It’s ben an amazing debut year for Hastings’ newest senior football team South Coast Athletico – The Chopbacks!

Team chief executive Tony Cook says: “As the 2017/18 season comes to a close the club can look back on a very encouraging first season with a third place finish in the league and a good cup run whereby if not for a freakish administration issue the club would have played in the cup final, but it just wasn’t to be this year.”

And at a time when it’s tough for those at the grassroots level of English football to keep their heads above water Tony pays tribute to the team’s sponsors: “The club would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our shirt sponsors, EasyTan, for its support this season. Grassroots football is becoming more and more expensive and clubs rely heavily on local support and sponsorship and so we could not have achieved what we have this season without support from Easy Tan.”

Ever club needs a base at The Chopbacks have made themselves at home at the Harrow Inn,  “They have been our official post match social venue for the season, the owners and staff have been absolutely brilliant all season and really made the squad feel incredibly welcome,” says Tony.

Throughout the season the Chopbacks have seen their support grow and Tony recognises the value of the support from the players’ partners in keeping the whole bandwagon rolling, he says: “Big thanks to our growing supporters, especially to the South Coast Athletico Wags/Ladies Supporters Club who have stuck by the lads in all weathers this season, your support has been very important to the players.”

Tony says the club could not have achieved what it has this season without the input from the coaching team: first team manager Neil Sutcliffe, technical coach Sam Cook and fitness coachLuke O’Donnell.

“The club could not have achieved anything this season without their patience, hard work and determination,” says Tony.

“We also have to say ‘well done’  to each and every member of the squad this season who I’m sure are now looking forward to a well earned summer rest before returning for pre-season at the end of June where they will be looking to challenge for three cup competitions as well as the division four league title,” says Tony who adds that he’s looking forward to taking the club “to the next level” in the new season.