Why Hastings CEO is not surprised stars are staying at the Pilot Field

Kenny Pogue this week agreed terms to stay on at the Pilot Field for the 2021-22 campaign. And Pogue is already the seventh player to commit to the Us.

Sam Adams, Ollie Black, Gary Elphick, Tom Chalmers, Jack Dixon and Ryan Worrall have also agreed to be part of Chris Agutter’s squad as they make another promotion push to the Isthmian Premier Division.

Wood admitted that ‘selling’ Hastings to players was easy, and that Us fans should expect more players to return. He said: “Business is pretty easy when you’re an attractive team to be a part of. You see what’s going on at Hastings and you want to be a part of it.

“What we say, we do. Why would you want to leave the club or go anywhere else? Will there be more staying on? There will be a lot more that we will retain.

“You’ll see managers and players come and go but that’s just not the Hastings model. I’m delighted that we’re keeping the lads but I think it feeds into who we are and what we’re about.”

Pogue led the scoring charts for the Us in 2021-21. The striker hit four league goals in seven games before the campaign was curtailed.

Wood continued: “Ken’s a very popular lad with the fans and with the players. He knows what Chris wants from him and delivers it, whether he’s starting the game or a squad player. He will give his all to Hastings United and our cause to get promoted.”

Meanwhile the proposal for a European Super League involving Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Totthenham Hotspur has dominated world football this week.

And Wood called on disillusioned fans of the ‘big six’ to forget the Premier League and get behind Hastings United.

He added: “If fans are turned off from going and supporting Premier League football clubs, then we’re here for them.

“You can buy a replica Premier League shirt for £80, you can buy a Hastings United season ticket for £85, and I know which I think is more value for money.”