United target teenage talent Upton
Hastings United are hoping to secure the services of teenage striker Liam Upton when they resume training next week.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion youngster is due to attend the first pre-season session on Thursday.
"He's coming down next week and hopefully he is going to sign," said Hastings manager Tony Dolby.
"He's got the background in professional training and he's been schooled the right way," he went on. "He's a local lad and wants to play for his local side, and put himself in the shop window.
"I've met him and he seems like an up for it sort of lad. He can play upfront or left and right which is important."
Upton starred for William Parker Sports College when they were crowned Coca-Cola English Schools Football Association Under-13 National champions in 2004, scoring in every game of the 13-match run including a stunning free kick in the final at Stamford Bridge.
His dreams of progressing with Brighton were dashed earlier this summer when he was told he would not be graduating into the first team and was released by the Coca-Cola League One outfit.
Upton's arrival would negate the loss of last season's leading scorer Frankie Sawyer, who has joined Ryman Premier rivals Carshalton Athletic.
Former United midfielder Doug Loft has signed a two-year contract with League Two club Port Vale following his recent release from Brighton.
United have carried out a lux test, meanwhile, to ascertain whether their floodlights, as they stand, would pass their inspection which is due in October.
As expected, they failed the test. The average lighting across the pitch was adequate, but the lowest reading, from the pylon nearest the ground entrance, was insufficient.
The plan now is to get somebody in to replace bulbs and fittings on the problem pylon at a cost which is expected to be hundreds rather than thousands of pounds.
United have submitted an application to Hastings Borough Council for planning permission to install new floodlights and are currently awaiting an answer to their request.
A floodlight fund set up by the club has so far raised nearly 6,000 towards a target in excess of 20,000. A grant of only 40% of the total cost will be available at best.
Fundraising initiatives in the pipeline include the Hastings Legends versus the Arsenal ex-pro/celebrity team on Sunday July 26 and a golf day at Cooden Beach in September.
The golf day will include coffee/bacon rolls, 18 holes and a three-course evening meal, along with entertainment from comedian Adger Brown, an auction and raffle for 75.
Tickets for the evening only are available for 30. Anybody wishing to enter a team of four or as an individual to complete a team should contact the club on 444635 or email club@hastingsunitedfc.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for St Leonards-on-Sea
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North
