It is with the greatest sadness that we have to share the tragic news with our whole Club Family and the wider hockey, music and local communities, of the passing of Pat on Monday 12th October 2020 after a short sudden illness. Patty embodied the culture, spirit and ethos that is ‘the Club’ and universally was loved by all that had the privilege to know him. He gave so much in life to all around him and across his wide and varied interests. Irreplaceable in all ways and always putting others first, always making a difference, always there. Rest in Peace Pat from your wider Timperley family - taken too soon.

Many with have so many happy memories of a Man who was the greatest of fun, had empathy and genuine love and support for so many - and for whom nothing was too much trouble. Few people can say they packed so much into life - with so many and in so many ways. We know many will be sharing so many memories and reflections but here are a few to capture a lifetime as part of our Club and our lives. But no words can capture the hole left by an incredibly special person.

During the Spring and Summer just gone, there were many instances of members volunteering their time and skills to help our club navigate its way through that first wave of Coronavirus. Whatever that contribution was, collectively all helped build a positive sense of ‘togetherness’ and ‘family’ that was so important to us all. It came as no surprise that Pat Marston was one of those who stepped forward, ‘Patty’ simply applied his trade as a joiner, repaired and made good doors, frames, chairs and decking. It is the kind of work that has to go on all the time and on many, many occasions over the years Pat has just turned up with his toolkit and got on with it.

He went to North Cestrian School in Altrincham and sometime in the early 80’s decided that Hockey was the sport for him and he joined Timperley 5th XI. In those days, the 5th XI had achieved legendary status – certainly amongst those playing in Timperley’s 5th XI – for its long winding journeys back from away games to the old Shed via The Bears Paw and other hostelry’s dotted across Cheshire. In the early 90s he packed up his toolkit and spent four years in Tanzania as part of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), during his time there he helped communities build pharmacies and medical clinics, rebuilt homes and schools, climbed Kilimanjaro, wrote off two Land Rovers, leaving one of them on the roof of the local chieftain!

He would do whatever he could, when he could. Whether that meant spending Saturday afternoon umpiring a Ladies hockey matches, or making available a spare room for the season to an overseas cricketer. If we needed a band for a fundraising event, then on more than one occasion Pat’s old school band, The Eager Beavers re-formed and rocked the place. For Pat all these things were part and parcel of being a member of our Club.

His friends at Timperley cross many generations and groupings. We will all have our memories and it will be hard to accept that we have had our last beer with him. He might have played for Timperley Hockey Club, but first and foremost, he was a member of Timperley Sports Club and our wider community. We’re going to miss you Pat.

We know many Club members and friends of Pat will be sharing memories and photos on facebook to remember this true 'diamond' and so many memories for so many - from our oldest to and younger members. We will be working through how as a Club we remember Pat - someone who was so much part of the fabric and spirit of place over nearly 40 years. This will include arrangements to show our respects before this weekends hockey matches.

Our thoughts are with the Marston family – Pat’s brothers Nick and Jem and all his friends and the many many people for whom Pat was more than a friend.

Rest in Peace Patty.

See updated News item from 15th October 2020 -Remembering Patty