Hastings United 2,
Billericay Town 2

Bowers & Pitsea 0,
Hastings United 2

Hastings United 1,
Worthing 1 (lost 4-5 on pens)

Hastings United team and supporters will rightly rate the 2022-23 season an overall success. Finishing in the top half of the Isthmian League only four points off qualification for the play-offs is a creditable outcome – turning into victories just two of the string of home draws conceded during the closing weeks of the campaign would have been enough to get them there. 

It’s also reasonable to speculate that, but for serious mid-season injuries which sidelined key midfielders Tom Chalmers and Sam Hasler, the team had enough in them to challenge for promotion. Only league winners Bishops Stortford conceded fewer goals than the ‘U’s, with goalkeeper Louis Rogers and the regular back four of Craig Stone, Alex Brefo, Jack Elliott and Kane Penn all performing consistently through the season. The challenge next year will be to find replacements for loanee strikers Joe Gbode and David Smith, who will presumably return to their parent clubs, and more youthful support in midfield for the talismanic Sam Adams and for Jack Dixon, who’s also nearing the veteran stage.

United’s league challenge was finally ended on 18 April when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Billericay Town, relying on a late equaliser from Smith. That left them unable to overtake Cray Wanderers or Lewes on the last day despite a win over Bowers & Pitsea.

More disappointment followed when they were held the following Wednesday to a 1-1 draw by Worthing in a semi-final of the Sussex Senior Cup, and missed out on a final appearance at Brighton’s Amex stadium after losing the penalty shoot-out.

So it’s holiday time now for the players and staff at the Pilot Field, though manager Gary Elphick will soon have to sit down with United’s board to work out a strategy – and budget – for 2023-24.

Isthmian Premier League – Final League Table 2022-23

United prepare for Isthmian Premier

June is traditionally the month for English footballers to spread their bellies on a foreign beach, before July sees them returning to gruelling sessions of fitness recovery. Some will resume at their existing clubs, others move on. But in the boardrooms this is the time for action, when the conditions for next season’s campaign are laid out. It’s the manager’s prime opportunity to shape his squad selection, subject to the playing budget which the club’s finance director reckons can be afforded. Favoured players are retained, new players recruited, and a portion of last year’s crop let go (with equanimity in some cases, regret in others).

But, in Hastings, first things first. Manager Gary Elphick, who last season guided his United team to the club’s first league championship in 20 years and a return to the Isthmian Premier league for the first time since 2013, has signed a contract to stay in charge at the Pilot Field for the next two years. First team coach Jon Meeney has also signed up for a further year. 

Key players from last season – stalwart midfielders Sam Adams and Jack Dixon, forwards Ben Pope and Sam Hasler, central defender Craig Stone, goalkeeper Louis Rogers and young talent Tom Chalmers – have all put pen to paper for the 2022/23 season. No word yet on Stone’s partner in defence, Finn O’Mara, who was so influential last season. But leaving the club will be perennial striker Kenny Pogue and winger Dave Martin – both presumably judged to lack sufficient pace for the higher division – and defender Marcus Goldsmith. 

New recruits

Pace in attack was observably lacking in the ‘U’s otherwise well-balanced team of last year, and Elphick is clearly minded to remedy this deficiency in the season to come. Two new recruits have been announced – Gil Carvalho, who impressed Elphick when playing against the ‘U’s for Haywards Heath last season, and Kai Brown, a 21-year-old formerly on the books of Ipswich Town before joining Grays Athletic. Both are described on the United club website as attacking wingers. 

Of Carvalho, Hastings CEO Billy Woods says: “It’s great to bring Gil into the club, an exciting, pacy and strong attacking player who adds a fresh dimension to our front line. He caused a fair few problems against us last season, and I am excited to see what he does in a claret shirt.”

Of Brown, Elphick speaks with equal fervour: “Kai will be a fantastic addition to the team. He is someone with pace, technique, and an eye for goal, giving us more options in the attacking third. I can’t wait to get on the training ground with him and hit the ground running.”

The club has also confirmed the issue of contracts to five graduates from its youth academy – James Hull, Harry Mapstone, Alfie Peacock, Kian Moynes and Freddie Legg. Hull and Legg had occasional first team outings last season, and all will hope for further opportunities in the months ahead.

First league matches are due to kick off on 13 August. United will play a raft of friendlies before then including hosting a visit by Ipswich Under-23s on 20 July.

In the meantime the Hastings United Independent Supporters Club (HUISC) will be holding a ‘Fan Forum’ next Wednesday (6 July) at the Sports and Social Club off Elphinstone Road. The event will start at 7.30pm – doors open at 7. Joining manager Elphick, CEO Woods and team captain Dixon on the panel will be coaches Andrew Brown and Ben Cornelius. It should be a lively evening.