Away from all the unimportant things, like why & how we lost at Carshalton, there's a more burning issue going on, which is why we haven't got a proper nickname.
We have a slightly tattered seagull representing us at the gate. I support this revival and the human who animates him, but we're not The Seagulls. Too many Hastingers go off westwards on a Saturday afternoon for a blue and white Seagull delusion. Let's not encourage them.
A retro-minded and over-excited fan in the Cole Warren who'd probably been drinking forgetting-juice at the bar (£2.90) shouted "Come on you Arrows" at one point last season and was met with derision and pity.
The question is, can't we do better than "U"s as a nickname?
-- Edited by Boggins on Monday 14th of March 2016 05:02:02 PM
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That bloke over there. "Bulverhythian" at https://twitter.com/Colin_Davey
It's funny the 'arrows' nickname has never been popular of recent and does seem cringey to many when shouted. Can't think of anything particular that beats it for an appropriate yet chantable name though and U's works in quite a few songs ( not that there's been many this season!! )
Always was the 'u' s ,always will be. Does anybody remember the lady who used to sit in the main stand and shout 'up the 'U' s' in what can only be described as a high pitched soprano voice ?
Us has not always be the nickname Phil cos i think that the club is actually Hastings Town or Hastings & St Leonards. Hastings United went bust long time ago. Think it was a bad mistake changing the name to Hastings United as it confuse 2 club history. Maybe nickname should be 'Town' or 'Towners'
Under the last regime we actually considered adopting the nickname the Pirates to coincide with the world record attempt, then Bexhill United beat us to it and the idea ended there. Incidentally it has also been suggested a number of times about a new mascot, unfortunately believe it or not these seem to be in the region of £1000 so I think unless a company or a benefactor can be found we may have to put up with a " tattered" yet very popular Leonard" for a while yet. I know one thing I'd rather have Leonard over that bloody Roary that they have in Guernsey.
Point taken Peter , I think the original team was known as the 'Amateurs' ,then when the first United started in 1948 their nickname became the 'U's . After their demise we became 'Town' and then about 15 years ago we reverted to the 'U's. Have no idea who suggested the 'Arrows' or indeed,when. It's a name that has never taken off.
Perhaps we should cash in on the history of the town. How about the ' Conquerors ' ( if only) or maybe the 'Willies' ..........although shouting out ' Up the Willies ' would probably get you ejected from the ground.
Phil,
Similar thoughts to me. Shouldn't we be the Saxons led by a 'Harold' mascot ?
I think 'Arrows' was rather cheekily given to us by Arrow FM. Always hated it.
Can't really claim any credit for it, Dan, as this was the name of the old speedway team. However it seems obvious that the name should reflect the one thing the town is famous for.
Suppose we could be the "chess players" or the "crazy golfers" or even the "**** railway servicemen" !
Great thread for a change ! I have to agree with Phil ... They will always be the U's for me , no matter what the history of the club is. I never have liked the Arrows nickname or anything to do with Seagulls even though I did enjoy some antics with Leonard in a chip shop a few years back on Leyton High Street when he got chucked out by the owner who seriously thought the 6ft mascot was going to pinch his chips ...seriously ..ask Pat's son James 😂😂😂. Was the funniest moment in Leonard's history . Talking of mascots how great it is to hear the bell ringing out when when score at the PF ,,, memories of Gus Hunneyman United's greatest ever mascot !!!
No the bell has never been nicked.
It was on one occasion swapped for a tiny dinner bell during a game without the bell ringer's knowledge.....until we scored, of course. Very amusing !
I think this is a the third generation of bell. One lost its handle and the next lost its clacker.
No the bell has never been nicked. It was on one occasion swapped for a tiny dinner bell during a game without the bell ringer's knowledge.....until we scored, of course. Very amusing ! I think this is a the third generation of bell. One lost its handle and the next lost its clacker.
Think they are talking about Harold The Gonk Mick not the bell 😂 It certainly wasn't Kev who stole it ...it was his Gonk 😂😂
Great thread for a change ! I have to agree with Phil ... They will always be the U's for me , no matter what the history of the club is. I never have liked the Arrows nickname or anything to do with Seagulls even though I did enjoy some antics with Leonard in a chip shop a few years back on Leyton High Street when he got chucked out by the owner who seriously thought the 6ft mascot was going to pinch his chips ...seriously ..ask Pat's son James 😂😂😂. Was the funniest moment in Leonard's history . Talking of mascots how great it is to hear the bell ringing out when when score at the PF ,,, memories of Gus Hunneyman United's greatest ever mascot !!!
Minutes before the eviction from the said Chip Shop 😂
Yes Mick it was a very hot day in April of the 2007/08 season but one we won 3-0 and thankfully survived the dreaded drop that eventually came in the 2012/13 season
Any team that plays good old Sussex by the sea before a game has my respect, few drinks in Lewes before and after, a good afternoon/evening out, you should give it a try!
As for nicknames, when the club was known as Rock-a-Nore the official nickname was the 'tanfrocks', whatever that means and were obviously also known as the rocks. When the club became Hastings & St Leonards they were nicknamed the 'lilywhites' or as Phil points out the amateurs, being one of few senior sides throught the town's sporting history to opt for the amateur game than the professional Southern league.
If we're going along the historic theme, something like the smugglers would be different, seeing as pretty much the whole town were involved in smuggling in the 1700s!
Ahhh yes... I remember the good old days, especially the chip shop on Leyton High Street! I was hungry and all i wanted was some chips and maybe the odd fish. But blimey that was a hot day with very little shade to cool my hot feathers and bill.
But no chips would compare to the Infamous Burger Bar Chips at the pilot field where you would generally find me on home match days begging for chips before i would make my regular appearance with the beautiful cheerleaders doing my utmost to keep up with them. - It was the only way to burn off them calories from all the chips i stole.
And finally being on that milk float on Hastings seafront that day was even hotter than Leyton, No word of a lie i got back to Mrs Leonard that night and i had to bathe in after sun!!!
I hear however, on this social media lark that a club wants to have a dance off with me??? If thats the case then i must get back into the gym and cut back on these chips as over the last few years ive put on a few pounds.
Any way i must sign off now as i have heard on Seagull Radio that a little girl near the crazy golf course has dropped her chips and already my cousin and brother in law have had the best chips and im not missing out to them again!!
Oh and dont forget to say hello and give me a wave on match days at the pilot field !!!
-- Edited by Leonard the Seagull on Wednesday 16th of March 2016 11:01:55 AM
I looked up "tanfrocks" and got this : http://www.artfund.org/supporting-museums/art-weve-helped-buy/artwork/9761/hastings-fish-market-on-the-sands-early-morning
One or two supporters club members may remember those days ;) but maybe that's not what we need for 2016 and onwards.
I give up. Come on you Us!
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That bloke over there. "Bulverhythian" at https://twitter.com/Colin_Davey
Hey there! Your chip escapades sound like quite the adventure! If you're looking to trim down a bit and get back into shape for that potential dance-off, hitting the gym is a solid plan. And hey, speaking of getting back into shape, have you ever considered incorporating supplements into your routine? I've personally found that adding some quality https://worldhgh.best supplements from hghworld.top really helped me with my fitness journey. They're great for boosting energy and muscle growth, which could definitely come in handy for your dance-off preparations. Plus, with the extra energy, you'll be able to keep up with those cheerleaders no problem! Just a thought to keep in mind. And I'll be sure to give you a wave if I catch you at the pilot field!
