109 days after putting six past South Park in the final match of the 2017/2018 The BOSTIK South Division, a new campaign in a brand new League with possibly the longest trip of the season.

There was much speculation as to which division Tommy and the boys would be playing in this season following the announcement that the BOSTIK (Isthmian) League would be growing to 84 clubs and having three “regional” divisions of twenty clubs.

The Mead will play in the newly formed South East division which includes matches against all of our Kent rivals with sides from Surrey and Sussex making up the twenty clubs and it's against one of those who the Mead start the season this weekend.

Hastings United are undoubtedly one of many people’s favourites to be involved postseason and the two games between the clubs last year both resulted in away wins – Hastings winning at Prince's in a monsoon with The Mead scoring two late goals in Sussex to win 2-1 making the long Tuesday night trip South well worthwhile…

For those travelling (and with thanks to the Hastings website) “south down the A21 Having passed Sainsburys on your right, go straight ahead at two mini roundabouts and turn left at the third onto the A2101 St Helens Road (The Pilot Field is signposted at this point). After approximately a mile and a quarter, take the fifth turning on the left into St Helens Park Road, which leads into Downs Road. At the end of this road, turn left and the ground is situated immediately on your right.

Please note that there is no spectator parking available within the ground itself, but there are plenty of roads within a short walking distance that have no parking restrictions. Please be sure to park legally though, as traffic wardens are known to patrol the area on, matchdays.”

So opening day in a new season – one of the most exciting days of the whole season! What will this one have in store for the Mead? How will the new faces fit it? Can the Mead start the season with the points and bring the first points back up the A21 having an enjoyable trip home through the Sussex Downs…

On foot-note, Saturday should also see us learn our FA Cup opponents on August 24th as East Preston and Balham are scheduled to meet in the Extra Preliminary Round…
Full address HASTINGS UNITED FC, THE PILOT FIELD, ELPHINSTONE ROAD,
HASTINGS, EAST SUSSEX, TN34 2AX