Pat Harding has never had the chance to share an adult with his famous father.
Former vice-chairman of Chelsea and great investor Matthew Harding was tragically killed in a 1996 helicopter crash with five others after a competition-up match in Bolton, only 42 years old.
Pat was 12, so his father never saw him grow up, getting married, having children or starting a successful non-league play career.
But he left his young son with solid values he used to help Sussex Non-League Club Hassocks lead to the greatest performance in their 123-year history.
In his first season as chairman, Pat saw the village team from just outside Brighton de Southern Combintation League title with a 3-0 win over Crowborough Athletic on Saturday for a record audience of 807.
The beloved Sussex Non-League Legendary Striker-Die played for Eastbourne Borough, Hassocks, Horsham, Whitehawk and Burgess Hill-Bestaat often the parking lot, controls the tourniquets and chat warm with fans.
It has ultrasounds when his father visited local pubs on Chelsea Matchdays and drank with supporters instead of schmoozen in VIP boxes.
Pat, 41, Sunsport said: “When I was between eight and 11 years old, we went home and gone to many games.
“We would get the train and go into the pubs before and after competitions. It would not have won him Father of the Year Awards, but it was fun.
“Dad was kicked out of the Chelsea boardroom on match days after a row of chairman Ken Bates, so we would go to the local pub instead and mix with fans.
“It taught me about giving people time, making them feel special. He would have crowds people around him, but was happy to hold the court and have a beer with them.
“That's what I am doing now. If Hassocks supporters come to me, I give them time. It's nice to make people important what they are.
“I do the parking lot and tourniquets because we only have seven or eight volunteers.
“Some people say I don't have to park because I miss goals that are scored early.
“But I like that people can see that I do something instead of swinging around and, secondly, it is nice to meet and greet people by being in front of the house, together with the other Tourniquet, who also do a great job.”
Pat had a 22-year-old senior gaming career in which he scored a remarkable 348 goals in 990 matches with winning promotion and playing in the National League in Eastbourne.
And he laughed and admitted: “My goal ratio would have been better if I hadn't played as an old -timer!”
He also keeps the distinction of Netto in every senior step of Non-League, from Sussex County League to National League.
Become chairman
But after hanging his boots in May last year with Hassocks – where he came through as a child – he became chairman.
Pat said: “The former chairman, Dave John, who has been in the club for more than 30 years, asked if I enjoyed doing it.
“First I said,” That's crazy. ” But then I thought: 'What am I going to do now that I am retired? 'Because coaching and management is not for me.
“Being chairman would give me the chance to put a small print on it and improve a few things – but I did not expect that we would win the competition in my first season!”
Hassocks are a family club and this season no player has been paid – not even costs.
The next term Pat says that manager James Westlake will receive a play budget, but it will be the lowest in the Isthmian League South East Division.
Upgrade the stadium
Pat added: “Chairman are two big things. One, it is building and maintenance and secondly, match days are throwing a big party and you have to make everything go smoothly.”
He monitors the installation of new, modern LED shine to be sitting on the exact columns that his father donated to the club in 1995 to be promoted to the Sussex League.
He also supervises the Beacon Stadium with solar panels, pushes club merchandise and improves the MatchDay experience.
Pat has added a merchandise sweet position to care for children, while Hassocks focuses on attracting families and young people to the club.
He said: “We want to grow organically and be sustainable. We are absolutely good enough to be in the level above, but whether that will be our ceiling or not, will tell.”
Unfortunately, his father never saw Chelsea win all the glittering silverware of the Roman Abramovich era – including five Premier League titles and two European cups – although his legacy at Stamford Bridge lives on through the Matthew Harding Stand, which he helped finance.
Dealing with sadness
Pat learned the tragic news of his father's death the morning after home in Hassocks.
And he said: “If you have a mourning as a child, you can probably just deal with it and it is only if you look back, you understand the enormous size of it. I remember that I woke it up first and heard about it.
“My mother told me that I wouldn't go to school that day. There was a big media circus outside.
“It was bizarre because it was on the news. I don't know if it made it easier, because my father was always in the newspapers or on TV, it was all I had known.
“Like most ordinary people and growing up like a man, hide your emotions and you don't treat them at that moment.
“It will catch you sooner or later, but I tackled it when I have grown up.
In the footsteps of daddy in daddy
“It makes you a little stronger. You get through things. You deal with it like everyone else – many of the fathers of many people die.”
Matthew Harding would be proud of his son today. His values have been passed on to Pat, who is very popular in Sussex Non-League Football for his warm and sincere personality.
Pat – who has his own company as a mobile sports massage therapist and personal trainer – added: “My father was very clever. He made people feel good. He was generous. It is great now that I picked up how much I picked up.
“Dad enjoyed people's company. It made me realize in football and buying business people from people – personality is a big thing, more than anything.
“He was very nice. He was more eccentric and more charming than me.” Dad was a bit of a character and I am so happy that I have put something of it. “
Comments