There is an intense feeling of progression here at the Homecall Community Stadium Mid Sussex with wholesalechanges emerging across the club. Who knows where it might lead but the writer felt that the effort deserved to be regularly logged for historical purposes. In the 1st edition I conjure up my thoughts as we pass through the early part of 2024. Going forward I invite all connections to have their say please email me on bowmansgang@btinternet.com.
Preamble.
I have been following BHTFC both here in Mid Sussex and away since 2013 with many of those seasons as your programme editor, Alliance Founder, cheerleader and sometimes ‘wild child’ (regular readers with concur with this!). It’s not always been an easy path to follow (like getting chucked out the Pilot Field Hastings boardroom) but as BHTFC is my only club (no Premier League allegiances here) Green and Black runs through my veins. I make no bones in my belief that this club should be operating in the Isthmian Premier league and will be pushing for that 2023/24 playoffbirth come 27th April. While I owe so much to John Rattle, Ian Chapman, Stuart Tuck and will always have the utmost respect change has always been a part of my life and its fully embraced. That’s why I am now fully on board with where David, Vicky, Vince and Tina want to take us. Let’s face it things were getting a little ‘stale’ around here.
Buckle up and let’s have some fun!
Festive fun 2023/24
16/12/23 Sevenoaks statement Isthmian South East 12thPosition 16 points
New Boss Gary Mansell takes control of his first match in charge. We didn’t travel in big numbers for this one however the team treated us to a glimpse of something very exciting. For 30 mins we ran them ragged as Darren Budd fired us into a three one lead. Two late home goals spoilt an early Christmas present. Mansell said ‘Its hugely disappointing not to win but the performance was very good’
20/12/23 Drains get TLC.
Under David Corney’s (co owner) own omission there ‘is a lot to do around here’. It was becoming apparent that moisture wasn’t draining off the pitch quick enough, so a plan was hatched. Jamie from Evo Home Services was on site all morning. He did a great job in clearing some blockages to allow water to drain through the main pit and out to Beadland’s. It may not be the last we have to do on the drainage but hopefully it will see us through the current season.
22/12/23 Alliance Walk
Half a dozen Alliance members blow the cobwebs away with a bracing walk from Hove to Shoreham. It was great to get away from football for a little while and we enjoyed a lovely late lunch in The Waterside.
26/12/23 Kick in the Teeth v Lancing. Isthmian South East 12th Position 17 points.
It all went south around the Homecall as Lancing stunned us with two early goals on route to a four two thrashing. It felt a solid blow for all connections as emotions ran high. Gary suggesting ‘we are under no illusions were not where we want to be, its very disappointing’. Festive celebrations were still on going in the bar later but ‘with the handbrake on’.
30/12/2023 Herne Bay lose in Mid Sussex Isthmian South East 12th Position 17 points.
There were joyous scenes around the Homecall as Powell and then Overy put the Hillians two nil ahead. HB hit back but celebrations could commence as we clung on to a two onevictory. The club house was buzzing as most settled in to watch Forrest beat Man Utd on sky. Gary said ‘a much needed three points which we deserved and we owed them one!’
01/01/2024 Victory at Jubilee Walk Three Bridges Isthmian South East 12th Position 20 points.
In perhaps the most enjoyable day of the Alfieri era Darren Budd comes off the bench to clench a last head three two victory to cap a stunning game of football. A large contingent of Hillian fans braved a 2nd half drenching and one person nearly broke the land speed record in celebration (Jack Naldrett). A brilliant start to the year. Vince said later ‘all those sleepless nights are worth it after a result like that!’ Bowman notes ‘huge up to the large travelling support, I think we witnessed the raw power of potential right there in that stadium!’
02/02/2024 Despite rain hive of activity in the clubhouse. Managers Office!
While heavy rain prevented any outdoor work the Monday team set about bringing the Managers Office into life. Guys were lifting stuff out of the room and then with screw drivers and spirit levels in hand were erecting notice and white boards. When its complete Gary M will have his own little oasis where he can ‘escape’ and do what ever managers do. Hopefully by the time this is printed it will have been completed!. In other news our Chairman and Secretary were hard at work trying to convince the Fa to reverse Harry Lawson’s Herne Bay red card. It all paid off as the case was overturned. Well done to both! It can be revealed that there was a real buzz at tea break with everyone enthusing about the Bridges result.
06/01/2024 Noah Hoffman stars in EG win at home. Isthmian South East 12th Position 23 points
The Hillian’s make it three wins on the bounce after a stunning opening half here in Mid Sussex. A superb Hit Man (Dan Perry) strike lite the touch paper as Hoffman and Hallard followed suite just mins later. The 2nd half turned into a solid shift as Hill comfortably held on to a noteworthy clean sheet. The Sussex Cat, Taylor Seymour was very pleased with the result but said later ‘it wasn’t pretty!’
Hoffman, making his 3rd appearance wowed the crowd with a power packed performance and a debut league goal. The number 10 youngster told waiting media ‘I was buzzing and thoroughly enjoyed the game’ When asked if he would like to score more goals for the Hill a huge smile spread across his face. South East defences, you have been warned! Bowman suggested ‘more than the goal Noah produced a sublime ball into the box 2nd half which had the perfect weight and showed poise and maturity of a much more experienced player, I hope he stays here with us for the long haul!’
However, the ever-demanding Mansell suggested ‘I am delighted with the result and that clean sheet is a real bonus but overall, I thought that the performance was light of where it should be!’ Perhaps that’s why the players weren’t celebrating as much as us fans.
08/01/2024 Before snow arrived small pitch gets cleared by Monday Club.
To the left of ‘Back of the Net’ you will see a 2nd smaller pitch on the grounds complete with fence and lights. It’s an area you might have missed but the club are in the process of making it a viable playing surface once again. It’s a ‘work’ in progress with the floor is covered in vegetation including leaves and brambles. As Head of Volunteers Tommy Manneh suggests ‘we are excited by prospect of getting this area back to full use, but there is quite a bit of manual work to be done before we can even contemplate what the final product might look like’ Bowman suggests ‘keep a watch out on this project, the light switch has been located in the clubhouse and it’s a certainty that Tommy and his crew will do a great job. Hopefully football will be played in there very soon!’
As the crew finished their shift snow gently blanketed the region. The first snow of winter.
09/01/2024 Club is stretched for Steyning Sussex Senior Cup Quarter Final and U18s away.
With the previous days snow still on the ground our Monday Club were mobilised through out the morning getting the pitch ready for action. Our Club Secretary Tim Spencer said later ‘It was quite hard manual labour out there and I will feel it tomorrow’. However, the team had done a great job and the pitch looked, if a little icy, in very good playable condition. Huge congratulations to them.
Meanwhile our U18s headed off to Horsham for a league game.
Manager Gary Mansell had picked a changed side leaving Dan ‘Hit Man’ Perry and Darren Budd on the bench to allow several youngsters an opportunity. With great backing from a very vocal Alliance all seemed to working out well with the Hill two one up going into injury time. However, the robust County outfit Steyning wouldn’t lie down and stunned the Homecall with a very late scrambled equaliser. It was heartbreak as the visitors took the resulting penalty shootout. Meanwhile at Horsham news came in that our U18s had lost their game.
13/01/2024 Heads Held High as Breezy BHTFC give Leaders Ramsgate a Fright. South East 12th 26 points.
Manager Gary Mansell had suggested that ‘we will take the game to them’ and for 25 mins BHTFC were ruling the WW Martin Community Stadium. Reece Hallard stared in perhaps the move of the season as Hill cut through the Ramsgate back line. The Hit Man finishing with aplomb. Just a few moments later Kieron Rowe ghosted his way through to score a fantastic solo effort. There was pandemonium in the away section as players and 35 Hill fans celebrated with gusto.
However, Ramsgate are different gravy to the rest of us and in a thrice the deficit was cut and then levelled before half time. Buoyed on by over 1000 noisy Rams fans the league leaders ran out four two winners in the end.
It may not have been the result we were craving but we won a lot of friends on the Kent Coast and the club could hold their head up high.
15/01/20024 Blue Monday? Not a bit of it Around the Homecall. Wall to wall sunshine.
The reported most depressing day of the year here in the Ukwas turned on its head here in Mid Sussex after a very positive Monday Morning session. We caught up with our new Kit Person Natelie who is enjoying her role. As a keen Albion supporter you wont see Nat at many Hill matches butassures me she is here for the long haul. It’s a real team effort with our own Dan Cross looking after distribution of the kit both here in Mid Sussex and on the road.
We also caught up with our President Peter Miles who explained that ‘our young players are learning every time that play and future here at BHTFC is very bright’ (Full interview on twitter)
Finally, our Chairman, Vince Alfieri was in fine fettle talking about a current three-pronged assault on turning fortunes around. One was about doing the boring mundane things around the clubhouse like getting hot water to the toilets and on-going projects. Two focussing on the big money improvements that will take time to implement. He said‘producing an artificial surface will be the silver bullet for this club!’ and three, continuing the development and strength of our management and playing staff’ Full interview on the wattsapp channel.
That is the end of the 1st edition of this new BHTFC diary service which we hope you enjoy. Edition two will emerge in through late February after we complete further work around the stadium and hopefully will have picked up a few wins along the way. If you want to contribute in any way, please get in touch on bowmansgang@btinternet.com
Let’s Go Hill.
Cobo.
