FOOTBALL: Rodari and Lovatt Return to New-Look United
Hastings United kick off the new season at the Pilot Field tomorrow (Saturday) under new manager Paul Barnes, having assembled a virtually new squad of players. But both the team and its supporters will have been buoyed by the return of two not-so-old favourites who have re-signed for the club following a couple of seasons playing at higher levels.
Davide Rodari, 24, was once a youth player with Inter Milan, but made 69 appearances for the ‘U’s between 2017 and 2021, scoring 26 goals including, famously, eight in one League Cup match against East Grinstead Town. In January 2021 he signed for League Two club Crawley Town on a two-and-a-half year contract and played 13 times for them over the remainder of that season, scoring one goal.
He was subsequently loaned out to Worthing (twice), Dorking and Dartford, but released this summer. Having already scored a couple of times for Hastings in pre-season friendlies at the end of last month, he has posted a quote on the club’s website: “Buzzing to be back home… excited to be working with Barnesy and Stoney. I have unfinished business with the club”.
Adam Lovatt, also 24, made his reputation with Hastings as a tigerish midfield player. In November 2020 he was transferred to Sutton United, who have competed in League Two for the past two seasons. Lovatt enjoyed a run of nine successive matches in central midfield for Sutton in this league last autumn, as well as loan spells at Tonbridge and Dartford, but was not re-hired when his contract expired. Barnes has commented: “To attract Adam back to Hastings United is a real coup for everyone at the club. We know that we are getting a top person and player who can help bring success.”
As it happens, three of United’s first four fixtures pit them against teams relegated from last season’s National League South – starting with visitors Cheshunt on Saturday. The experience of Rodari and Lovatt could prove invaluable.
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