Robins number two leaves after two successful seasons at the Beacon
Tom Hughes has announced he is to stand down as Hassocks assistant head coach after two seasons in the role.
Hughes arrived at the Beacon when James Westlake was appointed head coach in the summer of 2022. In their first season at the helm, the duo guided the Robins to 10th place in the 2022-23 Southern Combination Premier Division standings.
That was followed by a record-breaking 2023-24 campaign. Hassocks picked up 78 points, the most any Robins side have managed in a step five campaign.
It was enough to secure the club’s second-highest ever finish of fifth and a shock promotion playoff place, leaving Hassocks just two wins away from the Isthmian League.
Hughes has been an integral part of the success of the past two seasons, especially managing the team from the dugout when Westlake has been on the pitch.
He has even made several appearances for the Robins Veterans side, popping up with some important goals to roll back the years to when he was a centre back breaking into the Sutton United first team at the age of 20.
Hughes will be missed around the Beacon but probably less so by match officials taking charge of Hassocks matches, for whom he usually had a polite word.
Good luck for the future Hughesy and thank you for all your hard work.
