Veterans @ LTHC

Captain: Phil Blood phil.blood@ntlworld.com

The Vets are players over 35 and play regularly during the season, usually on Sunday mornings. We put out an over 40's team for the national vets cup competition and have also managed a vintage side (over 50's) on the odd occasion. The Vets also organise the occasional social function including a dinner at least once per year to which partners are invited.

Annual report 2004/5 season

Fixtures

The veteran's team has played a total of 7 games this season - 1 per month on average. The statistics don't make good reading having won only 1 and lost the rest. The goal difference was equally disappointing, 9 for and 32 against. We entered the veteran's cup competition and this year, were given a bye in the first round. Unfortunately, we then came up against strong opposition in Harleston Magpies from Norfolk and lost heavily. As a result of this loss, we proceeded through to the veteran's plate competition. Our first round opposition, Stratford upon Avon, withdrew at the last minute, allowing us to go through to round 2 automatically (perhaps this should count as a win to help our statistics?). Again we were open to meeting strong opposition in round 2 and indeed were beaten easily by Colchester, who had made it to the last 16 of the Veteran's cup last year.

We struggled all year to get our strongest team out, particularly for Sunday games which form the majority of our fixtures. Our only win was in a mid-week game and perhaps these should figure more prominently in next season's fixtures. A novel addition to the calendar this season was a game against Leicestershire mixed veterans, organized by our keeper, Mick Barlow, who play's regularly for Bedouins.

Players

Top scorer was Mike Smith with 4. Mick Barlow and myself, each playing in 6 out of the 7 games made most appearances. A total of 22 different players have been called on to play. Veteran's player of the year award was presented to Andy Kaye.

Social

On the social front, the 'après hockey' was always good and in addition, a few of us enjoyed the GB v Australia game at Beeston last June and dinner was held at the Thatch in January.

Forthcoming fixtures in the 2005/06 season will be displayed on this page when they become available.