It is with a very heavy heart and a damp keyboard that I have to write this email. Yesterday we lost our great friend, hockey aficionado, club enthusiast and lifelong great bloke Tony Johnson to the blight that is cancer.

Tony had been battling away with great stoicism, to the extent that many people didn't even realise that he was ill. He was of the generation that found it rediculous to make a meal of illness or injury, plowing on regardless, why would a broken foot stop you playing the game that you loved ... (hockey if you aren't paying attention). The last few weeks have been very difficult as he was unable to eat, but he was able to forgoe pain killers - as you might expect - until this weekend. Our thoughts go out to Pip at this time, and I would ask you to refrain from calling her, if you are inclined to do so, as we do not want her to be inundated with calls from Club Members over the next week or so - unless of course you were close friends and she knows who you are. I hope you get my drift.

Tony was of course loved by everyone who knew him. He was simply a lover of hockey and of West Bridgford Hockey Club, and if you did the same then he loved you too. He was also one of those people who if you asked him to do something then he found it difficult to say no. A nicer guy you would be hard pushed to find. If you love sport, beer, talking to people, beer, hockey, old motor cars, beer, big dogs, balls, sticks, beer, leaning on a bar chatting about Tranmere Rovers or beer, rebuilding MGA's, playing centre forward at 65, umpiring, checking pitches in the Winter, having life long hockey friends, and drinking beer, then he was your man. He was mine.

We have lost a truly great friend. More will be written, as will any details of what happens next. Hopefully we will be able to do something funeral related if not actually attending the funeral, and we will of course have a massive life celebration when CV is over. Until then I will keep you informed by email and the club web site. If you have anything you would like to write about Tony please forward to me as I can collate and forward to Pip.

Stay safe

Geoff

Our AGM was held on Tuesday 19th May  - many thanks to all who logged in and took part.

England Hockey has just announced that all "official" hockey has been cancelled up to and including the end of June.

Juniors, up to U12, should by now have received details of our "Junior Hockey Challenge", email cheryl@wbhockey.co.uk for details if you haven't been contacted.

Most of you will have heard about the sad news of Bissie Braunds passing. Having started at the club as a junior, she made many friends during her years at the club. Cancer took her at the age of 31 within a few months of diagnosis, leaving us and the family devastated. There have also been many people asking about funeral arrangements. The family have been in touch and have the following information about Bissie's Funeral Festival. Bissie planned to have a typically life filled funeral on Friday 6th March at 3pm. It will be at St Augustine's Church, Flintham. NG23 5LF and followed by a Festival of life with food, drinks and a disco till 1am. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be provided but feel free to bring extra or different drink (we are 7 miles to the nearest shop). Dress code: smart casual but the marquee will be in a field so wear appropriate footwear, jumpers and waterproofs, or a boat if needed. No need for black. Please can you contact Faye Sibley on 07793963003 or fayfeebilkes@hotmail.com as she is in contact with the family who would like approximate numbers of those attending.

Many thanks to Andy, Derek and Linda, Bob, Mick, Mark for a great Curry & Quiz night. Everyone enjoyed the first ever "bought in" curry and the quiz was challenging and amusing as usual. Next up - the Beer Festival.

A big thank you to everyone who came along to the Hockeyday today, I hope that you enjoyed it and will come along to our juniors on future Sundays (see juniors' page for details of timings).  Also a simllarly big thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success, your efforts were very much appreciated.

A big "thank you" to everyone who contributed in any way to the coffee morning today - we raised the grand total of £341.26 for local charity CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids).

Mens Monday club training and 1st team Thursday training restarts week commencing 6 Jan.

Ladies Wednesday training and Back to Hockey both restart on Wednesday, Jan 8.

Juniors restart on Sunday, Jan 5th; Monday boys training on Monday, Jan 6th; Wednesday girls training on Wednesday, Jan 8th.

 Despite Election and Brexit gloom, every now and again something happens which reminds me that we are very lucky to have our Club and our Hockey. On Sunday the Mens 1s had a rearranged match away at Barton, a couple of players were unavailable from the Boots win on Saturday so Ali asked George Wells (aged 14) if he would like to play. Of course he would was the expected response. George came on at first rotation into the midfield, and did well considering that Barton were quick and physical. It didn't take long for him to realise that you cannot wait for a pass to arrive, unless you want, man, stick, ball and ambulance to arrive at the same time, He rapidly adapted to the speed of the game, and later in the second half had a stint up front with Zack. A slick move up the left initiated by Natt and Dave E found Zack wide on the left wing just outside the D. A great cross to the far post was turned in by George, diving full lenght to register his first first team goal in his first first team match. MAGIC.

It is with a very sad heart that I have to announce the passing of our past member and very dear friend Gary Hunt. Gary was a much loved member of the Club in the 70's through to the mid 90's having joined the Club as a schoolboy and returning to us after University in Sheffield. He played for the 2's and 3's as well as becoming a key member of the ubiquitous Coops Sunday XI through the golden years of the 80's. Gary has of course remained very close to the Club through the wonderful friendships forged in that team, and his illness has hit all of us who loved him very hard.

Gary was an honest, reliable and steadfast man both in his sport and his life, a better friend you could not wish for. Cancer took him rapidly, taking as it tends to a fine person with so much more to give, and damaging the lives of his loved ones. He leaves a beautiful wife and daughter Chris and Lizzie, who have been brilliant in their support for him over the last 3 months, and of course he leaves all of us who loved him with a massive void in our hearts. He will be sorely missed. (Jonno and Geoff). 
The funeral will be at Catfoot Lane on the 4th October at 1:30 and afterwards at the 4 Bells in Woodborough.

Thankyou

We restart on Wednesday, Sept 11th, 7.00 to 8.00 at West Bridgford School.  Do come along and encourage your friends to come too.  It's good fun and aches and pains are guaranteed!

Sunday coaching will now start this coming Sunday, Sept 8th.  Midweek boys (U14 and U16) start on Monday, Sept 9, 6.30 to 7.45 and girls (Y7+) Wednesday, Sept 11, 6.30 to 7.30.

The Summer Hockey Camp was another great success. Thanks to the hard work of all concerned, and special mention to Paul and Faye Sibley for the determination to organise it all, and the expertise to carry it through. (Geoff)
As well as making a decent profit, you have helped us show how good we are to our own youngsters and also to those who haven't yet joined. (Bob)

Looking for a new hockey club? Just click on link to right to join, or contact geoff@wbhockey.co.uk or Martin 07768 526594 or Caz 07966 714567. We run 10 mens sides and 5 ladies sides plus numerous Vets, Juniors and mixed sides. Our Mens 1s are in the Midlands Premier and our Ladies 1s are in Notts Premier. We have a good social side, and well known for the real ale served at our Clubhouse. If you have not played for years, or want to give it a try, look out for our 'Back to Hockey' family sessions running in June and July (details below). Formal Club training starts from August (see diary section to right) - new players, just turn up at West Bridgford School, and the Juniors start from September 1st at Becket School at 9.00, (see junior page for details).

On a glorious sunny day we travelled to a beautiful part of Cheshire for the conclusion of our England Hockey competition. We played three very competitive games, starting with a draw against Lichfield, quickly followed by a match versus a very strong Telford side who had already beaten Chester 3-0. We went behind in the first half, but put the dogged Jack to mark their play-maker in the second half, Ollie and George duly took advantage to both score and we held on to a 2-1 victory.

Two hours enjoying the sunshine and cakes before our final match was perhaps not the best preparation for a game we needed to win against the hosts, who we’d lost to narrowly earlier on in the season. But the boys played brilliantly and went one up through Ollie, then Sam saved a flick before George scored again. Five very nervous minutes later Chester scored, but fortunately with only a minute to play, and we held on to win and become the area champions.

Every member of the squad played their part: resolute defending by Oscar, Reuben, Edward and Daniel; great midfield battles fought and won by George, Ollie, Rohan, Eddie and Jack; and Sam and Alex working well together up front to worry defences. Sam had a great day in goal and deservedly was voted man of the matches by his peers.

Thank you to Jonno for giving up his Sunday to umpire, and thank you to all the parents who supported the boys.

The Club is saddened to announce the death of Mark Gray on Monday 4 March. Mark, formally of Grantham HC, came across to Bridgford in his rather unreliable porshe, with goalkeeper Will, and played for the 5ths  and Vets for the last few seasons finishing at the end of April 2018. A strong defender, who gave everything in his tackling, and sometimes a little too much, and it always amazed the rest of the team that he never seemed to know what a green card meant or where he had to go, despite collecting them on a regular basis. Very much part of the banter, he will be sorely missed. Some of the 5ths players attended his wedding in July 2017, and our thoughts, love and prayers are with his wife Monika. Funeral is on 29 March in Grantham. Speak to Geoff Bail if you wish to attend.

Read the report here.