The History of The Hassocks Six A Side Tournament
In 1961 Hassocks football club required a new club house as the existing changing hut, which was also used by the Cricket Club, had no shower facilities and the structure was near to collapse. The club offered to the Parish Council some monies toward the new building and it was agreed to run a Six-a-side competition in order to raise these funds. Maurice Boxell remembered as excellent six-a-side tournament that had been held in London and was able to meet the organiser of that event, Mr Albert Smith, who willingly agreed to guide us in the organisation of our event. He helped run the tournament for the first ten years.
The event started with 44 teams in 1961 and was won by Lewes F.C. Although a very successful tournament it only raised £24 after all expenses were paid. The first ball was kicked off by Mrs Dorothy Emery who was Chairman of the parish council. Because of the success of the event from a football point of view the club decided to continue organising the tournament which has now been played in Adastra Park on the first Saturday in August for 43 years.
Over the years we have been blessed with fine weather in all but three tournaments, one was so severe that it was necessary to cancel the event after the first hour.
In 1971 Plum Lane from Plumstead won the direct knockout competition when 168 teams competed. All teams loosing in the first round were invited to take part in the plate competition. The tournament finished under floodlight at approximately 9:30pm. The home club won the competition for the first time in 1970, in an entry of 128 teams and have been champions a further four times. The tournament was changed from direct knockout to a league competition 1983 with 80 teams forming 16 leagues of 5 teams so that all teams have at least four games. The top two teams of each league go forward to a knockout competition.
The tournament became the largest of its kind in the South of England and was the first ever started in Sussex. Teams from many parts of England descend on Adastra Park on the first Saturday in August.
We had a great supporter in the late Dr O’Hara, president for many years of the Sussex County F.A, who presented the awards over a long period.
There have been three secretaries in charge of this tournament, Maurice Boxall for the first thirty years, Bob Preston for the next ten years and Rod Sampson of the present year. All three would agree that the event could not take place without the huge amount of effort put in ex club members in preparing the arena, wives and girlfriends managing the refreshments and Beer Marquee and the wonderful band of referees that offer their services for a very arduous day. For many years the late George Cook, past chairman of the club organised the referees. For the last approximately 12 years the referees have been very ably organised by Roger Cragg.