The start of the new season saw consternation in the Heath household as Mrs Heath, Linda, long suffering hockey widow of club legend Tony, started questioning why he was still attending hockey training. She logically thought that after 57+ years of hockey training he should by now have passed whatever hockey course he was doing.
The Club immediately leapt to Tony’s aid and a Hockey Qualifications Committee was hastily formed chaired by another club legend, Tom Sellers, aided by Richard Middleton. As seen in the photo Tony was awarded his Certificate of Achievement at the clubhouse to take home to show Linda he had met KHC's required standard of competence.
He is now working towards his Advanced Hockey Practice award which he has assured Linda could take many years.
This leaves Tony free to continue to pass on his wisdom to all our young players (is there anyone who hasn’t played in a team with Tony?) and tell tales in the bar for years to come on subjects such as defunct Midlands teams and why we don't have rivalry like we used to as the teams in the East are friendlier than Midlands teams. Of course, remember, should there be a phone call from Linda wondering where Tony is the answer is always “I can’t see him here, I think he’s just left” buying him enough time to continue finishing his beer and holding court like the great hockey raconteur that we know he is.
We are sure every Club has a ‘Tony’ character but we are lucky and delighted to have the original.
Here’s to another 57+ years, knees and hips permitting!