Hastings keep two and add two

Jack Dixon and Danny Ellis have agreed to remain at The Pilot Field, while Jono Richardson and Liam Upton are set to step up two levels from neighbours Rye United.

Hastings player-manager Sean Ray said: “I’m really pleased to get Jono and Liam, and I’m really pleased to get Danny and Jack signed as well. We’ve got 12 players now and it just leaves space for two or three more signings.”

Tall central defender or left-back Richardson and Upton, who tended to feature on the left flank for Rye but can also play up-front, actually joined Rye from Hastings in the early part of the 2010/11 season.

Both have been regular fixtures in the Rye side which has enjoyed considerable success since then, reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Vase, and being runners-up in the Sussex County League and John O’Hara League Cup in 2010/11 before winning the Sussex RUR Charity Cup in 2011/12.

Dixon, Richardson (who was on contract at Rye until the end of last season) and Upton are in the United States coaching at present, and won’t return until August so United won’t have them for pre-season.

Ryman League Premier Division outfit United will begin training next Thursday (June 21) at Claremont School from 7.30pm and they will also hold Saturday morning sessions at Fairlight.

See tomorrow’s Hastings and Rye Observers for the full articles.