Di Paola leaves EP to take over at Hastings

Di Paola guided EP to the County League title for the first time in their history last season, when they also won the John O’Hara Cup and were runners-up in the Sussex RUR Cup.

In his first season in charge at EP, the team won the County League Division 2 league and cup double, before they finished third in their first season back in Division 1, while also winning the Sussex RUR Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the Sussex Senior Cup.

Di Paola, who leaves EP second in the table, two points behind leaders Littlehampton, with two games in hand, tweeted last night: “Four amazing years at @EastPrestonFC, so many memories that I will have for rest of my life. Great club, great people and I wish them the best.

“Thanks to all the players who have played for us and given us so much success, loved every minute of it.

“So honoured to have got the @hastingsufc manager’s role and @ibrowne007 @jjmiller245 @adamwest71 and I can not wait to get started.”