With 10 home and six away games this weekend there's lots of hockey for everyone except the Ladies 1's who are still on the National League mid season break so around 200 players will be hitting the turf. Catch up on whats been happening and what's coming up in our first weekly update since the New Year

Remembering Steve

As shared in the New Year update entered 2019 coming to terms with the news that much loved and respected local North Umpire Steve Hamblett has passed away suddenly after having a massive stroke just before New Year. Thank you to everyone who took part in the minutes silences we held before games last weekend to remember Steve, along with many players and clubs across the North. Whilst Steve spent most Saturday's on North appointed matches he was also so free with his time and input to help us at Timperley with umpiring at any level, summer league and he was the Ladies Vets regular umpire. I'm sure the Over 45's will be playing for Steve this Sunday in the EH Cup Quarter Final v Sutton Coldfield at 1.00pm.

Steve's funeral is being held at St Mary's Church, Stamford Road, Bowdon at 1pm on Friday 1st February. A number of club members will be attending and we have also contacted Steve's family with our condolences.

Stars in your eyes - Saturday 26th January from 7pm

One week to go and time to get your tickets from the bar for £5 (£7 on the night) - we've put this event on based on feedback from folks who remember past events as cracking club night. So if you want a great night out with hockey mates, a show case of Timperley talent, the chance to vote in our winners and had a bob after with the disco get your tickets bought this weekend. We've also got space for a couple acts to join the 'bill' - please contact your captain or Vicky Lomas to book any final acts in this weekend.

If you're still not sure what its all about check out the winning act from the last time 'Star's in Your Eyes' hit the clubhouse courtesy of Dave Halkyard's filming ! Making your mind up - THC style - Stars in Your Eyes

Hockey News

With all team (except the ladies 1's ) we've a busy weekend ahead as those teams in contention for promotion. Men's 1's head to Chester as they start the second half of the second in pursuit of a top four finish and promotion to the National League. The Men's 2's still top NWHL Division 2 and are hunting down back to back promotions and the Men's 4's are sitting in second place in NWHL Division 5 (south). The Ladies 2's,3's and 4's all sit in 6th place in their respective leagues - with the 2's in the running to gain promotion to a new division as part of the North League if they can finish 6th or higher.

EH Championships hockey restarted last Sunday with the Men's Over 40's making the trip to Deeside for their round 2 match and unfortunately couldn't get the break through against a strong Deeside squad and alas they'll be no trip south to the finals for the Over 40's this season. The Men's Over 50's have a bye in the next round and have a friendly this Sunday at home (1pm) to keep them on the ball and in the running for a third back to back EH final.

This Sunday the Ladies 45's play in the Tier 1 Quarter Final v Sutton Coldfield - 1pm push back on the blue. This should be a really hotly contested tie with Sutton having a good side and the odd former international player too ! Come down and support the girls and let's bank the first semi final place for the blues in this year's EH campaign.

The Mighty Mixed XI also have a feisty local derby tee'd up for 2.30pm on Sunday v Brooklands Mixed in the EH championships. So come down and support the sides.

Shout out for our whistlers

Will Reynolds our Umpire Co-ordinator continues to do a fantastic sheep dog come and plate spinner act each week as he aims to organise umpires for all of our games. We're always keen to get more people involved on the umpiring front so we can spread the load each week - we'll pay for the EH course and you'll get support from our Umpire Developer Nick Burnett too. For your umpires there's also a North Young Umpires programme that we'll be sharing more information on.

This week we than our intrepid band of umpires for giving up their time so 200+ Timperley players can have a game of hockey this weekend: Steve Davies (M2 and O50's) , Tim Small (M3) , Kieran Jeffrey (M4) , Richard Knill (M5) , Jo Robinson (M6), Tim Small (L2), Pat Marsden (L3), Shelagh Entwisle (L4) Mike Innes (L4 and L5), Jackie Lord and Helen Cue (Blue Badgers).

Lets also not forget good manners and hockey etiquette and to remind players to thank umpires after the game and a drink always goes down well too !

Pitchside Conduct

A brief reminder of an important reminder that has been issued by various hockey leagues and association's regarding pitch side conduct and standard regarding the urinating at the side of the pitch. Please note update from North Hockey Association:

We are seeing an increasing number of complaints regarding urinating at the side of the pitch. As we are sure you will all agree, this behaviour is not only unpleasant but also a contravention of the EH ‘Respect – Code of Ethics and Behaviour’ – Disrepute Offence, not to mention in some cases a criminal offence. We expect all members to refrain from such behaviour. However, in the event of such incidences, in keeping with the revised Disrepute Complaint Regulations, we kindly ask that these be referred to EH as a Disrepute Complaint in the first instance. It is likely that offenders will face a suspension.
If you have any queries on this, Please contact England Hockey

....and finally

Don't forget it's the TSC 200 Club January draw on Saturday around 6.30pm - this is a simple to get involved in fund-raiser by buying a number in our monthly draw either signing up to a regular standing order or buy a number of the night of he draw. Half the monies raised for the prize pot and currently the monthly top prize is £100 cash.

Congratulations go to Albert Marcano, who via the Club, coaches hockey at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys and steered the Under 18's to the national finals of the EH Super 6's . AGSB are the first North side to reach the indoor finals at U16 or 18 boys since the competition was set up in 1996 and the only state school in this year's boys U18 finals. The final against Whitgifft School was a really good game and ended 2-2 with nothing between the sides - going to a shoot out to decide the winners AGSB lost 1-0 to first runners up. Congratulations also to our home grown players Ben Nicholson (captain and top goalscorer for the tournament) and Ben Entwisle.