Grassroots football returned from its lockdown hiatus on 5th December 2020 and for Hassocks it was an occasion to remember as the Robins raised a record breaking amount of money for St Peter & St James Hospice in the 2020 Ann John Trophy.
The annual charity match takes place each year between Hassocks and Burgess Hill Town in memory of Ann, wife of the Robins’ long-serving chairman, Dave John. In 2014, Ann sadly passed away from cancer, having been as familiar a face on the Sussex non-league circuit as her husband, thanks in part to her legendary cakes which were sold at the Beacon every match day.
Traditionally, the game takes place in the summer, but that was not possible this year. When the government announced that football could resume from the start of December, Hassocks spotted an opportunity to get the match played before the competitive business of the Southern Combination League Premier restarted.
Thanks to the willingness of the Hillians and their manager Jay Lovett, the match was organised in double quick time. Changes to the rules surrounding licensed bars and hospitality venues meant it took considerable planning: The Beacon clubhouse had to remain shut, but Hassocks could serve hot food providing it was passed out of a window without fans entering the building.
Despite the challenges of trying to organise a game of football in quick time with a host of restrictions to consider, the afternoon was a complete success. Fans of both clubs turned out in force, resulting in £1500 being raised for the Hospice. In a year in which charity donations have been severely hit by the pandemic, that is a huge amount of money for an organisation who need as much support as possible.
Things did not go quite so swimmingly on the pitch, from a Hassocks point of view at least. Lovett brought a full-strength Burgess Hill side on the short journey south and they showed why they are a division above the Robins in the football pyramid by running out 8-1 winners to retain the Ann John Trophy.
Sometimes, football is about much more than a result, and this is one of those occasions. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the afternoon, and we hope to see you in 2021 to try and raise even more for St Peter & St James.
Find Hassocks Robins at www.hassocksfc.net