FOOTBALL: New Supporters Club Formed to Boost United Future
IAN GRANT
Hastings United fans have begun the process of forming a new Independent Supporters’ Club with a combination of aims: representing their views, organising social events, and promoting the club within the town.
Despite two gruelling seasons, in which United have come perilously close to consecutive relegations, attendances at the Pilot Field have remained comparatively high. However, at an initial meeting on 1 June, many supporters voiced concerns that the connection between the club’s loyal fan-base and its players and owners has been lost. In particular, it was felt that there was a lack of communication from the boardroom on the progress of plans for redeveloping the ground.
In response, an open forum was held with Ben White, the club’s General Manager, on 6 June. Lasting nearly two hours, and very well attended despite an early morning start, a constructive and positive meeting covered matters both on and off the field in considerable depth.
White confirmed that the plan remains to rotate the pitch in order to create space for a range of additional facilities, with the aim of turning the Pilot Field and the neighbouring Firs site into a ‘sporting hub’ for the benefit of the local community. The existing grass surface will be replaced by a 3G pitch.
One new suggestion is that the new pitch will be located further south on the site, to lessen the considerable costs of excavating the grass bank that runs along the other side. The new pitch location would require the demolition of the main stand. It’s a century-old structure much admired for its architecture but increasingly dilapidated and accommodating a diminishing number of spectators for safety reasons.
At an estimated cost of over £4million, the project is certainly ambitious. However, White was bullish about the prospects of delivering it, indicating that the club aims to submit a planning application in the near future and raise funding thereafter. The hope is to begin preparatory work during the coming season, with the new pitch being laid next summer; a clear desire was expressed to avoid any long-term ground-share elsewhere.
More immediately, the club will be trialling the opening of car parking facilities on the Firs site, accessible via Ochiltree Road, at the start of the new season. It’s hoped that the car park will reduce on-road parking in the local area on match days, benefitting local residents.
On the pitch, new manager Ronnie Dolan has appointed backroom staff, including club legend Sam Adams as one of two assistants, and begun assembling his squad with a number of new signings. One notable comment from White was that “the manner in which we stayed up last season wasn’t good enough.” Supporters will be hoping for better next time around.
At a further meeting, the management committee of the Supporters’ Club was appointed, with Chris Laverick heading it as chair. Members will be able to sign up from the start of the new season. In the meantime, ideas and assistance are very welcome.
The Supporters’ Club can be contacted at [email protected].
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