The Pilot Field
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| The Pilot Field | |
| Full name | The Pilot Field |
| Built | 1921 |
| Opened | 1921 |
| Capacity | 4,050 |
| Home of | Hastings United F.C. |
| Pitch size | 110 x 75 yards |
The Pilot Field is home to Hastings United, who play in the Isthmian League Division 1
It has a capacity of 4,050 and has an impressive main stand to the side of the pitch which seats and covers spectators. There is also a nice club bar near the main entrance to the ground which has various events happening in the function room, which is also available for hire. The grounds record attendance is 4,888 v Nottingham Forest, for a friendly which took place in the year 1996.
[edit] The Pilot Field
The first club to play on the old meadow was All Saints FC, and played their first game on the upper pitch (now the Firs). In 1921 Hastings Borough Council excavated and laid out two pitches because of the slope, and all the earth was moved and built up in the area where the main stand is now. Two years later the Grandstand was built, with a capacity of 1,000 spectators, all seated but mainly wooden benches. In 1948, a newly formed club Hastings United played professional football on the Pilot Field, which meant Hastings & St. Leonards has to move up to the Firs. The Pilot Field also hosted Greyhound racing and Speedway for a short period. The old Hastings United club played on the Pilot Field until 1985, when they folded due to massive debts. Hastings & St. Leonards had now changed their name to Hastings Town, and were still playing on the Firs, but played on Balverhythe council pitches for a short spell. Town moved back to the Pilot Field after 37 years.
[edit] Directions to the Ground
From the north on the A21, head towards Hastings, going straight ahead at two mini roundabouts and turning left at the third onto the A2101 St Helens Road (The Pilot Field is signposted at this point). After a mile and a quarter, take the fifth turning on the left into St Helens Park Road, which leads into Downs Road. At the end of the road, turn left and the ground is immediately on your right.
From the east on the A259, turn right at the traffic lights immediately after B&Q onto Old London Road, which leads into The Ridge. Continue for one mile and turn left opposite the cemetery onto Elphinstone Road. The Pilot Field is the second pitch down the hill on the left.
From the west on the A259, turn left at the traffic lights onto the B2092 Harley Shute Road. Go straight over a mini roundabout and straight over the main roundabout (signposted Hollington) that follows, onto Ironlatch Avenue, which leads into Blackman Avenue. Follow this road through two sets of traffic lights, continuing straight ahead at the crossroads onto Ashbrook Road, which leads into Old Harrow Road. Turn right at the mini roundabout at the end of the road and turn left at the next roundabout onto the A2101 St Helens Road (The Pilot Field is signposted at this point). After a mile and a quarter, take the fifth turning on the left into St Helens Park Road, which leads into Downs Road. At the end of the road, turn left and the ground is immediately on your right.
[edit] Description of the Ground
Main Stand: This has the capacity of 800 spectators, which is mainly wooden benches and has about 30 plastic seats in the middle. The changing rooms are directly under the stand, and there is also a tea bar to the left of the tunnel out onto the pitch. The board room is also under this stand, and is in the room where the original club bar was.
Elphinstone Road End Terracing: This covered stand provides fans with a dry view point on wet days and is located next to the club bar. This stand was renovated in the early 90's after another stand which stood in the corner of the ground fell into disrepair.
Wood End: During the pre-season period of the 2005/06 season a stand was erected at this end and now covers the supporters at the wood end. This stand was named the 'Cole Warren' Stand, named after two supporters of the club who had recently passed away.
The Grass Bank: For safety reasons this has been fenced off, but in the old days spectators used to be able to sit on this bank, which also made the capacity 9,000. This end also used to have a small stand in the corner, which was burnt and the Elphinstone Road stand replaced this one.
Entrance: The main turnstiles have recently been refurbished and replaced an old rusting building. Inside, to the right as you enter are the club shop, tea bar and toilets. This area gets quite full on matchdays as this is one of only two entrances to the ground and this one is generally viewed as the main entrance.
The Pitch: The pitch is surrounded by a dirt track which used to be used for greyhound racing and speedway and therefore makes it impossible to get really close to the action, making the wood end the only place to get the action right in front of you.
