Ghost of MG5YP	Started up in 1990 as "Ghost of United" in memory of Hastings United who blew out in 1985. Steve Weekes was the original main man but had to call it a day in '94 when I took over with issue 6. Get 3 issues out a season - would be more but for the usual ol' problem of not enough people writing articles. Zine now called "Ghost of MG 5YP" - from issue 21 - so we never forget our lottery millionaire ex-owner - Mark Gardiner and his 5 year plan to get us into the Nationwide League. Basically, he lost interest which resulted in our relegation to the Dr Martens Eastern division at the end of the 98/99 season. Like zines everywhere, Ghost is a publication by supporters for supporters and anyone else interested. Zines are traded on a regular basis with those of other clubs - Barrow, Kettering, Nuneaton, Slough, Tamworth to name five - any other zine editors wishing to swap - drop me a copy of your latest.
The Pilot Field	big ol' place that's seen much better days. Council owned - there's loads of room to upgrade and redevelop - but while there are two clubs in Hastings, the council won't do it up - which is hardly surprising. Ironically, despite what happened in the close season, there are many people in favour of a merger of the two clubs - that in turn could lead to one of the two grounds being sold off for redevelopment in what is a prime residential area and that would largely self finance a new stadium. Sadly, and again, ironically, the way St Leonards went about things has put any prospect of a merger on the back burner.
Hastings	80,000 odd population of which maybe 400 odd follow us and 250 follow St Leonards. Of course there should only be the one club in the town - but it's got to be done properly and not gone about in such a way that creates massive ill feeling - as we saw in the close season. The vast vast majority of which make every effort to be anywhere except in Elphinstone Road, on match days. Yes they pull out all the stops when it comes to anything that doesn't involve local football. Mysteriously, 4888 rolled up in 95/96 whem Premiership Nottingham Forest, sent a full first team for a game that was part of a transfer deal involving local lad, Paul Smith who had gone to The City Ground. Oddly - our first league game of the season a week later against Hednesford attracted 4371 less. Who knows - maybe the locals might show a bit more interest if The Pilot Field gets the renovations it's crying out for. But for now - Premiership costumes are to be seen aplenty in Hastings - and lots of wide open spaces at The Pilot Field.
St Leonards FC	100 yards up the road. Formed as the works team of local timber company STAMCo in the early 70's. Climbed through the leagues right up to the Southern League Premier in 97/98 - and the money then ran out and they crashed back down to the Southern Division where further budgetary constraints resulted in another poor season. Miraculously came up with enough money to outbid the consortium trying to save Hastings Town - and outbid it again and again - only to get cold feet at the last minute. They pulled out of the bidding on 11 June 99 and Hastings Town's future was secured.
Mark Gardiner	lottery winner who got involved with local football - firstly with St Leonards FC (talk of Premiership in 20 years) and when that relationship went tits up, Hastings Town (talk of Nationwide Div 3 in 5 years). No longer involved - both clubs relegated since. Gardiner's fall out with St Leonards was over his logical suggestion the two clubs merge. As for Hastings - loss of interest followed by an expensively assembled squad being put on the transfer list - he resigned us from the DM League on 31/12/98 and then attempted unsuccesfully to withdraw the resignation after the deadline - club went into Administration with debts that were probably modest compared to many and when 98/99 finished, we didn't know what league we'd be in for 99/00.
Hastings Council	a worryingly inept organisation that few people trust to come up with the goods. Just as Town stuggled out of Administration in July '99, the Council terminated the club's lease and then excelled itself by coming up with long term proposals to build houses on The Pilot Field and concentrate football up the road at The Firs. Give them their due - those ludicrous proposals were withdrawn in April '00 following a storm of protest from Town supporters and local residents. If the two clubs were to merge - there might be some moves from the Town Hall on providing decent facilities at The Pilot Field. The recent news that St Leonards are considering various options about their future has thrown all that into the melting pot - but at least The Pilot Field won't be built on.
Merger	common sense broke through in Feb 2000 with the news that the two clubs were in talks over merging to form Hastings & St Leonards FC in time to start 00/01. Abandoned after St Leonards decided to continue, albeit with a reduced budget.

Available from me at (please include A5 sae), cost £1: Ghost of MG 5YP, 93 The Ridge, Hastings TN34 2AB Remember A5 sae, please! Simon Stoddart

Also available from: HTFC Club shop Sportspages, Caxton Walk, Charing Cross Road, London.

©2002