Burgess Hill Town announce pre-season dates and new deal for boss Lovett

Burgess Hill Town first team manager Jay Lovett. Picture by Chris Neal

The Hillians will get some much needed match fitness under their belt in NINE friendly matches.

It was announced after Hillians boss Jay Lovett signed a new contract.

Hill kick off with a trip to near-neighbours Hassocks on Tuesday, July 6. They will travel to Chipstead on Saturday, July 10 before they welcome League Two outfit Crawley Town to The More Than Tyres Stadium on Tuesday, July 13.

Hill are back on the road for games at Barking on Saturday, July 17, Alfold on Tuesday, July 20 and Glebe on Saturday, July 24.

The Hillians host Horsham on Tuesday, July 27 before they venture to Chichester City on Friday, July 30.

Burgess Hill conclude pre-season with a blockbuster clash against either Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-23s or under-18s. Hill will welcome the Seagulls on Tuesday, August 3.

All Saturday games kick off at 3pm, bar Hill’s game at Barking which will commence at 1pm.

All games on Tuesday evenings will begin at 7.30pm apart from the Hillains’ trip to Alfold which will start at the slightly later time of 7.45pm.

Hill’s game at Chichester under the Friday night lights kicks off at 7.30pm.

Under the current Government roadmap, spectators will be able to attend these fixtures, but the club will provide updates if anything changes.

Admission prices are to be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, manager Lovett has put pen to paper on a new deal.

Lovett was appointed in November 2019 but has yet to complete a full season at the club.

He led Hill to 15th in Isthmian South East in 2019-20 before the season was declared null and void.

The Hillians sat bottom of the table after seven games in 2020-21 but, again, the campaign was curtailed.

Hill chairman Kevin Newell said: “I am delighted that Jay is committing to the club. He has the full support of the board and we look forward to working with him and his management team again next season.”