United identify possible signings

Jason Hopkinson, the U’s manager, is keen to bolster the playing squad after overseeing the Ryman Premier outfit’s narrow escape from relegation.

“We’ve got a fair bit to do but myself and Hinch (assistant manager Adam Hinshelwood) have 19 players on a possibles’ list which I’m looking at.

“I’ve not spoken to them all but we’ve identified a list of players we think could do a job for us and a couple are going to come down pre-season.”

He added that there were “likely to be two or three moving on” in addition to the departures of successful loan signings Harry Beautyman and George Porter.

“The budget is not great and I want to be sensible about it,” he went on. “I know what I’ve got to deal with and I will do the best I can with the means I’ve got. It’s about being realistic and it’s about trying to sign the cream from what’s available locally.”

Although a huge fan of Beautyman, who was released by Leyton Orient last week, Hopkinson admitted it was highly unlikely he would be coming back to Hastings on a permanent basis. “It’s too far for him,” he said.