Luke Hirst

**Last statistical update: 21:12, 18 July 2023 (UTC)**

**Luke James Hirst** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Hirst played in the youth systems of West Ham United and Dagenham & Redbridge; notably scoring for the latter in an FA Youth Cup win over Oxford United in 2017–18.

Bowers & Pitsea
In September 2018, Hirst signed with Isthmian League - North Division side Bowers & Pitsea on a work experience loan; remaining on those terms until at least February 2019. He debuted competitively on 9 October as he came off the bench to replace Quentin Monville during a 3–1 win in the Velocity Sports Trophy first round over Haringey Borough. Hirst started for the first time in the next round of the same competition versus Wingate & Finchley, as the forward also netted his first senior goal in the process by scoring a late equaliser in an eventual 3–3 draw at the Len Salmon Stadium on 4 December.

His third appearance for the club doubled as his league bow, as he appeared in the Isthmian League on 5 January as *Bowers* lost away to Heybridge Swifts; replacing David Knight at the death. After an appearance versus East Thurrock United on 8 January, Hirst had a trial with League One outfit Charlton Athletic; soon netting on his Merit League debut. He featured once more in 2018–19 against Great Wakering Rovers on 22 April 2019. In 2019–20, Hirst participated in three August matches as they eliminated Barkingside from the FA Cup preliminary round before losing in the Isthmian League - North Division to East Thurrock United and Enfield Town. On 11 September, Hirst scored a brace in a 3–1 road victory in the Essex Thames-Side Trophy second round against Grays Athletic; his last senior appearance that campaign.

Hirst would spend periods of both seasons with Bowers & Pitsea in their under-23s, notably netting 17 goals in 6 matches across 2019–20 after scoring 26 times in the preceding 2018–19.

Saffron Walden Town
To end August 2019, Hirst switched to play two Essex Senior League matches for Saffron Walden Town. He was substituted on in victories over Takeley (on 17 August) and Stansted (on 20 August).

Stansted (dual)
On 13 September 2019, Hirst returned to the Essex Senior League to play, via dual registration terms, for Stansted. After a debut off the bench versus Cockfosters a day later, the forward netted on his starting bow next time out in an Essex Senior Cup encounter at Wivenhoe Town on 17 September. Hirst would then score league goals in October versus Sporting Bengal United and Tower Hamlets. He remained with *The Blues* into 2020 until his move to Sweden, with the campaign itself eventually ending early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mora
In March 2020, Hirst headed to Sweden to sign with Division 3 side Mora. He joined on a three-month placement, which came via the League Football Education's Erasmus+ Player Placement programme after his stint as a scholar in the Dagenham & Redbridge academy.

Grays Athletic
On 6 August 2020, Isthmian League - North Division team Grays Athletic signed Hirst. He wouldn't appear at competitive senior level for *The Blues*, though did making appearances in pre-season friendlies; including against HTU on 24 August as the encounter ended 1–1.

Basildon United
On 11 May 2021, ahead of the 2021–22 season, Hirst completed a move to fellow Isthmian League - North Division side Basildon United. His first appearance arrived on 21 August during a victory in the FA Cup preliminary round against White Ensign. After a second appearance in a seven-goal home loss to ex-club Grays Athletic on 28 August, the forward ended the month by scoring his first goals for *The Bees* in a 4–1 league win at Great Wakering Rovers on 30 August. Another goal followed next time out in an FA Cup first qualifying round fixture away to Wingate & Finchley on 4 September. Just over three weeks later, Hirst netted in a one-goal league victory away to Maldon & Tiptree.

Across October 2021, Hirst scored twice in a FA Trophy second qualifying round road win at Colney Heath on 9 October, which preceded a sole strike in a 3–2 loss away to Brentwood Town two weeks later. He made his last appearance for Basildon on 6 November during a defeat on the road to Aveley, subsequently announcing his departure five days later.

### HTU

2021–22
On 19 November 2021, HTU announced the arrival of Hirst. His debut for *The Tags* occurred on 20 November in a goalless Isthmian League - North Division draw away at Stowmarket Town on 20 November. After further showings versus Grays Athletic and AFC Sudbury (with an assist), Hirst got his first goal in a 4 December win at Great Wakering Rovers, as he notched the winner in a 4–3 victory. In his next league appearance, the forward scored a double during a 4–2 triumph at Coggeshall Town. Hirst then opened 2022 with goals against old team Basildon United (on 1 January) and future team Barking (on 3 January, with an assist).

Hirst concluded January 2022 with two further goals, firstly netting in a Essex Senior Cup fourth round tie with Heybridge Swifts on 10 January and secondly in a Isthmian League - North Division fixture with Witham Town on 29 January. He wouldn't score across February, though returned to goalscoring form with March strikes against Bury Town, Brentwood Town and May & Baker; the latter a friendly. Having only netted in victories up until this point, the forward's final HTU goal came in a league loss to Barking on 15 April. Hirst departed at the end of the campaign, with Jay Devereux noting it was a mutual decision as the player had offers elsewhere and the manager couldn't guarantee game time.

### Post-HTU

Bowers & Pitsea
On 8 July 2022, Hirst sealed a return to Bowers & Pitsea; a team now plying their trade in the Isthmian League - Premier Division. However, the forward would depart within a few months without any competitive appearances at first-team level.

Barking
From September 2022, Hirst began featuring in the Essex Senior League for Barking. He debuted on 17 September as his new team edged out a seven-goal thriller away to Saffron Walden Town, as he scored his first goal for the club in the process at Catons Lane. He netted again in his next appearance as *The Blues* won in the Essex Senior Cup against Clacton on 20 September. Hirst didn't notch in his third appearance, though would then score in consecutive matches with Athletic Newham and Saffron Walden Town. That run was immediately repeated, as a scoreless showing versus Basildon Town was followed up by goals against Clapton and Southend Manor. His last goal arrived in his final Barking appearance on 8 November versus Redbridge.

Brentwood Town
Brentwood Town became Hirst's new home on 17 November 2022, as the forward return to Isthmian League - North Division action. After participating in league encounters across November and December versus Heybridge Swifts, Wroxham, AFC Sudbury and Bury Town, Hirst netted his first goal for *The Blues* on 26 December as Brentwood lost 5-2 to former employers HTU. He left in early 2023 following 7 appearances.

Barking (return)
Following his stint with Brentwood Town, Hirst returned to Essex Senior League outfit Barking. He appeared for them for the 1st time back on 31 January 2023 as a starter in a Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy 2nd round penalty shoot-out win over Woodford Town. 2 matches later, Hirst netted twice in a league success on 8 February at White Ensign. Across the next month, the forward notched single goals past Halstead Town and Stansted (cup) either side of hat-tricks against Romford and Ilford.

Enfield
Having played against them days prior, Hirst switched Essex Senior League clubs on 18 March 2023 by agreeing terms with Enfield. A 1-goal home triumph over Romford on 1 April saw the forward debut, as he featured for 59 minutes before being replaced by Tom Richardson. Across his next 3 appearances, Hirsit notched consecutive braces over ex-club Barking and Clacton alongside a sole goal against Woodford Town. The club would win promotion at the season's completion, following him claiming a hat-trick versus Southend Manor and a singular strike past White Ensign in the intermediate period.

## Personal Life

Hirst attended the same school as future HTU teammates Toby Aromolaran and Harry Haysom.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (25)
* List of appearances of Luke Hirst

Goals (11)
Great Wakering Rovers  v  Hashtag United

Coggeshall Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Basildon United

Barking  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Heybridge Swifts

Hashtag United  v  Witham Town

Bury Town  v  Hashtag United

Brentwood Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  May & Baker

Hashtag United  v  Barking

## References

1. ↑ "Luke James Hirst player stats" .
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Luke Hirst" .
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Luke Hirst looking forward to Swedish challenge after swapping Bowers & Pitsea for IFK Mora" , 4 March 2020.
4. ↑ "LOAN WATCH: Luke Hirst & Mekhi Hyde" , 8 October 2018.
5. ↑ "Daggers Loan Watch" , 5 February 2019.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Bowers & Pitsea - Appearances - Luke Hirst - 2018-2019" .
7. ↑ "All involved would like to wish @LukeHirst9 a massive good luck as he starts his trial with @CAFCofficial tomorrow" , 3 February 2019.
8. ↑ "Congratulations to @LukeHirst9 who scored on his EFL Merit league Debut for @CAFCofficial U18s" , 16 February 2019.
9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 "Luke Hirst player stats" .
10. ↑ "Second piece of transfer News this morning" , 13 September 2019.
11. ↑ "English football should prepare for a new financial reality after coronavirus" , 20 March 2020.
12. ↑ "Hatton Enjoys Brief Stint In Sweden" , 30 June 2020.
13. ↑ "Hirst Joins The Blues" , 6 August 2020.
14. ↑ "Grays Athletic - Appearances - Luke Hirst - 2020-2021" .
15. ↑ "Players News" , 11 May 2021.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 "Basildon United - Appearances - Luke Hirst - 2021-2022" .
17. ↑ "I have decided my time @BasUtdFC is up, would like to wish them luck for the future and whatever happens" , 11 November 2021.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Luke Hirst Signs For Hashtag" , 19 November 2021.
19. ↑ "WHO LEFT & WHO JOINED! - HASHTAG UNITED SQUAD UPDATE 22/23" , 11 August 2022.
20. ↑ "We are delighted to annouce the signing of forward Luke Hirst!!" , 8 July 2022.
21. ↑ "Here we go as we promised please join us in welcoming to the club Luke Hirst" , 17 November 2022.
22. ↑ "Brentwood Town - Appearances - Luke Hirst" .
23. ↑ "Enfield Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of striker Luke Hirst! ✍️ Luke was most recently at Barking, and played against us on Wednesday evening, but has also previously been at Bowers & Pitsea and Hashtag United. #OnlyOneEnfield" , 18 March 2023.