Bluebells, Lions and Musselmen join the division for the new season
The FA have confirmed allocations for 2023-24 campaign with three new clubs joining the Southern Combination Premier Division and three departing.
Of most interest to Hassocks is the return of Haywards Heath Town following five seasons in the Isthmian League.
The Bluebells were relegated after losing a playoff match to Essex League outfit Redbridge, meaning the Robins will have a Mid Sussex Derby to look forward to for the first time since 2018.
Remarkably, Hassocks have only played Heath in nine competitive matches over the past 40 years. The Robins have a solitary win, a 2-0 Division One success at the Beacon in the 1992-93 season.
Heath in contrast have won six times with two draws, scoring 22 times along the way compared to just five goals for Hassocks.
Shoreham have been promoted into the Premier following an outstanding 2022-23 in which they won the Division One title, ending a four season absence from the top flight.
The Musselmen are managed by former Hassocks striker Michael Death, who scored 38 times in 112 appearances in a Robins shirt between 2015 and 2018.
There have been 51 previous meetings between Hassocks and Shoreham across seven different competitions. The Robins lead the head-to-head with 22 wins to Shoreham’s 18, leaving 11 draws.
Pagham complete the new additions, moving back to the Southern Combination after a year in the Wessex League Premier, where they finished 19th of 20 teams.
The Lions have been one of Hassocks’ most frequent opponents in the Southern Combination League. 58 times the clubs have crossed swords, resulting in 21 Robins victories, nine draws and 28 wins for Pagham.
Hassocks pulled off something of a shock on their last visit to Nyetimber Lane in March 2022. Josh Short scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory which provided a huge boost in the Robins’ ultimately successful battle against relegation.
Departing the Premier Division are champions Broadbridge Heath, who take the place of Haywards Heath in the Isthmian League. Roffey and Alfold meanwhile have both been relegated to Division One.
The 2023-24 season is expected to get underway on Saturday 29th July 2023 with full details of Hassocks’ pre-season schedule to be released soon.
Full Southern Combination League Premier Division line up for 2023-24:
AFC Uckfield Town
AFC Varndeanians
Bexhill United
Crawley Down Gatwick
Crowborough Athletic
Eastbourne Town
Eastbourne United
Hassocks
Haywards Heath Town
Horsham YMCA
Lingfield
Little Common
Loxwood
Midhurst & Easebourne
Newhaven
Pagham
Peacehaven & Telscombe
Saltdean United
Shoreham
Steyning Town
