Experienced goalkeeper Shaw the second Robins recruit of February
Hassocks have completed the signing of much-travelled goalkeeper James Shaw from Isthmian League South Central Division side Tooting & Mitcham.
Shaw is a familiar face on the Sussex non-league circuit, having made it his mission over the past 15 years to try and play for every club in the south east of England.
A superb shot stopper who dominates his box and is excellent with the ball at his feet, Shaw has a well-earned reputation for the polite and respectful interactions he enjoys with match officials.
Hassocks head coach James Westlake has been after Shaw for sometime and he has come close to signing for the Robins on a couple of occasions in the past.
The capture of a goalkeeper of his quality represents a coup for Hassocks. The Robins have a busy second half of the season ahead as they look to finish as high up the Southern Combination League as possible in Westlake’s first year in charge.
Shaw started his career in the youth setup at Burgess Hill Town, with his senior debut coming during a spell at Eastbourne Borough.
He worked his way through Hurstpierpoint, Oakwood, Shoreham, Worthing United, Lancing, Pink Flamingos and Dorking Wanderers, whom he helped win promotion to the Isthmian League in the 2014-15 season during their remarkable rise through the pyramid.
Shaw even made a couple of friendly appearances for Hassocks in pre-season before of the 2012-13 campaign. Apologies to any of his other clubs missed out, but we are working with a strict 1000 word limit here.
He picked a Southern Combination League winners medal after joining Horsham in December 2015, helping the Hornets to win the title and adding another promotion to his CV in the process.
Shaw moved to Haywards Heath for the 2016-17 season and played a major role in the Heath’s championship challenge before switching to Burgess Hill Town for the final months of the campaign.
He become a hugely popular figure at Leylands Park as the Hillians pulled off a remarkable great escape from relegation on the final day.
Former Hassocks midfielder Sam Fisk scored an injury time to winner to beat Merstham 2-1 and secure Isthmian League Premier Division survival.
Shaw went onto play for Three Bridges and Hayes & Yeading United after leaving Hill before landing at Tooting for a first spell in 2019-20.
He started every game for the Terrors before Covid-19 brought the campaign to an early conclusion in March, conceding the fewest goals in the league and winning Tooting’s Members Player and Supporters Player of the Year Awards.
Shaw spent most of the 2020-21 season in National League South with Tonbridge Angels, with the highlight of his time at Longmead Stadium making it to the first round of the FA Cup and a home tie against League Two side Bradford City.
He played for Westfield and Barking after leaving Tonbridge before returning to Tooting at the start of the current campaign, a popular decision with the Imperial Fields faithful who had been left very disappointed by his initial departure.
A firm fan favourite pretty much wherever he has been in his career, Shaw has also enjoyed strong relationships with opposition supporters.
No doubt it will not take long for Shaw to make his mark at the Beacon. Welcome to Hassocks, James… it is about time you joined.
