This week the club sat down with Mullet’s talisman Harry Russell to discuss his current form, past injury woes – as well as his hopes for this season as he embarks on his third consecutive campaign at Mill Road.

With the new season still only three weeks old, Harry has already notched himself an impressive five goals in six appearances – including last weekend’s hat-trick and man of the match performance against Alfold, which sore the Mullets come out with a commanding 6-2 victory.

“We have started the season well. We have made a few new signings over the summer, the manager has gone with a new formation – and I think we have gelled quickly as a team in terms of getting used to each other and doing what we are being asked to do by the coaching team.”

With Mullets Manager Craig Stuart opting for a change of formation this season, Harry looks to have already formed a formidable partnership with fellow front-man Ollie Humphries – a partnership which has seen the pair score an impressive 8 goals between them so far this campaign.

“I have really enjoyed playing up top as a two, where as in the last few seasons we traditionally played as a three – but with two wide men.”

“Playing with Humps is great – it takes the sole responsibility of scoring goals in that position off my shoulders, and it also keeps me that little bit fresher as the workload of running is shared.”

“Humps has been a brilliant signing for us. I have played with him previously when he was playing centre half. He is great to play with – works really hard, is a big lad, so wins a lot of flick-ons  – but he is also really good with the ball as his feet.”

“It is early doors in our partnership, but the results are there for all to see. I am sure the more we play together, we can only keep getting better and better.”

Despite scoring 60 goals over the course of the previous three seasons in which he has featured (including 14 goals for Littlehampton), it has not always being plain sailing for the striker – who after a freak accident whilst out running, ruptured his ACJ (a ligament which connects the shoulder and the collar bone) – an injury which required a full reconstruction of his shoulder, and which took almost two years to fully recover from.

“It was a difficult period for me. I was in a lot of discomfort for a long time, and all this took place during Covid, which slowed down my treatment. I was also not able to work due to the injury which was awful.”

“It took me a long time to fully recover, and I missed playing football so much – so I am now delighted to be back, happy and scoring goals.”

Having established himself as one of the most feared strikers in Sussex County League football over many seasons – which includes 43 goals over the past two seasons in a Mullets shirt, you would forgive Harry for having an air of over confidence when it comes to his own personal goals for the season, but the front man has adopted a more cautious approach.

“I am not really one to set myself targets for goaIs. One goal at a time. With my record with injuries and the disappointment that brings, I try and just take every game as it comes – but if I am lucky enough to keep myself fit, I would like to finish the season with twenty goals as an absolute minimum.”

Come and see if Harry can add to his goals tally tomorrow where The Mullets entertain Copthorne, 3pm kick off, Adults £7, Concessions £5, Under 14’s Free.