Welcome to Through the Turnstile, this series of features are intended to shine the light on some of non-leagues leading stars. During this feature we will be taking a look at a club based in Sussex - Westfield FC!
A brief history of the club.
Westfield Football Club are a football club based in Westfield, near Hastings, England. They were established before World War I. They joined the Sussex County Football League Division Three in 1997. Despite finishing outside the Sussex County Football League Division Two relegation places Westfield were relegated due to failing the ground grading regulations. They are currently members of the Mid-Sussex League Premier Division and play at the Knight and Davey Stadium, Westfield , where they moved in in January 2024
Westfield joined Division Two of the East Sussex League in 1971, the finished runners up in 1972–73. The following season in Division One, they won a league and cup double, in 1977–78 in the Premier Division they won another league and cup double. However, by 1991 the club were back in Division Two of the league.
The club were admitted back into Division Three of the Sussex County League for the 1997–98 season. In the 1998–99 season, the club finished 4th and were promoted into Division Two. The club managed to reach the final of the Division Two Challenge Cup in the 2002–03 season, which saw them finish 6th in the league, they missed out to league champions and local rivals Rye & Iden United. The club finished in 3rd in 2006–07, however due to having no floodlights at their home ground, could not be promoted into Division One.
In June 2022, Premier League footballer Steve Cook bought a majority ownership in the club.
In January 2024, Westfield moved to their new community stadium at Westfield Downs. Just a few hundred yards from their old ground, the Parish Field.
(Source: https://www.westfieldfcsussex.co.uk/clubinfo/Club-History)
Club legends (as told by Fan Kyle Churchman)
Jack Stapley (Club Chairman) words don’t describe how much he does for the club. Some of his work might go unnoticed, but he does so much.
Graham Drinkwater again another man who does so much for the club hence the stand being named after him, without these people the club wouldn’t be where it is today
Kit
2024/2025 WESTFIELD FC – SNR COOK COLLABORATION SHIRT - £40
https://macronstorehastings.com/shop/club-shop-2/westfield-fc-club-shop-2/westfield-fc-snr-cook-collaboration-shirt/
In homage to owner Steve Cook the club have released a exclusive shirt that pays homage to Steves iconic match kit.
Stadium info
Knight and Davey Community Stadium (TN35 4FL)
Capacity - 1500 ( 50 💺)
Number of stands - 1 (recently installed by Elite Stands UK)
Grass Pitch
Entry Price
FREE ENTRY
That is correct, Westfield FC has Zero, Nil pois, Niente, Nothing!
Excellent excellent value and it just means you can grab a programme, a pin badge, a burger and a pint or 3...failing all of that you could always spread the word and help the club by increasing the overall exposure they have.
Matchday Programme
£2 printed copy (I do like the use of a gradient on the clubs name, very smart)
Stadium Shop
Now what do we have here people! With winter just around the corner you can snag yourself a 3 piece combo, A hat, snood and gloves all fully branded for just £30! So, for those matchdays where the coat is done up to your nose and your matchday shirt is hidden away, you can feel safe in the knowledge you are still proudly showing off your team!
On the otherside of things - the shorts are very smart if you live life dangerously and buy shorts in October!
https://macronstorehastings.com/product-category/club-shop-2/westfield-fc-club-shop-2/
Itssssss pin badge corner...and my my my check out this little beauty!
One of the more expensive pins we have featured on the page but when combined with the overall look and quality + the club charge NOTHING for admission, I would say it is still very good value for money.
Price - £5
Special Mention
The club recently invited Bumblebee Ariel Imagery to the ground to film/shoot some drone footage and I have to say the result is lovely. A really nice visual for not only the club but for anyone thinking of attending a future game, the whole area/ground is a credit to the club, it is smart and the potential for growth is huge.
Drinks
Alongside a little cameo from the club president, this lovely little ‘Parish Bar’ is the clubs place to head for all of you thirsty drinkers! It is small but mighty offering everything you need to keep you hyrdated throughout the afternoon or evening matchdays, hot drinks and bar snacks can also be purchased from here too!
Food
The Plough!
A staple for any good matchday is good food and this beauty of a food truck provides you with just that, not just good value (as you’ll see in the Fab 4 league tables) but also great options too!
Now if white plastic garden chairs don't scream pure non-league football then I dont know what does - I love it!
The Fab 4 - League Tables
Now lets all gather round and see how Westfield stack up against other teams in the non-league scene...
4/4 ! Westfield make it into all of the Fab 4 leagues with the standout being that they claim 3rd place in the Cider table with a fantastic offering of just £4 for a pint. A Cup of tea for just £1.50 is also really good value and if you get hungry then you have no need to worry as for just £6 you can grab yourself a burger and chips - lovely stuff!
Top 3 all time players (as told by fan Graham Drinkwater)
Harry Lovick, Corey Wheeler & Patterson Ruigame
Press Play!
The club have a YouTube channel and this season have posted highlights from some of their games, something I am very onboard with. Why not help them boost their numbers by jumping over to their channel now and hitting that subscribe button!
Views from the Staff
Q) What attracted you to the club?
When I was 16 my brother was in the first team and he asked me to come along after a year or 2 away at hastings united it's been westfield ever since
Q) What is the best thing about being manager of Westfield FC?
A Great bunch of lads and the people behind the scenes really make the club run smoothly.
Q) What are your hopes for the season?
To win the league. If we fail that, then to at least be in the best position for promotion
Q) What challenges do you find the hardest to deal with?
Being honest the availability of players.. its not so much a challenge because we don't pay a single player but it's a frustrating element of it.
Q) Why should someone come down to watch your team this year?
We play good football. We like to play an attacking brand of football and it's a great place to be everyone is so welcoming from the players all the way through to the president who you will often see running the bar on a match day.
Q) Why do you think non-league football is experiencing such a dramatic rise in popularity ?
Everyone is getting so disillusioned with the top leagues. The prices of a ticket to go and watch the best players on the planet has risen so much people who work 9 to 5 all week are being priced out of it. I also think being involved in non league it gives people a purpose. It gives you the satisfaction of building something from the very bottom to where it will naturally find it's place in the footballing pyramid. You meet real genuine people that are the same as you and the interaction with players you don't get in the top leagues.
Q) Firstly - just how much does it roughly cost to run a club like Westfield on a yearly basis?
£50,000 a year
Q) How difficult is it to obtain the funding needed to keep the club going year on year?
It's getting harder and harder each year
Q) What is the most difficult part of your job for the club?
Keeping on top of the youth teams subs and fines
Q) What are the benefits to new businesses who are looking to help non-league clubs like yourself?
The benefits are that it's a cheap option to advertise your business locally while helping to support the football club
Q) What is the one thing you are most proud of since you have been with the club?
Working with my sons Jack and Harry
Q) The role of Social Media Manager is always quite a busy one. How do you juggle this role alongside everyday life?
Preparation is massive , if I have all the info, I can have a weeks social media posts set up and ready for posting.
Every now and then there is a surprise so it's good to be prepared so these don't take up too much time.
Q) How difficult is it in a non-league world where change is constant?
It can be very tough , luckily, these days, you do have some platforms that you can edit posts, so sometimes it gets you out of a hole.
As I said if the information is there and correct at the time then all you can sometimes do is apologise and move on
Q) Is there something you wish there was more of in non-league football?
One thing that always gets me , the folding of teams and leagues pretending like they didn't happen , them points mean something , has to be more clarified in that.
Q) How much pride do you personally get from things you design, post, and implement?
I love it , it is a passion , I love seeing the likes and shares and having that individuality , it's great to see other clubs do it aswell , but for me I love it , and I think the response you get makes it all worth while.
Westfield FC have been good to me the feedback is incredible the social media numbers just keep rising.
Q) What is one reason someone should come down and give the club a go?
Our club is on the rise , I've not been here long and it's happiest I've been for a while , the clubs on the rise and is going places , it has the perfect backing and a great team of people around it.
Whether it's to watch a game or to sign up and play .
We would love to have you.
View from the fans
Q) Why did you initially start to come and watch Westfield?
I moved into the village 49 years ago and have been involved with the club ever since
Q) What is it that makes you want to come back each week?
The Football and because it is such a friendly club
Q) Non league football is special to so many people, why is it special to yourself?
Having played non-league football for many years, it is very special for me to still be involved with the club.
Q) What are your hopes for the team this season?
To play well and finish in a position to go up
Q) What does a Westfield matchday feel like?
Electric
Q) What is the best thing about non-league football?
That you can relate to the person next to you
Q) FREE of charge to get in to games - how is the quality of football?
Up there with one of the best football around
Q) The club recently installed a 50 seater stand, does this just show the ambition and plans for the future to you?
Definitely, the club is on the up, and this is just the first step. Watch this space!
Q) Why should more people come along to Westfield?
It’s a great club family club with great people involved. Why wouldn’t you want to come along and have a look
Future plans as told by Chairman Jack Stapley
Q) What does the 5 year plan for the club look like?
Hopefully in Step 5 of the football pyramid, with a sustainable bar, food outlet and further development to the ground, preferably with a 3G facility that the whole area can use to help alleviate the facility issues around the village and town.
Q) What are the future plans for:
Stadium - Floodlights, further seating, a terrace stand behind the cricket ground end goal & a 3G facility
Academy - A post 16 education programme, and continue to give football to all, my aim is to have all children coming out of Westfield school playing for the club.
Recruitment - Recruit the best young local players and not lose them to other local clubs, we don’t pay players but try to provide an environment for them to thrive in other ways.
Community projects - Football for all for children 3-6 all free of charge and provided by our qualified coaches, Summer and half term camps for the local village.
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So that brings us to the end yet another 'Through the Turnstile'. Westfield are a special club and are doing all of the right things to set themselves up for more success in the future, I am really invested in following their story and will be sure to keep a lookout for their scores at the weekends now.
The staff have been incredible with myself and ever so welcoming, a special shoutout to Harry Stapley who has been so patient with me and has answered any and all questions I have thrown his way.
And lastly don’t forget a matchday is completely FREE so why not head on down for a game one weekend? You could take a seat in the ‘Graham Drinkwater Stand’ with a nice cold pint of cider alongside a burger and some chips….sign me up!
Until next time!
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