Yeah, just one shot of the crowd and even that was short and sweet!!. ITV always make a pigs ear of things, I'm going to nominate that show for a BAFA, under the category "Being bloody awful".
Still, it was one hell of a cracking day and have already become a fully-fledged supporter of my hometown team, and that's because of the basis of one match, although the whole cup run inspired my friends and myself, to wake up at 6:00am, then travel up to Boro, watch the game and then come back the same night!.
We passed seven coaches full of supporters, was wondering where the 8th one was, then remembered one of the U's supporters told us about what happened on the A21!. Am glad everyone got off safely and got to the game in time, as well as having a great day like the rest of us.
I missed the second Boro goal, as I had to finish my beer off, then my two friends missed it too, but we were there for the rest of the game and saw the missed goal on the TV afters. The crowd going mental for the penalty save and our goal, which was the best of the lot was amazing. Here's hoping we can do this all over again next season.
Dr Brown's pub even had Al Jazeera Sports in there and they had a feature on the U's!. We're going global!.
-- Edited by Marcus on Sunday 6th of January 2013 01:32:04 PM
When I think back to our first Fa Cup game this season it's been like riding the crest of a wave all capped off with a gentle landing on the beach after yesterday's long trip. I've never been to a game been, beaten 4-1 and come home very happy but i did yesterday and i'm certain all of the 1068 who travelled up were happy too. The lads have put some pride back in our Town and have generated a lot of interest not only in our country but even as far away as Guinea Bissau the tiny African nation from where Bailo comes from. Bailos involvement in The FA cup saw the club approached by The BBC World service for Bailo to do an interview.
Along the way I've looked at the media coverage we have had proudly and sometimes with a slight lump in my throat thinking is this a dream? I know one thing, getting the ground ready for the live game on Espn certainly woke me up to that thought! So much work went into that but wasn't it worth it? We've travelled well over 1000 miles in this cup run been watched on the terraces by over 20000 supporters in all games and I don't know how many on live national tv, it's really monumental for a tiny little non league club like ours I think you'll agree?
I've heard a lot of Hastings fans saying that they're going to come along more regularly and it would be fantastic to see those who have been bitten by the Hastings bug, I posted previously about a bigger crowd would mean promotion in the near future, I honestly believe that's true but wouldn't it be great to get a crowd of nearing 800 for the rest of the season to push the lads on and up the league and who knows maybe into the play offs? It's not impossible.
Above all this cup run has Been made possible ultimately by Sean and the squad well done lads you've been superb.
Couldnt agree more Barry. I am still trying to comprehend what has been achieved in the FA Cup this year. Yesterday was a monumental day and the crowd were awesome. Great performances all round from the team it had everything - Penalty save - disallowed goal - hit the post and then that goal! So proud of the club and the supporters. Lets have a few more through the gates starting on Tuesday!
what a brilliant day standing outside the riverside could not believe we are here to watch hastings united. the support was awesome from start to finish we outsung them never been so proud to be a hastings united supporter actually had a tear in my eye at the end when the team came over to applaud us just hope that some of the new supporters carry on coming to home games not just for the next few week but for years to come if we cant do that now we never will
I'm still recovering from the emotional rollercoaster of our remarkable experience yesterday. Both my son & I getting on Coach D, we felt the excitement of everyone on board and none of us were disappointed with what we saw & heard.
The sea of Claret & Blue within the Riverside that made me proud to be from our town and the Hastonians cheering and singing for the fantastic group of footballers lead by Sean and his coaching staff. The noise generated by our fans was amazing and Boro's drummer didn't have a patch on "Our Pat", especially after we drowned him out with our singing. Yes Boro's class was there to see but we expected that and our boys showed what spirit, determination and belief can achieve. A wonderful goal by Bradley which I'm sure will be one of the memorable moments of his career and was deserved for the teams hard work. Great debut by Liam O'Brien who we had the pleasure of talking to before the match and made some outstanding saves. Let's not forget the heroes who were dealt the cruellest of blows (Matt & Zac) who were unable to play because of their injuries but deserve their percentage of thanks for their efforts in the cup run.
A day we all won't forget and hopefully a springboard for the team to take into the league performances, starting on Tuesday.
Can say this group of players are up there with my younger years heroes of Batten, Stock & Pea****. Well done to everyone from the club for a remarkable cup run and the time and effort put in by those responsible for the behind the scenes work.
If you go on You Tube and type in BBC highlights Middlesbrough v Hastings, you can see extended highlights including Bradley's disallowed goal (very harsh) and Lee hitting the post. In fact the highlights are quite biased towards Hastings and we looked like the better side.
Must mirror what everyone else has said. Made the long trek on Friday with the wife and littlun, and met a few mates there, and had just the most amazing weekend ever. From the build up the night before (Big up to Matt D, The General), to the pre match drinks in Dr Brown's (Big up Scott Ellis - legend), to the walk to the ground and the banter with a load of teenage Boro fans, it really was amazing. The atmosphere was magical and something I had not experienced in my many visits to the mighty Villa Park. Once in the ground I had to pinch myself that we were really here and my young lad who had experienced the joys of places such as Staines, B Stortford, Carshalton and East Thurrock over the past few months could barely take it all in.
First 30 minutes the lads seemed understandably nervous and tentative on the pitch but the atmosphere in the south upper seemed to lift them as the game went on and even at 3nil everyone still believed. Then came one of the best moments of my footballing life. Forget Peter Withe scoring the winner against Bayern Munich in the 81 European Cup final, this was Bradley Goldburg, from little Hastings, scoring a 25 yard screamer. Who cared what the score was, this was our time and was as good as winning the FA Cup. I kissed and grabbed everyone within 6 foot of me whilst my young lad was thrown 6ft in the air. It was magic!! After that we had half chances and we all kept believing right to the end that we could just make it a bit more memorable but alas the day was over and 11 giants, subs and staff left the pitch to our cheers and tears.
So back down to earth and a cold Pilot Field on a Tuesday night against those horrible f*****s from Wealdstone (the singers know what i'm talking about). Sadly, unlike some others, I am not so confident about the hoards returning on Tuesday as I remember the 800 odd we took to Stevenage all those years ago and our crowds did not change that season at all, but maybe, hopefully, this will be different and we can increase our crowds to at least 500-600 each week. Because by doing this we bring in more revenue, allowing Sean to purchase better players, so we can seriously look at promotion next season and enjoy more of these magical cup runs.
So thanks to everyone at the club who helped make this happen, they have all been named, as it was the most magical of days, and just to see the look on my 8 year old's face made it all worth while.
A great report in The Guardian Sport today, by Louise Taylor. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/06/middlesbrough-hastings-fa-cup Let's get behind the lads again tomorrow for the Wealdstone game. Three points are very much needed. Let's lift the roof off again. The experience at The Riverside was brilliant. I want to relive it. Onward and upward....once into the breech dear friends.......and all that.
The Boro fans were a really welcoming bunch, never come across such a group of supporters towards visiting ones. When they scored, a bunch of our fans jumped around to their goal music, then when we scored, they did the same to ours!. The locals were really interested in our club and everything about our town.
So glad I did the journey, I had people saying to me "Just to see HASTINGS?!". They just do not understand the passion of non-league football.
Wow, as Johnw says, that Goldberg disallowed goal was close. There's certainly an argument to say he was level there.
There's no sign that the keeper was aware that the flag was up and made an effort to stop the shot too. Lovely bit of skill by Bradley to round the keeper.
Personally I think the Lino has got that shout terribly wrong, Bradley would of made that 1-1 and certainly could of had a different outlook on the 2nd half. Taking nothing away from Boro but the lads deserved to get another goal and the history books would of read as a closer contest.
Johnw " Because by doing this we bring in more revenue, allowing Sean to purchase better players, so we can seriously look at promotion next season and enjoy more of these magical cup runs.
Ity Had to be you why dont you crawl back in the hole you came out of .How dare you detract from what this squad have acheived.
Johnw " Because by doing this we bring in more revenue, allowing Sean to purchase better players, so we can seriously look at promotion next season and enjoy more of these magical cup runs.
Ity Had to be you why dont you crawl back in the hole you came out of .How dare you detract from what this squad have acheived.
Ahh...Anonymous posting on football forums.
You wouldn't be either MRSC or someone from Rye per-chance?
I don't think suggesting we strengthen detracts from what we achieved at all.
Absolute crap Mr Anonymous, why can't you tell everyone who you are?.
Most people know me at the club as I dont hide behind false names, and that is from management all the way down to the supporters who turn up home and away each week. Those that know me know there is no one more passionate about the team than me and it has been that way for the past 30 odd years of supporting them. Typical that you with no name, although talking to a few i'm pretty sure who you are, take out of context a comment made at the end of a report in which i gave the players, or giants as I called them all the praise in the world. I guess I was still caught up in all the emotion as most are and perhaps could have picked my words more wisely but everyone who knows me knows exactly what I meant. We clearly need to strengthen as commented by Chris and push on from this but that is certainly not at the expense of our current squad. JJ leaves us soon and I very much doubt whether we will see the likes of Bradley around next year, so when these players leave (if they do) then Sean will have the funds to replace them with even better quality.
I have said nothing detremental to the squad all season apart from a couple of months ago when I voiced my opinion on the performances of Lee Carey, mmm I wonder, surely not, anyway, since then I have praised his performances and those of the club even though we have been struggling to win. So I do not need to defend myself but will when you come out with such a stupid comment as detracting from what the squad have acheived. They were all magnificent as I and everyone else has already said and I can only imagine you have a hidden agenda for something said in the past.
We are currently in a relegation battle, think its obvious we need to strengthen.
I think The Fa cup run has been a distraction and now that its out of the way we will start to get the wins we need. We've beaten 3 conference regional sides this season 4 if you include Bromley per season I believe we have a squad capable of pushing up the league, granted I feel JJ will need to be replaced but Scott Manning is a capable player who can step into that role if needed, I think Jono is probably a better full back but again let's see how he'll get on before we accuse he squad of being " not up to the job" They've proved they can win games against higher opposition.
We are currently in a relegation battle, think its obvious we need to strengthen.
I think The Fa cup run has been a distraction and now that its out of the way we will start to get the wins we need. We've beaten 3 conference regional sides this season 4 if you include Bromley pre season I believe we have a squad capable of pushing up the league, granted I feel JJ will need to be replaced but Scott Manning is a capable player who can step into that role if needed, I think Jono is probably a better full back but again let's see how he'll get on before we accuse the squad of being " not up to the job" They've proved they can win games against higher opposition.
'Not up to the job' who said that? I must be losing the plot. How about we drop this subject before it gets out of hand. Obviously not the only one caught up in the emotion. Well done Mr Anonymous, clearly succeeded in what you set out to do
John, I apologise I didn't mean to accuse anyone of saying that, I merely meant that we should give the lads a chance before going out and getting in more costlier players. I never intended to give that impression of someone saying something they didn't.
It's obviously an excuse to air a personal grievance. It's a shame, as is said above, in a thread of positivity to stoop that low.
I think Johnw is suggesting this run, increased attendances(and the income gained) could be the catalyst for a promotion push in the next few seasons. As well as the lads have done, our league position suggests we'll need to improve the squad to achieve that aim as it's a tough division to get out of.
Seems fair enough to me.
Anyway...back to the positivity...Eh?! Hopefully starting with a win this evening.
-- Edited by simod79 on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 02:25:15 AM
Well done Hastings united fantastic FA cup run...!!!! Really enjoyed our weekend in Middlesbrough, and fantastic Memories of the game and atmosphere from the Hastings fans. I've been to lots of big games and can honestly say that none of them have come close to the atmosphere @ Middlesbrough vs Hastings united. Well done all you U's fans...!!!!!!!!! Anyway what I wanted to say is that we are planning to watch Hastings united Lots more now and I'm sure more locals will too.....!!!!!!
Dear Mr anonymous as you are now affectionally known. After your stupid, rediculous and unfounded accusations towards another blogger are you now proud of your actions? You state " how dare you detract from the players acheivements". Well brains of Britain, youve done just that! A forum and thread full of celebration, joy and immense pride towards our hero's massive efforts has now been transformed into one of conflict and uneccessary arguments. Well done Mr Anonymous, on successfully detracting from the players achievements.
Of course if we all just ignor mr anonymous, he might just crawl (def.=to move in a prone position with the body close to the ground, as a worm, or on the hands and knees, as a young child. ) back into the groound where he belongs. Anyway.....
What a great day it was on Saturday indeed!!, let's concentrate on why it's so great to support this little but magnificent football club instead! :).
Saturday was my first Hastings game, I've always been meaning to go and see the U's but never found the time due to work commitments etc and not knowing how to get tickets. When this opportunity arose to see them in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, I did it and got a ticket on Christmas Eve looking all through the forums on how to get one, before walking all the way to the ground only to later hear, that two of my friends are going by car share and asked if I wanted to tag along. After that, I spent 30 quid on a shirt from Superstitch.
This is the sort of thing that grass roots football is made of. I've never seen so many Hastings fans in one pub all at once, not even in Hastings!.
-- Edited by Marcus on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 11:07:45 AM
-- Edited by Marcus on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 11:09:48 AM
Johnw " Because by doing this we bring in more revenue, allowing Sean to purchase better players, so we can seriously look at promotion next season and enjoy more of these magical cup runs.
Ity Had to be you why dont you crawl back in the hole you came out of .How dare you detract from what this squad have acheived.
What a ridiculous post. Of course squads will strengthen as they go up the leagues - fact. Some players will move on of their own accord as well -as they do every season!Some will stay and develop as indeed a fair few have from last season - (and they have developed well ). Should we not replace Josh then in case we upset someone?? I dont think so. John goes to an awful lot of games -especially this season, and has been nothing but supportive towards the players so to post so aggressively and anonymously is quite unacceptable.
Knowing JohnW there's no way he would have meant to cause offense to any player as I'm sure even the players would admit that to rise through the league and hopefully into the one above the squad may well need to be strengthened as it already has done with the loan signings recently ( albeit due to injurys ) in the summer many players joined as part of such an upgrade and the FA cup run is due to that recruitment drive. I'm sure that when next May arrives Sean will assess the squad fairly and decide what needs improving and what doesn't.
Tbh the only reinforcement that I think we need this season is a quality CB, not to replace Jono or Scott but to compete fairly alongside them
Next summer will be up to Sean and a difficult decision it will be I'm sure but that's football.
Glad to see that I'm not the only person on this forum who thinks John is a pillock :)
What a fantastic weekend. The passion from the supporters and especially the players was exceptional. What really impressed me was our desire to pass the ball out of the back four instead of just hoofing it forward like many non-league sides would in that situation.
Really disappointed with ITVs highlight reel. They missed an awful lot of really impressive moments (I.e. Razors amazing challenge on Miller and Goldbergs offside(who knows if he was on or off even with the freeze frame?!) goal). Would it have hurt to give Hastings a real moment in the spotlight?
To put the result in perspective, Hastings got the same result against Boro as my beloved Charlton did earlier in the season (and Charlton had home advantage!). Truly remarkable and everyone should hold their heads high for as long as they can.
Hopefully we won't be waiting another 6 years for a solitary FA Cup win again!
sorry to disappoint all those who what to know who 'anonymous' is but it not me...................while i'm on the forum i would like to congratulate all the boys for a great game on saturday and wish you luck for the rest of the season.
Glad to see that I'm not the only person on this forum who thinks John is a pillock :)
What a fantastic weekend. The passion from the supporters and especially the players was exceptional. What really impressed me was our desire to pass the ball out of the back four instead of just hoofing it forward like many non-league sides would in that situation.
Really disappointed with ITVs highlight reel. They missed an awful lot of really impressive moments (I.e. Razors amazing challenge on Miller and Goldbergs offside(who knows if he was on or off even with the freeze frame?!) goal). Would it have hurt to give Hastings a real moment in the spotlight?
To put the result in perspective, Hastings got the same result against Boro as my beloved Charlton did earlier in the season (and Charlton had home advantage!). Truly remarkable and everyone should hold their heads high for as long as they can.
Hopefully we won't be waiting another 6 years for a solitary FA Cup win again!
Thanks for the support Ollie. Your fined 3 weeks subs for foul and abusive language towards me.
Johnw " Because by doing this we bring in more revenue, allowing Sean to purchase better players, so we can seriously look at promotion next season and enjoy more of these magical cup runs.
Ity Had to be you why dont you crawl back in the hole you came out of .How dare you detract from what this squad have acheived.
Just thought I'd revive this thread.....partly for the sake of a bit of one year old nostalgia......but more to ask the question "Does anyone know what happened to Marcus ?"
For one match he became the embodiment of the devoted non-league football fan with his memorable quote "they just do not understand the passion of non-league football".
It would appear that his magnificent obsession for all things Hastings United lasted for just a single game and he's never been seen or heard of since.
And I get the feeling that thirdly quid shirt has only ever been worn once.
I don't mind the big occasion 'glory hunters'...that's inevitable when a small club has a dose of FA cup success but his short lived contribution to this forum was quite remarkable.
I did enjoy his forum contribution at the time but assumed we may actually see him again after the FA cup....but I was wrong!
