New boss snaps up trio

As reported by www.hastingsunitedfc.co.uk, Kevin Keehan and Marc Pullan have followed Di Paola from previous club East Preston, and Mitchell Hand has joined from Littlehampton Town.

All three are set to go straight into the squad for the visit of Guernsey in Ryman Football League Division One South this afternoon (Saturday). Kick-off at The Pilot Field is 3pm.

Twenty-eight-year-old midfielder Keehan certainly made an impact in his first season at The Lashmar, winning four different player of the year awards, and man of the match honours in more than a quarter of his appearances.

He was an integral part of East Preston’s title winning side and is player that Di Paola clearly rates extremely highly, having fought off competition from a number of other clubs to re-sign the former Shoreham and Peacehaven & Telscombe man at the start of this season, and securing his services for United at the earliest opportunity as well.

Also making the switch from West Sussex to East is vastly experienced defender Pullan, now aged 40, but who has clocked up over 100 appearances in two wonderfully successful years under Di Paola’s management.

Pullan has won all manner of honours during a career that has now spanned more than 20 seasons, and has included spells with Crawley Town, Eastbourne Borough, Lewes and Whitehawk among others.

The third addition to the ranks is 21-year-old left-back Hand, who joins from Littlehampton Town, where he has enjoyed three consistent seasons and helped the Marigolds to the Sussex County League Division Two title in 2012/13.