Its Christmas 2024 here at the Home Call.
Welcome to edition 7 of this fast-paced diary delivering a historical piece which covers the odd down but hopefully many ups both on and off the pitch. Edition 1 started in early 2024 as Gary Mansell took charge of his first game at Sevenoaks. Edition 6 was, in the main, a very positive read but ended on a ‘bum’ note against Broadbridge and some weather issues. Please read on to hear about further weather problems and our exciting festive schedule as we look forward to a number of big opportunities. 2025 New Year celebrations were cut short around the Home Call as a strong low pressure swept through Burgess Hill. It held dark consequences for all connections. This edition ends with a new ground for most as we travel to Deal on 4th January 2025.
Weather Blights the Schedule at all Levels. Late November early December.
Three pesky ‘named’ storms barrelled in across our region to cause chaos to the schedule.
Bert Connall and Darrah all presented in different ways but together they forced over ten BHTFC matches (across all levels) to be postponed including four 1st team games. There isn’t a lot more to say in truth however it was a very frustrating time for the whole club. Plus, its made our new year schedule very busy indeed.
Let’s hope this is the end of weather updates in this issue!
Women’s Team Put Five past Mile Oak in the League. 1/12/2024
On a damp and dreary day by the coast our Womens team were thrilled to get back into League action against bottom team Mile Oak. Many thanks to Mile Oak for getting the game on after morning rain. The first half was instantly forgettable as both sides failed a gain any type of rhythm. Managers Clingo and Bennett rang the changes at halftime. Hill were a different team there after and ran out convincing five nil winners. Scoring sensation Brogan Kirk with a hat trick. Defender Lucy Neill Player of the Match.
Jacob Bennett said later ‘we tried something new and we knew it wasn’t working after 45 mins. We went back to our normal shape and the team responded very well. It was important to pick up those points on the road today!
BHTFC Women up to 4th in the league with games in hand.
Hoffmann and Pope both with a brace at Merstham. 4-2 Velocity Cup win 3/12/2024
Hill played extremely well in the 1st half the contest virtually over by half time. Ben scored the perfect poacher’s goal as he hunted down the keeper. He then steered home a 21st min penalty.
One of our young stars had a night to remember. Noah Hoffmann is creating some excellent vibes around the Home Call with his never say die and work ratio attitude. He seems to be scoring a lot of goals for BHTFC. On 25 mins he breezed through to knock in the 3rd Hill goal. Then on the stroke of ht he was on hand to smash home after the ball had cannoned off a post. His 1st brace for the club.
It turned into a very positive occasion for the club, fans travelled south in great heart.
Weather Disrupts Hillian’s Momentum Mid to Late December 2024
Unfortunately, and in addition to the leading notes up top weather and more important rain is having further adverse effects to Hillian momentum causing a real back log of game to be played in January 2025. We lost Erith away on 7th December, our plum tie against the Albion in the Sussex Senior (which will now be played at Lancing!) Perhaps the most frustrating postponement was our league match against Herne Bay on 21st December. Rain turned up on 20th and during a 10am pitch inspection the ref called it on player safety. It was a hammer blow to the club and all connections to be honest.
The grim reality is that our region and I suspect the Uk as a whole is receiving more rain than in previous seasons. It seems to present in intense and elongated patterns. Despite all the pitch and drain renovations carried out it seems we are still at the mercy of the weather. Its something we will all have to ‘live’ with until that artificial is laid.
Clean Sheet at Hythe and Three Points Hythe 0 BHTFC 2 14/12
Slav, a Penalty Hero!.
In a much-needed league fixture Hill travelled to the Kent coast in dry sunny conditions. On an excellent grass surface, it was the visitors who got off to the better start with a shot off target on 10 mins. Hythe were awarded a penalty mid-way through the 1st half. Hero Slav Huk guessed the right way to make a crucial stop. Just two mins later Hill were in front after two budding young stars combined, first Noah Hoffmann striding forward and then Damien Theodore slamming home. One nil at HT.
In all truth Hill were on top for most of the game and it was fitting that Tom Chalaye, making his long-awaited return from injury, smashed home the 2nd goal late on.
Football is all about opinions. Many of the large travelling contingent had Slav as Man of the Match. Gary Mansell thought that Slav made a crucial stop however he pointed to Hoffmann as his MOM. Chalaye is an exciting player and its great to have him back. But he said ‘I now need to work hard to get back in the starting 11 there is a lot of competition for places!’
Bowman said ‘there is nothing better than keeping a clean sheet on the road and winning. It’s the sort of things titles are built around! A good day in the office!’
Women sign off 2024 with Great Cup Win East Preston 2 BHTFC 5 15/12
Manager Tom Clingo had to shuffle the pack after a few injuries had decimated his squad. He took just 13 players to East Preston for an important Cup match
However, after an intense 1st half where the score was locked at two two Hill came alive in the 2nd half. Mia Fenton scored from 40 yards as the flood gates opened. Sparshott and then Jazz Ross, on her debut, made it five.
Our Women have been fantastic in 2024 and now have a Christmas break until 12th of January. They can look forward to two cup quarter finals and a league title tilt.
Hazy Hillian Beer Launched. Tin Sports the Alliance Tie 17/12
BHTFC are thrilled to launch their own beer, the Hazy Hillian. Brewed by North Garden Brewery the beer will be available on Match days and in four can gift boxes.
It’s a New England Pale Ale and its jolly tasty!. The can plays homage to the Alliance, our loyal supporter’s group, sporting the green and black tie.
Huge congratulations to Dave Bradbury for making this happen!
Hillians Exit Velocity Cup at Chatham 17/12/2024
Perry Makes a Return!
A good smattering of Hill fans made their way to the wonderful setting of Bauvill Stadium, a firm favourite on the circuit. However high-flying Isthmian Prem Chatham were just too strong on the night scoring two unanswered goals. The positive news was the return of goal scoring machine Dan Perry who made a late cameo role. We can’t wait for Dan to be back scoring goals for the Hillians!
U18s Bow out of FA Youth Cup at Merstham 18/12/2024
After six amazing adventures Joint Managers Berty Olivia and Adie Clayton took their team to a very rainy Moatside for a 3rd Round Fa Youth Cup fixture. The occasion had captured the imagination as a whole legion of Hill connections made their way north. Despite slanting rain through out Hill fans made their presence felt.
Merstham were in great form in the opening mins of the contest, and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Mid way through the 1st half they scored a real cracker from a free kick. Hill came out fighting and Lawson steered home hope mid-way through to a loud cheer. However, despite an almighty great goal mouth scramble late doors Merstham held on for the historic win.
All U18s connections can be extremely proud of their Fa Youth Cup run which brought hope kudos and entertainment to the club. They go into Christmas break in great heart and will come back in 2025 eager to win the league.
Christmas Festivities in the Clubhouse.
Our Clubhouse became the home of several excellent festive occasions. On the 20th our Volunteers from the Monday Club got together at lunch time for a buffet and drinks. Many thanks to our Players for paying for the food, it was very much appreciated. Skipper Brannon O’Neill sent a message. ‘Huge thank you to all our volunteers, without which we couldn’t operate. We hope you enjoy your day!’
That evening loads of people thronged the Club House for the Christmas Quiz. It turned into a successful evening.
Chairmans Christmas Message. 24/12/2024
Chairman Vince Alfieri sent a well written Christmas message advising a positive message of progression for all our teams. He gave an honest appraisal of our home facility and the challenges we face going forward. He also sent thanks to our Ground Staff, Back Room staff, Officers and volunteers. He sent a strong message of support to club legend John Buck who is still in his prime with Corporate Hospitality.
He said ‘Lots to look forward to in 2025, thank you for being part of the journey. Have a wonderful Christmas’
Boxing Day Win at Jubilee Field as Bridges Present New Surface 26/12/24
Nathan and Joe in Good Form. Bridges 1 BHTFC 2
Three Bridges returned to home soil to unveil their brilliant new 3G surface. It was a joyous day in their history, and we wish them every success with it going forward.
However, BHTFC were in no mood for sentiment and trod all over the party. With around 100 Hill connections in house Joe Overy produced a stunning 1st half brace to take a half time lead. Bridges huffed and puffed during a dour 2nd half and scored in the 90th min. Quite rightly Hill took all three points and marched back south in celebratory mood. For me Nathan C was a rock at the back and took my MOM award.
It represented two away wins on the spin!
Clean Sheet and 7Oaks Revenge 28/12/2024
Vukoje score’s goal of the season! BHTFC 2 Sevenoaks 0
The Home Call was awash with colour and noise for the return visit of Sevenoaks on a dry day here in Mid Sussex. Back on the opening day of the season Hill suffered an annoying three one reverse and were now looking for some revenge and solace.
The Alliance were in fine form at the Ashley Carr end as was Joe Overy who skipped along the byline. His accurate cross found an Oaks player who bundled the ball home for a comical OG. Eastbourne Borough’s Stefan Vukoje had received positive acclaim here in Mid Sussex with some explosive performances. Non more so mid-way through the 1st half. He received the ball 20 yards out and smashed an unstoppable shot into the net. Home Call in raptures with some calling it the best Hill goal of the season so far.
Hill had to dig in during a pulsating second half to keep a huge clean sheet and keep Hill rolling. That’s three league wins on the bounce!
Stefan rightly adjudged Man of the Match by the sponsors. He is certainly becoming a firm favourite around here, but that dual signing is perplexing. Hopefully Vukoje will become a Hillian and Hillian only!
Brilliant Day for BHTFC.
Storm (with no Name!) Brings New Years Day Chaos.
BHTFC v Eastbourne Town Cancelled. Clubhouse Roof Damage.
Our New Years day game at home to Eastbourne Town was already under threat owing to Met Office predictions of rain during the day. On new years eve our stadium was ready with all rubbish away and the pitch prepared, Programmes, food and beer all ready. We were very excited during the New Year celebrations.
However, the predicted low turned up during the evening and although the Met declined to name it it was certainly very noteworthy. A very strong westerly barrelled in all through the night and into New Years Day.
11.54 am BHTFC release a tweet to say ‘Todays NY game with ET has been postponed due to substantial storm damage to our club house’ With pics of roof felt lifted and joists exposed to the now falling heavy rain.
Most connections were aligned to the notion that the game was in ‘doubt’ but to have the extra burden of damage to our beloved clubhouse was a real hammer blow.
BHTFC will once again have to roll up their collective sleeves and get this all sorted out before the next home game on 11th January.
This diary will pick up on progress made in the next edition.
Ben and Stefan in Great Form at Deal as Hill show Strength in Depth. 4/01/2025
Deal Town 3 BHTFC 5 We move up to 4th place!
Weather could have easily spoilt what turned into our best road trip of the season thus far. On the Friday there was lots of negativity around the hierarchy of both clubs as the South East shivered under a blanket of thick frost. Those in the know looked very closely at the charts and spotted that the east Kent coast was going to be spared the worst.
My best buddy John and I travelled down on the Friday and had a great evening in Deal. We were on the spot as a 10 am pitch inspection was carried out by a local ref. Home officials were very negative at the time. However, the pitch looked fine to me and the ref agreed. Game On!!
The whole BHTFC bandwagon was then on the move making that long drive to East Kent.
In the hugely entertaining and pulsating encounter (as predicted by many) in still cold conditions Hill started very well with Ben Pope scoring a brilliant header. Mid way through the 1st half Bobby Price stunned the Charles Ground with a well taken 2nd. Two nil at HT
Deal scored early in the 2nd half to set the nerves jangling. However in the thrice Pope scored his 2nd . Stefan had scored the goal of the season a week previous, but he went one better this time. He unleased a shot from 20 yards which was as pure as you will see at any ground up and down the country. Keeper no chance!
Gary and Jay went on to show the obvious clout here at the Hill. They brought on Perry, Malins,Box,Wheldale and club Captain O’Neill.
Deal scrambled two late goals but in truth Hill were dominant and well worth the three points.
It’s becoming apparent that we have built a very strong and robust stable of players who all want to play every minute of every game. Our starting 11 at Deal were fantastic and that bench was different gravy. Then you factor in Noah, Harry, Alex and Damo being left at home. Jay and Gary have a lot of selection headaches!!!
We send thanks to Deal for hosting and good luck for the future. Huge thanks to all travelling connections for the support.
That’s Christmas and New Years 24/25 all wrapped up as is Edition 7 of Hillian’s Buzz. We hope you have enjoyed trawling back over the past few weeks. On the pitch Hill are on the march at all levels with lots to look forward to. Off the pitch grim realities of our much loved but aged home facility are starting to bite. The Home Call is showing signs of weakness against any type of inclement weather and it’s costing us. As always, the club rallies to any circumstance but is this sustainable long term?
Hang on to your hats as January/February is going to get very busy. Edition 8 will be with you after Steyning away late February.
