Robins celebrate a memorable campaign at their Presentation Afternoon
The 2022-23 Hassocks Football Club Presentation Afternoon took place on Sunday 7th May, celebrating one of the best campaigns the Robins have enjoyed for many years.
James Westlake led the first team to a first top 10 finish since 2014. Such a lofty position was achieved through a real team effort, reflected in the fact that four different players walked away with the main awards.
Nothing could separate Jack Troak and Phil Johnson in the voting for Players’ Player of the Season and so the award was shared.
Troak made 45 starts and one substitute appearance, missing only one of the Robins’ 47 fixtures. He contributed eight goals and his versatility in being able to play at both left back and on the wing proved very handy, particularly in the second half of the campaign.
Johnson hit 24 goals in 36 matches, a total which saw him finish runner up in the race for the Southern Combination Premier Division Golden Boot.
That was despite missing the final seven games through injury. Had Johnson not had his campaign brought to a premature end by a horror tackle against Newhaven, he would have fancied his chances of ending the season as the Premier Division’s leading goal getter.
It proved to be a good day for Johnson, who was also received an award for finishing as Hassocks’ top scorer followed by a special presentation for passing 100 goals in senior football for the Robins.
Westlake named Liam Benson as his Manager’s Player of the Season. Benson enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career, scoring 19 times from 42 appearances and winning Hassocks’ Player of the Month awards for both November and December.
The coveted Supporters’ Player of the Season award went to Alex Bygraves. The centre back has become an immensely popular figure at the Beacon since arriving last summer from Peacehaven & Telscombe, assuming the captaincy within two months of his arrival after Lewis Westlake was ruled out with a long term injury.
Bygraves missed just three matches, starting 44 times at the heart of the Hassocks defence. He played a key role in helping the Robins set a club record of five consecutive clean sheets recorded across February and March.
100 appearances awards were given to Troak, Harvey Blake and Joe Bull, who all passed the milestone in the 2022-23 campaign.
The Under 23s were presented with their medals for winning the North Division title. Head coach Neil Parker was given a special award as he gave up his winners medal so that an additional player could be rewarded for their efforts.
Parker gave his Manager’s Player of the Season to Jack Smith and Sam Rogers was voted Players’ Player of the Season.
The Dave John Young Player Award went to goalkeeper Jack Thomas. Not only was Thomas an ever-present for the Under 18s, but he also played nine times for the Under 23s across the campaign.
Cup football proved to be the Under 18s forte as they reached the semi finals of both the Southern Combination Under 18 League Cup and the Sussex Dennis Probee Youth Cup, losing to the eventual winners in both competitions.
In the Central Division, a third place finish represented a fine campaign for a squad made up largely of 17, 16 and 15-year-olds who will all still eligible for youth team football next season.
Top scorer Alex Brewer was named Manager’s Player of the Season having plundered 21 goals in 20 games. Players’ Player went to Ed Tobias, who like Thomas did not miss a game and broke into the Under 23s.
Club Person of the Year was jointly awarded to secretary Nick Palmer for his tireless work all season, but in particular renewing the club’s three star England Football accreditation, and Alan John for all his effort maintaining the Beacon pitch and the general grounds.
Thank you presentations were made to those whose work behind the scenes goes unnoticed. Rose Fernley for kit washing, Jason Roberts for operating the gate and entertaining half time guests in the boardroom.
Chris Low was thanked for running the T Bar along with helpers Sara Balmer and Millie Wickwar. Keith Low for cleaning, Jen Mildenhall for supporting James Westlake throughout the year and Owen John for his work behind the Robins Bar and taking on every other task nobody wants to do.
Finally, the players handed out their own gifts to most of those already mentioned with notable thanks to physio Ash Cooper and Phil Wickwar for his assistance to all teams.
