Former Robins number one returns to the Beacon as part of Westy’s coaching team
Former Hassocks number one Tim Edwards is returning to the club having joined James Westlake’s management team as goalkeeper coach.
Edwards played for the Robins in the early 1990s having been one of a number of players brought in by Dave John following his appointment as general manager in 1991.
John had given Edwards his senior debut at the age of 15. It was the start of a long career in which Edwards made more than 400 Southern Combination League appearances for Haywards Heath Town, Horsham YMCA, St Francis and Franklands Village and Hassocks.
Edwards also represented Sussex at youth and intermediate level, as well as turning out for the League Under 21 representative side.
In his first season at Hassocks, Edwards helped the Robins to win the Southern Combination Division Two title, finishing 10 points clear of Mile Oak.
That success under the first team management of Nick Greenwood and Pete Liddell saw Hassocks promoted back to senior football for the first time in six years.
Edwards remained number one for the following 1992-93 season, the first played at the Beacon following the Robins’ move from Adastra Park.
In the Beacon era, Edwards made 47 appearances for Hassocks. Even when scaling back his regular playing commitments, he was still willing to step in from time-to-time to help the Robins out, including in the 1994-95 season for a solitary outing after both Paul John and Nick Aplin were ruled out.
Hassocks beat Worthing United on 2-1 on that occasion, Edwards helping to secure a vital three points as the Robins secured promotion to the Premier Division for the first time ever come the end of the campaign.
Edwards will joint assist coaches Tom Hughes and Phil Gault in Westlake’s new-look coaching team. Phil Wickwar continues to provide matchday support behind the scenes and in the dugout with Neil Parker taking over the Under 23s.
Welcome back to Hassocks, Tim.
