Westlake strengthens backroom team with new coach and physio
Hassocks have made two new appointments to their first team coaching team ahead of the 2023-24 Southern Combination League Premier Division season.
Jordan Wilson returns to the Beacon as first team coach to assist James Westlake and Tom Hughes. The Robins are also boosted by the arrival of physio Jay Patel.
For Wilson, it will be a second stint with Hassocks. He initially joined the Robins as Under 18s assistant manager to Brad Sweetman for the 2020-21 campaign.
The duo led the young Robins to top spot in the Under 18s Central Division with six wins and one draw from seven matches before the second Covid lockdown ended the league season.
Hassocks went onto reach the semi finals of the Under 18s Supplementary Shield, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Steyning Town.
When Sweetman was appointed first team head coach for 2021-22, Wilson followed as his number two. After a sticky start, Hassocks won six, drew seven and lost six of their games in the second half of the season to finish in 16th spot, nine points clear of the bottom two.
The Robins also went all the way to the semi finals of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup for just the fourth time in the club’s history, where they were beaten by Littlehampton Town.
As well as their first team duties, Sweetman and Wilson managed the Under 23s through 2021-22 to runners up spot in the North Division and the semi finals of the League Cup.
Despite leaving the club when Sweetman was replaced by Westlake, Wilson remained a regular spectator at the Beacon last season. His popularity around the club is sure to make his return a popular decision.
Wilson said: “I am excited to be back with Hassocks for the new Southern Combination League season. A big thank you to James Westlake for the opportunity to be part of what he is building in the dugout. I missed it last season and I am grateful for a second bite at the cherry.”
Patel meanwhile comes in as physio. Most recently with Haywards Heath Town, she has also worked with other clubs on the Sussex and Surrey non league circuit including Redhill and Loxwood.
Westlake worked with Patel at the Nest and the Hassocks head coach has subsequently spent some time trying to bring her to the Beacon.
Patel has also worked at Crawley Town covering pitch side first aid and helping with player rehabilitation, massage and maintenance. She will be supported in the coming season by Ash Cooper.
Welcome to the Beacon, Jay. And welcome back, Jordan.
