THE BIG INTERVIEWS from Home Match Programmes

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Jeremy Birch - Leader Hastings Borough Council

Garry Wilson - Manager Eastbourne Borough FC

Tony Cosens - HUFC Club Secretary

Harry Pell - Former Player now at Bristol Rovers

August 2010

Name  Jeremy Birch

Leader, Hastings Borough Council

Lives   St Leonards on Sea

Jeremy, first of all congratulations on your success in the local elections back in May. Ever since I have been here you have been a familiar face at The Pilot Field. How long have you been supporting up here at The Pilot Field?

I started going to the Pilot Field in the 1960s.

And can you remember your first game?

I can’t remember the very first game I watched. I saw Bobby Smith (Ex-Spurs and England) at his first match for us at Ashford.

What would you rate as your most memorable match?

One of the most memorable Saturday afternoons at the Pilot Field was seeing Dean White lift the Division One champion’s trophy when we won promotion in the early 1990s.

Did you ever play football?

 I did but not to a specially high standard.

 What position and what Hastings player would you describe yourself as being most like?

I used to be a central defender so I have always liked watching people like Sid Bishop, Keith Rutter, Richard Calloway, Tony Burt and of course Sean Ray.

Have you got a favourite all time Hastings player?

I used to really like Wayne Peacock. He had very fine ball control for a tall player and a cracking shot.

Proper football is what we get at The Pilot Field but do you take an interest in professional football and if so who do you support?

I like watching football at all levels but the only team I support is Hastings United. My children are Spurs fans.

Where did you watch the world cup?

I watched some games at home and the Algeria match in a pretty empty Indian restaurant – the food was much better than the game.

What do you think went wrong for the England team?

I think money determines that there are  too many Premiership and European games and the players were worn out by the time the World Cup came around.

Do you think players at the highest level get paid too much?

I think they earn far too much. As a result only multi-billionaires or giant syndicates can own top football clubs. And what is their real attachment to Manchester or Liverpool?

Back to Hastings United, what kind of season do you think we are going to have?

If we are not promotion contenders then something will have gone seriously wrong. We only just missed out last season and the squad looks stronger this year.

Do you think a successful football team can boost the town?

I do; it can raise the self-confidence of residents and improve the recognition of the place nationwide. The town of Burnley is the same size as Hastings.

 How important do you think sport is in being a tool to help regeneration in the town?

Why was Milton Keynes so keen to adopt the Dons – as a growing city they saw the importance of sport. The new Falmer stadium is part of the regeneration programme in Brighton. (I don’t expect anyone from Hastings to visit it of course if United are at home).

In the Labour manifesto there was mention of Hastings United and the facilities we have or could have. Can you expand on this and give an idea of what you would like to see for the Club and the town.

We do want to support the club achieve the quality of ground fit for the higher level football it aspires to. Funding is the key and in a recession with public spending cuts that won’t be easy. It’s important we work together.

Well thanks very much for your time Jeremy and hopefully your busy Council schedule will not stop you from making trips to support the Us this season.

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August 2010

Interview with Simon Rudkins – Director of Hastings United FC

Name    Garry Wilson, Manager Eastbourne Borough FC

Lives      Hastings

Garry, great start to the season for your Borough side, did you expect that kind of start?

At the start of the season you look for the teams that are likely to be around us come the end of the season and three out of the 4 games we have started with would be against those kind of teams so it was important to take points off them. There are always teams that will cause a surprise but I’m happy with the start especially against teams that are full time.

Eastbourne’s progress over the last 30 years has been almost unbelievable. What would you say was the one main factor that has contributed to success at Priory Lane?

I think the most important thing is patience, especially when things are not going well. Being patient and having consistency from chairman to manager and players have all helped. We still have players that have been at the club for a number of years such as Ben Austin, Darren Baker and Matt Crabb. The club also have a strong work ethic both on and off the pitch

In the Conference National you are obviously competing on unfair terms with the majority of your rivals being full time. How difficult is it for you and the players to balance work and football and how have you adapted to the demands of the Conference?

We always knew it was going to be difficult and for instance playing away at York City, Newport County and Forest Green Rovers on a Tuesday evening this season does not help. In general Saturday to Saturday games we cope with but it can be difficult for players to get time off work for Tuesday games. When players get on the coach to away games you can sometime see that they are tired even before a long journey. But we have to take a positive view too. Whereas the full time clubs have been together all week and trained they may have overdone the training. Also not seeing each other every days means that when our lads all get together they look forward to it so that gives us a better spirit.

The first year of conference football was not too bad, it was a novelty and there was an excitement going to new grounds and playing big clubs. Last season was more difficult. Teams knew what we were about it was hard to manage the footballing side with us entering the reserves into the Combination League so we have made some changes and this season will be mainly concentrating on the first team.

Do you spend more time on your management role since you gained promotion or have you just had to use your time more wisely?

I don’t get involved in the coaching side much anymore apart from pre-season. We have a number of coaches that look after that side of management with a wealth of experience headed up by Nick Greenwood. It takes pressure off me although since playing in the Conference National I spend more time dealing with the press, media, agents and compiling referees reports.

You have played, represented your country at Under 18 level and managed. What would you say the highlight of your footballing career is to date?

I have always been a massive Celtic fan and had trials with them as a youngster. Playing against Celtic for Stranraer at Celtic Park in front of over 40,000 fans was a highlight for me and obviously getting Borough into the Conference National was a big buzz.

What would you rate as your most memorable match that you have been involved in?

Funnily enough it was probably one of the early days of managing at Hastings Town and winning the Sussex Intermediate Cup against St Francis Rangers 6-0. It was the first trophy I won as a manager. Winning the County League title with Langney Sports in 1999/2000 was also memorable as Burgess Hill Town had held the title for a few seasons.

You have been at Priory Lane now for over 11 years. Do you ever think you will fancy a change or would you like to attempt to take Eastbourne into the Football League?

I’d like to take Borough into the Football League but that would only come about with us changing to full time and being able to compete financially against other clubs. I don’t think about the future all that much.

Not sure if you know how many players you have managed, must be quite a few! Who would you say made the biggest progress under your management?

That’s a difficult one. A young player at the moment that is making good progress is Simon Johnson who has come through our Under 18 side and for a youngster already has over 30 games at Conference National level under his belt. Matt Crabb has also progressed from playing County League football with us to being a full blown Conference player.

Who is the best player you have ever played with and the best player you have managed?

I played at school with Maurice Johnston who went on to play for Celtic as well as Watford where he made an FA Cup Final. He also played for Scotland. Managed, another difficult question but Yemi Odubade who we sold to Oxford United for £25,000 was one of the best.

You had a look at the Hastings team during a pre season friendly at The Pilot Field. How do you think Hastings will do this season?

Certainly got a good chance of a top 5 finish. Tony has added some good experienced players to go with the nucleus of local lads and the team look a lot stronger than last season

What was your highlight whilst managing Hastings?

As I said earlier the Sussex Intermediate Cup was one as it had not been won over this side of the county for some time. I don’t think I really had much credit for what I did at Hastings. At the time Stamco were throwing money at players and pilfering my best and it was a real struggle to survive in the league and it was an achievement to avoid relegation. Then Mark Gardiner came along and threw money at it so expectations changed.

Were you surprised when you were told that you were no longer needed at Hastings Town back in the late 90s and have you taken satisfaction from what you have achieved since?

I was and was saddened. I had moved 500 miles to come down to Hastings and played for the Reserves and First Team and managed both over a 10 year period. I was expecting a testimonial but instead got sacked by someone that knew little about football. At the time we had been on a 7 or 8 game unbeaten run but then lost in the FA Trophy to a late goal. So the sacking was a bit of a shock but it did give me the bite to prove him wrong and made me determined to succeed.

Do you think Hastings could ever reach the pinnacle of non league football and if so what do you think would be the major contributory factor to get there.

It is getting harder but I am sure they could do it. If Langney Sports could do it then a club like Hastings which probably has as big a support base as Borough could get there too. The club will need to have patience and build it up gradually.

And finally as a Scot did you have a laugh at England’s failure at the World Cup in South Africa?

No, never. My young lad supports England and was all dressed up in his England shirt and we had a World Cup party. Obviously I’d rather see Scotland there though.

Garry, thanks for your time and good luck for the rest of the season.

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September 2010

Interview with Simon Rudkins – Director of Hastings United FC

Name    Tony Cosens, Secretary, Hastings United FC

Lives      Hastings

So Tony where do I start, well I guess the beginning, how did you first get involved in local football?

Began watching in 1948 (I was very young then) when the original United was formed.  The whole of our family were supporters in those days.

At the time can you remember why you wanted to get involved?

The Football Club were unhappy with the then Supporters Club and called a meeting at the White Rock Theatre when a new body was formed.  I became involved and the first task was to build a bar beneath the main stand, it is now the board room.  That took around a year.

Do you ever wonder what life would have been like without having been involved.

A lot less interesting I should imagine but also probably less stressful.

Is there anything else you would have done do you think?

I don’t think so although I do follow cricket which I believe is a better game at the highest level.

Did you ever play?

Only at school, at right back.  No good enough, that’s why I became interested in the administration side of the game.

You must have visited a fair few grounds, any ideas of how many and any that are your parti

cular favourites and why?

It must be around 300 if not more.  I think the best ground I have been to in non-League is Rushden & Diamonds, that’s how a ground at our level should be.  Higher than that it must be Villa Park.

And any that you are not too keen on?

A few which I had better not mention.  I well recall the old Ruislip ground which was really dreadful.

There are probably lots of games that you consider to have been memorable but which one stands out?

One that stands out is the FA Cup replay at Kettering Town when we won 5-0, we were away to Stevenage Borough in the first round proper after that.  Going back further then it must be Norwich City at home in the FA Cup.

And what would you say was the best team that ever played for Hastings (Town) and similarly for the old Hastings United?

For Hastings Town I would say the George Wakeling side than won promotion and for United the first Peter Sillet side, around 1980.

In your role as secretary you must have a few funny stories, any that you can tell us about?

I don’t know if it’s funny or not but there are three I recall.  Away to Leamington on a Tuesday night we missed the midnight train from Victoria and arrived home on the paper train at around 7am.  Again returning from an evening game, this time at Worcester City, when the coack broke down on the M4.  There was heavy snow and again we arrived home late morning.  Then there was the FA Vase tie at Wimbourne when the team coach got stuck in the car park (a field) and the team had to stay in a local hotel, finally returning home the following day.

It must be pretty frustrating at times but is there a manager that frustrated you more than most with not being too hot on admin?

I’d better pass on that one.

And back to the hear and now, how do you rate United’s chances this season?

You can’t really judge until a few more games have been played and you can see how the other sides are doing.  I would hope we could make the play-offs though.

Tony, thanks for the insight and I am sure all supporters and everyone at the Club are grateful for your contribution that you have made over the last ? years.

51 years in all, 31 as secretary.

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September 2010

Interview with Simon Rudkins – Director of Hastings United FC

Name   Harry Pell -  Former Hastings United player now at Bristol Rovers

Lives    Bristol

So Harry, what team do you support?

Chelsea, I used to go and watch them when I was younger. My next door neighbour always had tickets so when he did not take his kids he took me.

Do you have a favourite player?

Steven Gerrard, role model on the pitch, way he conducts himself on pitch, the way he plays and think that I have a few aspects of the way he plays in my game.

Harry, you made you debut for Hastings back in January against Croydon Athletic in a league cup tie. Can you remember what your first impressions were of the club?

How loud Nathan (Russell) was! It was a whole new experience, I was in a new environment and was just trying to impress. I have played in a few nice grounds. The pitch was good and it was good playing in front of a fair few supporters as apart from FA Youth Cup ties with Charlton when maybe there was a couple of thousand watching not many people watched our games. I thought the support was fairly decent and they seemed to like me!

And did those first impressions change?

Not really, got close to a few of the players and the management staff and felt quite comfortable at the club. My impressions of Nathan didn’t change!

You made 19 appearances and scored 4 goals. What was your most memorable game out of those?

Dartford away. I set up Razor from a corner. I don’t think Charlton wanted me or Liam Bellamy to play in the game. But I really wanted to play and everything I touched that day went well although we ended up losing.

And least memorable?

I think it was a game where Tony played, he played up front, think it was a Sussex Senior Cup tie, Tony scored, think he was just being greedy. I really wanted to score and he wouldn’t let me!

Whilst at Hastings was there one Hastings player that really impressed you?

Quite a few impressed me to be fair. Had a lot of time for Razor and Micky Phillips, great captain and Micky technically was probably the best.

Not sure how many managers you have played under but who do you think has got the most out of you?

Tony would be up there to be fair but I’d also say Steve Avery Under 16 coach at Charlton Athletic. But loved playing for Tony, I have never felt so at ease playing under a manager, I never felt there was a pressure in playing for him and he gave me a freedom in my game and I think that is why I played so well at Hastings

You were at Charlton since the age of 7. How did you deal with them not offering you a professional deal?

I have always been a fighter and always felt I would make it as a professional footballer. When I was at Charlton they told me to go to Hastings because that would help me get a professional contract. Thought I did really well when I was at Hastings so was disappointed when Charlton did not offer me anything. Took me a couple of days to get over it but then started training again, going out running because I knew what I had to do to. Got my head down and found myself a new club.

What Clubs did you have trials at before you joined Bristol Rovers?

Gillingham and Wycombe both offered me 2 year contracts and Bristol Rovers offered me a contract.

So why Bristol Rovers?

My agent said it was important at my age to stay as high as possible. I could have dropped down and maybe got a better deal but I wanted to prove to Charlton that I was good enough and hopefully get to play against them this season!

It must be really frustrating at Rovers with a lack of playing time. How are you coping with it?

Same as when Charlton let me go, extra practice, training, keep my head down and trying to prove to the gaffa and staff that I am good enough and they can trust me to do a job.

Tranmere Rovers tonight, what do you think your chances are of making your debut?

Not too sure will probably be on the bench. Will just be patient and wait for my chance. My chance is getting closer but as we have started winning it might make it more difficult.

What would you say is your biggest achievement in football to date?

Being where I am now, being a pro footballer. My time at Hastings was memorable and playing in the FA Youth Cup at Charlton scoring a 30 yard wonder strike and winning some cups with Charlton.

How far do you think you will go?

All the way, with West Ham, they are really local to where I am from and living away from home now makes me realise I want to go back there.

Who would you say is the best player you have played with and against in your career to date?

Played with Darren Bent and played against Ivan Campo, he won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2000. Played against him when he was at Ispwich in the reserves when he was about 34 or 35 and could not get near him!

In the short time you were at The Pilot Field you became quite a popular member of the squad with both players and supporters. What do you put that down to?

Confidence, knowing what I can do and what I brought to the team. Thought we were unlucky not to make the play offs last season.

And anything else you want to say about your time at The Pilot Field?

Just want to say a big thank you to Tony for what he did for me and the players it was a pleasure playing with them and working with the other coaches Mike and Simon and I really don’t think I would be where I am now if it was not for having played at Hastings as I think I have played some of my best football there.

Thanks a lot for your time Harry and hope you get your debut soon. Keep the faith!

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