Right back went past a double century in the 4-0 win at Shoreham
Club captain Harvey Blake has broken the 200 appearances barrier for Hassocks, reaching the landmark in the 4-0 win away at Shoreham.
Blake come off the bench with 12 minutes remaining on his return to first team action at the Edgar & Wood Stadium after missing the previous weekend’s 2-0 home victory against AFC Varndeanians.
It has taken Blake four-and-a-half seasons to make his double century spread over two spells at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground in which he has become a huge fan favourite.
Especially with those who stand in front of the benches, including his long-standing kit sponsors The Hassocks Drinking Consultants.
Blake first became a Robin in the summer of 2018, joining the club from Mid Sussex Premier Division outfit Sporting Lindfield.
He made the step up from intermediate football look easy, soon establishing himself as first choice right back.
Blake played 40 times in his debut campaign for Hassocks, helping the Robins to their highest finish in five seasons. Only Liam Benson managed more appearances.
In his second year with Hassocks, Blake proved to be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal 2019-20.
The Robins sat 19th of 20 in the Southern Combination Premier Division when Covid-19 curtailed the campaign.
Blake scored arguably the Goal of the Season in a 2-1 home win over Pagham, picking out the top corner with an absolute rocket from 25 yards after surging forward from right back.
Along with his good friend Phil Johnson, Blake moved to Crawley Down Gatwick for the 2020-21 campaign. He went onto play 54 times over two seasons with the Anvils, registering three goals.
Johnson and Blake were both lured back to Mid Sussex by James Westlake in the summer of 2022, becoming the new Hassocks head coach’s fourth and fifth signings respectively.
Blake missed only two of the Robins’ 47 matches in 2022-23, making his 100th appearance for the club along the way.
He then played 33 times last season, scoring once on the final day of the campaign. It was a goal which proved worth the wait, however, as Blake rounded off the 5-1 win over Newhaven which secured Hassocks their playoff place in style.
When Alex Bygraves moved to Dubai and Super Pat Harding retired at the end of 2023-24, Westlake appointed Blake club captain at the start of the current campaign.
Away from the pitch, Blake has proven himself to be a real clubman. When injured, he has taken on roles including barman and matchday raffle organiser, ensuring that profits remained high from alcohol sales and Dave John won every prize.
