Rangers link up with Hastings United as town's footballing future takes shape

After successful talks with United, they will become a community partner in the new Hastings football park development.

Rangers will play first team home fixtures on the county graded 3G pitch as part of their plans to grow their National League System structure presence following the recent acceptance into Mid Sussex Football League’s premier division.

The new facility will provide much-needed training and match facilities for the wider teams at the fast-growing club.

Hastings United CEO Billy Wood said: “It’s great Sedlescombe Rangers are on board as a community partner.

“The Tilekiln Football Park development is something that we feel so strongly about delivering, not just for the platform it will give Hastings United in our desire to grow both on and off the pitch but for how we can deliver facilities across the sporting and educational areas for our community.

“Sedlescombe have a fine reputation in both youth and intermediate football and we welcome their support as we push forward to deliver this fine complex and facilities to our town.”

Sedlescombe’s move into the national system has been realised following their first team’s phenomenal success over the past two seasons, with the team securing a cup double in the 2018-19 season and a joint top position in East Sussex League premier division before the 2019-20 season ended prematurely as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The ongoing success of the first team is supported by a growing open-age section of the club, with the reserves and development Saturday squads and a new Sunday men’s team providing a valuable platform for adult members to play football.

The integrated thriving youth section has offered a seamless transition for many of the club’s youth players to move to senior football.

SRFC club chairman Nick Gardner said: “Having been involved as chair and a number of other roles for many years, it is fantastic to see my club forging a partnership with Hastings United that will see us playing our first team football at this new flagship football facility.

“As an FA Charter Standard Community Club, being named as a community partner further demonstrates our aim of becoming a true community organisation.

“Our success comes as a result of the ‘whole club’ effort, from the players, to the army of volunteer officials, coaches and supporters. We aim to offer football for all and will keep looking to expand opportunities for local people to get involved. It is an exciting time for the club and we would welcome more people getting involved.”

Rangers are always on the lookout for new players, coaches, volunteers and sponsors. To get in touch, email [email protected] or go to sedlescomberangersfc.co.uk or facebook.com/SedlescombeRangersFC