Mens Club Captain End of Season Report 2008

Johnny Downer relives the highs and lows of captaining the men’s section during 2007/08.

This report, along with all the reports for each team can be read in one single lovely PDF document should you choose. It’s yours – to save, and cherish.

Men’s 1st XI: National Premier League Champions
Rustlers: London League Veteran Division A Champions
Reading Evening Post Sports Awards: Club of the Year
Reading Evening Post Sports Awards: Men’s 1st XI Team of the year

I have come to think of the Men’s section as rather like the big dipper. Not only within a single season, but also across the seasons.

My first year in office (2005/06) was reasonably successful, with a scattering of Division winners and promotions.

Last year (2006/07) was simply ridiculous. The heights we reached as a men’s section and as a Club were phenomenal; winners every where you looked.

But after the high, inevitably comes the low, as the roller coaster train falls from its great height.

In stark terms, we lost over eighty players between the summer of 2006 and the summer of 2007. That is more players than some clubs have as their full membership.

Squads of 17 to 20 dropped to 12 to 14, and with player availability becoming a luxury, the Friday night Club Captain bat phone was ringing off the hook. If I could charge myself out at £50 an hour I would signing the agreement on that Ferrari.

We took very tough decisions to withdraw the newly formed Rejects, and especially the Refills. These decisions were not taken lightly at all.

From the darkness there shone some light. The Men’s 1st XI aimed for a top four finish, but they kept on winning, and winning, and winning… hang on a minute we can win this Division, and by jove they did. And still the cup to contend. Only Mace let them slip up in the last league game I hear!

Europe beckoned, Jonty scoring the one-on-one to take them to Spain, if only those peskys Dutches boys weres nots so’s goods ats the hockeys, yahs. Surely they are contenders for Team of the year?

The Rustlers, win their Division for the second year in a row. More ex-internationals then you can shake a stick at. More men, contributing more to the Club then all other non-veteran teams put together? Surely they are also contenders for Team of the year?

Team rankings, taken from Fixtures Live:

I regret to say that the usual band of club men have excelled themselves. I say regret, as I only wish that more members would give back to the Club, and not take it for granted.

* Chris Davey and Mike Williamson – have done a sterling job for the 1s.
* Rhys Joyce – clearly has no life, captaining the 1s to National success and leading the ladies to their highest finish ever.
* Buggy – You are simply what this Club stands for. Academy training and men’s training, and County.
* Posh – enthusiasm personified. If only he was registered with the 1s he would have played and scored for every team I am sure. RAAJ as well.
* Barry Jukes – Mr Reading Hockey Club Junior. The most humblest of men, a socking good GK to boot, captaining the 3rd XI this year, the unofficial Club Captain deputy and now Chair of RAAJ. Don’t ever leave Reading Barry.
* Duncan Westbury – like a shining star, a beacon of hope and aspiration to the masses. Duncan stepped in to a massive pile of dog s**t in the 4s and did a wonderful job saving their bacon. I owe you a debt of gratitude for your cool head.
* Geoff Ash – if Geoff had charged himself out at £50 an hour this year he would be after the gold plated Rolls Royce, with mahogany picnic table and chairs. Geoff has led the charge to save this Club from financial ruin. We must all work hard to ensure that Geoff’s work is the start of great things.
* Simon Briscoe – Along with Geoff has been pouring over the books for too many hours.
* Charlie Lowe, Neil Boddington and the rest of their team – working diligently, and relentlessly, to secure the Club’s future.
* Jo Newman – Jo never gets any thanks really – he is not just a Chairman of the Hockey section, he is more than that. He is my guide, when things get hot and sticky. He is a master of the International and European event organisation. He knows when to say no, and how to say no. He has fought the Hockey section’s corner on innumerable occasions.
* Mark Lazarri – This year he has managed the Goal keepers supremely. No team has been left short.
* Steve Reed – fixtures secretary, pitch/ gounds liaison, RAAJ beer man, Retro’s hotshot – no man spends more hours doing hockey.

Thank you to everyone that has umpired. All those that have yet to umpire and be assessed owe the Club £30 so cough up now.

I have mentioned but a few above, there are many more, but there should be even more.

I really hope next season will bring forth new enthusiastic blood to the men’s section. I want us all to bring a mate to join the club, if we all bought just one friend, no matter how good or bad they are, my headaches would reduce, my Captains could reduce their mobile phone bills and players would be a lot happier getting back to winning ways. It really is not that difficult is it.

Four of the possible 12 Captains are definitely remaining in post, so we need several new captains please. We also need an umpire manager and we need support in fixture arrangements pre-season.

Love Johnny Downer, Club Captain

Mens Section End of Season Report 2008