This season saw SMHC 1’s enter unchartered territory having won promotion last season, as we moved up to the NW East Division 4, the highest league the club has participated in. This was all thanks to an impeccable display from the club during the 21/22 season, which was only pipped as the top highlight for the club due to the fact the club started its 2nd team.
The goals we set for both teams saw a reversal of priorities, with the 2nd team primary goal being to win the league and move up to the next division. For the 1st team, our aim was to consolidate our position and finish mid table.
With the 2nd team delivering the goods and winning promotion, the 1st team enjoyed a number of successes throughout the season.
We welcomed a fair few little bumble bees into the world this season with Sam ‘Big’ Hadcock, Ed Hogarth, Tom Sammes and Patrick ‘Paddy’ Souter; I’m really happy for our players growing their families (said while biting my top lip and begging them to play more games!!)
Our swarm has also been bolstered by a handful of excellent performances from our newbees Jason Mak, Raghul Subramaniya and Mike Moore. As with every season, you have to say your sad goodbyes to some players, so it’s super important to keeping bringing in talented new recruits – it also helps that they are great guys!
Another highlight for me is how well some of the second team regulars are developing. I’ve really enjoyed training with these guys, and alongside our new and improved coach, we’ve seen some excellent commitment and progress. Jimbo Last, Carlos Rodrigues and Nick Symes Thompson in particular have really impressed me and I expect to see them playing regular 1st team games again next season if they maintain their development and commitment.
The 1st team have also had to navigate through some challenges too. Perhaps the biggest challenge of the season was the inconsistency of squads fielded. Whist having a healthy pool of players, we rarely had a team that had chance to gel and form a state of familiarity and fluidity. In particular, an away game at Deeside saw us take just four players from the previous game (which we won 2-1 to Knutsford), given it was an evenly match game, we unfortunately lost 3-0.
Another result of this situation was the need for some players to fill alternative positions, namely Rich Greenhough, Ben Greenwood, Jack Warrington and Tom Sammes, with a particular shout out to Petr Krunka who played in no less than 3 different positions, whilst scoring a fair few goals form left back!
I’m also grateful for the late return to the club from Ashley Critten – the hockey gods must have been looking down on us favourably, as we missed our Big man Sam between the sticks, but welcomed Ash back in to the pads.
Now, you ask any regular 1st team player what the highlight of the season was, and they will say one thing – the 5-4 win against the then top of the table Sale! This day will go down in South Manchester Hockey Club folk law; it was certainly up there as one of my favourite moments on the hockey pitch. The performance that day just shows what this club is capable of and sets an excellent barometer for the seasons ahead – if we can replicate that performance consistently then we can see ourselves improving further in this division and above.
To finish, I would like to thank this year’s Committee, Matt Wincott, Tom Sammes, Ferg Cooper, Ben Greenwood, Ray Lysaght, Ian Whitehead and Mark Skillzy for their efforts during what has been a tricky season. Juggling priorities, new league, new pitch, new coach, losing players, welcoming new ones and managing and unfamiliar challenges is no walk in the park, believe me!
This has been the 9th year for me on the committee and as 1st team captain, and 10 years with the club. I’ve seen many players form various committees through the years, and it is important that we recognised these dedicated people who put themselves forward to lead the club.
Its with a heavy heart that I’ll be stepping out for next season to take a break, but I have every confidence that whoever takes the torch will do an amazing job in my place ?.