Jon Meeney

Jon Meeney arrived at the VBS Community Stadium ahead of the 2024/25 season from Horsham, with whom he had spent the previous season as Dominic Di Paola’s number two, and quickly became a popular member of staff in SM1. A former player who spent seven years as a youngster in the Brighton & Hove Albion academy, Meeney gained his first coaching experience when appointed assistant-manager at County League East Preston while in his early twenties, and went on to have a spell as first team coach at Worthing before accepting a similar role in Finland. He would later return to Brighton to coach the club’s youngsters before a second stint with Worthing, and remained in non-league with Eastbourne Borough and Horsham. In 2019 he joined the backroom staff at Crawley Town, where he remained until the end of the season, after which he completed his UEFA A Licence and subsequently joined Hastings United as assistant-manager, from whom he rejoined the Hornets in 2023. The former Brighton & Hove Albion academy player spent a season back at Horsham, but opted to depart for a full time role with the U’s and had an immediate impact with his infectious personality and passion for the sport. His energy on the sidelines also made him an instant hit with the club’s supporters, and Jon subsequently committed his future in South London when he signed a new two-year deal ahead of the 2025/26 season.