whitehawk

[Simster]

They're punching well above their weight now. Barely anyone goes to their games and their ground is awful. They're only where they are now because of the money their owners have pumped into the club on players. It isn't sustainable.

They better hope:
* they get to the FAC first round and draw Portsmouth.
* Albion let them play the game at the Amex for a bumper pay day.

 

[Monkey Man]

Really pleased for them and not quite sure why their crowds should be so low, given that they've been on a roll for a while, have attracted decent players, and are winning games.

Eastbourne Borough had a similar rise through the leagues but to their credit they always focused on the infrastructure first, so the ground and facilities were always ready for the next jump. The fans have fallen away quite a bit since they fell out of the Conference, but the place was regularly getting crowds of over 1,000 and sometimes much more, and has a very good social club that brings in money seven days a week.

Sadly non-league is littered with the remains of clubs that became playthings of reasonably wealthy local investors, who then pulled the plug. The Stamco/Stamcroft example springs to mind. I hope the situation at Whitehawk is sustainable because Brighton should have a representative club at Conference/Conference South level.

 

[red star portslade]

Kingspan innit?... So someone once told me.

Kingspan? Dirty money?

 

[MARKO]

They need big numbers of supporters from the opposing teams to turn up as their home support is sub 100, with an entry fee of £ 10 ish and paying wages in the £ 400-500 pw bracket , that doesn't really make a good business case.
They have the financial clout to buy in replacements for injured players and have attracted old pros on more than the average wage.
Ground is slowly being improved ,but don't go there on a cold winter's Tuesday night !

 

[Monkey Man]

When Langney Sports got to this point in their development, they changed their name to Eastbourne Borough - controversial with some people but it was a sensible move, as it made the club more saleable to sponsors and corporate supporters, and made the club seem more representative of the town as a whole.

Maybe if Whitehawk changed to East Brighton or something similar they would get the same benefits. It doesn't seem they have masses of fans who'd take exception.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

When Langney Sports got to this point in their development, they changed their name to Eastbourne Borough - controversial with some people but it was a sensible move, as it made the club more saleable to sponsors and corporate supporters, and made the club seem more representative of the town as a whole.

Maybe if Whitehawk changed to East Brighton or something similar they would get the same benefits. It doesn't seem they have masses of fans who'd take exception.

A rebrand to Brighton Whitehawk would probably do enough to widen their appeal.

 

[Muzzy]

When Langney Sports got to this point in their development, they changed their name to Eastbourne Borough - controversial with some people but it was a sensible move, as it made the club more saleable to sponsors and corporate supporters, and made the club seem more representative of the town as a whole.

Maybe if Whitehawk changed to East Brighton or something similar they would get the same benefits. It doesn't seem they have masses of fans who'd take exception.

That is a very good shout sir

 

[elninobonito]

Would be an exception if your from Whitehawk though!

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

and newhaven for back to back promotions

dare we congratulate the mighty Peacehaven just yet, Promotion to the Ryman is as likely as us making the play offs. The table looks in good shape but 4 of the last 5 are away

 

[BigGully]

Whitehawk was always a good local football club, hospitable to away teams and supporters whilst playing in the County league, a few rascals for sure, but always a good place to play or watch a game.

Fairplay to the new investors and their success is commendable, but I never really can see continued progression.

How can you sustain a template of expensive development of the ground to satisfy their status whilst paying £1000's to their players on 70 paying customers ??

I love their ambition, but its potential is woefully limited whereas Lewes and Eastbourne Borough can at least boast being their towns premier club and attract new support where Whitehawk cannot.

Whatever happens Freeman and his players can use it as a useful vehicle for them to progress their own careers, so good luck to them, but the club seems to have serious limitations.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

They've got some decent players down there. When i saw them my initial thought was thhat they had about 5 players of conference standard

Obviously the BSN is a step up, but with some investment they should be fine

They really need to find a way of getting fans in though

 

[The Spanish]

there could be four professional clubs between the lewes road and the ouse the way things are going.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Whitehawk was always a good local football club, hospitable to away teams and supporters whilst playing in the County league, a few rascals for sure, but always a good place to play or watch a game.

Fairplay to the new investors and their success is commendable, but I never really can see continued progression.

How can you sustain a template of expensive development of the ground to satisfy their status whilst paying £1000's to their players on 70 paying customers ??

I love their ambition, but its potential is woefully limited whereas Lewes and Eastbourne Borough can at least boast being their towns premier club and attract new support where Whitehawk cannot.

Whatever happens Freeman and his players can use it as a useful vehicle for them to progress their own careers, so good luck to them, but the club seems to have serious limitations.

i.e. see Truro in this seasons BSS.

 

[Phat Baz 68]

great achievement for my old club. I just hope they can sustain it!

Many many good memories of my youth spent with them.

Wish them well in the conference.

they're punching well above their weight now. Barely anyone goes to their games and their ground is awful. They're only where they are now because of the money their owners have pumped into the club on players. It isn't sustainable.

this !!!

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Their squad is ridiculous:

FIRST TEAM - Players & Coaches - Whitehawk FC

Half the team are ex Albion first team or youth team, then the rest are ex pros like Scott McGleish (!) and Matt Lawrence.

 

[Paxton Dazo]

Kingspan innit?... So someone once told me.

Indeed. When Joe Gatting was playing for Whitehawk when the cricket season finished there was rumours he was on around £600 a week.

Hopefully Peacehaven are the next team to get promoted. The County structure needs seriously looking at though because if you have a decent run in the FA Cup/FA Vase, aswell as the John O Hara Cup, RUR Charity Cup & Sussex Senior Cup, you can play something like 70-80games in a season, which for that level is an utter joke.

Rather weird that Whitehawk are playing at the same tier as Stockport County though.

 

[Shorehamkid]

Darren Freeman out, Steve King in if you believe the rumour mill...

Would be harsh on Freeman but King has the contacts and know-how to get them into the BSP.

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

Well done to them, been following them most of the season and went to a few games. A rebrand as East Brighton would be good in the long-term.

Good chance to get them on the map now, if they promote themselves more their in the BSS, they could probably get a much higher crowd, maybe do an offer for BHAFC STHs (half price or something) - could get extra people through the gates and earn more money.

 

[GreersElbow]

What a shit hole !!

You got no fans !!

You got no ground !

You want some....


Anyway, this could make for a derby, hawks v seagulls. Brighton v East Brighton, posh fans v working class fans.......sort of..

 

[Puppet Master]

Ha ha, up yours Wealdstone Raider