Midfielder with a familiar name re-joins the Robins
Hassocks have completed the signing of combative midfielder Shay Leahy from Isthmian League South East Division side Lancing.
It will be Leahy’s second spell as a Robin, having previously played for the Under 23s in the 2020-21 campaign before it was curtailed by the second Covid-19 lockdown.
Leahy moved to St Francis Rangers for the 2021-22 Southern Combination Division Two season, making enough of an impression during his time at Colwell Road to secure a transfer to Newhaven at the end of the campaign.
He played seven times for the Dockers in 2022-23 as they finished third in the Premier Division, six points behind champions Broadbridge Heath.
Leahy then signed for Steyning Town in the summer of 2023. This proved to be an excellent move as he made 16 appearances for the Barrowmen, helping them to win the Southern Combination title and the Peter Bentley League Cup.
A memorable campaign saw Steyning also welcome Maidstone United to the Birchwood Ground in the FA Cup, and eliminate Brighton & Hove Albion and Burgess Hill Town from the Sussex Transport Senior Cup on their way to the semi finals of the competition.
The Barrowmen were also one of the final Southern Combination clubs standing in the FA Vase, making it to the second round.
After starring at Steyning, Leahy made the step up to the Isthmian League for the first time with Lancing in the summer.
He has been a mainstay of the Lancers’ midfield, starting 13 matches. He scored his first goal in the 90th minute of Lancing’s 3-1 comeback Sussex Senior Cup over Mile Oak in October.
Penalties were looming with the score locked at 1-1 when Leahy struck. Lewis Lembikisa added some gloss to the scoreline four minutes later.
Lancing had trailed 1-0 going into the break after Harry Robins netted for Oak on the stroke of half time. Noel Fisher equalised on 77, setting the stage for Leahy to help Lancing to a place in the third round.
Long-standing Hassocks fans will of course be familiar with the name Leahy. Shay’s father, Kieron, played 77 times for the Robins and his uncle, Brendan, made 62 appearances.
Both scored one goal for the club during their respective spells when Dave John was manager in the 2000s – and were teammates of current Hassocks chairman Super Pat Harding.
Welcome back to the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground, Shay.
