Hastings sign '˜best left winger in league'

Hastings United Football Club has signed a player who manager Chris Agutter regards as '˜the best left winger in the league' - and he is now hoping to bring in '˜the best right winger'.
Hastings United have signed Youssouf BambaHastings United have signed Youssouf Bamba
Hastings United have signed Youssouf Bamba

Youssouf Bamba put pen to paper with the Bostik League South East Division club on Monday and is expected to go straight into the side for the home Buildbase FA Trophy preliminary round tie at home to Whyteleafe on Saturday.

Agutter said: “We’ve got the best wide player in the league without a doubt - that’s a real statement signing I think.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s ex-Crystal Palace, Merstham, Kingstonian and scored 23 goals in 26 games for Walton Casuals last year. We tried to sign him in the summer and now we’ve got him over the line.”

See also: * Hastings’ FA Cup run halted by Hitchin* Golding double fires Hastings to FA Trophy triumph* Eight-man Hastings hold on for amazing FA Cup winAgutter said a handful of other from a similar level to Hastings or higher were all interested in Bamba, but the 23-year-old Frenchman opted to make the move to The Pilot Field.

“He knew of our interest and he got in contact with me,” continued Agutter. “He was very keen to come and be part of the promotion push.”

Agutter was also hoping to recruit ‘the equivalent of Youssouf on the right’ in time for tomorrow’s encounter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Should that signing happen, Hastings will have five wingers in the squad and Agutter says at least two of their existing wide players will leave the club as a result.

“We will obviously be trimming the squad,” he went on. “But what we will be doing is significantly strengthening.

“As good as we have been in terms of as many goals as we’ve scored, I think we could’ve won more games five or six.

“If the final ball and quality had been a bit better on Saturday (when Hastings lost 2-0 away to Hitchin Town in Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying), we’re still in the FA Cup. We’ve moved to solve that problem.”