| |
| News |
|
Do you want sponsor Preston Men's 1st XI? - 30th March 2007
Preston Men's 1st XI is looking for new sponsors for the 2007/08 season.
A full sponsorship package with related costs and benefits is available.
To discuss this superb opportunity further and/or receive a sponsorship package, please contact Richard Sullivan
Tel: 01772 880840
Mob: 07834183295
E-mail: rs@timelesscreativity.com
back to top
New Clubhouse up-and-running - please treat with respect - 29th November 2006
With the re-opening of the clubhouse, we can at last get our club identity back. The completion of both the pitch and clubhouse has been down to the hard work of a select few.
We now need the club to treat these facilities properly. We all appreciate that the club is not fully furnished yet. But there is no excuse for members to leave the clubhouse looking like a bombsite. Surely you would not leave half eaten butties and empty plates all over your own house.
Similarly you wouldn't quite freely walk mud into your front room or leave oranges all over your front garden. If you have any ounce of pride for RPHC you must treat these facilities with respect.
Ideas/suggestions/improvements for new clubhouse – “To Do” list required please!
Your club needs you please!
As you are already aware, the club house is up and running. To get to the finished article, though, we need your help/assistance and possible donations!
The committee is currently in the process of collating a ‘To Do’ list of little jobs that need doing, extra features that need installing and general bits and pieces which will help add to the smooth running of our new HQ.
Please could you forward any suggestions/improvements to the committee either by face-to-face at the weekend or e-mail below:
Luke Watson – luke.watson@gb-energy.com
Richard Sullivan – richard.sullivan@incitodesign.com
Mike Wray – mkwra@hotmail.com
Nick Sutcliffe – nicksutcliffe@ntlworld.com
DONATIONS NEEDED PLEASE – if any members can donate anything of use for the clubhouse e.g. pots, pans, a tea-urn, cutlery, etc. please let Luke Watson (07968717056 or luke.watson@gb-energy.com) known soonest as he is off to JTF on Friday afternoon for a mass shop – this cost could possibly be saved through member donations.
The Chairman of the hockey section, Chris Hassall, will also be issuing a letter to all members asking for help in respect of the club house. Please check your e-mails and look out for a printed letter very soon.
back to top
UCLan hockey players welcome at Preston Hockey Club - 20th September 2006
PRESTON HOCKEY CLUB would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and current UCLan students who would like to play competitive/social men's and ladies hockey this season.
Club training takes place at West Cliff, South Meadow Lane, off Broadgate (10 mins walk from main campus).
With a new sand-dressed pitch installed and clubhouse refurbishment nearly complete along with fully qualified coaching team, all standards and abilties are welcome at 1st/2nd XI and general club training.
General Club
Tuesdays - 6.30pm - 8pm - Skills/Fitness
1st/2nd XI
Tuesdays - 7pm - 9pm - Skills
Thursdays - 6.30pm - 8pm - Fitness/Skills
For more details/directions please contact:
Men's
Simon Eccleston
Mobile: 07834818599
E-mail: eckingham@yahoo.co.uk
Nick Sutcliffe
Mobile: 07712541916
E-mail: nicksutcliffe@ntlworld.com
Ladies
Kath Crabbe
Mobile: 07773654021
E-mail: kathcrabbe@hotmail.com
ENDS.
back to top
Preston 1st XI draw Rotherham in HA Cup 2nd Round - 20th September 2006
PRESTON 1st XI have drawn Rotherham in the 2nd Round of the HA Cup to be played on Sunday 1st October at the Aurora Ground in South Yorkshire.
1st XI Coach, Dave Scanlon, said:
"Rotherham are familiar foes to Preston having played each other regularly in league and cup over the past few seasons.
"All these games have been extremely tight as Rotherham are a highly competitive team. We look forward to meeting them again."
back to top
Preston 1st XI pass first test with Cup win after Lytham friendly rout - 20th September 2006
Saturday 16th September Friendly - Lytham St Annes 1st XI 0 vs. Preston 1st XI 10
Sunday 17th September HA Cup 1st Round - City of York 1st XI 3 vs. Preston 1st XI 5
PRESTON moved into double figures for the first time in pre-season with a 10-0 thrashing of Fylde rivals, Lytham St Annes, before overcoming a tricky encounter in York on Sunday in HA Cup.
They will discover their 2nd round opponents this week, which will played on Sunday October 1st.
Skipper Sam Sinclair, who scored four goals over the weekend, said:
“Lytham was a great opportunity to raise our goal tally and register our first clean sheet and we achieved both aims comfortably.
"The match fitness came in handy as well especially in the muggy conditions which were replicated the following day at York.
"Our key objective with York was to win and get us into the draw for the next round. We achieved this and whilst there are definite areas for improvement, we are headed in the right direction.
“We have our city rivals, Springfields, this weekend before shaping up for the real test, our league game, against Alderley Edge the week after when it’s all to play for. We believe we will be ready come 2pm on 31st September.”
On Saturday, a full strength Preston squad travelled to Lytham St Annes High School and despite a patchy first 15 minutes, were soon into their stride against a Lytham side two leagues adrift from Preston now.
Strikes from Sinclair, a supreme reverse stick effort, Cock, and Metcalf twice put Preston into a comfortable 4-0 lead at the break.
Coach Dave Scanlon, using his substitutions regularly with the muggy conditions and a HA Cup game the following day top of mind, rotated his midfield and forward lines to good effect as fresh legs continued to attack the home side from all angles.
The 20 minute period straight after the interval saw Preston at their most fluent, with the midfield of Martin Scanlon, Sam Sinclair and Jimmy Blackburn combining well to break down a flagging defence.
Cock soon completed his brace followed by a double from Neil Guyton as Preston ran amok. Carl Sanderson then raced through on goal to slap the ball past the keeper to make it eight.
18-year-old Owen Fletcher completed the rout with a delightful reverse stick tap in following Sinclair’s rapid cross from the right wing and an opportunist follow-up from a penalty corner.
On Sunday, with Scanlon dropping out for North West Under 17 training, Preston added veteran Luke Watson to the squad for the two-hour trip to play City of York in the HA Cup 1st round.
The coach journey seemed to have sapped Preston’s energies as they started sluggishly and remained on the back foot for the opening 20 minutes, but solid defending kept the minstermen at bay with only a drag flick from a penalty corner coming close to disturbing Preston’s backboard.
Despite their lack of fluency, Preston began to create openings with Cock and Scott running at pace and with menace at the home defence.
A penalty corner was won which saw Cock’s initial flick kicked out by the keeper straight on to the stick of Sinclair who slammed home the opening goal with an imperious strike that rippled midway up the net.
As happened the previous day, Preston’s best period came in the 20 minutes after the interval as the ball zipped around at a good pace with players moving intelligently off the ball.
This combination was enough to put York to the sword as first Sinclair converted a penalty stroke and then Scott then put the game beyond doubt after collecting a superb 50 yard pass from full-back Richard Sullivan to dribble around the keeper before rolling into the goal.
The new signing from Leeds then finished off a neat move created by Cock.
York pulled a goal back following messy interchange in the Preston D before Sinclair restored his side’s four goal lead by slapping home a penalty corner to complete his hat-trick and a safe passage through to the next round.
York caused a minor flutter in the heart of manager, Mike Hoffman, with a tap-in goal and then a highly controversial penalty stroke after Eccleston was adjudged to have impeded a forward.
Preston played out the final five minutes with ten players after centre-half Tony Metcalf was sin-binned for allegedly kicking the goalkeeper.
PRESTON: Eccleston (GK); Sullivan, Platt; Guyton, Metcalf, Ward; Sinclair, Jim Blackburn, Sanderson; Cock, Scott; Scanlon, Fletcher, Rob Blackburn, Watson
ENDS.
back to top
Chairman's Welcome by Chris Hassall - 2006/07 season - 14th September 2006
Chairman’s Welcome by Chris Hassall
Welcome to the 2006/07 hockey season.
Last year was a period of consolidation for the majority of the teams, with no major successes or hiccups to report on.
This season, we are hoping that with a re-shuffle of playing, management and coaching staff, each team can progress upwards as we look to improve our league standings throughout the club.
We held our AGM in August and whilst the turn out from committee members and senior non-playing members was excellent, I would like to make a special request that more and more playing members try to commit to the AGM or at least feed any ideas/comments forward to committee members.
It is your hard-earned subscription fees which keep the hockey section running and whilst this is greatly appreciated; your feedback is also more than welcome into how the club should be run.
I would like to thank the committee and all the captains from the 2005/06 season – they did an excellent job in organising the club and their respective teams. This season has seen some changes in team management/captaincy and the hockey committee.
We hope the existing and new appointees will build on the foundations left by their predecessors.
Under Luke Watson and Mark Fletcher, I am especially keen to see the 2nd XI bridge the gap between themselves and the 1st XI, but I send the same message to all the teams – keep looking to improve as you will only strengthen the club overall.
You will have noticed some changes at the club over the past 12 months especially with the club house development and new pitch being laid. I am delighted to announce that the new pitch is ready to play on for this coming weekend.
I would like to thank Dave Scanlon and Luke Watson especially for helping to secure the necessary grants and for managing the project to a successful conclusion.
The club house development has taken a little longer than expected but it is looking in good shape and we hope to take residence in our new accommodation by the middle of October.
On the playing front, the junior section continues to go from strength-to-strength, with Paul Thompson, Lesley Clark and Liz Woodburn putting in lots of hours to organise and run two 16-player squads of badgers and beavers.
This season will also see the introduction of a Ladies 4th XI which will provide a valuable stepping stone into senior ladies hockey for some of our U16 girls. I wish them well.
We are delighted to have Nick Sutcliffe as our junior co-ordinator this season and, no doubt, he will prove to be a very resourceful character and will continue our strong policy on junior development.
The juniors have proved to be the bedrock of the club’s success over the past decade; long may this continue.
Looking further a field, we look forward to hopefully welcoming a new batch of student players from UCLan.
We have always enjoyed their company at the club and look forward to attracting a number of new male and female players for the coming season.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new members of the club – once the club house is complete, you will be assured of a sociable and friendly atmosphere each week and excellent playing/training/coaching facilities.
Not that you need such a reminder, given our good disciplinary record over recent years, but please be respectful of all umpires (especially those who volunteer) this season.
Preston Hockey Club expects the highest standards of conduct on and off the pitch.
I would also like to ask that all members look to help their captains and managers wherever possible this season.
This starts by paying the annual/weekly subscriptions on time, more important than ever given that with a new club house, our running costs will be higher from this season onwards, and also to look to volunteer where necessary to provide transport, wash kit, umpire games etc.
All the best and enjoy your season.
Regards,
CJ.
back to top
1st XI Match Reports - 9/10 September 2006 - 12th September 2006
COACH TELLS PRESTON TO SHAPE UP
Preston Men’s new 1st XI head coach, Dave Scanlon, wasted no time in telling his talented squad what he and the club expects of the 1st XI this season after a sloppy display in the 6-4 friendly win over Southport on Saturday.
On hearing of his side’s performance, the next day, Scanlon, delivered a stern reminder to his charges that attitude counts for everything.
His words were not entirely wasted and his responded with a creditable 2-2 draw against National League outfit Formby.
Scanlon said:
“The preparation and performance were not up to the mark on Saturday against Southport and this sloppiness contributed to what was a rather forgettable game where errors both in defence and attack contributed to a pretty poor game overall for us and four goals to a team one division below us.
"After a long chat on Sunday, it was explained the standards that all players need to consistently meet and exceed, and we were pleased with the response against a good Formby outfit.
“With our first competitive game this Sunday against City of York in the HA Cup, there is little room for error as we begin to see the league campaign closer on the horizon.
"With the majority of the 1st XI squad back from holidays, work and injury, now is the time for everything to gel and to turn potential into reality on the pitch.”
On Saturday, Preston welcomed back the under 17 trio of full-back Tom Galloway, half-back Matt Hoffman and inside forward Martin Scanlon to the team in a lacklustre performance against a youthful Southport side.
The Merseysiders took the lead with a simple penalty corner routine only for promising Preston forward, Owen Fletcher, to return service with a close range finish following good work by Don Cock.
The home side restored their lead from another penalty corner before Adam Wilson, soon to be leaving for Loughborough University, slotted in the equaliser.
Immediately after the break, Southport took the lead again with a straight penalty corner strike before skipper, Sam Sinclair, blasted home a brilliant third following a smart interchange with Cock.
Cock then added two more goals and Sinclair another in quick succession to seal the game, leaving ‘Port to pick up a consolation with a deflected strike looping into the goal shortly before the final whistle.
On Sunday, an enlarged squad of 17 players travelled to Prescot to play Formby, with both sides having new pitches laid this month, and a much improved Preston performance unfolded featuring some enterprising passages of build-up play interspersed with glimpses of individual dribbling brilliance by Cok, Sinclair and Scanlon.
Preston took the lead through Cok who finished from close range following a scrambled penalty corner clearance.
The game ebbed and flowed, as both sides fell foul of a sluggish pitch, with mis-timed passes falling generously on to opponent’s sticks. Various tactical plans were being rolled out by both coaches, with players being subbed on and off regularly in sweltering conditions.
Simon Eccleston was called into little action during the first 25-minute period as Preston contained a Formby side flush with county and regional players.
That was to change in the second period as Formby quickly found an equaliser following a melee in the D, which left Eccleston stranded and an empty net for the Merseysiders to tap in to.
Preston responded. Jimmy Blackburn worked tirelessly on the right midfield slot, constantly harrying Formby’s play-maker Dave Seddon into submission or compromise, whilst Preston’s back four began to develop some familiarity with Tony Metcalf bedding in well at Centre Half where his imposing style broke up and distributed play effectively against his former team.
It remained 1-1 until 5 minutes into the third period when a breakaway found Formby midfielder, Richard Thompson in space, and he wasted no time in sliding the ball under the oncoming Eccleston.
Preston pressed forward in search of parity, forcing a series of penalty corners which failed to produce any tangible end product – a sticky pitch and teething problems with the new attacking penalty corner team being the main problems.
With time running out it seemed Preston were about to register their first pre-season defeat until Cok latched on to a pass in the inside-left channel, before weaving his way past three former team mates and lashing in a splendid rising shot to tie the scores.
Scanlon added:
“The Formby game was more like the style of play and par performance that I expect us to deliver week in, week out. That was because our attitude was better and we began to deliver on the basic skills more consistently.
"Our goals against record still needs to be improved and our defensive capabilities will need continual development as we seek to become an all-round tighter and leaner machine.”
Preston take on Lytham away this Saturday and City of York in the HA Cup 1st round on Sunday.
Preston vs Southport & Formby: Eccleston (GK); Guyton, Sullivan, Galloway, Hoffman, Ward; Sinclair (capt), Metcalf, Sutcliffe, Blackburn R, Blackburn J, Makin, Scanlon; Wilson, Cok, Watson, Fletcher, Scott
ENDS.
back to top
Goalkeepers wanted for 2006/07 season - 20th September 2006
Goalkeepers are wanted for the men's section for the 2006/07 season...
Upcoming games available!
If you're interested in keeping, please contact:
Nick Sutcliffe, Club Captain
nicksutcliffe@ntlworld.com
07712541916
back to top
Preston get off to winning start in 'friendlies' - 4th September 2006
Preston 6 vs. Bolton 2
Preston 3 vs. North West U17 2
PRESTON BLOW AWAY COBWEBS WITH FRIENDLY WINS
PRESTON put eight weeks of pre-season training into practice at the weekend as they finally applied stick to ball with two effective friendly run-outs.
Playing at Belle Vue Regional Hockey Centre in Manchester, Preston’s new pitch is laid later this month, new 1st XI management team Dave Scanlon and Mike Hoffman took a 14-man squad to take on North West Division Two side Bolton and the North West Under 17’s in back-to-back games.
Despite the torrential rain, the water-based surfaces played beautifully as Preston took on Bolton and the young pretenders of the North West in three and four 25 minute period games respectively.
1st XI coach, Dave Scanlon, said he was pleased with the squad’s exertions:
“It was a highly satisfactory start for us in that we managed to pull together the core of the 1st XI squad and start putting some flesh on the bones of how we want to play this season.
“The combinations will need more time to bed in but the effort, attitude and skill was apparent throughout. In addition to the tactical work we put, the squad will have benefited physically from the 155 minutes of hockey played.
“Both teams were highly competitive and posed different challenges. Bolton had a good mixture of seniors and youngsters, playing a direct style, whilst the North West played a skilful and energetic game. All in all, we can take a lot from this weekend and use it build on in the coming weeks as we lead up to the first league fixture against Alderley Edge.”
Running out in a 2-3-3-2 formation, Preston soon raced into a 3-0 lead against Bolton with Don Cock and new signing, Duncan Scott from Leeds, scoring twice in the first 25 minute period.
Bolton responded in the second period with two well-worked goals from short corners before Scott displayed his superb close control and calm head in and around the D to notch his hat-trick on debut.
In the final period, James Rudd and Cock both found the net to leave Preston with a comfortable 6-2 victory.
With the rain ceasing, Preston switched their tactical approach against the North West, playing a more patient, possession-based game which yielded instant results as skipper Sam Sinclair latched on to a through ball by Richard Sullivan before releasing Cock who rounded the on-rushing keeper before rolling the ball into the empty net.
NW charged back, peppering the Preston goal with attacks. Simon Eccleston, relatively under worked in the first game, came to the fore with a string of splendid saves, blocks and clearances as the Preston defence got his first serious work out.
Rudd quickly found the net again in the second period of four before NW struck back by converting an easy chance following a scramble at a penalty corner.
More drama followed as NW were awarded a penalty stroke after Preston defender Rob Blackburn was adjudged to have jumped the gun three times in succession when running out to defend a penalty corner.
Preston player, Martin Scanlon, appearing for both sides in the last game, dispatched the stroke or so he thought as the umpire, incorrectly, asked for the flick to be taken again because it was deemed that Eccleston was not set in goal. The subsequent flick flew wide.
Shortly into the third period, Scott added Preston’s third with a well-worked dribble and push under the goalkeeper. NW reshaped their line up for the final period and immediately hit back with a close range finish.
With legs tiring, Preston hung on grimly for the victory with some tenacious and stoic defending to record their second victory of the afternoon.
Preston: Eccleston; Guyton, Sullivan, Blackburn, Sutcliffe; Stevenson, Sinclair, Scott, Sanderson, Fletcher, Cock, Rudd, Huggon, Makin
Apologies if I got the scorers/scoring sequence mixed up!
ENDS.
back to top
Skills Training - Tuesday 5th September 2006 - Runshaw College - 1st September 2006
All,
Skills training for 1st/2nd XI will take place at Runshaw College, Leyland on Tuesday 5th September 2006.
6.30pm meet/start.
For directions, please go to: http://www.runshaw.ac.uk/directions.asp?page_id=530
Any queries, please contact Dave Scanlon (david.scanlon1@btinternet.com) or Mike Hoffman (m-g-h@tiscali.co.uk).
ENDS.
back to top
RULE CHANGE REMINDER - CHECK YOUR STICK NOW! - 31st August 2006
All players and clubs are reminded that the stick bow rule that was introduced to international hockey in January 06 (published to the England Hockey website and publications from June 05 onwards) was introduced to ALL hockey at all levels on 1st June 2006.
It is essential that you check your playing stick and ensure that the bow does not exceed 25mm. If it is more than 25mm it will be confiscated if checked.
How do you measure it?
Lay the stick face down on a flat and level surface (e.g. a table on a level floor) and measure the gap (at the deepest point) from the edge / underside of the stick to the table.
If the space is in excess of 25mm, it’s time to think about replacing the stick with a newer model.
Umpires or match officials can check sticks at any game, at any level, so please be prepared.
If you or your club would like to buy a stick bow measure please follow this link to the England Hockey technical pages, scroll down to page 4 and download a copy of the order form.
Please visit www.englandhockey.org.uk for more details.
ENDS.
back to top
SUBSCRIPTIONS DAY - 16TH SEPTEMBER 2006 - BRING YOUR MONEY/CHEQUE BOOKS! - 31st August 2006
All members are advised that on Saturday 16th September 2006, fees will be collected at the clubhouse for annual subscriptions.
Following the recent AGM, the hockey section has not increased subscription fees and would be most grateful if you could make your payment on the 16th September.
Luke Watson will be co-ordinating the collection. Subcription rates are on the web site, but as a reminder they are:
Men's £100
Student £40
U-18s £40
Cheques made payable to 'Preston Hockey Club'.
Many thanks in advance.
ENDS.
back to top
Preston hockey starlet shoots for 2012 glory - 3rd August 2006
PRESTON HOCKEY CLUB maestro Martin Scanlon has got London 2012 in his sights after being called up for a special pre-Olympic Under-20s hockey camp.
Hockey’s governing body, England Hockey, has invited 16-year-old midfielder, Martin, a star of Preston Men’s 1st XI and his goalkeeper brother, Ian, 18, who plays at Brooklands Manchester University, to the camp at Beeston HC, Nottingham, this week.
Martin, who attended Parklands High School, Chorley, said:
“It’s a great honour to be called up to this training camp and it allows us to put down a marker for London 2012 where a lot of players our age will be looking to take part.”
Ian, another former Parklands pupil, added:
“The quality of coaching and match practice will be very high so it will be a testing few days where we can develop our skills and give the coaching panel some food for thought.
"None of this would be possible without the continued support and sponsorship from Chorley Sports Forum, Kookaburra and OBO.”
The call-up follows Martin’s impressive performances for England U16’s in the Four Nations tournament in Germany and the European Championships in Dublin last month, where his goals helped his team win the bronze medal play-off against Ireland.
The brothers will compete in three selection games against Wales, Scotland and a second England team.
Following these games a GB squad will be selected to go to Sydney, Australia in January for their Olympic Youth Festival.
The home nations still play individually, with Great Britain forming only for Olympic tournaments, although their have been moves to alter this to help improve Britain’s global standing.
Martin will be playing a pivotal role for Preston Men’s 1st XI this season, which will be under the coaching guidance of his father, Dave.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ian will be donning the gauntlets at National League One outfit Brooklands Manchester University.
ENDS.
back to top
Pre-season training has now started - 18th August 2006
Pre-season training for the 1st XI squad and general club players began during the first week of July.
Now six weeks into the programme, the sessions have turned to stick and ball work on Tuesday evenings with fitness on Thursdays.
The weekly training rota up until the first league games, weekend beginning 30th September, is:
Day: Tuesday
Meet time: 6.45pm
Duration: 7pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Leyland Motors Astroturf, next to Leyland Commercial Vehicle Museum
Session: Skills work
Cost: £1
Day: Thursday
Meet time: 6.45pm
Duration: 7pm - 8.30pm
Venue: West Cliff, PHC
Session: Fitness
Cost: £1
For all 1st XI 'probables' and 'possibles', it is essential you make a concerted effort to attend training and do your own fitness work in between sessions.
Our first league encounter, versus Alderley Edge, is now only five weeks away.
For further details about the 1st XI, please contact either Dave Scanlon or Mike Hoffman by going to the 1st XI page on the web site.
For further details about the club and all other teams, please go to the Contact Us page.
ENDS.
back to top
|
|
|
|
Home