hastings-greenwichb311216

Hastings Utd History
Hastings United Football Club was founded in
1894and, until the 1985/86 season, were playing in
the
Sussex County League. The club has previously
played under the banner of Hastings & St.Leonards
and, until the 2003/04 season, played under the
name of Hastings Town.
The club joined the Sussex County League in 1921
and in their first season finished runners-up to
Worthing.
The club joined the Sussex County League again
in1952 finishing second in Division Two in the
1959/60
season. After changing the name to Hastings Town,
and in the 1979/80 season, clinched the Division
Two
Championship and won the divisional cup. The following
season, the club won the County League
Cup. The 1984/85 season was to be the last as a
member of the Sussex County League. Following
the decision of the then Hastings United to cease
trading, Town applied for membership of the Southern
League and were elected to the Southern Division.
At the same time, the club negotiated a long
term lease with Hastings Borough Council for the
Pilot Field Stadium.
The 1984/85 season had seen Hastings United
struggling against relegation from the Premier Division
and it was a combination of the last day of the
season results—United beating Welling United 2-1
and Crawley Town doing the U's a big favour by
beating Witney Town - that saw that Premier Division
spot retained by the narrowest margin. Having
done the business on the pitch, it was to be off-field
matters that caused the demise of Hastings United
in June 1985, when financial problems became insurmountable
and the club ceased trading.
Following the demise of United, Town applied to
join the Southern League. Peter Sillett was to return
to The Pilot Field, where he had enjoyed great success
as manager.
Everything fell into place in the 1991/2 season and
they headed the Beazer Homes League Southern
Division table for virtually the whole campaign, leaving
Weymouth, Havant Town and Sittingbourne to
fight over the runners-up spot.
Peter Sillett was dismissed in December 1991, with
the side at the wrong end of the table. Dean White
was appointed as manager and successfully
steered Town to safety.
Town were to play Premier Division football for the
next six years.
Lottery winner Mark Gardiner became involved with
the club at the start of the 1997/98 season, but success
on the pitch was frustratingly hard to attain and
managers came and went.
By the end of 1999, Town were in turmoil, having
resigned from the Southern League, with the budget
slashed, and players leaving, Town were placed
into administration and the Southern League refused
to accept an attempt to withdraw the resignation.
An appeal to retain Town's Premier Division
status was
unsuccessful But a final effort by a local consortium
was to be successful at the very last moment and
Hastings Town Football Club was saved.
Town kicked off the 1999/2000 season in the Eastern
Division. George Wakeling was appointed as
manager early in the 2000/01 season, following
Dean White's move into the Nationwide League
with Brighton & Hove Albion. Promotion was gained
to the Dr Martens League Premier Division football,
and the club enjoyed a maiden trip to the first round
of the FA Cup, following a stunning 5-0 replay victory
at Conference side Kettering Town in the final
qualifying round. A 1-0 defeat at Stevenage Borough,
also from the Conference, ended United's
interest in the competition, however the club was
relegated to the Eastern Division.
Chairman Mick Maplesden and George Wakeling
resigned at the end of the 2002/3 season Steve
Lovell taking over as manager, and relegation was
avoided.
The club switched to the Ryman League Division
One
for the start of the 2004/05 campaign. After a good
start there was a dip in league form followed leading
to Steve Lovell leaving. Neville Southall was appointed
and the club finished in eleventh place.
The 2005/06 saw Southall and the entire management
team leave. Player Nigel Kane taking over after
sharing the manager role.
The U's began the 2013/14 season as title favourites,
John Maggs was appointed manager at the
end of August 13 but Maggs was sacked in January
and Terry White took over for his second spell as
manager. Two other managerial changes were
made when results continued to disappoint. .
Towards the end of the 2014/15 season the club
changed hands when a new board of Directors was
appointed . Gary Wilson was appointed as manager
with Danny Bloor joining as assistant manager, and
a new squad was assembled during the summer
months.
Seven years on, Nigel Kane returned to the hotseat
and embarked on a rebuilding exercise, but division
1 status was only just saved. Long time supporters
Dave Ormerod took over as Chairman and with a
strong board around him things are now looking up.
On the pitch Darren Hare is now the manager.