Matt Paterson has left Havant and Waterlooville after two years at the club. The striker affectionately known as ‘Pato’ joined the Hawks initially on loan from Aldershot Town of the National League. The scots time at Westleigh Park sees him in the clubs record books notching 32 goals for the club in 104 appearances. Paterson would enjoy a successful 2016/17 even if at times he saw it from the bench. In 22 appearances for the Hawks he notched an impressive 18 goals, the highest goals per game ratio of any player last season.

The 27-year old before joining the Hawks enjoyed a successful career in the Scottish Premier League with Hamilton Academical before stints in the Football League with Southend and Burton Albion, before playing for Aldershot and a successful spell at Gosport Borough before signing permanatly for the Hawks in July 2015.

Paterson even when not in the squad oozed in class both on and off the pitch and at 6ft. 2 inches was a genuine gentle giant of the game, often stopping at Westleigh Park to sign fans autographs and whenever asked always accepting an interview with the press team and on Hawks Radio’s ‘Ask the Kitmen’ where he would always provide a laugh or two.

Wherever his next step in the game maybe, we wish him the very best of luck in his next endeavours and a player and character like Pato he is sure to enjoy more successes at pastures new!

Henry Deacon

Matt Tubbs has become Havant and Waterlooville’s first major signing of the new season after he put pen to paper on a 2 year deal at Westleigh Park. The former Wimbledon, Portsmouth and most recently Eastleigh man’s signing has come as a big shock but that shock was doubled by excitement.

 

The 32-year old who spent the last 12 months at 4 different National League clubs. But it was whilst he was at AFC Wimbledon when he came to the eyes and ears to the footballing world where he scored 15 goals in 30 matches for the Kingsmeadow side before being recalled by AFC Bournemouth to complete a transfer to Portsmouth.

 

Tubbs has an eye for a goal having notched an impressive 239 goals in 583 career matches spread across the leagues including League 1. Despite playing in the higher echelons of the game, being League 1 runner-up with Bournemouth, he has had prior experience of Vanarama National League South football having won the 2007 play-off final with Salisbury City.

 

A major signing for the Hawks and a prospect that Hawks fans will relish ahead of a return to 6^th tier football to Westleigh Park once more. With Lee Bradbury keeping and resigning the bulk of the league winning side, it will be interesting to see what next lies in store.

 

Henry Deacon

Havant and Waterlooville’s opponents for their first season back in the National League South has been confirmed as Gloucester City have been moved from the North to the South. The relegation of Bishops Stortford last season twinned with three Northern clubs relegated from the National League meant that Gloucester City would have to switch divisions.

Also joining the Hawks in the division next season is the other relegated National League side Braintree who’s relegation came a year after they under the stewardship of Danny Cowley were within an extra time goal of going to Wembley for a place in the Football League.

Here is the full lineup for the Vanarama National League South 2017/18:

Bath City

Bognor Regis Town (Ryman League)

Braintree Town (National League)

Chelmsford City

Chippenham Town (Southern League)

Concord Rangers

Dartford

East Thurrock United

Eastbourne Borough

Gloucester City (National North)

Hampton & Richmond Borough

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE (Ryman League)

Hemel Hempstead Town

Hungerford Town

Oxford City

Poole Town

St Albans City

Truro City

Wealdstone

Welling United

Weston-super-Mare

Whitehawk

 

(All Subject to ratification at League AGM)

 

 

Havant and Waterlooville and Portsmouth will lock horns in their annual pre-season friendly at Westleigh Park on July 29^th at 3pm, after the League Two champions announced the clash on their twitter feed.

 

 

 

It will be a clash of two champions as the Hawks fresh from their Ryman League Triumph face Pompey who became only the fifth side in history to win all four divisions of the Football League after their final day 6-1 win over Cheltenham Town saw them win the league despite only topping the division for a staggering 33 minutes.

 

MATCHDAY LIVE FROM LAST SEASON:

 

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Lee Bradbury’s side will be looking to avenge the 5-0 defeat to the blues last summer but with former Pompey players such as Wes Fogden and Bradley Tarbuck in the side along with former Pompey academy player Ryan Woodford there will be appetite in the Hawks sides to get one over Paul Cook’s side.

 

 

 

The annual ever present on the pre-season fixture list also returns to a Saturday with a 3pm kick-off meaning that a large pre-season gate is expected at Westleigh Park as both sides look forward to their seasons ahead in the Vanarama National League South and League 1 respectively.

 

 

 

Henry Deacon

 

 

 

 

 

This season has been the first since the rebrand from Hawks FM to Hawks Radio and it has been our pleasure to bring to you Havant and Waterlooville’s historic promotion season. As a present from us to you, here’s the best of us this season.

After a historic season in the league for Lee Bradbury’s side, they are looking to end the campaign with the Portsmouth Senior Cup in the cabinet as they face Petersfield Town in a repeat of the final of 2015 which saw the Hawks win their first Portsmouth cup crown at Westleigh Park.

 

With the kick off being at the slightly earlier time of 19:30 at Fratton Park, ticket details have been released for the game at the home of the League 2 champions. For Adults entry is at a competitive price of £10 whilst for concessions it is at £5.

 

 

On top of that thanks to Hawks megafan Ade Oakley fans will be able to enjoy a pre-match drink at the Shepard’s Crook pub in Goldsmith Avenue from 17:00. The go to pub for Pompey fans on matchday, it is a venue Hawks fans will remember well with them functioning at the pub before the 2014 Hampshire Senior Cup final defeat to Basingstoke Town.

 

It would be great to see as many Hawks fans as possible to see Bradbury’s boys try and lift his 4^th piece of silverware in charge and the second this term.

 

Henry Deacon

Harry Medway has today left Havant and Waterlooville FC becoming the first player to leave Westleigh Park for Pasteur’s new. A young man who’s charm and smile endeared himself to Hawks fans but was being shut out by the ever-present performer Rory Williams during the Hawks’ promotion winning season last term. This meant Medway would go out to the likes of Petersfield and AFC Totton to try and get minutes to try and gain an assault back into the Hawks side. Despite playing a part of Louis Langdown’s side who kept Totton in the Southern 1 Central, he will not be apart of Lee Bradbury’s plans for their return to the National League South.

 

But as one door closes another one opens and a player of Medway’s quality will mean that he will not be left club less for long with AFC Totton being the favourites to snap up the signature of the young man.

 

Henry Deacon

 

As the Hawks return to the Vanarama National League South after a year’s absence the preparations for the season ahead has already started. Less than a fortnight after a historic and memorable afternoon at Kingsmeadow Lee Bradbury has not just signed half a dozen players but has also announced the first two pre season friendlies.

 

The first of these is on the 18th July at Testwood Stadium where the Hawks head to AFC Totton who under the leadership of Louis Langdown have a exciting new project with at the heart of it young Hawks loanee’s who will be returning potentially against them. The Tuesday night fixture is a 19:45 kick off with ticket details announced shortly.

 

Last Night, Horndean put a release on their website confirming a pre-season fixture against the Hawks. The Hawks will be making their first trip to Five Heads park in two years on July 25th, again another Tuesday night encounter. By this point in pre-season, Lee Bradbury will be close to finding out his starting XI ahead of the August 5th league start.

All this without the old season being out with one more Portsmouth Senior Cup final against Petersfield Town at Fratton Park still to play.

 

Henry Deacon

Havant and Waterlooville player of the season Rory Williams has cemented his future at Westleigh Park after signing a two year deal. Williams who played a pivotal role in the Hawks’ league winning side joined the Hawks from Gosport Borough last summer apart of a string of players to make the Privett Park switch.

His stats make for impressive reading in 48 appearances in listed competitions scoring 4 goals and being so influencial to other goal bulging moments throughout the season. Williams has won much praise from the Hawks fans for his consistency and work rate and along with charming personality has become a popular figure in his first season at Westleigh Park.

Henry Deacon

Brian Stock has become the latest player to secure his future at Westleigh Park after signing a new one year deal. The 35-year old who skippered the Hawks side to the Ryman League title last week joined the now National League South side from then Premier League promoted Burnley in 2014. He has become the latest in a number of players in which Lee Bradbury has secured the services of in the last week including the like of Bradley Tarbuck and Dan Strugnell for the next few years.

Stock was decisive at the back for the Hawks, a leader of a side which had togetherness creased into their identity played a decisive role at the back keeping opponents at bay and playing his role in 20 clean sheets in the league this season. The contract means that he will play his fourth season for the Hawks and should ensure that he makes the 150 appearances mark.

 

Henry Deacon