Neil Parker moves up from Under 18s boss to take over the Under 23s
Hassocks have confirmed that Neil Parker will take over as Under 23s head coach for the 2022-23 Southern Combination League season.
Parker is well-known in youth development football both around Mid Sussex and at the Beacon. He first joined the Robins in 2020 as one of Brad Sweetman’s assistants with the Under 18s.
Sweetman, Parker and Jordan Wilson had the Young Robins top of the North Division table with six wins and a draw from seven games before the 2020-21 campaign was curtailed.
In the subsequent Supplementary Shield competition held in the Spring after lockdown restrictions were eased, Hassocks reached the semi finals where they lost to eventual winners Steyning Town.
Parker also helped our with the Under 23s alongside Sweetman. When Sweetman was appointed first team head coach last summer, Parker took over as Under 18s joint-boss alongside Glen Geard.
A small division caused by teams dropping out meant that Hassocks had completed their fixtures by the end of January.
Parker subsequently joined the coaching team at Cuckfield Rangers Development side, helping the Cuckoos to win the Mid Sussex League Tester Cup and the Malins Cup as well as finishing runners up in Division Five South.
Having worked with so many of the the Robins’ Under 23s and Under 18s over the past two seasons and knowing the club so well, Parker is a natural fit to continue bringing players through the Hassocks system.
Before joining Hassocks, Parker spent 13 years coaching in the juniors section at St Francis Rangers, including five years as chairman.
His playing career consisted of spells with Haywards Heath Town and St Francis Rangers, whilst he also made a handful of appearances for Hassocks Veterans in a short but successful stint that ended with a Fred Pretty Cup medal.
The Robins are still looking for a new physio for the new season. The role will involve providing medical support to the players on matchdays and around the club in general.
Although experience in non-league football is not necessary, the club would be looking for someone with relevant qualifications or who is working towards them.
Anyone interested in finding out more is asked to email jameswestlake@live.co.uk.
