Scottish Thistles Masters Hockey Club
Home page of the Scottish Thistles Masters Hockey Club (formerly Scottish Masters LX Hockey Club), for Scottish hockey players from the age of 35 upwards. Following the adoption of its revised constitution on 17 February 2021, the Club now represents all age groups of Masters Hockey, men and women. The Club managed the National mens hockey teams for Over 60s (Grand Masters), Over 65s (Great Grand Masters) and Over 70s (Senior Grand Masters) from 2003 until 2020. Scottish Masters Hockey has taken over management of all international Masters hockey in Scotland, while this Club will continue to field non-representatve teams under the Scottish Thistles banner at home and abroad. Scottish Thistles Masters website.
Scottish Masters Hockey
Scottish Masters Hockey (a company limited by guarantee) was set up formally on 27 November 2020 to administer, on behalf of and with the support of Scottish Hockey, all international Masters hockey (men and women, all age groups from Over 35 upwards). Scottish Hockey press release. At the time of the first Annual General Meeting of Scottish Masters Hockey on 24 March 2021, there were over 400 provisional members, who would then be invited to join formally. Membership will allow players to take part in selection trials for international teams. The Scottish Hockey Masters website is now live.
Scotland Grand Masters win European Bronze
Scotland Over 60 Men took the Bronze Medal in the 2019 Grand Masters European Cup in Brasschaat, Belgium with a 4-3 win over Germany on the final day of the tournament.
Scotland Over 60 2019 European Grand Masters Bronze Medallists
Not to be outdone, Scotland Over 60 Women beat Netherlands 2-1 to win Bronze in the Over 60 Womens European Cup. Finally, Scotland Over 65 finished the tournament undefeated, beating Ireland 3-0 to secure fifth place in the Great Grand Masters European Cup. Scotland Over 70 finished seventh, Scottish Thistles Over 60 fourth and Scottish Thistles Over 65 ninth.
Scottish Hockey news item results and reports
Survivors of the first ever Scotland-Wales International
Proof that you can extend your (international) playing career - twelve players who played in the first ever Over 60 international between Scotland and Wales in Aberdeen in 2008 were reunited in battle in the 2017 Senior Grand Masters Celtic Cup in Cork, Ireland.
In 2020, only one international took place - March (Over 70 only v England, Durham). Tournaments planned for May (Four Nations, London) and August (Celtic Cup, Glasgow) were cancelled because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Scottish Thistles played in January (Carlisle) and March (Lille) before everything closed down.
2020 summary
The major international dates of 2021 were due to be 21-23 May in Southgate, London for the Four Nations Tournament (including an Over 60 Spirit of Masters Tournament) - subsequently cancelled - and 18-20 June in Ireland for the Celtic Cup - postponed to 27-29 August 2021. Scottish Thistles had planned a very full year with events every month but these plans were on hold because of the current lockdown until later in the year.
2021 Calendar
George Black 1926-2022
Anne and George socialising in San Cugat in 2008
Sadly, the club has lost its founding father and first President, George Black, who passed away on 21 February 2022 at the age of 95. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his widow Anne, his three children and six grandchildren. A light has gone out of our lives. George's funeral will take place at 1p.m. on Monday 14 March at Daldowie Crematorium, Hamilton Road, Uddingston, Glasgow, G71 7RU.
tribute
Alan Bremner 1940-2021
Harold Alan Bremner was born in 1940 in London, and started playing hockey at school, at Robert Gordon`s College. He quickly established himself in the College First XI and the following year was selected for Scottish Schoolboys to play against Ireland. In 1958, much to the disappointment of Gordonians, the College Former Pupils` team, Alan opted to play for Aberdeen University in what duly became a very strong University side. Being a medical student, Alan was at University until 1964 and during those years was Captain of the University First XI 1961-63, played for Scottish Universities 1959-64, Scottish Thistles 1961-64, North District 1959-64 and played for the Home Scots in 1964. Given his hockey commitments it`s a wonder he secured his University degree!
Once he had qualified, he came back to Gordonians for 2 years, still also continuing to play for North District, until a career move to Wales occurred. This meant a season playing for Cardiff First XI and Welsh Dragons. In 1968 he settled as a GP in Nairn and had no less than 32 years playing firstly for Highland in various guises and subsequently for Moray, but he never forgot his roots and regularly turned out for The Auld Craws both in Aberdeen and abroad.
In 2002 Alan joined Scotland`s first SuperVeterans` team and participated in the championship tournament in Paris. There followed many internationals for Scotland`s Grand Masters (over-60s), Great Grand Masters (over-65s) and Senior Grand Masters (over-70s) in Masters` Tournaments in various parts of Europe and as far afield as Cape Town and Hong Kong. A strong and determined midfielder with a heavy tackle, Alan was seen on one occasion in Hong Kong after a Scotland attack had broken down, chasing back almost the full length of the pitch to catch and dispossess a Japanese opponent, This was carried out in a temperature of 37C and high humidity!
Alan died in Inverness on 21 December 2021. A very fine player and a great loss to Scottish hockey.
Doug Morrice
Over 70 Newsletter
Peter Gordon, Scottish Masters Hockey Over 70 Co-ordinator, has produced a May 2021 Newsletter aimed mainly at players aiming for selection for the forthcoming Celtic Cup in Belfast on 27-29 August, though the planned training sessions ahead of selection on 18 July will be open to all. A management group of Peter Gordon, Ian Pett and Doug Turner has been working on the way forward for Over 70s andPeter was pleased to confirm the appointment of Ian Pett as Player/Coach of the Scotland Over 70 squad.
May 2021 Information for Members
Following the AGM, new President Mike McInally has sent members a note of progress so far and plans for the development of the club.
older 2021 news
