Rangy Wilkes remains a Robin for 2024-25
The Beacon faithful can look forward to another season of the long limbs of Tall Striker Jamie Wilkes causing carnage across the Southern Combination Premier Division in 2024-25.
Wilkes scored eight times in 46 appearance in 2023-24, ending the campaign named joint Manager’s Player of the Season by head coach James Westlake.
Four of those goals came in a barnstorming six game spell through late autumn. The rangy Wilkes subsequently won the Robins November Player of the Month before going onto add the April award to his impeccably designed mantlepiece.
Wilkes first came to prominence in the Mid Sussex Premier Division with his local club Lindfield before joining St Francis Rangers in the 2019-20 season.
In his 10 Southern Combination Division Two appearances for Rangers, Wilkes did enough to attract the attention of several Premier Division clubs.
It was Dave John who worked his usual charm, convincing Wilkes to join Hassocks for the 2020-21 campaign.
Wilkes scored once in seven Under 23s appearances whilst also appearing four times off the bench prior to Covid-19 bringing the season to a halt.
Next came a move to AFC Uckfield Town for 2021-22. Wilkes became a firm fan favourite at the Oaks, particularly with whoever ran their Twitter account at the time. He played 34 times for Uckfield, scoring twice as the Oakmen secured a comfortable mid table finish,
Wilkes returned to the Beacon for a second spell ahead of the 2022-23 season. After patiently waiting for a starting opportunity, his first goal in Hassocks colours came when Roffey were hammered 7-0 on August Bank Holiday Monday.
There has been no looking back since then. Wilkes has even gone onto surpass the achievements of father-in-law and Robins legend Steve Spies, who once scored two own goals, gave away a penalty and got sent off all in the same game playing for Hassocks IIIs at Wisdom Sports in 2007.
Wilkes ended 2022-23 with four goals from 36 games. His impact was such that the club even decided to invest in a pair of shorts which actually fit his giraffe-like legs for last season, which Wilkes responded to with the most prolific campaign of his career so far last time out.
