Hassocks boost their options down the right with capture of experienced Tom Frankland
Hassocks are adding the finishing touches to their new-look squad with the start of the Southern Combination League season imminent, the latest of which sees Tom Frankland move to the Beacon.
The experienced right sided player ended 2021-22 with Southwater, helping them reach the Division Two Cup semi finals. He scored six goals in 13 matches during a highly productive brief spell at Church Lane after joining the Swifts from Loxwood.
Frankland played under the management of Spencer Slaughter and James Westlake at Plaistow Road. He was an important part of the Loxwood side who finished runners up in the Southern Combination Premier Division Supplementary Shield in 2021, losing to Isthmian League bound Lancing on penalties in the final.
Several of that Magpies squad have since made the move to the Beacon, including Lewis Westlake, Charlie Broad and Sam Smith.
Frankland has also turned out for Alfold, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham YMCA and Crawley Down Gatwick when they were in the Isthmian League between 2011 and 2014.
He becomes Westlake’s 10th announced new signing of the summer. Pat Harding, Mike Williamson, Sam Cash, Leon Turner, Harvey Blake, Phil Johnson, Liam Benson, Will Broomfield, Alex Bygraves and Sam Rogers have also come through the door.
Hassocks rounded off their pre-season friendly schedule on Tuesday night with a routine 3-0 win over Division One side Oakwood.
Two of Westlake’s captures were on target. Broomfield and Bygraves both found the back of the net after young Alfie Loversidge put the Robins 1-0 ahead.
The real stuff gets underway this Saturday. Hassocks travel to Peacehaven & Telscombe for their first Premier Division fixture, a venue where they have not enjoyed themselves too much in the past decade.
Harding will definitely miss the trip to the Window Workshop Sports Park. The forward broke three ribs in the weekend defeat against Whitehawk.
He has since been discharged after a two night stay in hospital and is expected to be out for between six to eight weeks.
