Burgess Hill Town salute 'role model' Pat Harding as he makes 350th appearance for the club

Burgess Hill Town boss Simon Wormull praised '˜role model' Pat Harding, as the forward made his 350th appearance for the Hillians in their 3-0 win over Merstham on Saturday.
Pat Harding made his 350th appearance for Burgess Hill Town in their 3-0 win over Merstham at the weekend. Picture by Chris Neal.Pat Harding made his 350th appearance for Burgess Hill Town in their 3-0 win over Merstham at the weekend. Picture by Chris Neal.
Pat Harding made his 350th appearance for Burgess Hill Town in their 3-0 win over Merstham at the weekend. Picture by Chris Neal.

The Hill supporters and players’ player of the year for 2017/18 is now in his eighth year with the club after signing from Whitehawk in 2011. The striker has also enjoyed spells at Eastbourne Borough, Horsham, and Hassocks.

Harding was part of the Hillians’ Isthmian League Division One South title-winning side in the 2014/15 season and last season he reached a century of goals for the club.

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Wormull praised the ‘thriving’ forward and hailed the importance of Harding within the Burgess Hill team.

SEE ALSO Wormull wants Burgess Hill Town to impose themselves against 'direct' Leatherhead | Wormull hails Burgess Hill Town debutant and back four after Merstham win | Watch Burgess Hill Town's brilliant win over MersthamHe said: “I played with Pat at Eastbourne Borough and he just seems to keep going and going. We’ve changed his role in the team now and he seems to be thriving.

“He’s an important part of the team at the moment. He’s as fit as any one of the young ones and he just seem to keep going and going.”

Harding has been an integral part of the Hillians set up and is one of the most senior players at the club. After taking charge at the Green Elephants Stadium on a permanent basis, Wormull believes that Harding’s attitude is the perfect example for a young player hoping to carve out a long-term career in football.

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He added: “Off the field, I think he’s a role model for the youngsters in the way that he looks after himself and he’s done it throughout his career and I think off the field it’s a great thing to show them.

“On the field, I think his application and his workrate and his desire is great for the young ones to see because what he’s done is carve out a 15-year career in non-league.

“That’s not easy. That’s a real achievement and I think he should be commended for that.”