Hastings qualify for FA Cup

The local team will represent the south east in this year’s FA Futsal Cup alongside Brighton University.

The FA Cup will begin with a gruelling one-day play-off against seven to nine teams consisting of regional league winners, as well as National League futsal clubs.

The top two teams will qualify for the next stage of the competition where they may face some of the country’s strongest sides. The Hastings-based club was led and captained by former England futsal international Jimmy Elford, who won 24 caps for his country over five years.

A club spokesman said: “We are delighted to have qualified for the FA Cup as our project continues to gather pace towards National League entry.

“We are also delighted that Jimmy has joined us, not just from an elite level, but the ripple effect this has through the club right down to all of our youth age groups.”

The squad for the season was made up of experienced trio Marc Smith, Pete Crump and Dan Barrellie, as well as Dan Rogers and teenage sensation Wayne Giles. Visit www.hastingsfutsal.co.uk for details of Hastings Futsal’s sessions.