Ray: We’ll come back stronger

Hastings United players Freddie Warren, Sam Adams and Lee Carey applaud the fans after the 1-0 win over Kingstonian last weekend. Picture by Simon Newstead

United were demoted from the Ryman Football League Premier Division in the same season that they created club history by reaching round three of the FA Cup and reached the semi-finals of two other knockout competitions.

Ray said: “Sometimes you have to take a step back to progress. We have to regroup, and come back bigger, better and stronger. The one thing we’ve done is secured the club’s future for the next 10 years (by virtue of the finances generated from the FA Cup run).”

The 32-year-old central defender will continue at the helm next season when United will face a number of trips to clubs around Kent and Sussex in Division One South.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I know the improvements I’ve got to make,” continued Ray. “I’ve learnt a hell of a lot this season and I will come back stronger. I know exactly what’s going to be needed and this time next year we will be celebrating.”

Although it must’ve been nice not to have any games to worry about this week having played 13 in a manic last 29 days of the season, planning for the 2013/14 campaign has already started.

See tomorrow’s Hastings Observer for the full article.