It is with great sadness that we share the news that Neil Entwisle died peacefully at home on Sunday afternoon. Although it was not entirely unexpected following his stroke last November it has come as a great shock to the family.

Neil joined Timperley HC in the mid 1950’s and played through until the 1990’s before moving to the touchline to watch and support Timperley teams, especially in recent years taken great joy in watching grandsons Jack and Ben develop from the Juniors through to the Men’s 1st team. The club and hockey played a key part in Neil’s life and family for over 65 years and it was there at a dance in 1957 he met Norma, before marrying and having Andrew and Karen. Neil was very proud that three generations of Entwisle’s played hockey at the Club and was always happy to share words on wisdom to the younger generations including ‘hit it’ …. not being a great fan of the slap pass!

Neil made a major contribution to hockey at Timperley both on and off the pitch and was a Hockey Vice President of Timperley Sports Club. His contributions included: Secretary (3 seasons 1962 -64); 1st Team Captain (3 seasons 1968 -70); Chair (5 seasons, 1974-79 & 1988 – 89) and 3rd Team Captain (3 seasons 1983 -86). In the mid to late 1980’s, when junior hockey at clubs was in its infancy, Neil, along with John Wood and Calvin O’Connor played a key role in laying the foundations of our academy by setting up the first Badgers team (when 3 adults played). Neil also served as a member of the Club Executive Committee.

On the pitch Neil was part of the Cheshire Cup winning team in 1975/76 and in the days long before league hockey existed many tournament successes (including scoring the winning flick at Winnington Park) playing alongside brother John, John and Nigel Wood and many others. Neil, along with Tom Einstein and others loved a tour and was a regular at the Easter Festivals including Llandudno, a snowed off Bridlington and Weymouth and the centenary tour to Eindhoven. In more recent years Neil was a regular at the old boys lunches and VP and HLM Dinners as well as popping in the bar after spectating and will be sadly missed by many fellow team mates and friends at the Club.

Our heartfelt condolences go to Norma, Andrew, Karen and grandsons William, Jack and Ben and the wider family and friends of Neil. The funeral will be by invitation only due to limitation on numbers due to current restrictions but we hope soon to be able to gather at the club and raise a glass in his memory.