Shields celebrate victorious hockey season

Proceedings started at 11 am with the club’s Annual General Meeting attended by well over 40 club members. Club Chairman David Yellowley reported on the club’s fourth year and said: “We have had our best ever season. The men’s First XI promoted as Division 3 Champions, the men’s Second XI gaining promotion from Division 4, retention of the Northumberland County Plate and the Third XI and Ladies recording a record number of wins and goals. Off the pitch a handsome sponsorship from Norwich Union will help to ensure a continued focus on junior development for several years to come”.

First XI Captain Mick Riding detailed the First XI’s Championship team and said: “A wonderful season, practice has helped a lot, supplemented by consistency and commitment. We are still a young and improving team, the majority of whom I am certain will one day play Division 1 hockey for North Shields”.

Second XI Captain Ben Sanderson commented that “This season has seen the 2nd XI achieve their highest goal tally ever of 100 goals, spread amongst 13 different players, it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to have captained this team to victory”.

The events continued with a very competitive mixed game between the Chairman’s XI and Secretary’s XI and members then retired to the Bell and Bucket for the presentation of annual trophies and a tremendous buffet supplied by local landlady, Marjory Allen. Award winners included players of the season Mark Styles (1st XI), Stuart Booth and Kieran Conway (2nd XI), Andrew Gibson (3rd XI) and Beth Priestly and Melanie Sayers (Ladies XI). Helen Blair picked up a deserved Chairman’s trophy for her efforts off the pitch and also praised were a number of newcomers including Callum Smith (3rd XI).

Meanwhile a joint North Shields and Tynedale team have won the first two fixtures of the Veterans league with wins against Tynemouth and Gateshead. A programme of summer hockey and events has been lined up to maintain the momentum. Anybody is welcome, particularly beginners. If you are interested do not hesitate to contact our Club Secretary.