Ray stays at United

Sean Ray has become the latest player to sign for Hastings United Football Club ahead of the 2015/16 season.
Sean Ray has agreed to remain at Hastings United Football Club for next season. Picture courtesy Joe KnightSean Ray has agreed to remain at Hastings United Football Club for next season. Picture courtesy Joe Knight
Sean Ray has agreed to remain at Hastings United Football Club for next season. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

It was reported last week that Ray had agreed a deal to extend his third spell at The Pilot Field into another year and it’s now been confirmed that the powerful central defender has put pen to paper.

Of the current United squad, Ray trails only Sam Adams in terms of senior appearances having clocked up a total of 347 since making his debut back in August 2004.

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The 34-year-old, who was also United’s player-manager from November 2011 until August 2013 - during which time United reached the FA Cup third round but were relegated from the Ryman Football League Premier Division, has also scored 42 goals for the club despite failing to find the net last season.

Ray joins the likes of Josh Pelling, Sam Cole, Jack Walder, Ollie Rowe, Sam Adams, Sam Cruttwell, Sam Crabb, Jack Harris and Max Hollobone in having committed themselves to the U’s under the new management team of Garry Wilson and Danny Bloor.

United have also announced that two-time former first team boss Nigel Kane has agreed to remain at the club, returning to his former role as head of footballing development.

Kane will also manage the under-21s, assisted by his brother Norman, with the side being renamed United’s development squad, but once again competing in the Ryman U21 League South Division.

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Kane was the third and final United first team manager during a turbulent 2014/15 campaign, but the club’s board of directors decided at the end of the season to look for a new boss for 2015/16.

Mark Stapley, meanwhile, has been appointed chief scout. Stapley has undertaken a number of managerial and coaching jobs for the U’s since first joining the club in 2008, including a handful of stints in caretaker charge of first team affairs.

* Hastings United Football Club is planning to host a trials game on Saturday July 11 in order to run the rule over potential players ahead of the 2015/16 Ryman League campaign.

Any players interested in taking part should email club secretary Tony Cosens at [email protected] and attach a short CV outlining details of their footballing experience to date.

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Selected players will subsequently be contacted by the club with a formal invitation to attend the trials game, along with specific details confirming the time and location.

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