Breaking news: Di Paola resigns

As reported by www.hastingsunitedfc.co.uk, the club regrets to announce that Di Paola has resigned from his role as first team boss at The Pilot Field, shortly after the U’s began the new year with a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to fellow Ryman Football League Division One South strugglers Hythe Town.

The former East Preston manager was appointed in October, the unanimous choice of a selection panel tasked with selecting a replacement for Terry White, who stepped down after an indifferent start to a campaign in which promotion was United’s clear objective.

Di Paola and his three-man backroom team of Jan Miller, Ian Browne and Adam Westwood experienced back-to-back wins against Guernsey and East Grinstead Town in his first two games at the helm, but oversaw just three more victories in 14 subsequent fixtures, despite employing a wide number of players and tactical formations in a constant battle to establish some consistency.

This afternoon’s reverse at Reachfields left the U’s in 20th position and heralded Di Paola’s decision to bring his unfortunately brief tenure to a conclusion. The club would like to thank him and his team for their efforts, and wish them all well in their future endeavours.

Mark Stapley and John Masters will kindly be looking after first team affairs when still unbeaten title favourites Burgess Hill Town visit The Pilot Field on Saturday, and the club will make further announcements in due course.

Di Paola won four, drew four and lost five of his 13 league matches in charge, as well as winning one and losing two of his three cup games, giving an overall record of five wins, four draws and seven defeats from 16 fixtures.