Ex-Gillingham youth manager Darren Hare named new Hastings United manager

Pic: Gillingham FC

HASTINGS UNITED have appointed former Gillingham youth team manager Darren Hare as their new first team boss.

The 49-year-old UEFA A Licence holder left the Gills earlier this year to set up a new coaching academy with Leyton Orient boss Andy Hessenthaler.

Hare, a former player with Hastings Town, started last season as Gillingham Ladies’ joint-boss and he also has managerial experience in Non-League with Canterbury City and Folkestone Invicta.

He replaces Garry Wilson who departed Pilot Field after the club narrowly missed out on the Ryman South play-offs by two points.

Hare is set to finalise his backroom staff but it has been confirmed that physio Dane Martin, kit man Dino Gilkes, development squad manager Glyn White and football academy head coach Dean White will all remain at Hastings.

A club statement read: “Following a lengthy and thorough recruitment process, the board of directors of Hastings United Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Darren Hare as the new first team manager at the Pilot Field.

“Many supporters will remember Hare from his playing days, when, as a centre forward, he was part of Peter Sillett’s Hastings Town squad of the early 1990s.

“The intention is for the club to attract the best young players from Hastings and the surrounding area with a view to a number of them graduating to its Under 19 football academy.”