Ground: The Pilot Field
Nickname: The U's
Last season: 14th (53pts from 42 games)
Manager: John Lambert
Assistant manager: Wayne Farrier
Captain: Rhys Whyborne
Players in: Chris May (Burgess Hill), Scott Ramsay (Eastbourne Borough), Marc Whiteman (Ringmer), Scott Marshall (Burgess Hill), Jack Dixon (Rye Utd), Greg Nessling (Eastbourne Town), Sam Crabb (Eastbourne Borough)
Players out: Jimmy Elford (Ashford Town), Lee Worgan (Tonbridge Angels), Tim Olorunda (Tonbridge Angels), Ade Olorunda (Tonbridge Angels), Lee Carey (Horsham), Nathan Simpson, Kevin Rose (Eastbourne Town), Dan Williams (Eastbourne Town), Danny Ellis (Crowborough), Russell Eldridge (Horsham), Ashley Paine (Westfield), Jani Seitsonen (Rye Utd)
Prospects: With a new manager and virtually a new team it's hard to say how Hastings will fare this season. There have been some huge losses in personnel during the close season, in particular Lee Worgan and the Olorunda brothers to Tonbridge Angels, but the re-signing of Rhys Whyborne and Sam Adams, and the arrival of prolific striker Scott Ramsay have given supporters something to cheer. Much will depend on key players steering clear of injury, how quickly last season's talented reserves adapt to the demands of Ryman Premier football, and new boss John Lambert getting the best out of a youthful and smallish squad. An opening day win would maintain the momentum of an unbeaten pre-season and provide the ideal boost going into some tough-looking games.
Pre-season: Ringmer (a) 2-2, Lewes (h) 1-0, Burgess Hill Town (a) 4-0, Folkestone Invicta (h) 3-1, Eastbourne Town (h) 3-2, Chatham Town (a) 2-1
Opening fixtures: August 16 Ashford Town (Middlesex) (h), August 19 Boreham Wood (a), August 23 Dartford (a), August 25 Maidstone Utd (h), August 30 Sutton Utd (a)
Last season's corresponding results: Ashford Town 2-0 (h), 1-3 (a); Boreham Wood 2-1 (h), 0-3 (a); Dartford not applicable; Maidstone Utd 4-0 (h), 1-1 (a); Sutton Utd not applicable

HASTINGS UNITED SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Chris May, Greg Nessling, Paul Nessling
Defenders: Paddy Cody, Sam Hesmer, Milton Miltiadou, Ben Radley, Nathan Russell, Danny Spice, Rhys Whyborne
Midfielders: Matt Darby, Jack Dixon, Jack Franklin, Antonio Gonnella, Matt Maclean, Scott Marshall, Sam Crabb
Forwards: Sam Adams, Gregg Berry, Martin Denny, Liam Miles, Scott Ramsay, Frankie Sawyer, Marc Whiteman