Quality strikers were perhaps uppermost on United's summer shopping list, and Garry Wilson and Danny Bloor have been quick to address that need by tempting Jack Harris away from Division One South rivals Faversham Town.
Harris initially joined the Kent side on loan from Maidstone United, and his goals helped to propel them into the play-off places in the early stages of last season, before the move was made permanent in November 2014. He ended the campaign with eighteen goals, as Faversham claimed a third place finish, only to lose at home to Merstham in the play-off semi-finals.
The twenty-one year old started his senior career at Tunbridge Wells in 2010, going on to score fifty-one goals in 122 starts for the then Kent League club, and playing a prominent role in their memorable run in the 2012/13 FA Vase, which culminated in a Wembley final appearance.
He joined Maidstone in October 2013 and gained valuable experience in the Ryman Premier Division, and supporters at the Pilot Field will be hoping that his goals can fire the U's back to that same level by this time next year.
Two other players have agreed terms with the Club as well this week. Max Hollobone is a product of the Eastbourne Town youth system, who has since graduated to the senior side at The Saffrons and was voted Player of the Year by Town supporters last term. He can operate in midfield or at full back.
Twenty-seven year old attacking full back Sam Crabb is set to return to the Pilot Field seven years after making three appearances in a brief spell with the U's on a dual registration arrangement with Eastbourne Borough at the start of the 2008/09 campaign. Crabb has also played for Eastbourne United Association, Whitehawk, Eastbourne Town and Lewes.
And United skipper Sean Ray is also understood to have committed his future to the Club once again, and it is anticipated that he too will have signed Ryman League forms by the weekend.
I wonder if jack Dixon might come back he would be a good signing for us I just hope he's not money motivated otherwise I can't see why not I presume he got on with Gary having played for him at lewes but I might be wrong if anyone knows different be good to know
Jack Dixon is at Dulwich Hamlet and is very happy there, I know that at least one Conference South Club that has recently unsuccessfully approached him. Can not see any reason why he should want to drop a division at this time.
some very good signings by manager and look like club is happy to give them lot of money to do very well. im excited but i keep my feet on floor as last season i think i feel the same and it did not go as i thought. as some say we should be challenging for top spot but think still some very good sides in the league that will be competing with us such as faversham folkestone dorking guernsey and worthing. carshalton may be strong to with also whyteleafe. think leagyue may be very close this season
Just seen a tweet from Steve Brinkhurst saying goodbye to the Hastings fans. Real shame this as I thought he was one of our most consistent players last season. Felt he would have been a really important squad member this season but it appears both Steve and Fraser Logan are not rated by the new management as they have now left both Lewes and Hastings under their management. Have no problem with this as long as we have better players coming in to replace them.
Did wonder with Sam Crabb coming in where that left him. Defiantly a big shame tbh, versatile and worked hard for us last year and prob one of our best players after coming in. Good luck to him wherever he goes next.
big shame one player that made a positive difference when he arrived. easy good enough for this level and above and as john says does not look like wilson rates him. good luck to steve wherever he goes.
big shame one player that made a positive difference when he arrived. easy good enough for this level and above and as john says does not look like wilson rates him. good luck to steve wherever he goes.
Yep good luck will be missed. Spoke to his family early in the week and they said he really enjoyed his time at Hastings but he was looking to play at Ryman Premier still and hopefully with Lewes as his knee had been okay at the end of the season. They did say however that surprised with all that signings made at Hastings that no one had actually been in touch at that time.
Just seen a tweet from Steve Brinkhurst saying goodbye to the Hastings fans. Real shame this as I thought he was one of our most consistent players last season. Felt he would have been a really important squad member this season but it appears both Steve and Fraser Logan are not rated by the new management as they have now left both Lewes and Hastings under their management. Have no problem with this as long as we have better players coming in to replace them.
Logan was also training with Lewes yesterday. The main issue was that they both left Lewes as they were not getting enough football and didn't like how the assistant manager was taking control of the team. Real shame as they would have been two useful players in the squad next season.
Thought Steve Brinkhurst and Fraser Logan both played a big part in our improved performances towards the end of the season. Sorry they won't be with us next season as both were hard working and committed players, something we lacked for large parts of last season.
I agree with Tim regarding Steve Brinkhurst and Frazer; but it appears, for whatever reason, that they are not favoured by the current management team. It's stating the obvious, but it's for the management team to choose who they want, and there are only so many players who can be accommodated within the budget and first team playing opportunities.
Should be an exciting week. Am I right in saying clubs can only start signing players from tomorrow? Should be hearing lots of news about other teams signings and hopefully a load more at the Pilot Field. With most teams back training within the next week this is when the excitement really starts to build.
Hope we hear some players news soon enough, always a disappointment to see popular players such as Vickers, Dolan, Logan & Brinkhurst sign elsewhere but obviously we can't have them all :)
See Chris Smith from South Park has joined Burgess Hill btw
Horsham have snapped up most of the EP players that we had last season. Keehan, Shelley etc
Dom's getting a decent squad together there and a great signing in Ashley Jones from Peacehaven although would worry me a players ambition dropping down to county league.
Also see Tony Nwachukwu has signed for Worthing. they will be a real threat next season with him up top after the season they have just had.
Has gone very quiet our end and hope to hear some news soon. A commanding centre half along side Razor and another striker would be nice. I would guess any decent, sought after player would have already committed to their new club now with pre season starting for most this week.
Presume Rowe will be Razors partner in CB with Crabb and Cole at the full back spots, Jahmahl King is still available though would actually like to see him get a second crack at things here....
Speaking to the manager and his assistant I think you will find that Cole will play in midfield or out wide this season, so we haven't necessarily filled the troublesome left back slot just yet.
I'm sorry we didn't get Tom Vickers back. And, yes, it is a concern if Sam Cruttwell has to play at Left Back . I agree with Dan that that is not good for him or us. We do need two or three more significant signings; another CB, Left Back and striker most obviously.
Not that many Players committed to play for the club so far, 4 from last season,
Sam Adams
Sam Cruttwell
Sean Ray
Josh Pelling
And 6 New Players,
Sam Crabb
Sam Cole
Jack Walder
Ollie Rowe
Max Hollobone
Jack Harris
We will probably need twice as many players to take into account of injuries and depth of squad etc etc.
Perhaps we will hear of some more signings in the next couple of weeks hopefully.
Imagine the U21 players such as Holden, Hanifan, Hause and Foster will again be involved in the first team squad in some way again now that they are another year older and prob won't be 'announced' as first team players.
I can see 6 senior more players or so to come in plus those 4 which I think will form the basis of the first team squad.
2 more forwards, 2 mids and 2 defenders should sort it!
What about players like Tyrell richardson-brown. He was amazing last season and definitely deserves to have a place in this seasons squad if he wants it. Not fair if garry is keeping him in limbo. Really hope he will still play a part in helping us towards promotion
Eastbourne Boro were interested in Tyrell at the end of last season, believe they wanted him to have a pre-season trial. Not heard anything further though.
I wouldn't go as far as saying Tyrell was amazing last season. He worked hard and was full of pace but very little end product but certainly bags of potential. I spoke to the management team a couple of weeks ago and they were certainly keen to have a good look at him in pre season so unless he chooses to leave it looks like he will certainly be with us for pre season.
Agree with Geoff, more potential there than finished player but defiantly worth holding on to. Versitality to play up front with his pace is a bonus too.
I did ask someone who was there watching but they were also asked not to discuss who was there for training which I completely understand if some players who were there are still not 100% signed or maybe there were players present who have only so far verbally agreed to play elsewhere etc and are still available.
I'm happy to wait until we either hear more news from the club or until the forum on the 17th when we can ask directly.
I appreciate of course what Dan says above; but I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling anxious that we are are still several players short of a team we would like. I hope we have positive news before the 17th.
