Five players walk away with the three big prizes at end of record breaking campaign
Hassocks celebrated their record breaking 2023-24 campaign with their End of Season Awards at the Beacon on Friday 10th May.
The Robins secured their highest ever Southern Combination Premier Division points tally, their second-best finish of fifth in the standings and earned a crack at the promotion playoffs.
Hassocks had never been closer to promotion to step four. That five players shared the three main prizes was telling of the Robins’ success being a real team effort.
Nothing could separate the top two in Players’ Player of the Season and so the award was shared between Super Pat Harding and Joe Bull.
Raging Bull was involved in every game Hassocks played, making 48 starts and one substitute appearance across all competitions.
He has proven a revelation since being redeployed as a left back by James Westlake in the 2022-23 campaign, also chipping in with three goals.
Super Pat meanwhile scored 15 times in 46 outings before announcing his retirement after a glittering career spanning over two decades in Sussex non league football.
Harding was also presented with the Top Scorer award, 18 years after he last took home the Golden Boot at the end of the 2005-06 campaign.
Seeing as he raked in a record points tally, Westlake was allowed the unusual step of picking two winners of Manager’s Player of the Season.
Matt Gunn was rewarded for being a rock at the back following his summer arrival from AFC Varndeanians, forming formidable partnerships with all of Alex Bygraves, Bradley Tighe and Dan Turner.
Gunn made 41 appearances and popped up with three goals, including two in one game away at Saltdean United.
Tall striker Jamie Wilkes was Westlake’s other Manager’s Player of the Season pick. The rangy Wilkes notched seven times from 44 matches, becoming one of the first names on the team sheet thanks to being an absolute fox in the box.
Mike Williamson took the coveted Supporters’ Player of the Season award. Williamson worked tirelessly in midfield through the campaign.
He is now a firm fan favourite with the Beacon faithful, as evidenced by the wild celebrations which greeted the two rare goals he scored in 2023-24.
Appearance milestone awards were handed out to Bradley Tighe and Alfie Loversidge, who passed the 200 and 100 games marks.
Tighe and Loversidge came through the Hassocks youth setup, showcasing the successful pathway to senior football at the Beacon.
Hoping to follow in those footsteps will be members of the current Under 23s and Under 18s, who both secured runners up finishes in their respective divisions.
Under 23s Players’ Player of the Season went to Noah McHale with Ben Hicks named as Manager’s Player. For the Under 18s, Ed Tobias was Players’ Player and top scorer Cavan Chedzey Manager’s Player.
The Dave John Young Player Award was given to Sam Dean. An ever present for the Under 18s, Dean also broke into the Under 23s squad over the course of the campaign.
Groundsman Alan John, secretary Nick Palmer and committee member Jason Roberts were presented with special awards for their hard work behind the scenes.
Chairman Dave John also presented flowers to Chris Low for running the T Bar and Jodie, Lily, Emma and Rose for their assistance on matchdays.
Finally, there was a special presentation to Dave John himself made by Harding on behalf of everyone at the club.
