Tony’s services for next season too, but the long journey from his Chislehurst home was not to his liking, and as was the case with Mike, he has advised me that this was the overwhelming reason for his decision not to continue in the role. Whilst this comes as a huge disappointment, I would of course like to thank both Tony and Mike for their considerable efforts in ensuring that Hastings United will remain a Premier Division club next season, and wish them every success in the future."
The Club will now consider its options for a brief period, but will hope to be in a position to appoint Tony’s successor in the near future.
Hastings United Football Club is delighted to announce that Smart Property Solutions has agreed to become its new main sponsor, in a deal that will run for the next two seasons.
Smart Property Solutions, based at 41 Havelock Road in Hastings, is the fastest growing sales and lettings agency in the 1066 area. It is a new, innovative and forward-thinking company, which specialises in residential sales and lettings. All enquiries are dealt with by a Director of the firm, thus providing a reliable, professional and dedicated service at all times. The company covers Hastings, Bexhill, St Leonards, Westfield, Battle, Sedlescombe, Fairlight and other surrounding areas as well.
United Chairman Dave Walters commented, "We are excited at the prospect of working with Smart Property Solutions over the next two seasons, and are very grateful to them for showing such faith in what we are trying to do at the Club. For such a fledgling company to be so proactive and supportive of the senior Football Club in the area is a tremendous credit to them, and as a Club, we will be doing whatever we can to help them promote their business. I would urge all supporters to think of Smart first, when they come to sell their houses. In fact, all Supporters’ Club members will receive a discounted commission from Smart Property Solutions for using their services."
Smart Property Solutions Director Isaac Bull added, "We are all very excited about this new deal, and hope that over time, our name can become synonymous with Hastings United Football Club, who have enjoyed continued success over recent seasons. We are hoping that this can become a long term relationship, and are looking to build strong local connections with the Club and its supporters".