All sorts in this weeks update from practical stuff to get ready for the new season, diary dates, bingo and whats on at the club along with some fine works from departing club member of 11 years Alex Morley, and memories of Tony Griffiths who graced the grass pitches at the club from the 1950s to 70's. Here's the run down for this week !
Sunday 8th September
- Academy Registration Day, Academy Training and SilverFX and Dentist at the club to help get you kitted out for the season
Tuesday 10th September
- cut off for on line made to order Silver FX orders. Contact Sarah Williams to be allocated a shirt number (adults and academy players) wmswynch@btinternet.com https://www.silverfx.co.uk/category/sports-clubs/timperley-hockey-club/
Express items can be ordered at any time
- training for senior teams don't forget we've switched to the in season times https://www.timperleyhockeyclub.com/news/dont-forget-training-times-and-groups-change-from-tonight-3rd-september-2460982.html
- Academy Training starts for year 9 - 11 (17:45 to 19:00)
Thursday 12th September
- Mens 1 v Brooklands Mens 1 @ Timps 8.20pm push back - come down for an early taste of hockey under the new lights
Saturday 14th September
- more friendly matches for senior teams ahead of the league season
- Saturday academy fixtures start
- don't forget the Tour of Britain will be starting in Altrincham on Saturday morning so roads will be closed so allow extra time for travel
Sunday 15th September
- Hockey Heroes starts - our new EH programme for 5 - 8 year olds book on line now to reserve a place (places limited) non members welcome as well as academy players
https://www.timperleyhockeyclub.com/news/book-now-for-ehs-new-hockey-heroes-for-5--8-years-olds--open-to-all--2454519.html
- Men's 1 v Bowdon 1 - 2pm push back
Saturday 21st September
- league hockey starts for all senior teams (bar the 1's) come down and support the teams, pick up a whistle and don't forget to update your availability and personal details on Pitchero
- 6.30pm, 200 Club Draw and the snowball prize if £225 but you've got to be in the club to win in (and buy a number in the draw !)
Saturday 28th September
- National League hockey is back at Stockport Road and first match at this level for the men. Come down and #supportyour1s at the new late match day times - 30 free #hockeyfest goodie bags for the first academy under 16's attending wearing their Timperley kit, hoodies or and THC item
- Ladies 1 v Alderley (15:30 push back)
- Opening of the new floodlights (17:00)
- Men's 1 v Alderley (17:30 push back)
- followed by our first social of the season .....Timperley does....Bonkers Bingo.......so make a day of it and come down / stay down for the late games and a cracking hopefully classic THC night ! (details out this week and tickets will go on sales - NB the race night with a difference is now on 29th February 2020)
30th September
- make sure your TSC annual subs paid (over the bar or on line https://www.timperleyhockeyclub.com/payments/category/membership) befor no pay no play kicks in
- complete the membership form attached (all members old and new) and hand into the bar
Remembering Tony Griffiths
Last week we updated members of the news of the passing of former club member Tony Griffiths - this week we share some reflections on his life at Timperley.
Tony came from a sporting family, his father and uncle both played hockey and cricket for Timperley before World War II.
He joined the club as a junior and eventually became 3rd XI Capt in 1951/52, (this team photo and gain in 1960/61. He was also Match secretary for three seasons between 1951 and 1954
He retired from playing in the 1970s due to injury but continued to umpire matches for a number of seasons afterwards.
Living locally, he stayed in touch and along with a number of former teammates came along to the last night in the old ‘shed’ back in 2001 and until quite recently was a regular at our quarterly ex-players lunches.
This recently discovered photo of Timperley HC 3rd Xi during the 1951/52 season includes Tony, as captain, seated in the middle of the front row.
Our condolences go to Richard, his son, and family.
We have now commenced the process to identify the other players before hopefully getting the photo framed and put on the wall in the club.
Tony’s Funeral is on 12th September, at 12.45 at Altrincham Crematorium and then back to Timperley Sports Club
Farewell to Alex Morley, Claire and family
Former Men's 5's captain and club captain - Alex Morley - bode us farewell last weekend as he and his family relocated to the North East after 11 years at the club. Alex has penned one of his well know and moving facebook posts to reflecting on his time at the Club and well worth a read for anyone whose wonders what it is that makes them become involved and over time be part of our #hockeyfamily.
Have a read of one of Alex's that sums up club life. We thank Alex for his major contribution THC on and off the pitch and wish him and the family well for the future. He's what Alec had to say about the club.....
Timperley is a huge club, both in numbers and in standing in the world of hockey, but even more so in the size of its heart and the hard work put into it by such a loyal core of volunteers. Please keep it up and keep pushing the club forward - you all know who you are and how much I respect the work you’ve been doing.
I will miss my second home and will make sure I come back whenever I am in the area - who knows, maybe a summer tour of the north-east is in order?
Feels like the right time to re-kindle this:
There's a place where I went
When the world was too much
When I needed release
To unleash what I must
This place where I went
Was not mine all alone
But where the voices of friends
Drowned out the call of my phone
Because here in this place
Where my emails fell silent
I avoided the news
All the misery and violence
And escaped to a world
Where for seventy minutes
As a team of eleven
We were pushing our limits
Here the team was the king
As a group we achieved
What each on our own
We’d have scarcely believed
Because out on that pitch
After trip, slip or fall
Hands would pull us back up
Not for one, but for all
Out on the Astro
We would strive for the win
But even when losing
We could never give in
We’d support every run
Seek out every pass
Commit to the tackles
So nothing got past
And after the whistle
In those post-match moments
We’d high-five our own players
And shake hands with opponents
And when games were over
The result was decided
We’d not want to return
To the real world outside it
So we’d head to the bar
To discuss blow by blow
How we felt the game went
Every high, every low
We weren’t paid to be there
Cash wasn’t the trigger
We’d come to be not alone
But a part of something bigger
Because win, lose or draw
In league, cup or friendly
We'd been here at our club
Part of our sporting family
So we watched as our juniors
Be they big or they small
Grew as people before us
It's not all stick and ball
Instead we taught them to strive
That it's good to be keen
To believe in themselves
But to trust in their team
Here the leaders of tomorrow
Met the ones of today
And learned success in this life
Comes from learning to play
Yes this place in my life
Was shared by a lot
But it was better for that
It's what made it our spot
So goodbye to my refuge
My stress release zone
Look after my club
Look after my home
Forza Timperley
Thanks to Alex for a timely reminder of what our club means to many of us