Took my camera to the Guernsey game and as I had a bit of time to spare, had a nose around Fort Fun, one time home of our defunct rivals of many names - STAMCO, St Leonards StamCroft and St Leonards....... Weird up there - the old disused part of the pitch looks in better nick than it ever was when the Stains played there. Bit ghostly with much of the infrastructure having gone - but great memories of the 4-0 drubbing we gave em back in 01-02 which avenged the 1-0 they put on us in the Pilot Field mudbath fiasco earlier that season
We train on it for the Supporters Team in the summer months and the surface is certainly 'interesting'! lots of ankle breaker potholes especially in the goalmouths!
The terracing at the far end is still pretty decent. such a shame that something couldn't be worked out for the the first team to train on it ( if pitch repaired and floodlights were present )
I think you will find it is still owned by the two current directors at Stamco after it was passed down after Leon Shepperdson's death. Remember the first ever game there for Stamco against Littlehampton I think (could have been Peacehaven). I'm sure someone will correct me but sure it was a narrow defeat in front of over 1200 supporters. The only other time I ventured there outside of the local derbies was the memorable FA Vase game against Tiverton. Seem to remember Peter Heritage being sent off early and Stamco going on to win 4-3. Really raiding the memory banks here but sure it was played on sand as there was no grass left on pitch and the Stamco line up included former Leeds manager Brian McDermott, Brighton's Steve Gatting, Swansea legend Jimmy Gilligan, and former Sheffield Utd captain Mike Trusson. Sure ex Chelsea player Gary Chivers was there also. Throw in the likes of Kev Clee, Peter Heritage, Kieth Miles, Dean Kewley, and it was a cracking team.
Good to see my old mate and Hastings legend Steve 'Smudger' Smith in the first photo. Hard to believe he died nearly 7 years ago. Sorely missed.
I 100% echo your words re Smudger. Great fella. And your memory banks re that Tiverton sand fest are pretty much spot on. Shepperdson was a decent bloke. Never thought his team up with our local lottery winner would last long. But our local lottery winner's involvement with HTFC laid the foundations for some grim times.
Can never understand why no Hastings team has ever grabbed hold of Dean Kewley as a 'heading' coach. For someone about 5 foot 9 tall, the guy was simply phenomenal in the air, seemingly capable of 'hanging' above much taller opponents before somehow powering the ball past the keeper.
Didn't he break some record for scoring successive hat tricks for St.Leonards once ?
Give Kenny to him for a few weeks and see if Dean can teach him how to time his jumps (when he does jump.)
Spoilt for choice in the days when you could watch Stamco/Hastings alternate weeks. That Tiverton Vase match was brilliant. Used to love watching Sasha Ilic perform in goal.
Used to be really good friends with Sasha and worked with him for a while at Stamco as part of his signing on agreement. Very often we would be out clubbing until 4 in the morning prior to Saturdays match. Great talent who was always prone to the odd howler. Who will ever forget his penalty saves in the championship play offs at Wembley for Charlton. Believe he is now married with children and back in Serbia.
Steve (Smudger)Smith was a great player for Hastings, either at full back or up front.Will never forget him climbing into the crowd at Dover to take on their supporters. What a player to have on your side.
Played in the same team as Smudger at school under your brother Tim. Alan was a fantastic coach and a good man before we sadly lost him as well. I think Smudger turned out for England school boys when he was young. He was an incredible talent but liked a drink, a fag and good old party so never played at the level his talent deserved.
Remember a game at Spalding where Smudger suffered a cut head and went off to hospital. On the way home the coach spent some time looking for Peterborough Hospital to pick him up. Massive cheer when he climbed aboard and an even bigger one when he told us that he had stitches without anaesthetic ,so that he could have a drink. What a character. Sadly missed.
