Full back with over 100 games to his name commits for 2023-24
Harvey Blake is staying a Hassocks player for 2023-24 with the popular full back committing to his fourth campaign at the Beacon.
Blake was first choice right back for James Westlake last season, missing just two of the Robins’ 47 matches in all competitions.
He started 44 times and made one substitute appearance, passing a century of Hassocks games along the way.
A hugely popular figure with Robins fans, Blake was initially signed by Mark Dalgleish in the summer of 2018 from Mid Sussex League Premier Division club Sporting Lindfield.
He made the step up from intermediate football look easy, playing 40 times as Hassocks secured a 12th place finish in the Premier Division. Only Liam Benson managed more appearances.
In his second season at the Beacon, Blake proved to be one of the few bright spots in a dismal 2019-20. Hassocks were 19th in the table when lockdown curtailed the campaign but his performances did at least provide some cheer.
Most notable was a stunning goal in a 2-1 win over Pagham, when Blake advanced 25 yards up the pitch with the ball from right back before arrowing a shot into the top corner from 30 yards out.
Along with Phil Johnson, Blake moved to Crawley Down Gatwick for 2020-21. Over the next two seasons with the Anvils, he played 54 times and contributed three goals.
Blake became Westlake’s fifth signing as Hassocks head coach last summer. He scored his only goal of the campaign against Steyning Town, leaving his career numbers in a Robins shirt at 112 matches and four goals at the end of 2022-23.
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.
