The season got off to a slow start with a number of injuries
to the likes of Paul Nash, Paul Wise, and the departure of Mox
and Danny B. However, we were strengthened by DJ and Wacko, joining
us from WGC. We reached a low point, going down 2-1 against Ricki
in one of the worst games for a long while. However, we picked
ourselves up, and with a bit of tinkering with the side to bring
the likes of PK on board, the results started to come again. The
arrival of BC and the introduction of Timms-Junior helped strengthen
the team further, and put Harpenden back as one of the top teams
in the division.
The second half of the season was the key to our success. We dropped
only 5 points from a possible 30 available, which secured our
second place finish. Some fantastic performances against promotion
rivals; Southend, Letchworth and Upminster were key. Our defensive
record has been one of the keys to our success conceding only
28 goals all season.
The team this year has been fantastically balanced and the attitude
has been one of hard work throughout. The team has been a joy
to play in, and relatively easy to steer as captain because everyone
has wanted the same thing, success.
Looking forward, the 1st team will be playing in Division 1 in
the 2005/06 season, the highest level Harpenden have reached to
date. There is a feeling of ambition at Harpenden Hockey Club,
with a real focus on the development of the grass roots. Some
excellent work in the junior side of the club is investing in
our future and hopefully the fruits of their work will start to
be seen next season in the Men’s side of the club.
There is still a genuine need for Harpenden to establish a local
pitch and clubhouse. Once we get this base, the club will go from
strength to strength. With 7 teams and around 100 juniors each
week, we need to nurture this in order to succeed. The astro saga
appears to be rumbling on as ever with slow progress, but we hope
in wait….
In the meantime, here are the boys who've taken us back up to
Div 1. Well done lads!
|
Name |
Alan
Clark aka Vinnie Clark |
| Position |
Goalkeeper |
| Stats |
Played
19, Clean sheets: 5 |
| Comment |
One
of the more ‘colourful’ members of the squad …. or at least
his language is! Alan’s performances in goal have been one
of the key factors in the team’s superb defensive record for
04/05. |
| Finest
moment |
His
mature performance against Vauxhall, keeping a clean sheet
helping us to a key victory in the 2nd half of the season.
Some outstanding saves were made in the 20 minutes after half
time when the game was in the balance and Vauxhall were laying
seige on the Harps goal. The clean sheet he kept provided
the platform for us to push on to take all three points. |
| Don’t
mention |
That
penalty stroke given in the Shefford game before Christmas….
and his reaction after it. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
David
Jeffrey aka DJ |
| Position |
Sweeper |
| Stats |
Played
19, Goals 2 (2 PC), Assists 1 |
| Comment |
In
DJ’s first season with the Blues, he has taken to the team
like a duck to water. He has taken ownership over the sweeper
position and has been a literal wall at the back for the 1s.
DJ has developed an excellent partnership with the rest of
his defensive teammates, which has been key to the solid defensive
record this season. His club efforts have not gone unnoticed,
having umpired a number of games. |
| Finest
moment |
Deflecting
the ball onto his own crossbar in the dying minutes, in a
desperate attempt to save a flicked penalty corner against
Letchworth to secure the win. |
| Don’t
mention |
…
those trunk rolls. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Matt
Horn aka Paddington Horn |
| Position |
Right
& centre defence |
| Stats |
Played
18, Goals 7 (7 PC), Assists 2 |
| Comment |
From
a technical viewpoint, one of the best players in the side.
Matt’s strength at the right back position has once again
been a key attribute this season, both in defence and also
in initiating the attack. He has also weighed in with some
key goals during the season. Matt has been a key 1st XI player
over the last few seasons, and with his impending move to
Leeds, his input into the team will be sorely missed. |
| Finest
moment |
His
performance against Letchworth. Having to slip into central
defence due to injury to G, Matt grabbed the game by the scruff
of the neck and was instrumental at the back. No only that,
he managed to pop up with the winning goal. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
fact that he is moving up north. We wish both Matt and Jen
good luck but both will be missed. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Graham
Smith aka Nothing fancy, just G. |
| Position |
Centre
defence |
| Stats |
Played
19, Goals 0, Assists 0 |
| Comment |
Nothing
fancy about G, just does what it says on the tin. G’s consistent
defensive performances and the excellent partnership he has
developed with DJ have helped Harpenden to achieve one of
the best defensive records in the league. |
| Finest
moment |
The
defensive display he put on against Wapping, marking one of
the league’s top scorers out of the game. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
return Wapping game. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Sam
Martyn aka Spaniel |
| Position |
Left
defence |
| Stats |
Played
16, Goals 0, Assists 1 |
| Comment |
At
34, Sam is one of the more senior members of the squad, but
one of the most consistent. He has had another fantastic season
for the Blues and doesn’t seem to be easing off any time soon. |
| Finest
moment |
When
he strolled into the Vauxhall half during the first half of
the season to set up an first-rate goal for Rusty Timms. |
| Don’t
mention |
Training. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Paul
Davison aka Davo |
| Position |
Midfield
and right defence |
| Stats |
Played
19, Goals 0, Assists 1 |
| Comment |
Davo
has been a loyal and consistent performer in the side this
season. He has shown superb versatility playing most positions
in both defence and midfield over the season, always happy
to do the job asked of him. His relaxed approach to his game
has helped provide a calming influence to players around him. |
| Finest
moment |
Turning
up to the first game after the Christmas break against Rickmansworth,
after a Friday night in at home. Needless to say, without
the sauce the night before, he had one of his best performances
of the season. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
fact he hasn’t scored (on the pitch) for 5 seasons. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Mark
Wakeling aka Wacko |
| Position |
Right
midfield |
| Stats |
Played
20, Scored 1 (F), Assists 1 |
| Comment |
Another
new member to the squad, and one who has developed into the
role on the right side of midfield. He has been another consistent
performer always looking to get forward and attack the play,
exactly what is needed from a right midfielder. |
| Finest
moment |
Opening
his Harpenden Hockey Club goal account with his first for
the club against Cheshunt. |
| Don’t
mention |
Stopping
the ball on the strong side….. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Lance
Boyd-Clark aka BC |
| Position |
Centre
midfield |
| Stats |
Played
10, Goals 2 (F), Assists 1 |
| Comment |
BC
has been a superb acquisition for Harpenden Hockey Club. He
has helped sure up the centre of the park with his no nonsense
style. We look forward to more of the same next season in
division 1. |
| Finest
moment |
His
debut against Wapping, which helped win the game. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
shapes he was chucking at that dodgy Southend night club. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Mike
Emes aka Emo |
| Position |
Centre
midfield |
| Stats |
Played
20, Goals 15 (1 F, 10 PC, 4 PS), Assists 13 |
| Comment |
I’ve
had one of the best seasons for a long while playing in the
middle of the park. I’ve managed to strike an effective partnership
with BC allowing me to get forward and support the attack
when I can. The no-look pass has not been used as often this
season which might explain the level of assists…. or the forwards
are starting to learn to read them! Struck goal-scoring form
in the second half of the season from drag flicking penalty
corners…. despite them all going into the bottom left corner
– you would think those keepers would learn, especially the
one at Southend. |
| Finest
moment |
Scoring
four penalty corners against Old Southendian. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
yellow card he picked up in the dying minutes of that game…….
well, actually just umpires in general! |
|
|
|
|
Name |
Pete
Kneale aka PK |
| Position |
Left
midfield |
| Stats |
Played
15, Goals 4 (4 F), Assists 1 |
| Comment |
PK,
in somewhat of a renaissance period with the 1st team, has
helped sure up the midfield. He had an instant impact on his
return to the team after a 4-season absence with a commanding
performance against Southend and then won the man of the match
award against Bedford in his second game. He has even managed
to sneak a few goals to boot. |
| Finest
moment |
His
return to 1st team hockey after an absence for the last 4
seasons and never looking as if he had been away. |
| Don’t
mention |
His
absence from the overnighter in Southend…. and the long drive
back with Brian explaining why he issued two yellow cards
to Harpenden players in the final 5 minutes of the game. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Russell
Timms aka Rusty |
| Position |
Forward |
| Stats |
Played
20, Goals 4 (4 F), Assists 9 |
| Comment |
As
well as his solid performances on the pitch, Rusty has developed
into a great clubman this year. He has always had the interests
of HHC at heart, but this year his commitment the club in
coaching the men’s and junior sides, as well as his umpiring
has been a great help. Top effort. |
| Finest
moment |
His
‘Over the Top’ performance in the dick of the season ‘dick-off’
with brother Miguel at the end of season dinner. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
fact that his kid brother scored more goals than him! |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Alistair
Hutson aka Jabba |
| Position |
Forward |
| Stats |
Played
17, Scored 9 (9 F), Assists 6 |
| Comment |
Jabba
has played an integral role in the 1s this season. Not only
with his goals at key moments in games, but he has also played
an important role in the balance of the team. He has constantly
encouraged and supported his teammates helping the team achieve
what they have. |
| Finest
moment |
His
hat trick against Cheshunt. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
fact that he didn’t win the man of the match for that performance
against Cheshunt. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Nigel
Timms aka Miguel |
| Position |
Forward |
| Stats |
Played
16, Goals 10 (10 F), Assists 4 |
| Comment |
Miguel
initially came into the 1st team set up as an effective bench
player, using his pace to pressure the opposition defenders
and create a spark up front. He has taken the opportunity
to work his way into the starting XI and put pressure on the
other forwards. He has really stepped up to the mark at 1st
team level and he has proved this in his stats. My vote for
most improved player of the year. |
| Finest
moment |
His
hat trick against Cheshunt on the final day of the season
was testament to how much he has improved. |
| Don’t
mention |
Miguel
won the coveted, ‘Dick of the Season’ with some consistent
stupid comments, and missing the goals from 3 yards. |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
Todd
Baines aka Hot Toddy |
| Position |
Midfield
/ Forward |
| Stats |
Played
13, Goals 1, Assists 5 |
| Comment |
Todd’s
return to Harpenden from his time at university was very welcomed.
He worked his way into the starting XI over preseason and
never looked back. An excellent team player whose versatility
was an ideal and extremely useful attribute. ….. rumour has
it he may be on his way back to Harpenden next season? Watch
this space. |
| Finest
moment |
Jumping
out of a cable car with his HHC shirt on his back. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
Kiwi girlfriend (ed, 19 March 2005!). We’ve still not forgiven
her. |
|
|
|
|
Name |
Niall
Blackwell aka Blacky |
| Position |
Forward |
| Stats |
Played
5, Goals 2, Assists 0 |
| Comment |
Although
Niall has only played a relatively small number of games,
he has managed to get himself in the right place at the right
time to pick up a couple of key goals in narrow games. He
has a habit of ghosting into the D to nick a goal here and
there. |
| Finest
moment |
Scoring
against Shefford in a tight opening game of the season. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
no show at the inaugural End of Season dinner at Billy’s. |
|
|
|
|
Name |
David
Waters aka Muddy |
| Position |
Defender |
| Stats |
Played
3, Goals 0, Assists 0 |
| Comment |
Only
a handful of games for the 1s this season, but has been a
valuable squad member able to step into the fold when required. |
| Finest
moment |
An
excellent performance away at Bedford. |
| Don’t
mention |
The
school trips. |
