Paula was an Honorary Life Member, former Club Chair and Hockey Chair, as well as a Hockey Player, Captain and ultimately Manager. Following her retirement from Hockey management Paula then regularly enjoyed spectating particularly when her son Rick played at Timperley Hockey Club, she always maintained close contact with so many of the players she inspired and signposted to the club. Paula’s mantra had always been to develop the potential in people by being braver, aiming higher and providing them with the opportunities and experiences to grow. In more recent years Paula could be seen on Sunday mornings at our Junior Hockey training, supporting and nurturing her Grandchildren in much the same way.

Paula moved to Sale in 1966 to start a teaching career, where she embedded herself in the local community as a PE teacher at Sale Girl’s Grammar School and shortly after joined Timperley Ladies Hockey Club, where she would become Timperley Ladies HC 1st XI Captain between 1972-74 and then Ladies Hockey Chair from 1974 – 1980.

It was at the club that she met her beloved husband John, an invaluable confidant to support her on her journeys. When Paula believed in something there was no stopping her, connecting people, and instilling a sense of ‘can do’ attitude to work hard and celebrate the achievements when it’s done.

With Paula as Chair the Ladies Hockey Section continued to see growth and upon stepping down Paula showed her continued appreciation for the up-and-coming young female hockey players by creating the ‘Paula Entwisle Trophy’ which is still now awarded each season. Many of the trophy winners remain long-standing members of the club, an ongoing reminder of how important it is to invest, progress and recognise our younger players.

In 1981 to 2011 her career took her to what was then South Trafford College, where she would eventually become Head of the Sports Section and Paula again showed the same vision to grow the Sports Section from 30 students to over 300 per year during her management. One of the first things Paula did was set up college hockey teams that utilised the Timperley pitches to train, taking novices and upskilling them to become talented performers. The connection between the college and the club proved to be fruitful ground through which many junior hockey players (including several current members) found their way to Timperley Sports Club.

For many years the college hockey team were successful in winning the British College Regional and National Hockey Finals reflecting Paula’s ability to lead, quickly form a team and be rewarded where you invest whole heartedly. She could often be heard amongst a huddle of players to be leading the chant, ‘What are we going to do? WIN!’ With success came time to celebrate and enjoy all that has been achieved with Paula as the matriarch of the hockey family that treasure her from both college and club circles. She would be the first one to raise a glass, step on the dance floor and be the last one standing. The full impact will be seen in the many tributes to the family in the forthcoming weeks demonstrating the reach Paula had and just how inspirational and instrumental she was in shaping the lives of so many.

Paula also made a significant contribution to what is now Timperley Sports Club at a critical time in our history. Back in the summer of 1989, Timperley Cricket, Hockey, Lawn Tennis and Lacrosse Club (our name then), was in trouble, big serious trouble. There had been a financial scandal involving the former Treasurer, the club overdraft was maxed out and we had discovered a bag of unpaid invoices and red final warning letters. A completely new Club Exec Committee sat down in the back room of the Old Shed to discuss what, if anything, could be done. There were serious talks about closure and several in the room thought it was inevitable; but a decision was taken to give it a go for three months.

Paula as the newly elected Chair was strongly in favour of carrying on. Her insistence and sense of purpose to never give up became infectious and eventually won through. There were many late-night committee meetings and working groups and yes, at times disagreement, but the shared determination of the club Executive led by Paula, enabled the club’s finances to return to stability and undoubtedly became the springboard for what was to become the replacement of the old shed with the ‘new’ clubhouse in 2002.

After that difficult summer, Paula continued as Chair for three years in all from 1989 until 1992. She was elected an Honorary Life Member of the club and then Men’s Hockey First XI Manager between 1998 and 2004. Paula was more than a manager… Grandmaster P, the Boss, Mother figure, a real-life Jedi. Paula radiated an uplifting energy to those players on and off the pitch with her words of encouragement, guidance and it was always clear how much she believed in them, empowering them to be the best version of themselves. When Paula stepped into the Men’s First Team Manager role the team had just been relegated leaving the section in a difficult position and again Paula’s determination and spirit drew this team back together and crucially both retained and brought in both new and returning talent. The team won promotion back to the Premier Division in the Northern Counties Hockey League in just one season and laid the foundations to have further ambitions to reach the National League.

Paula set the precedency to have relentless spirit, teamwork, effective decision-making, long term motivation and being highly capable. All the qualities that are now well documented in any England Hockey talent development framework. She was ahead of her time and driven by the success of the young people she knew.

Like a lot of people who have invested their time into our club, it is virtually impossible to place a value (financial or otherwise) on that commitment. Paula believed in the power of team sports and so would be the first to say that whatever was achieved, was due to a collective team effort. However, perhaps looking back to that specific period in the club’s history, without Paula’s leadership in taking up the challenge that presented itself, we might be able to predict with more certainty than normal, a very different and less positive outcome for the club. Those of us who were around and involved at the time remember her determination and unwavering resolve and we know how vital it was.

Paula leaves a long-lasting legacy within Timperley Sports Club, extending to the local community that spans generations of players and their families. She was an advocate for all young people to realise their potential, to provide inspiration, be united and work together to achieve common goals and build beliefs to last a lifetime. We are so very grateful to her.
Our thoughts and are with John, Rick and Cathy at this difficult time.

The family would like all to know that Paula’s funeral will take place at midday on Friday 8th September at St Joseph’s RC Church, Hope Road in Sale then at Altrincham Crematorium and all are welcome.

One of Paula’s favourite colours was purple and so please feel free to join in including this colour in your attire on this special occasion.

Finally the family would like to invite all who wish to join them at Timperley Sports Club from 2.30pm onwards to join them in a joyful celebration of a life so well lived.