New trio can help take Hastings United onwards and upwards

Craig Barrow and Ross Shewry-Maryan join the board of directors and David Ormerod rejoins as club president.

Barrow has recently been a driving force in Hastings United Academy, overseeing the business aspects of the club. With his business connections in the town he steps up to the board and will continue to be linked to the academy, especially in the transition of the academy coming in-house.

Barrow has consistently been a huge supporter of the football club with his business CB Electrical Contractors and United chiefs are delighted he has accepted the offer to join the board.

Barrow said: “It’s an absolute honour to be joining the board at Hastings United. The club has a really good energy around it at present and has made some really positive steps both on and off the pitch in the past year. I’m excited to be working closely with the club and the academy, assisting in driving the club forward and feel very proud to be part of its future."

Shewry-Maryan joins with a host of experience with 15 years service to the Sussex Schools FA, where he has been chairman since May 2014. As a deputy head teacher at St. Leonards CEP Academy, he will take up the role at the club as Head of Education and Welfare, being the link across the cademy and across schools, increasing the club's participation in the community.

Shewry-Maryan said: “I am delighted to be joining Hastings United Football Club. As a lifelong supporter, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I’ve known Billy for over 25 years and I am excited to be working alongside him and the rest of the Hastings United board and staff.

"I can’t wait to get started and use my experiences as the Sussex Schools FA Chairman and my 20 years in education to help the club continue it’s progress."

A very popular return to the club is that of Ormerod to take the role of club president. While he will not join the Board of Directors, his knowledge, enthusiasm and love for the football club will be in full effect as he will continually work with the club in a host of areas.

Ormerod, alongside Daren Burney and Peter Sherlock, took over the club in 2015, with Ormerod taking on the chairman's role.

He said: “As most of you will be aware I stood down from my position as both director and of club president. I have continued to be a supporter both home and away as well as assisting the club with some book work.

"Both Billy Wood and Daren Burney approached me to consider taking the role of club president, which I am delighted to say I have accepted. I have been involved in the club since 1968 in various position, except from an eight-year break, and was delighted to return in 2015 to purchase the club alongside Daren and Peter Sherlock.

"It was disappointing we couldn’t, through no fault of our own, get the promotion we deserved this season, but I feel very confident both on and off the pitch and believe we will achieve it next season.”

Billy Wood, CEO, said of the trio of appointments: “It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome both Craig and Ross to the board of directors and I am confident that alongside Pat, Hayley, Jo and I that we have a motivated, committed and well rounded team.

"Craig has been involved in the club for an incredible amount of time and his work in the academy coupled with his experience and commitment to the club made him an obvious addition. Ross will be a new face to many, but a man of principles and respect, a family man who also holds the same believes and passions that are the heartbeat of the culture of Hastings United in 2020.

"His experience will be a huge asset to the club in all age groups and with our determination to reach the community even deeper than we have, Ross is the perfect addition.

"Last but certainly not least, David accepting the role of club president is a real joyful moment for me. While I was incredibly upset David decided to leave in September last year, he has been an asset and a positive supporter of what we are doing here at the club.

"David is a gentle and caring man, who has Hastings United at his heart. To welcome him back is both an honour and a privilege, I am delighted he will be with us in an official capacity as we look to drive this club onwards and upwards.”