990 and out - Hassocks and Hillians legend Pat Harding calls time on glittering career

By Scott McCarthyContributor
Published 8th May 2024, 13:55 BST
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Hassocks FC forward Super Pat Harding has announced his retirement after a career in Sussex non-league football spanning 22 seasons, 990 matches and 348 goals.

Harding made the decision that 2023-24 would be his final campaign before pre-season began.

Despite plundering 15 goals and being a key player as Hassocks reached the Southern Combination Premier Division playoff semi final, he has stuck to his guns.

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The Robins’ fantastic 5-1 win over Newhaven – in which he scored the second – was his last ever first team appearance at the Beacon.

A presentation for Pat Harding following his final game at the Beacon for Hassocks before retirement | Picture via Hassocks FCA presentation for Pat Harding following his final game at the Beacon for Hassocks before retirement | Picture via Hassocks FC
A presentation for Pat Harding following his final game at the Beacon for Hassocks before retirement | Picture via Hassocks FC

It was the perfect way for Harding to bow out in front of the supporters of the club where he started out back in 2002.

No formal announcement was made prior to the Newhaven match because Harding did not want to overshadow the importance of the game in terms of Hassocks needing a point to finish in the top five.

That sums up the selfless team player he was throughout a career which took him from Hassocks to Eastbourne Borough, Horsham, Whitehawk, Burgess Hill Town and back for a final hoorah at the Beacon.

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