WEST BRIDGFORD MENS HOCKEY CLUB

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

Monday 26th April 2004

Pete Davis (President) chaired the meeting. 33 members in attendance.

1. Apologies

Apologies received from Andrew Barker, Ed Binder, Jon Gilbert, Graham Lewis, Charles Oldershaw, Tim Roberts, Ian Tunstall and Trevor Vennett-Smith

2. Minutes of the last A.G.M. – Martin Ebsworth was noted as a VP and the minutes were signed as correct.

3. Matters arising - There were no matters arising.

4. Reports

a) Chairman – Clive Harrison

Under the new AGM structure I shall be reporting on ‘Playing’ and President Pete Davis will report on ‘Club’ later

  • Overall excellent season
  • 1st team promoted Jon Anderton top league goal scorer with 28 league goals
  • 2nd team top of mini division in their league
  • 3rd team relegated despite strong end of season run
  • 4th team undefeated and league champions by 12 points
  • 5th team promoted from same league
  • 6th team promoted
  • 7ths and eighths held their own
  • 9ths suffered from lack of fixtures – into league next season
  • These achievements with 2 new captains and increasing demands on captains. Perhaps now is the time for Vice caps to be used more following the success of the shared captaincy in the 4th team. Certainly, if a captain asks you for help, even if only collecting match tax and availabilities, please do it…they have so much to deal with.
  • Women also strengthening and looking at 4 teams next season – report later from Ruth Frost
  • Juniors continue with large numbers across whole age range reflected in representation in all teams of the club – success of strategy borne out by 7 of current 1st team squad come through from Junior programme.
  • My job as chair is to enable the club committee to make the right decisions for the club. This year there was a huge commitment from the men and women on that committee to work together to that end.
  • One thing that I have been determined to do is try to make sure that our focus is about people playing hockey. In our case 9 mens sides and 3 womens sides. At times that could have been 10 and 4. This means that lots of players have had to accept being dropped down the sides and rolling on and off as subs. I hope that you understand that. You certainly seem to accept it. We have had over 150 players turn out some weeks. Everything else that we do, be it the bar, socials, committee activity is either to support playing or as a spin off from playing. We do not exist as a club for any other reason.
  • Sometimes playing has its difficult side. We did have a couple of problems with discipline in the season when people who should have known better, let their emotions take over. I think we all learned from that, I know I did.
  • We seem to be going from strength to strength. It’s not an accident. It takes a lot of work from a lot of people. I intend that success to continue.

e) 1st XI – Doug Stuart

P28 W19 D3 L6 F93 A57 (league P22 W15 D2 L5 F74 A45 Pts 47 – second and PROMOTED)

We were inconsistent over the first half of the season conceding 29 goals in 11 games and drawing with Kings Heath and losing to Solihulll who were both eventually relegated and being well outplayed by Bridgnorth, but at times playing some excellent hockey beating Melton 5-4 (Ando 4) and Leicester Thursday 3-2. Second half was much tighter conceding just 18 goals with excellent home wins over promotion contenders Bridgnorth, Melton and Leicester Thursday to see us grab the second promotion spot. Excellent team spirit with Chris Collison man of the season and 14 year old Nils Penny most promising schoolboy with top scorer John Anderton with 28 followed by Tunno with 16. Thanks to the captains, the Clubs excellent youth policy and our spectators, particularly Price and Baker who made most home games and the occasional away.

f) 2nd XI – Nigel Turpin

P W D L F A (league P22 W7 D2 L13 F43 L80 Pts 23 - sixth)

It was a reasonably successful season, as with a greater emphasis on youth, we finished sixth which was top of the mini league outside of the main national league teams. 14pts before Christmas and 9 after. Thankfully the playing on the field was better than the administration off it with lost kit, taking wrong shirts, poor washing of kit etc!!. Discipline was good with fierce home umpire and captain. Jake Beaumont was most consistent player and Ryan Brodsky the top scorer despite the state he often turned up in. Enjoyed the season getting to know the players and how the Club works.

g) 3rd XI – Mark Carroll

P W D L F A (league P22 W8 D1 L13 F68 A66 Pts 25 – Ninth and Relegated)

Having being promoted last year, we unfortunately went straight back down although there were three National League sides below us. High point was being 3-0 down to Belper at half time and ending up winning 4-3 and sending them down, and we did end the season with a positive goal difference. Excellent young players around with Matt Collinson and Todd Mills going through the 3rds and onwards, and regular players Matt Alvey, Joel Harrison and Tom Collison

Captaining was fun and enjoyable despite not having the best of information from the 2nds, but leading was difficult from the back and I shall not be standing next season although I wish my successor well for a quick return to the premier.

h) 4th XI – Geoff Bail on behalf of Chris Garnham

P W D L F A (league P22 W20 D2 L0 F125 A18 Pts 62 – First and PROMOTED)

A fairly unexciting and routine season as an experienced side steam rollered the opposition to gain immediate promotion back up to the Premier league as undefeated champions scoring 125 league goals. Highlights were sticking 7 goals past Cannock on two occasions (ok it was their 7ths) which was nice and great to see Sam Austin back from Uni and best player was Nick Overton who had every centre forward in his pocket. Thanks to Chris for his captaincy.

i) 5th XI –Jon Clewes

P W D L F A (league P22 W15 D5 L2 F75 L23 Pts 50 – Second and PROMOTED)

Having just missed promotion by 1 point last year, we got it together to get the other promotion place behind our 4ths and a clear 6 points ahead of Beeston in third. We played well and a fairly free scoring season for example putting 16 past Burton over two games and 8 against Saints with top scorers Jason Thornhill and Paul Theed. Best performance was coming back from 2-0 down to beat Saints and our only defeats were against the 4ths. Most interesting game was against Cannock with a couple of yellow cards against two stalwarts of the Club. Best player was George Cooke who subsequently got snatched by the 3rds and thanks to Clive Harrison for all his help and then understanding when I axed him

Am standing down as captain but will make myself available for 2nds or 3rds for next season

j) 6th XI – Nick Hemm for Steve Bean

P24 W17 D3 L4 F A (league P20 W12 D4 L4 F59 L25 Pts 40 – Second and PROMOTED)

Realise not one of the keynote speakers advertised on the posters so I will be brief. We had another successful and enjoyable season with a new bunch of young players coming second by 3 points behind Loughborough 4th. Although we concentrated on a nucleus of 8 youngsters and 5 adults for most of the season we still managed to use 41 different players with only one player, player of the season, Dan Watling playing in all 24 games. Our highest goal scorer was Ed Charlton with 10 league goals, but due to school commitments he only played for half the season.

The second half of the season was more difficult although we were never out of the top four all season. We seemed to do our best to avoid promotion but gained it despite our worst efforts. It was however very enjoyable to see the lads improve, well done to Dan W, John G, Ben R, Ali C, Ed C, Tom M, Adam B and Nick B, most of whom should have done enough to avoid me next season by playing in higher teams. It is important to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of our older guard without whom we would not have achieved such success, so thanks to Potts, Jacko, Steve M, and Matt C who managed to end an 8 year goal drought whilst playing at centre back.

I will be talking to Paul McKenna for advice on effective half time team talks; they’ve not been good this season.

* 2-0 down v Lough 5th “don’t worry lads we can get this back” result 6-0 heaviest and most humiliating loss all season.

* 10-0 up v Coalville “lets keep this going its fantastic same again in the 2nd half lads” result 13-0 although most fun

* V south 4th “keep going we are bound to score, don’t panic” result 0-0 including penalty miss, they got 7 points all season and were relegated. I look forward next season to doing the same again with a new batch of youngsters and those aforementioned older buggers, but this time in my own right rather than by default!

k) 7th XI –Sean Gauton

P26 W8 D4 L14 F53 A74 (league P20 W8 D3 L9 F38 A47 Pts 27 – seventh)
After last season's close encounter with relegation this season saw the 7th team avoid relegation by a comfortable 3 points! This still went down to the last game, but a memorably nasty 4-4 draw with North Notts was enough to secure this margin and condemn North Notts to relegation. Finished 7th out of 11 teams. It was a long hard season for the 7th team. It is customary to highlight individual contributions but I genuinely believe that in this season every result was critical and every player worked hard to deliver each result. I would like to recognise the efforts of all the people who have played for the 7ths this season, guests and regulars alike, including, I note from the board behind me, 8 past presidents.

The low point of the season for me was receiving news of Martin West's accident; he continues to be sorely missed as a team mate. The high point was beating Derby 2-1 on a Sunday morning with a team that was tired from a hard game at Belper the day before. After 5 seasons as 7th team captain I am standing down.

l) 8th XI – Richard Bonsall

P27 W12 D6 L9 F55 A53 (league P22 W9 D6 L7 F40 A38 Pts 33 – sixth)

Overall this has been my best season as captain with a total of 12 wins in all league and friendly games, which is a new record. On the whole there was a core of 10 players who played 15 or more games although altogether 48 players represented the eighth team. The worst defeats of the season were 5-0 losses to Belper 8ths, Mansfield 4ths and Derby Asterdale 5ths but there were no occasions when we were outplayed and we made most sides including those at the top of the table fight for every game which shows in the fact we only lost 9 games and drew 6. On the positive side were the 6-1 win against North Notts and the 5-0 win against Belper 6ths. However the picture would not be complete without mentioning our 3-1 win against the Grizzlies which was their first proper loss against any other team in the club.

A total of 19 people scored for the eighth team and top goal scorers for the season were Finlay Jones with 13 and Richard Bonsall with 12 with no-one else scoring more than 4! I must thank all the players who turned out but special mention must go to Chris Berry for his performances in goal and Henry Wootton for the improvement he has shown over the season and finally thanks to all the old boys who have guested for me such as Doug, Bob, Derek.

m) 9th XI – Brian Jones

P24 W12 D4 L8 F75 A38

This season we have introduced a much younger and in some cases a smaller set of kids. Even so the results and standards have been good. Highlights include drawing with several first teams and Jed Mills 23 goals. Lowest point of the season was not being able to keep our 25 year unbeaten record against our own Club’s sides as well as 7 cancelled games.

Thanks to all the youngsters for putting up with me and especially Clive, Pete and the other adults, and thanks to all these adults for playing and more importantly for their cars. Next year league hockey is beckoning

n) Indoor – No team entered

o) Veterans – Martin Ebsworth on behalf of Andy Edyvean

Entered the National Vets Cup but lost to Rugby on flicks (again) in first round when we really should have won.

p) Midweek – No league this year but summer sixes at Beeston

q) Juniors - Bob Douglas

Another successful season for the juniors with good numbers at training. Loads of County call-ups and Midlands trials for Tom Lambourne and Sam Curtis. Made semi-final of CountyU13 cup and also semi-final of National Plate knock out where we lost 5-2 to Chester and also had an enjoyable end of season junior tournament. Seemed to get drawn against any team beginning with B this year, ie Brigg, Bowden, Belper, Buxton, Beeston

Had a new project by offering coaching to the feeder schools of WestBridgfordSchool although numbers were slightly disappointing, we will try again next season. We will also use the bonus ball to fund junior kit and development.

Thanks to all the coaches, both youngsters and adults, and to the team managers Clive, Pete, Brian and Glyn. Best wishes to Anthony Bullick, Tom Collison, Nick Overton and Sue Douglas as they move onto University. I umpired the end of season tournament between our 1sts and 2nds and 10 of the players had come through the junior section. Need I say more?

5. Club Awards

John Bassford Trophy for highest goal scorerRichard Smith

Roy Barlow Trophy for most promising schoolboyNils Penny

D Vennett-Smith Trophy for the promotion of Social LifeGordon Oliver

Dave Nicholas Trophy for the most improved playerNick Overton

Arthur Sandford Memorial Trophy for 1st Team PlayerChris Collison

A Vennett-Smith Trophy for the Man of the YearJames Cashmore

6. Election of Club Captains

Team Captains

1st TeamTBA

Doug Stuart will stand as manager

2nd TeamNigel TurpinDave RyanGeoff Bail

3rd TeamJames McDonaldBob DouglasRichard Bonsall

4th TeamChris GarnhamGeoff BailMartin Ebsworth

5th TeamGeoff BailJon ClewesPete Davis

6th TeamNick HemmBob DouglasKeith Kirkpatrick

7th TeamTony JohnsonSean GautonAlan Mayor

8th TeamRichard BonsallMike BarnesMalcolm Baker

9th TeamBrian JonesRichard BonsallPete Davis

VeteransJon ClewesDave RyanChris Garnham

Fixture SecMark JohnsonTony JohnsonJon Clewes

Ground Sec.Tony JohnsonKeith KirkpatrickGeoff Bail

Umpire Sec.Doug StuartClive HarrisonGeoff Bail

Monarchs 1stsFiona TaylorMonarchs

Monarchs 2ndsTracey MarshallMonarchs

Monarchs 3rdsTeresa AttleyMonarchs

Thanks for their hard work to all members who have retired from their positions and congratulations to the new members

Meeting finished at 8.24 pm

WEST BRIDGFORD MONARCHS HOCKEY CLUB

a) President – Pete Davis

Pete Davis welcomed Ruth Frost, LizJagger, Sharon Cheetham, Jen Wallis and Emma Whittle to the meeting

Without repeating all that has gone before, it has been another excellent season both on and off the pitch with our second season as a merged Club and also in our new clubhouse all running very smoothly

b) Monarchs – Ruth Frost

For the first season ever, our 1sts managed to stay up in the Notts Premier after our promotion last year and both our 2nds and 3rds finished mid-table and we are planning to start a 4th team in a few friendlies next year with our juniors and some reliable adults. As a Club we are growing rapidly with approx 40 adults and 40 juniors. At AGM, we increased our subs to £60 to matchthe men and also have our match tax in line with the men and are also proposing for our Treasurer, Emma, to get Monarchs books in order to hand over to James along with a sizeable donation already transferred. We made a good effort at the cleaning this season, and next season will help out with the bar rota. Monarchs have greatly enjoyed the socials and thanks for welcoming us into the Club

Thanks to our coaches and team managers, Dave Ellis, Paul Burrell, Keith, Stuart Freeman, Dave Tylder and finally Andy Bell who is retiring from coaching. Always looking for more assistance on Wednesdays at training.

c) Treasurer - James Cashmore

Accounts for the season were presented to the meeting

Bar Receipts – Turnover slightly down on last season, but gross profit very similar

Room Hire – Reasonable income from cricket clubs, but little other room hire

Clubhouse – Bar store room cooler to be fitted soon

Funds – Donations received from Monarchs and now have £32,000 in bank

Clubhouse – We still owe a couple of thousand on Clubhouse, but building now paid for

Repair – Putting money aside via amortisation sort of sinking fund

Subs–There is no need to have the fund raising levy in the subs, but next season, we are planning to have a paid cleaner and perhaps better/more expensive teas plus a new cooker Therefore proposed that subscriptions would remain at £60 for coming season, was seconded by Bob Douglas and carried unanimously. Planned for match tax to remain the same at £8 (which incorporates 70p for tea and £1.30 mileage)