Versatile and popular, Harry Mills became the latest player to pass 100 appearances for Hassocks in the recent 2-1 defeat away at Horsham YMCA.
The man known as “the Sheriff” because of his ridiculous collection of belts that often make appearances on the player’s nights out has become a popular player since his arrival at the Beacon in the summer of 2016.
Mills moved to the Robins from Hailsham Town having previously been with Seaford Town.He made an instant impression with a number of swashbuckling performances from right back, scoring his first goal for the club away at Worthing United in a 5-0 win in October 2016.
That afternoon at the Robert Albon Memorial Ground was the first glimpse that the Hassocks faithful got of Mills’ trademark celebration, a cross between a cartwheel and a forward roll that looks like it is being performed by an unsteady giraffe.
Whilst that suggested that Mills is unlikely to be troubling the GB Olympic Gymnastics selectors anytime soon, it made him something of a cult hero to the Robins support. He ended that first season having played 37 times and added a second goal in a 1-1 draw away at Arundel.
In 2017-18, he made 29 appearances and so far in this campaign he has played a further 34 times, scoring three goals – with “the Sheriff Celebration” receiving particular short shrift away at Saltdean United two months ago.
Mills’ main value to the squad comes from his ability to play as either a full back, a centre back, a central midfielder or a winger at a push. He has become one of Mark Dalgleish’s trusted lieutenants as a result.
Mills is the third man this season to become a Hassocks centurion, following in the footsteps of Jordan Badger and Liam Benson.
It’s been a good season for landmarks all round; Dan Jacques made his 200th appearance and Phil Johnson racked up his 50th goal earlier in the campaign as well.
