“One of the hardest decisions I’ve made in football” says Haswell after swapping Longlevens for Stonehouse Town
Stonehouse Town have completed the signing of Joey Haswell, who departs Longlevens after six years at the club.
Former Gloucester City Youth forward Haswell made the move to Saw Mills in the 2019/20 season and was part of the infamous FA Cup run for Longlevens in the 2021/22 season, where they went on to play against Gloucester City in the Second Qualifying Round.
Haswell scored the winning goal at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in the Extra Preliminary Round that season as he went on to make 35 appearances in all competitions.
But with Levens now in a new era in terms of management, Haswell has found minutes in the First Team at a premium and has had more joy with the Reserves side in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League so far this season.
Haswell has made the decision to move to the Ben’s Takeaway Stadium in search of First Team minutes and whilst he admits it was a tough decision, he is already looking ahead to making an impact at his new club.
“It’s easily one of the hardest decisions I’ve made in football,” admitted Haswell. “Levens has been a big part of my life since I was 17.
However the opportunity to play regularly just hasn’t been fulfilled recently and I just have to do what’s best for my career going forward.
Stonehouse is very well run club, a a sleeping giant almost, the professionalism around the club and facilities aswell as the opportunity to play with my three best mates just seemed a no brainer in the end.
They have clear intentions on where they want to be and that was just something I wanted to be apart of and help make happen.
There is no reason why Stonehouse can’t finish in the playoffs. I have seen enough quality and ambition around the lads and management to suggest that is within our ability.
I say I just want to enjoy football, but I’m a competitive person and know that comes with winning games and success,” Haswell added.
Stonehouse currently sit in 7th place in the Hellenic League Division One table and find themselves just three points outside the play-offs after 13 games and having won three of their last four league matches.
They have recently added Dan Gayner to their fire power up top, which includes Harley Hudd, Josh Beadle and Will Hawes and following the arrival of Haswell, First Team Manager Adam Coyle says Haswell’s experience and skillset will make him an asset in the Stonehouse squad this season.
“Joey’s going to bring Step 5 qualities and that’s massive for us to have a player who can play at the league above come down to us, but join for all the right reasons.
He’s really hungry to help play his part in push us towards our targets for this season and is eager to get going which is great.
Joey is a really nice lad in the chats we have had with him and that’s really important to our group. He already knows a few of our boys and they did most of the heavy lifting to get this deal done – I had the easy bit in just getting it over the line,” said Coyle.
Haswell could be set to make his Stonehouse Town debut on Saturday afternoon, as they welcome Wellington to the Ben’s Takeaway Stadium in the Hellenic League Challenge Cup – with November set to be a big month for the Magpies, with cup ties against Cirencester Town, Fairford Town and a huge end of the month derby against Shortwood United to come.
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READ MORE: Check out the list of Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
