Maidenhead Hockey Club hosts 'fantastic festival of hockey'

Maidenhead Hockey Club held its 45th International Vets Tournament at the Maidenhead and Bray Sports Club over the weekend, where teams from the Netherlands and Germany took on sides from Amersham, Maidenhead, Stoke Green and Windsor.

The event on Sunday was preceded by the annual veteran’s dinner at the Bull in Bisham on Saturday evening which was hosted by tour organisers Theodorus Brekelmans and attended by players and partners from The Abrahams (Netherlands), S.T.K. Berlin (Germany), Stoke Green HC and (ex) Maidenhead HC Veterans.

Guest of honour for the evening was Lionel Connor who stepped down as the organiser of the competition three years ago after 42 years at the helm.

The evening also saw the Jim Harris Memorial Trophy presented by the Maidenhead Hockey Club Colts team to Ken Brown for his contribution to Vets Hockey over many years for both Maidenhead and Reading Hockey Clubs. The trophy - which honours Jim’s commitment to colts and veterans’ hockey - was first awarded in 1997.

The tournament then swung into action on Sunday with eight teams taking part. They included a Dutch team, The Abrahams, a German team, S.T.K Berlin, and sides from Amersham & Chalfont HC, Maidenhead HC, Stoke Green HC and Windsor HC.

Each team played four matches over a four-hour period and this year’s winners were The Old Goats from Maidenhead Hockey Club. The Wooden Spoon went to The Handbags team.

Helen Todd, director of Maidenhead Hockey Club said: “Huge thanks to all the teams that attended, Maidenhead & Bray Sports Club for hosting us all and to the players and supporters for another fantastic festival of hockey.

“We look forward to seeing many of you next year on our 46th Anniversary.”

The cup was first presented by Lionel Connor on Saturday, April 14, 1979 with the tournament featuring as part of the club’s celebrations for its 75th anniversary.

However, the cup itself dates from 1976 and was first handed over to the winners of three friendly matches between 1976 and 1978 before the annual Vets competition began in earnest in 1979.