2023–24 Hashtag United season (men)

**The 2023–24 season will be Hashtag United's sixth season of chapter two and first in the Isthmian League - Premier Division. The club will compete in the aforementioned league, the FA Cup, the FA Trophy, the Essex Senior Cup and the Velocity Sports Trophy.**

## Overview

### Competitions

*italics indicate competition still ongoing*

**Updated**: 00:00, 21 January 2024 (UTC)

### Players

 **Most Clean Sheets (GKs Only)** | Ted Curd (4)

*all competitions, including friendlies*

**Updated**: 00:00, 21 January 2024 (UTC)

## Summary

May 2023
On 11 May, it was revealed that HTU would continue to groundshare with Bowers & Pitsea at the Len Salmon Stadium. Walton & Hersham of the Southern League - Premier Division South announced a friendly with HTU on 14 May for 29 July. Olly Miles revealed his departure on 16 May; later heading to Tilbury. A day later, Combined Counties League - Premier Division South club Farnham Town noted that a pre-season friendly would take place at home to HTU on 15 July. Hours after, HTU confirmed Miles' exit as well as that of Kojo Apenteng,
Eli Benoit (later to Woodford Town), Joe Debell and Iyiola Adebayo (later to White Ensign). On 24 May, the same day that the club announced the return of Adidas as kit manufacturers, newly-promoted Isthmian League - North Division outfit Redbridge confirmed an exhibition game with HTU for 10 July; later moved to 11 July.

Another friendly was penciled in following Bowers & Pitsea's release on 25 May for 1 July. Also in that month, on 21 May, Farai Tsingano's return was confirmed.

June 2023
National League South team Worthing announced a pre-season fixture with HTU on 6 June. Additional friendlies for *The Tags* were revealed by Heybridge Swifts on 8 June and by Enfield on 9 June. Later on that latter day, HTU ratified all previously announced friendlies, as well as adding further exhibition games with Barking and AFC Sudbury - both of which away from home. On 13 June, Jermaine Francis noted that he had left HTU. Eman Okunja followed suit on 17 June. HTU confirmed those departures on 18 June, noting that Francis had rejected "a new contract" and that Okunja had joined Brightlingsea Regent - who Kojo Apenteng joined a day later. Harry Critchley made note of his exit on 24 June; later joining Brightlingsea Regent.

On 28 June, Sak Hassan was revealed to be Jay Devereux's 2nd signing for 2023–24. A day later, Pedro Carvalho departed after he had "been given an opportunity to play full-time overseas" - later snapped up by Racing of Luxembourg. Hours later, HTU announced their retained list as Toby Aromolaran, Percy Kiangebeni, Alex Teniola, Greg Halford, Lewis Watson, James Philp, Max Cornhill, Tom Anderson, Harry Haysom, Matthew Wooldridge, Nathan Smith, Wyan Reid and Joni Vukaj had pledged to remain.

July 2023
Having been accepted in the preceding February, Nathan Wilson headed off to the United States to play for and attend Blue Mountain College - via White Ensign. HTU opened pre-season with a 3–2 win over stadium landlords Bowers & Pitsea on 1 July. On 3 July, former Norwich City and Lowestoft Town player Kieran Higgs revealed that he had been training with HTU ahead of a possible move. A day later, hours after announcing the signing of Suleyman Zuhdu, HTU won an away friendly against Barking 3–1. On 8 July, *The Tags* won away to AFC Sudbury in an exhibition. In their following encounter, Redbridge were beaten 6–0 at home.

On 13 July, the Isthmian League - Premier Division fixture list was revealed as HTU were given an opening day home match with Dulwich Hamlet. An own-goal from Ryan Kinnane alongside strikes from Suleyman Zuhdu and Wyan Reid gave HTU a 3–1 success at Farnham Town on 15 July. HTU then suffered their 1st defeat of the season on 18 July as Enfield won 2–0, as ex-Tag Sam Bantick netted. Goals from Percy Kiangebeni and Sak Hassan allowed HTU to make amends next time out as they beat National League South outfit Worthing on 22 July. The club added a friendly with White Ensign later that day, which was to be played 4 days following the match with *The Rebels*. Sam Cornish signed on 24 July, with Misha Djemaili following suit a day later. On 26 July, White Ensign defeated HTU.

HTU played their penultimate friendly match away to Walton & Hersham on 29 July, which concluded in a 4–3 victory for the home side.

August 2023
*The Tags* closed pre-season on the pitch with a 3–0 road win at Heybridge Swifts on 5 August. In the annual squad video update on 10 August, it was revealed that Kieran Higgs would not be signed to the team, while talks were ongoing with Jamie Riley ahead of a possible move in and with Joni Vukaj for a possible move out. Jay Devereux's side opened their league campaign with a 2–2 home draw with Dulwich Hamlet, as Toby Aromolaran grabbed a 94th-minute equaliser. Days later, on 15 August, HTU picked up three points at Concord Rangers after claiming a 4–1 win. On the same day, Chelmsford City (National League South) confirmed the signing of Jermaine Francis - and noted that they had reached "an agreement" for him with HTU.

On 19 August, Alexis André Jr. was temporarily signed to cover for an injured James Philp. A goalless draw with Bognor Regis Town took place on 19 August. On 21 August, HTU were given a home tie with Brentwood Town to start their FA Cup run. HTU made it consecutive scoreless ties in the league on 26 August as they drew with Folkestone Invicta at home. 2 days later, on 28 August, HTU fell to a 3–0 loss at Hornchurch.

September 2023
Ted Curd was snapped up on loan from Premier League outfit Chelsea on 2 September 2023, on the same day that saw fellow incomings Jeremie Mukendi and Alfie Cue also rubber-stamped. Hours after, *The Tags* defeated Brentwood Town in the FA Cup 1st qualifying round. 2 days later, HTU were given a 2nd qualifying round home tie with Needham Market for 16 September; thus postponing their league game with Carshalton Athletic. Suleyman Zuhdu's exit was confirmed on 4 September. HTU returned to league action on 9 September with a come-from-behind 2–2 draw at home to Kingstonian. Pedro Carvalho rejoined on 14 September. Nigel Aris signed with *The Tags* on 16 September.

Hours later on 16 September, Needham Market eliminated HTU from the FA Cup 2nd qualifying round as Kyle Hammond gave *The Marketmen* a 1–0 triumph at the Len Salmon Stadium. A week later, Alfie Cue scored a brace in a 2–0 win over Wingate & Finchley. In a 25 September FA Trophy 3QR draw, HTU were given an away trip to South Park Reigate. Hours after, Alfie Cue netted his 3rd goal in 2 games and 3 days as he gave the club a narrow 1–0 triumph away to Carshalton Athletic. A mid-season exhibition with Tonbridge Angels of National League South was confirmed on 26 September for 30 September, as a replacement for HTU's postponed league match with Whitehawk (due to FA Cup commitments for the latter).

Lewis Watson departed HTU on 28 September after he "decided to leave the club for more regular game time", with that announcement being followed by the revealment of Jeremie Mukendi's exit "a couple of weeks" prior. On 30 September, Tonbridge Angels and HTU played out a 1–1 draw; with Lewis Gard and Nathan Smith scoring.

October 2023
At the start of October, HTU's league match with Billericay Town on 14 October was postponed due to the latter's FA Cup match - with the Whitehawk fixture being moved (forward) for a 2nd time to take its place on that date. 6 October saw Farai Tsingano head on loan to Enfield. HTU made it 3 straight exits at the 1st hurdle in the FA Trophy on 7 October as South Park Reigate won 2–0 in the 3rd qualifying round; hours before which saw Camilo Restrepo noted as a new signing. Also at around that date, *The Tags* were given a 3rd round home tie in the Velocity Sports Trophy with Concord Rangers. Whitehawk drew 1–1 at home to HTU on 14 October.

HTU knocked out Concord Rangers from the Velocity Sports Trophy 3rd round after defeating them 2–1 on 16 October. On 21 October, the club drew 1–1 on the road to Margate in the Isthmian League - Premier Division. A 3rd straight 1–1 tie in the league arrived 2 days later at home to Chatham Town. James Philp departed on 26 October. HTU fell to a 6–3 league loss at Enfield Town on 28 October.

November 2023
With Ted Curd away on international duty at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia for at least a few weeks, HTU snapped up goalkeeper Joshua Strizovic on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge on 4 November 2023. Later that day, HTU suffered a defeat in the Isthmian League - Premier Division at home to Hastings United. Wyan Reid left *The Tags* on 10 November in order to rejoin Brentwood Town. HTU returned to winning ways on 11 November with a 2–0 success away to Horsham. A 2–1 victory was secured 2 days later at home to Billericay Town. HTU won 7–0 on 21 November, beating Hornchurch U18 in the Essex Senior Cup 3rd round.

Luke Parrott was snapped up by HTU on 25 November from Woodford Town. He made his debut hours later off the bench in a 1–1 draw in the Isthmian League - Premier Division at Cheshunt.

December 2023
Jayden Randell joined on 2 December. He debuted later that day as a starter in a 3–1 triumph over Canvey Island. On 9 December, their match with Potters Bar Town was postponed. 11 December saw HTU beat Braintree Town in the Essex Senior Cup 4th round 3–1 at home. 5 days later, *The Tags* won 1–0 at home to Cray Wanderers in league action thanks to a Luke Parrott goal. Parrott then netted a hat-trick on 18 December as HTU won 7–2 in the Velocity Sports Trophy 4th round at home to Brightlingsea Regent.

On 26 December, Haringey Borough were beaten on home turf by HTU 4–1 following goals from Matthew Wooldridge, Sak Hassan, Luke Parrott and Max Cornhill. *The Tags* made it 4 straight Isthmian League - Premier Division victories on 30 December with a 3–1 road win over Folkestone Invicta.

January 2024
Isthmian League - Premier Division leaders Hornchurch ended HTU's 10-match all-competition unbeaten run after defeating *The Tags* 3–0 at the Len Salmon Stadium on 1 January. Another loss came the club's way on 6 January as Dulwich Hamlet hosted and came away victorious. Chelsea recalled Ted Curd on 9 January, which later that day led to the club resigning Joshua Strizovic (who had departed in early December 2023) on loan until the season's end. The goalkeeper made his secondary bow later that day at Potters Bar Town, as he took part in an eventual 5–0 league defeat. HTU followed that up with a 5–4 loss at home to Bognor Regis Town, which made it 4 straight league defeats - for the first time in club history. Lewes inflicted further pain on Jay Devereux's team with a 3–2 away win over HTU on 15 January.

HTU stopped their January rot with a 3–3 home draw with promotion-chasing Enfield Town on 20 January, on a day that saw Will Dupray join the club.

## Fixtures

### Friendlies

#### Pre-Season

Bowers & Pitsea  v  Hashtag United

Barking  v  Hashtag United

AFC Sudbury  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Redbridge

Farnham Town  v  Hashtag United

Enfield  v  Hashtag United

Worthing  v  Hashtag United

White Ensign  v  Hashtag United

Walton & Hersham  v  Hashtag United

Heybridge Swifts  v  Hashtag United

### Isthmian League - Premier Division

#### Table

**Updated**: 00:00, 21 January 2024 (UTC)

#### Matches

Hashtag United  v  Dulwich Hamlet

Concord Rangers  v  Hashtag United

Bognor Regis Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Folkestone Invicta

Hornchurch  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Kingstonian

Hashtag United  v  Wingate & Finchley

Carshalton Athletic  v  Hashtag United

Whitehawk  v  Hashtag United

Margate  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Chatham Town

Enfield Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Hastings United

Horsham  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Billericay Town

Cheshunt  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Canvey Island

Hashtag United  v  Cray Wanderers

Haringey Borough  v  Hashtag United

Folkestone Invicta  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Hornchurch

Dulwich Hamlet  v  Hashtag United

Potters Bar Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Bognor Regis Town

Hashtag United  v  Lewes

Hashtag United  v  Enfield Town

Hastings United  v  Hashtag United

Chatham Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Horsham

Hashtag United  v  Carshalton Athletic

Wingate & Finchley  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Whitehawk

Billericay Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Margate

Hashtag United  v  Potters Bar Town

Canvey Island  v  Hashtag United

Kingstonian  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Haringey Borough

Cray Wanderers  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Concord Rangers

Lewes  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Cheshunt

### FA Cup

Hashtag United  v  Brentwood Town

Hashtag United  v  Needham Market

### Essex Senior Cup

Hornchurch U18  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Braintree Town

Hashtag United  v  Aveley

### Velocity Sports Trophy

Hashtag United  v  Concord Rangers

Hashtag United  v  Brightlingsea Regent

 v

## References

1. ↑ "ANNOUNCEMENTS! Stay tuned over the coming weeks for some BIG announcements starting with our home for 2023/24… THE LEN SALMON STADIUM! 🏟️ Having just won ourselves a league title whilst being unbeaten at home, it would be a bit silly to move, wouldn’t it?!" , 11 May 2023.
2. ↑ "Pre-season schedule = Confirmed ✅ Some exciting games to come, including a trip to @DorkingWDRS, and home matches against @hashtagutd and @FulhamFC U21s!" , 14 May 2023.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Thank you, @hashtagutd All the best💛" , 16 May 2023.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "🚨 Welcome to Tilbury, Olly Miles! The former @1EastThurrockFC and Isthmian league winner with @hashtagutd has signed for The Dockers! 💪 @olly\_miles89 is a very talented striker with an eye for goal! ⚽️ #COYD - #DockersAsOne" , 25 June 2023.
5. ↑ "𝐏𝐑𝐄-𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 Here's who The Town are taking on this summer" , 17 May 2023.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "LEAVING THE CLUB #️⃣ Today we can announce that 5 of our current first team are departing the club. We’d like to express our sincere thanks to each of the players for their individual involvement across the last 2 years" , 17 May 2023.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "We are delighted to announce Eli Benoit (@EliBenoit\_) will be joining us for 2023/2024 season. Experience defender won Ishmian North championship with Hashtag Utd last season. Welcome Eli" , 9 June 2023.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "We are delighted to introduce our summer signings," , 24 June 2023.
9. ↑ "🔙 WITH @adidasfootball 🤩 We’ve reunited with Adidas to bring you guys new kits & new memories for the coming season! 🙌 You'll get to see our kits sooner than you think... & we have a surprise in store! @sebcbrown4 had this to say on us being back in the ICONIC 3 stripes 👇" , 24 May 2023.
10. ↑ "Amended fixtures for Pre-Season. We will be travelling to @Frenfordfc @tilburyfc @hashtagutd @barkingfc @westessexfc and @ConcordRangers And hosting @NewburyForestFC and @HornchurchFC A great test for us before we start our league campaign in the Isthmian League 🚙 💙" , 24 May 2023.
11. ↑ "Please note that the H game against @TheMotormen has been pushed back a day to Tues 11th 👍" , 15 June 2023.
12. ↑ "#1 Pre Season Fixture First up for @jcollins191182 men will be a home fixture against our tenants, and newly promoted, @hashtagutd More fixture details to follow in due course... #UpTheBowers" , 25 May 2023.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Happy with my come back season after my ACL injury 🙌🏾 Glad I could help @Withamtownfc stay up with my goals and clean sheet contributions in only 17 games and picking this up along the way 🏆 Bring on next season @hashtagutd" , 21 May 2023.
14. ↑ "Pre-season plans confirmed" , 6 June 2023.
15. ↑ "Pre Season Schedule ✅ Here is the lineup for the Swifts 2023/24 pre season fixtures. 💪" , 8 June 2023.
16. ↑ "Our full list of pre season friendlies can now be announced!" , 9 June 2023.
17. ↑ "PRE-SEASON FIXTURES Here are our fixtures for the coming pre-season, starting with our landlords @Bowerspitseafc on the 1st of July. Please note that we’re at home once, with kick-off times TBC." , 9 June 2023.
18. ↑ "My times up @hashtagutd thank you everybody for the support shown!!💙💛 been a pleasure🫶🏾" , 13 June 2023.
19. ↑ "1/2 This is probably one of the hardest decisions i’ve had to make in football. But, I have decided to move on from @hashtagutd. What a club Hashtag is! Thank you so much @joekeith3, @devs76 & @SpencerOwen for having me onboard for what was an unreal season. ❤️" , 17 June 2023.
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "👋 THANK YOU @Jermaine\_f7 @E\_Okunja It’s that time of year where we have to say goodbye to friends with very special places in the club’s heart, and as you’ve seen, Eman and Jermaine are leaving for pastures new. They go with our best wishes and thanks for the memories 💙💛🧵" , 18 June 2023.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "✍️ 𝙆𝙊𝙅𝙊 𝙄𝙎 𝘼𝙉 𝙍! We are delighted to announce the signing of Kojo Apenteng from Hashtag United. Kojo played 23 times, and is also an Isthmian North Champion 🏆 Welcome @simply\_kojo!" , 19 June 2023.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Unfortunately my time @hashtagutd comes to an end. It’s been short but sweet but what an amazing club and fanbase. Big thank you to everyone at the club & wishing them the best next season🙌" , 24 June 2023.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗! ✍🏻 We are delighted to announce Harry Critchley from Hashtag United. The left back has previously played for AFC Sudbury, Coggeshall Town & East Thurrock United Welcome to the R’s! @HarryCritchley4" , 7 August 2023.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "NEW SIGNING ✍️ @SakHassan1 We are delighted to welcome Sak Hassan to the club having joined from last season’s rivals Sudbury! With an international goal 🇸🇴 to his name, we’ll be hoping the Ocean Stars’ attacker will add some firepower to our front line 🔥 Welcome him below👇" , 28 June 2023.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "GOODBYE AND THANK YOU 👋 @pedrobankss Before we can announce any more good news we need to say goodbye to our 🇵🇹 phenomenon who has been given an opportunity to play full-time overseas! Congratulations Peds 👏 We wish you all the best! #whooshandpush 💨" , 29 June 2023.
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "𝗣𝗘𝗗𝗥𝗢 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗛𝗢, 𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗨 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗘𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗨 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚" , 3 July 2023.
27. ↑ "STILL WITH US!" , 29 June 2023.
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "25’ GOAL! Curse of the commentator. Corner comes in and ex-Hashtag reserve player Nathan Wilson rises up and slots his header into the bottom left corner. 🔴 1-0 #️⃣" , 26 July 2023.
29. ↑ "Congratulations to soccer athlete Nathan Wilson from the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on his commitment to NAIA Blue Mountain College! Best of luck…" , 17 February 2023.
30. ↑ "Training with HASHTAG UNITED... (NEW CLUB!?)" , 3 July 2023.
31. ↑ "SULEYMAN ZUHDU SIGNS!" , 4 July 2023.
32. ↑ "SULEYMAN ZUHDU SIGNS!" , 4 July 2023.
33. ↑ "We’ve added another game because pre-season just wasn’t hard enough for the lads with only 9 games 🤣" , 22 July 2023.
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "CORNISH IS A TAG!" , 24 July 2023.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Djemaili joins the tags!" , 25 July 2023.
36. ↑ "WHO LEFT, WHO SIGNED AND WHY? Hashtag United 23/24 Squad Update" , 10 August 2023.
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "FRANCIS JOINS THE CLARETS" , 15 August 2023.
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "👀 WELCOME (again) @alexisandre\_jr 👏 You’ve seen him at @TST7v7 - but today he’s back, filling in for the injured @JamesPhilp13 Get well soon Philpsy…et bienvenu Alexis 👍 (🎥Yes we almost got it)" , 19 August 2023.
39. ↑ "The Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying draw has been made for 2023-24" , 21 August 2023.
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 "LIVE Hashtag United vs Brentwood Town - EMIRATES FA CUP! - PREVIEW STREAM & NEW SIGNING!" , 2 September 2023.
41. ↑ "The Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying draw has been made for 2023-24" , 4 September 2023.
42. ↑ "SULEY LEAVES" , 4 September 2023.
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "The Return 💨" , 14 September 2023.
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "NEW SIGNING ✍️ @nigelaris" , 16 September 2023.
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "GOODBYE & THANK YOU 🫡 @Lwatson\_98" , 28 September 2023.
46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "A few of you have also been asking about Jeremie Mukendi" , 28 September 2023.
47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 "Good luck on loan at the E’s @FaraiT4! 🤝" , 6 October 2023.
48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 "NEW SIGNING ✍️ Camilo Restrepo" , 7 October 2023.
49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 "Thanks for the memories Philpsy" , 26 October 2023.
50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 "NEW GOALKEEPER! ✍️ @JStrizovic" , 4 November 2023.
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 "THANK-YOU & GOOD LUCK 🤝 @wyanreid\_" , 10 November 2023.
52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 "NEW SIGNING ✍️ @lukemp99" , 25 November 2023.
53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "NEW SIGNING ✍️ @JaydenRandell01" , 2 December 2023.
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "#️⃣ TONIGHT’S TAGS!" , 9 January 2024.
55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 "NEW SIGNING ✍️ @willdupray" , 20 January 2024.
56. ↑ "HE’S BACK!" , 9 September 2023.
57. ↑ "WELCOME: LEWIS WATSON" , 13 October 2023.