2021
David Dix-Perkin (1927-2021)
A stalwart of Scottish Hockey, David Dix-Perkin was a weel kent figure at Grange Hockey Club, where he was Secretary from 1972 to 1988. David continued to welcome teams to the club long after retiring as Secretary and "everyone knew David". He was also well known as an umpire, serving as the Scottish Hockey Umpires Convener for many years, and, as a player in earlier times, played alongside George Black as can be seen in the photograph provided to The Grange Club by his daughter Emma.
The Grange Club - tribute to David Dix-Perkin
Cancellation of Jacques Lévy Tournament
The 24th Jacques Lévy Tournament, due to be held in Lille, France on the weekend of 19-21 March 2021,was cancelled because of the current pandemic situation. Scottish Thistles had received an official invitation, which we had accepted for two teams assuming that conditions allowed us to travel.
Postponement of 2021 Celtic Cup
Hockey Ireland has announced the postponement of the 2021 Celtic Cup, due to be held in Belfast in June 2021. In the hope that the Covid situation will improve over the summer and that restrictions will be eased, the revised dates will be 27-29 August at NI Civil Service HC, Belfast.
Cancellation of 2021 Four Nations Tournament
At an online meeting of the England Hockey Masters Four Nations' Committee on 11 February 2021, attended by representatives of all four Home Nations, it was agreed that the 2021 Home Nations Tournament planned for June 2021 in England would be cancelled. While it was very unlikely that any International Masters Hockey would be played in 2021, there was still a possibility of international hockey involving the Over 75 age group, possibly in the form of 'fives' if countries were likely to have difficulty fielding eleven a side teams.
Club Extraordinary General Meeting
An online EGM took place on Wednesday 17 February 2021 at 19:00 for the purpose of approving the proposed new Constitution of the Club, including the change of name to Scottish Thistles Masters Hockey Club. The meeting, hosted with the support of Scottish Hockey, confirmed the change of name and extension of membership to include all players from the age of 35.
Scottish Thistles News
Following the setting up Scottish Masters Hockey to administer all 35+ international hockey for men and women, non international Masters Hockey will be administered by what is currently Scottish Masters LX Hockey Club - renamed as Scottish Thistles Masters Hockey Club on 17 February 2021 - and will progressively add women, and men aged 35-55, starting with women and over 55 men.
We have been allowed by World Masters Hockey to withdraw without penalty our entries for the Over 60 and Over 65 Spirit of Masters Trophy running alongside the rearranged 2020 World Cup in Tokyo.
Scottish Hockey Registration Fee
Scottish Hockey has announced that the adult membership fee for season 2020-21 will be reduced by 50% (i.e. to £20). For those who are not currently members of another Scottish Hockey Club, the Treasurer will adjust the amount due in each member's 'member account'. Those who have already paid £40 will automatically receive a £20 refund in their account. Anyone who has not yet paid should pay £20 as soon as possible to the club account.
Cancellation of 2021 Four Nations Tournament
At an online meeting of the England Hockey Masters Four Nations' Committee on 11 February 2021, attended by representatives of all four Home Nations, it was agreed that the 2021 Home Nations Tournament planned for June 2021 in England would be cancelled. While it was very unlikely that any International Masters Hockey would be played in 2021, there was still a possibility of international hockey involving the Over 75 age group, possibly in the form of 'fives' if countries were likely to have difficulty fielding eleven a side teams.
Club Extraordinary General Meeting
An online EGM took place on Wednesday 17 February 2021 at 19:00 for the purpose of approving the proposed new Constitution of the Club, including the change of name to Scottish Thistles Masters Hockey Club. The meeting, hosted with the support of Scottish Hockey, confirmed the change of name and extension of membership to include all players from the age of 35.
Postponement of 2021 Celtic Cup
Hockey Ireland has announced the postponement of the 2021 Celtic Cup, due to be held in Belfast in June 2021. In the hope that the Covid situation will improve over the summer and that restrictions will be eased, the revised dates will be 27-29 August at NI Civil Service HC, Belfast.
Club Annual General Meeting
The Club AGM wase held via Zoom on 14th April 2021 at 7.30pm. Members were reminded that any business to be moved at the AGM including any nominations for Officers of the Club and Members of the Executive Committee required to be advised to the Secretary not later than 14 days before the AGM date i.e. by 1st April 2021. All nominations required a proposer and seconder. Members were emailed a copy of the agend, joining details and supporting papers before the meeting.
Margerison in the news
The Sunday Telegraph of 28 March 2021 printed an article under the title Rule of six-aside: Why it's never too late to take up a team sport (link: subscription required) featuring David Margerison. David joined us in 2006 and at 76 is still going strong.
Johan Herbert 1930-2021
Johan Herbert, a well known, friendly face at tournaments all over the world, passed away recently at the age of 90. The Alliance International Hockey Club was Johan's brainchild, after Johan formed a team of mixed nationalities to take part in the first Grand Masters World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 2002. Johan became its first president and represented the club, the only multinational member of the World Grand Masters Hockey Association, for many years. He would often turn up at tournaments on his own, knowing that, as a goalkeeper, he could usually help out a team with no keeper. Scottish Thistles were privileged to be invited to Johan's 75th birthday tournament in Kortrijk, Belgium, the highlight being the half lobster, washed down with red wine, provided between matches at lunchtime on the Saturday. He will be sadly missed.
Adrian Stephenson, Secretary of WGMA, gave this tribute to Johan.
All at WGMA are very sad to lose one of our first WGMA Members of Honour and someone who was one of the most enthusiastic pioneers of Grand Masters hockey. Without Johan’s infectious love of the game and his refusal to allow age to be a barrier to playing on into our later years many of us might have hung up our boots some time ago.
Johan will be remembered with great affection by all of us who played with and against him. His legendary hospitality and that of RHC St Georges, at the events that Johan organised at the club, will forever live in the memories of those who were lucky enough to have been there.
RIP Johan - one of the great characters in the game.
Annual General Meeting 14 April 2021
At the Annual General Meeting on 14 April 2021, the following were elected to the Scottish Thistles Masters Executive Committee:
Club Officers
President - Mike McInally;Vice-President - Alan Parker; Secretary - John Lees; Treasurer - Jim Chisholm
Ordinary Members
Membership Secretary - Stuart Stephen; Age Group Co-ordinator - Chris Heeps. John Bennett has agreed to continue as Quartermaster for the time being.
A Thistles SP Group has been formed, chaired by Ian McCreath and including the age group co-ordinators Chris Heeps (Over 60); Graham Conkie (Over 65); Duncan Mitchell (Over 70) and Sandy Weir (Over 75).
Lakes Tournament 19-20 June Cockermouth - Scottish Thistles Masters Men Over 65
This is our first tournament under the new system (involving allocation rather than first-come, first-served) and is still provisional pending permission from Scottish Hockey to play outside Scotland. England LX are aiming to field three teams and the main game on Saturday (probably late lunchtime) will be against LX70s. The Sunday is a round robin format and should finish by mid Sunday afternoon. More details will be provided by event co-ordinator Graham Conkie after the poll closes on 9 May.
