Following a strong end to the season including winning the Middlesex Senior Cup for the first time in the club’s post merger history, the board have been notified by Paul Hughes of his intention to retire with immediate effect from football management. Having previously overseen the Hayes & Yeading United reserve side before going off to enjoy managerial success at Kings Langley, Paul took over the first team with us in November 2016 initially as joint-manager with Ritchie Hanlon. Since that time the club has enjoyed promotion, play-off appearances, a League Cup, a County Cup, three First Round FA Cup appearances, a multitude of goals, some incredible football and returned to its home ground. Chairman Tony O’Driscoll said: “On behalf of the club and personally, I would like to thank Paul for all of his efforts in the past six and a half years that has helped make Hayes & Yeading United a club known to people up and down the country and beyond. During that time we have had many highs, a few lows and made some fantastic memories that Paul and all involved with the club can forever be proud of. I wish him well in the next chapter of his life and he will always be welcome at the club and I hope we will still see him often at matches.” Vice-Chair Dev Jassi added: “Times like these can be problematic for clubs, especially ones like ours that have enjoyed success in recent years. I am therefore very pleased to say that whilst Paul Hughes will be leaving us, the rest of the existing management team will be staying on. Ritchie Hanlon has agreed to take on the role of First Team Manager with Peter Holmes as Assistant Manager, Clark Jenner as First Team Coach and Delroy Preddie as Goalkeeping Coach. I hope this will give us a continuity that will help the team build on the good work they have already played a role in creating.” New first team manager Ritchie Hanlon said: “Whilst it is sad to know that my best mate will no longer be part of this great club, I fully understand his reasons for stepping down and thank him for the great memories created together. I also thank the club for giving me and the rest of the management team the opportunity to continue overseeing the playing side for the next chapter of the club’s history. We finished very strongly last season and we are already working hard to plan for next, keeping the majority of that squad together to ensure we start the fast approaching new season as strongly as possible.” Paul signed off with the following statement: "After 13 years of joy, pain, ups, downs and an irreplaceable sense of camaraderie with those I work with, I’m retiring from football management. I’ve had a fantastic time in non league football as a manager and it’s now time for me to focus my attention on my family and my new ventures. Life has changed considerably for me over the last two years and I have an adorable two year old boy and another boy on the way in mid July. I can no longer commit the time, energy and emotion to football. Over the last six years, the club has been a great place to work and it’s important it maintains its momentum. Nothing needs to change. With that in mind, my current management team are staying in place to provide that consistency and stability that the club needs. I’ll do my best to help in the background but my time is now heavily invested with family and other work commitments. Six years ago Tony and Devs gave me the opportunity to manage, what is, my local club, and for that honour, I thank them. I also thank them for all the support they have given me throughout my tenure. I’ll miss our chats. I would also like to thank all the volunteers and committee members at Hayes & Yeading for all their help and support because without these people, non league football simply wouldn’t exist. The club is in a fantastic place and has great momentum going into next season with an excellent group of players and a committed management team that will do a brilliant job and I wish them every success. I would also like to thank all the players that have played for me over the last thirteen years. It’s with their support and commitment that we have achieved the successes that we have. I’ve always set high standards in the dressing room which can be challenging but those standards are there because we care. I really appreciate the sacrifices you all make to play. We simply want you to be the best you can be. Finally, my best wishes go to all the non league managers for the commitment, sacrifice and energy you give to the game we all love. My heart will always be in the game and I wish you all the best. PS - to Jeff and Kevin, the two fans I regularly chat to about tactics, team selection and everything football on my way to the top of the stand - I never did get that coffee you promised me!
It was a great pleasure for the Club to host children from the Halo Children's Foundation at Saturday's game against Plymouth Parkway. HALO is a charity set up to help provide bereavement support to children & their families and we hope that all of those who came along Saturday had an enjoyable experience and hopefully the club will see some of you in the future. For details of the charity please click here.
Congratulations to striker Moses Emmanuel who was today announced as the Supporters' Player of the Year for season 2022/23. Moses claimed more than half of the vote from the United fans to deservedly pick up this accolade as the season nears its conclusion. Strong mention also to runner-up Paul Field who has had an excellent debut season for United.
Middlesex County FA have advised that ticketing for our County Cup Final at Hanwell against Harrow Borough will be priced as follows: Adults: £10 Over 65s, students, 16 to 18 : £5 Under 16s: FREE. Tickets will be pre-sold online through Ticketpass. The idea behind this is to manage capacity and be able to accommodate everybody in a safe environment. MCFA ask all supporters, spectators, families and friends to order their tickets before the fixture as this will assist with ingress at the turnstiles. Click HERE to book your tickets. MCFA have confirmed that payment by cash or card on the night of the game is also available should supporters be unable to purchase in advance.
Due to the use of the clubs car park by a third party, there will be no general on-site spectator parking at the SKYex for Monday's fixture however the club will endeavor to accomodate blue badge holders. The club apologise for the inconvenience but we must take every opportunity to raise funds and hope that our supporters will understand this.
United's away match at Tiverton Town will now be played on Thursday 20th April just 24 hours after we play Harrow Borough in the final of the Middlesex Senior Cup. Sadly with the County unable to switch the cup final and the Southern League unwilling to extend the season we are left in the unenviable position of having to play five games in the final eight days of the campaign, playing Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and again on the final Saturday.