Hastings : 1926 And All That Pilot Field in the late 1950s showing the old speedway light pylons
struggle , but the club ’ s coffers were boosted by an extended FA Cup run in 1953 / 54 that saw Hastings United reach Round Three and receive a home tie against Norwich City . A record crowd of 12,727 , several thousand of them spread across the steep grass banking , saw Hastings United and Norwich play out a 3-3 draw . A plan to erect three covered
Hastings United v . Norwich City at the Pilot Field in January 1954 Photo : Alamy
stands , starting at the Elphinstone Road end and curving round the open side , began in 1955 , and though a second shelter was subsequently built next to it , that was as far as the plan went . In 1964 , the underpowered speedway floodlights were replaced by a more conventional set , but changes at the Pilot Field were few until 1985 , when Hastings United ’ s long standing financial difficulties saw them fold . Waiting in the wings were Hastings Town , who under their former name of Hasting & St Leonards , had been tenants at Pilot Field before being supplanted by Hastings United in 1948 . As members of the Sussex
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