THINKING OUTSIDE THE MOX
In the first of a series of Interviews, we speak to Club Captain and first team stalwart Kevin Moxham…

Morning Kevin, how's it going?
Good thanks. You?

Not bad, but enough of the formalities. How's the HHC season started?
Hmm, not very well. The first team has lost its first four games, but we're not playing too badly and I think we'll turn the corner shortly. The 2s and the 3s are so-so, and the 4s have a similar record to the 1s.

Any reason for this?
If you ask me (and you did, so I'll answer) a few factors have contributed. First, throughout the club, availability has been an issue, meaning that we have been unable to field consistent teams. Secondly, and aside from the first team, training has been poorly attended, so there is little time to work on tactics, applying the new rules and fitness. Thirdly, we've been hit by a number of injuries to key players or at the last minute, which disrupts everyone. But, all of these factors can be addressed and if we can get everyone rowing in the same direction, we'll be more than capable of turning the season round.

Tell us about the 200 Club…
The club is short of cash, there are no two ways about it. We don't have a clubhouse, or a pitch or a bar to make revenue from. What we do have, however, is a core of committed, enthusiastic players who greatly enjoy playing for the blues, are grateful for the continued opportunity to do so. The 200 Club is a new initiative to help the club raise some much-needed funds for new kit, training equipment, pitch hire and so on… with a chance to win some money yourself!

Sounds good. How does it work?
Basically, we hope to sell 200 tickets, at £10 each, and have three draws of three prizes at forthcoming HHC events. The prizes in the first two draws will be £150 for first, £75 for second and £50 for third, while the grand draw at the end of the season will be for £250, with £120 for second and £80 for third.

In a nutshell, why should we enter?
A tenner's not much to us individually, and you'll barely notice it go. But 200 tenners is a massive amount to the club and will enable us to keep growing, retain our better players and keep developing the kids.

On to other matters… Who do you admire at the club?
Oh that's easy. For me, there's one man that epitomises HHC. He's a man who's played in the first team for two decades, has always given 110%, served on the committee for years… and all this despite suffering the affliction of chronic shortness. Stand up, Paul Nash. Oh sorry, you are standing up.

What's the best thing about HHC?
I guess it's been touched on earlier - the fact that, despite not having the clubhouse and home pitch we all crave, we still get people giving a lot of time and effort to play for and run the club. There are bigger clubs with better set-ups playing at a higher level in the area, but people keep coming back to the club from Uni, or indeed join us fbrom other clubs or when they relocate, because we have such a great bunch of people here. Long may that continue.

What are your objectives for the club?
The main priority has to be to get our own base in Harpenden. Efforts are underway to get astro pitches at Roundwood Park School and at the Rugby Club, and it's likely that one or both of these will happen in time for the 2004/5 season. On the pitch, we need to keep attracting and developing youngsters, and do our best to make sure that lads return to Harpenden rather than other clubs when they come back from Uni.

Finally, what's your favourite colour?
Blue, of course.

Sandwich Filling?
Prawn Mayo. Is this strictly relevant?..

Er, no. Thanks for your time Kev.
The pleasure's been all mine.