Bobby Hassell

Robert John Francis Hassell (born 4 June 1980) is an English former footballer who played for Mansfield Town, Barnsley FC and Bharat FC in I-League as a defender. He is now Academy Manager at Barnsley FC.

Bobby Hassell
Hassell playing for Barnsley
Personal information
Full name Robert John Francis Hassell
Date of birth (1980-06-04) 4 June 1980
Place of birth Derby, England
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
000?–1997 Mansfield Town[1]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2004 Mansfield Town 164 (3)
2004–2014 Barnsley 299 (8)
2015 Bharat FC 18 (0)
Total 381 (11)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Mansfield

Born in Derby, Derbyshire, Hassell graduated from the youth ranks at Mansfield Town. Showing his versatility from the start of his career, Hassell played in both the centre of defence and at right-back. After losing the 2003-04 Division Three Play-Off Final to Huddersfield Town, Hassell failed to negotiate a new contract with Mansfield.

Barnsley

Barnsley boss Paul Hart brought Hassell to Oakwell as part of a rebuilding process in the summer of 2004, completing his move on 1 July. Despite a slow start, Hassell made 43 appearances throughout the 2004-05 campaign and gradually became a fans' favourite. He missed parts of the 2005–06 campaign through injury but played a key role when fit in helping Barnsley gain promotion from League One. Unlike two years' previously, he was on the winning side at the Millennium Stadium as Barnsley triumphed over Swansea City on penalties in the Play-Off Final.

Hassell then enjoyed another fine campaign during 2006–07, again in the running for all the end of season awards, clocking up 42 appearances and netting two goals. In the following season, he showed his versatility to perform heroically during Barnsley's run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. He made multiple last ditch tackles and goal-line clearances whilst playing at right-back in a 2–1 win over Liverpool at Anfield, and was outstanding in an unfamiliar central midfield position as Chelsea were beaten 1–0 at Oakwell.

He was named as Barnsley's Players' Player of the Year, Fans Player of the Year and Disabled Supporters' Player of the Year for the 2008–09 season.

When Mark Robins was appointed Barnsley manager following the start of the 2009-10 season, Hassell initially dropped out of the team, yet soon found his way back in due to consistent performances and a high work rate. Hassell was made Barnsley vice-captain in the summer of 2010 when Robins handed the captaincy to Jason Shackell. The 2010-11 season was another successful one for Hassell who made his 200th league start for Barnsley against Millwall in January.

Keith Hill named Hassell as club captain for the 2011-12 season. Hassell had to go in goal in a League Cup tie with Rochdale on 11 August 2012 after Ben Alnwick was sent off and Barnsley had already used all 3 of their substitutions.[2]

In his final years as a Barnsley player, Hassell found games harder to come by but nevertheless always impressed when called upon. He was released by the club after ten years in May 2014.[3] A year later in July 2015, Hassell was rewarded for his service to Barnsley with a testimonial match at Oakwell against Mansfield Town. The home side, featuring Hassell's former teammates from the 2006 promotion winning team, won the match 4–3. He is regarded as a club legend at Barnsley.[4]

Bharat FC

In December 2014, Bobby signed for new I-League team Bharat FC.[5] Hassell played the first ever match for the club as the I-League debutants held Dempo to a goalless draw.[6]

Return to Barnsley

After leaving India, Hassell took up a position as Head of Recruitment for Barnsley's Academy in 2015.[7] He now serves as Academy Manager at Oakwell.[8] He also took up golfing with the clubs shirt sponsor Kevin Beckett and the Kevin Beckett golf society but after four years of trying he realised he was not going to be successful especially after not being able to use a driver to tee off with; he only used to use three clubs, one being a putter.

Personal life

Hassell is a committed Christian and he credits his faith as helping him overcome his temper and giving him an abundant sense of peace.[9]

Career statistics
As of match played 30 May 2015
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Mansfield Town 1997–98[10] Third Division100000000100
1998–99[11] 3000000030
1999–2000[12] 111102000141
2000–01[13] 401103000441
2001–02[14] 43130101[lower-alpha 1]0481
2002–03[15] Second Division200000000200
2003–04[16] Third Division370401000420
Total 16439070101813
Barnsley 2004–05[17] League One39010201[lower-alpha 1]0430
2005–06[18] 31240001[lower-alpha 1]0362
2006–07[19] Championship3922010—422
2007–08[20] 2005000—250
2008–09[21] 4001010—420
2009–10[22] 2421010—262
2010–11[23] 3711010—391
2011–12[24] 1901010—210
2012–13[25] 1712021—212
2013–14[26] 400000—40
Total 270118091202992
Bharat FC 2015 I-League180—[lower-alpha 2]——180
Career total 4524270161304985
  1. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. Although Bharat FC is a part of extending 2015 I-League, it will not play in 2014 Federation Cup

References
  1. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 427. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  2. "Barnsley boss Keith Hill laments 'petulant' Ben Alnwick". BBC. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  3. "Barnsley Release Defender Bobby Hassell After 10 Years". BBC Sport. 7 May 2014.
  4. "Bobby Hassell Testimonial". The Sheffield Star. 20 July 2015.
  5. Hero I-League [@ILeagueOfficial] (2 December 2014). ".@BharatFC have announced their 2nd foreign player signing - English defender Robert 'Bobby' Hassell. #ILeague" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. "The Lions' debut ends in a stalemate". Goal. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  7. http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/bobby-hassell-appointed-academy-head-of-recruitment-2850323.aspx
  8. https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/club/whos-who/
  9. Bobby Hassell talks about his faith with Inspire magazine
  10. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  11. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  12. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  13. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  14. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  15. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  16. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  17. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  18. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  19. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  20. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  21. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  22. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  23. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  24. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  25. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  26. "Games played by Bobby Hassell in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
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