Hornets signing spree continues with double Lewes swoop - and another trio re-join

Horsham made it six signings in four days as they unveiled Tom Day and Charlie Coppola as their latest new faces.
Tom Day and Charlie Coppola arrive / Picture: Horsham FCTom Day and Charlie Coppola arrive / Picture: Horsham FC
Tom Day and Charlie Coppola arrive / Picture: Horsham FC

The Hornets' activity in the past week will make a few of their Isthmian premier division rivals sit up and take notice - not least because the latest two additions are from one of their rivals in that league, Lewes. See links to our other stories about new signings at the end of this article.

Horsham said: "We are delighted to announce the twin signings of Tom Day and Charlie Coppola from divisional rivals Lewes.

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"By his own admission Tom, 22, is most comfortable at centre-half but is capable of playing anywhere across the back four. On the books of Crystal Palace and Barnet as a youngster, he made one Football League appearance for the Bees in 2016 before being released and dropping into non-league where he played National League South football with Hemel Hempstead and Eastbourne Borough.

"He joined Lewes in 2018, initially on loan, and went on to become a near ever-present, playing in both matches against Horsham last season. “A classic defender who would do anything for a clean sheet” is how Tom describes himself.

"A year younger than Tom, Charlie is an attacking midfielder who can also play on the wing and sees his role as a creative playmaker. He racked up more than a century of appearances for the Rooks in a five year stay, despite combining his playing time with studying for a career in medicine at Warwick University. Charlie has previously had trials at Millwall and Bristol City."

Coppola told the Hornets website: “It was a hard decision leaving Lewes because I made my senior debut there but I think it was the right time to move on. I felt loyal to Ross (Standen) and Darren (Freeman) so I never really thought about leaving when they were there, but this move just worked perfectly. With Ross coming to Horsham, it seemed like the right move for me.”

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Day added: “Yes, it was a tough decision for me. I had a good relationship with Lewes but, again, I also had a good relationship with Ross and the fact he’s come over here helped persuade me a little bit. Not only that but the ambition of the club, the new ground, and playing on a good surface week in, week out, made it an offer I couldn’t really turn down.”

Horsham added: "We welcome them both and hope they have long and successful careers with the Hornets."

* Among the plethora of signings over the past few days, the club have secured the signatures of three players who have amassed over 350 appearances between them in the amber and Lincoln green. The evergreen pairing of Joe Shelley and Steve Metcalf have committed themselves to another campaign with the Hornets while striker Kieran Lavery is back at the club after spending the second part of last season’s curtailed programme on loan to Horley Town.

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