28th January 2003

King crowned 2002 Hockey sport Player of the year

What a 2002 Ipswich stalwart Leisa King had and with this award 2003 looks likely to be just as good.

Leisa is the 4th Ipswich player to receive this prestigious award, joining, Vickey Dixon, Jo Thompson and Sandie Lister on the roll of honour.

Congratulations Leisa, nice to see you getting the recognition you so richly deserve.

Click here to read Leisa's thoughts on her award.

27th January 2003

Hockey loses it's home!

The following is a quote form Wimbledon F.C website. Shame that it has more information on it that our own hockey associations, seems the communication to the clubs is still poor! Pity as I thought it was always talked of as the Clubs stadium, considering the amount of money Clubs have poured into over the years!

TEMPORARY HOME VENUE CONFIRMED

Wimbledon Football Club and the National Hockey Foundation, owner of the National Hockey Stadium in Central Milton Keynes, have today confirmed that they have reached an agreement for the Club to play its home fixtures at the National Hockey Stadium until the completion of the new 28,000 seater stadium at Denbigh North, Milton Keynes.

The Club will now commence a schedule of works to develop the National Hockey Stadium as a safe and enjoyable venue for both watching and playing professional football. In addition to laying a new pitch, the Club will erect additional temporary stands and provide enhanced facilities for spectators. Wimbledon Football Club will move into the National Hockey Stadium as soon as possible and still hopes to play a number of matches there this season. At the latest, the Club will start the 2003/2004 football season at the National Hockey Stadium.

Throughout the Club’s tenure, the National Hockey Foundation will continue to run the National Hockey Stadium as one of the region’s premier conference and banqueting venues on non-match days. Both the Club and the National Hockey Foundation are investigating ways in which to assist those whose regular use of the facilities to date might be affected by the Club’s move.

At the end of the Club’s tenure, the National Hockey Stadium will be restored as a venue suitable to stage international hockey fixtures. The playing surface will be returned to one that meets the requirements of hockey whilst those enhancements made to the stadium facilities by the Club will be retained for the benefit of hockey.

Charles Koppel, Chairman of Wimbledon Football Club, said of the news:

“We are delighted that the National Hockey Stadium will be our temporary home. This agreement has created a win-win situation for all concerned. In the short term, Wimbledon Football Club, our supporters and the people of Milton Keynes get professional football in a place we can call home and, in the longer term, hockey in this country will benefit from an enhanced facility.

It is vital that the facilities we provide at the National Hockey Stadium both on and off the pitch are to the highest possible standard. We will definitely be playing football in Milton Keynes by the start of the 2003/2004 season at the latest and possibly even prior to the end of this one.”

Commenting, Brian Hinkells, Chairman of the National Hockey Foundation said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Wimbledon Football Club to the National Hockey Stadium as the Club’s temporary home. The National Hockey Stadium will be a spectacular venue for football as well as maintaining its place as one of the best conference and banqueting venues in the area and once Wimbledon has moved to its new stadium at Denbigh North, hockey will return to an improved facility.”

27th January 2003

Ladies 1st's slip up at home, but South Africans make promising debuts.

The 1st team will want to put this match behind them after they were left cursing the goalkeeping form of Hightown's England keeper Carolyn Reid. Despite constant pressure Ipswich could not break through and while Tina Cullen was in top form at the other end it was always going to be a tough game for the hosts. Ipswich even though disappointed will be pleased with the number of chances created and with 2 promising debuts by new recruits Anli Kotze and Kate Hector, Ipswich have many positive things to concentrate on.

The 2nd's  grabbed a great 2-1 win against Cambridge University and with the news that nearest rivals Letchworth lost they now sit alone at the top of the Premier League table. A great team performance capped by a wonderful Individual goal by Lucy Philp saw the home side take the spoils and complete the double over a shocked University side.

The 3rd's traveled to Norwich but could not repeat the early season success over UEA and succumbed 4-2. Disappointing result and a win next week will be needed to keep them out of the relegation battle

The 4th's played extremely well but were unfortunate to end up losing 1-0 to Haverhill 2nd's. A much better performance and one that gives hope of a win next week.

The 5th's unfortunately battled hard but went down 12-0. Not a good result and team morale needs a boost with a good performance next weekend.

The highlight of the weekend has to be the 2nd team victory that sees them remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier league and the arrival of our new South Africans. With only a cup game next weekend Ipswich 1st's will be looking for a good result.

27th January 2003

Men's 1st's keep on improving, as 3rd's lose unbeaten record.

The 1st team thrashed Bishop Stortford to go into joint 2nd place 10 points behind runaway leaders Crostyx. At last the team is showing it's potential and a top 2 finish is not beyond them.

The 2nd's  still sit at the top of Premier B, a 4-3 win over Wisbech seeing them stay 2 points clear.

The 3rd's finally lost their unbeaten record going down 1-0, 3 minutes before time. They are still in the hunt for the title though only 4 points behind leader Wapping.

The 4th's after some good results recorded a 3-1 loss and will want a few more wins to see them stay mild table.

The 5th's recorded a good win, 2-0 victors over Romford 2nd's to see them in joint 3rd place still in the hunt for promotion.

23rd January 2003

South African recruits arrive ready for Hightown

Ipswich's new International recruits finally arrive in Suffolk this weekend ready to sample their first hockey in the English National League Premier Division.

Anli is a full South African International having played at the Commonwealth Games last summer, while Kate is a U21 International that is knocking hard on the door of a full Cap. They are both here for the remainder of the season and hopefully could be the start of a rewarding link.

We welcome them both to England and Ipswich Hockey Club, so keep an eye out for them around the club and go up and say hello. Not that many of you will need much encouragement!!

22nd January 2003

Ladies 1st's return to outdoor League action as 2nd's take on students.

The 1st team will be looking to shake off any Indoor fatigue and concentrate on getting all 3 points against league strugglers Hightown. Hightown have not performed as they would like this season but can still pose a threat with ex-International Tina Cullen still capable of scoring goals when needed. They also have the England Keeper Carolyn Ried so Ipswich's strike force will have to be clinical with their finishing. Ipswich will be missing Sarah Bamfield with a knee injury but are able to bring in 2 South African Internationals, Anli Kotze
and Kate Hector, who have arrived to bolster the squad. The game starts at 12 Noon at Tuddenham Road on Sun 26th January.

The 2nd's will be keen to get 3 points from their games against the students of Cambridge. It should be a hard match as the students have only lost once so far but Ipswich are at full strength and welcome in Hannah Robinson and Sophie Sheldrake to add some depth. The key will be taking chances and Ipswich will settle for nothing less than a home win to keep them at the top of the table.

The 3rd's travel to UEA and too will be hoping to teach the students a lesson. Captain Tory Hughes should return tot he squad and give them a boost after last weeks loss. 

The 4th's have a hard match against Haverhill 2nd's and need to start getting results. a 1-0 loss last time should mean this cold be quite close.

The 5th's too have a hard game against Carlton Park 2nd's and will be looking to better their 3-0 loss in October.

The highlight of this weekend has to be the 1st team  game at home and a chance to see our 2 new recruits, will the do the business for the home team? 

22nd January 2003

Men's 1st's want to keep climbing, while 2nd'shave tough match

The 1st team will be aiming to avenge their defeat to Stortford in the first part of the season and with it the opportunity to climb above them in the table. After a poor start to the season the 1st's have now hit a rich vein of form and they will want to continue that run here.

The 2nd's will need to be on their toes as they tackle Wisbech. A narrow 3-2 victory in their last meeting hinting that things could go either way in this match.

The 3rd's travel to Witham 2nd's and would love a repeat of their 3-1 victory to keep them fighting for top spot in the league. 

The 4th's take on Harlow and will want to get back to winning ways quickly after losing last weekend.

The 5th's have to face Romford 2nd's and will want to do the double over the away team.

The 6th's tackle Thurrock and will not want to lose twice, especially after the disappointing result last weekend.

Finally the Vet's do not have a game this weekend, probably fed up of wining every week!

So can the Men claim another Clean sweep?

20th January 2003

Ladies 1st's miss out on Big night in, as 2nd's record only win

The 1st team started the weekend win a narrow 4-3 loss to eventual winners Slough,  and after dispatching Sutton looked a good bet to make finals night for the first time in 3 years.  Winning 7-6 against Canterbury with 4 minutes to go things looked good but a mix up at substitutions saw a penalty corner awarded and Canterbury took their chance to level the match at  7-7. This seemed to deflate the Ipswich team and Canterbury ran out 10-7 winners. With all to play for against Clifton Ipswich started well but even though they kept the score close for the first half Clifton began to move away after a series of penalty corner goals.  Ipswich eventually going down 8-5.  A disappointing end to 2 good weekends of hockey and Ipswich will be kicking themselves for not taking any points form Canterbury when they had the chance.  Concentration now moves towards the first outdoor league match of 2003 against Hightown at home on Sunday 26th January 12 noon start.

The 2nd's started 2003 in the same dynamic form as 2002 and showed local rivals Bury how it should be done with a 3-1 win.  The victory was even more impressive considering that Ipswich had a virtual novice ,in the form of 1st team defender Hayley Spooner, in Goal. Great upfront running by Ella Kenny and Lucy Philp saw Bury in all sorts of problems and Ipswich were determined to keep their unbeaten run going.  A fantastic team performance and one that bodes well for the teams match against Cambridge Uni next weekend.

The 3rd's missing Captain Tory Walton through illness had a lot of play in this match against Norwich City but City took their chances and Ipswich even though they worked hard could just not get the final pass.

The 4th's could not get their first win and went down 4-0 to Lowestoft.

The 5th's too suffered a loss going down 11-0 to Lowestoft 2nd's.

So only a good weekend for the 2nd's but with the 1st's back inn league action next weekend and with 2 new Internationals arriving at the club hopefully things will pick up.

20th January 2003

Men's 1st's start 2003 with a lesson for students

The 1st team carried on where they left off in 2002, with a win against Cambridge University. This was a well deserved win and one that sees them in 5th place only 3 points behind 2nd.  A top 3 finish is  real possibility.

The 2nd's could only manage a 2-2 draw, probably suffering from the retirement of Nick Fry, but they are still 2 points clear at the top of the table.

The 3rd's did not have a game as IES 3rd's have withdrawn from the league. They won the match as a 3-0 walkover. They are only 1 point behind leaders Wapping.

The 4th's battled hard but went down 2-3 to a strong Wapping side that top the table. They sit mid table but will want a few more wins to keep them safe.

The 5th's too could not muster a win going down 4-3 to Old southendians.

The 6th's unfortunately recorded the highest loss losing 5-0 to Essex university 2nd's.

Not an ideal weekend for the Men, but hopefully the 1st's can inspire some more wins next week as teams settle down. 

16th January 2003

Men's 3rd's get 3-0 win as IES 3rd's withdraw from league.

Ipswich 3rd Team got the first points of the weekend without even hitting a ball. Opponents IES 3rd's have had to pull out of the league and even though it is normally the lowest team that pulls out (IES Still have a 4th's and 5th') it was felt by them and the league that neither of those sides could cope with playing in the 3rd team league and hence the 3rd's were given permission to withdraw.

Not the ideal way to get points but a welcome 3 for title chasing 3rd's.

16th January 2003

Ladies 1st's carry on Indoors while 2nd's lead the way in derby clash

Ipswich 1st team will be looking to build on last week and push for a top 4 finish that will see them into finals night. 

The 2nd's top the Printwize East Premier League and will be looking to get maximum points against local rivals Bury, a repeat of the reverse fixtures  2-0 victory would be ideal.

The 3rd's take on Norwich City and after losing 4-0 in the previous fixture they will be looking for a much better performance.

The 4th's take on Lowestoft and are still looking for that crucial win.  They only went down 4-3 in the early part of the season so a win is a real possibility.

The 5th's take on Lowestoft 2nd's and will hoping to avoid another 10-0 loss. Having greatly improved the side should be confident that they can hold their own.

Let's hope that 2003 brings some more good results and can maybe see at least 2 Ipswich sides carry off a league title.

16th January 2003

 Men get back to League action and look for first win of 2003

Ipswich 1st team were in great form at the end of 2002 and they will be aiming to carry that  new found confidence into 2003. They have a tricky start taking on Cambridge University, who lie in 3rd place but the Suffolk side know that they have the team to get a result. A 2-2 draw was the result back in October so both sides now it should be a tight game.

The 2nd's top Printwize East Premier League B and will be looking to get maximum points against Norwich City, whom they beat 2-0 in October,  to keep them ahead of the chasing pack.

The 3rd's take on IES 3rd's and after stuffing them 6-0 in the reverse fixture in October the side should be confident of all 3 points.

The 4th's take on Wapping, a side that they lost to 3-0 in the first part of the season, but will feel that they are a changed team.  Having only lost 1 game in their last 5 they will feel that they are more than capable of getting some points.

The 5th's take on Old Southendians, and will be looking to go one better than their 3-3 draw in their last encounter.

The 6th's take on Essex University 2nd's and now with a full time Captain will be looking to get revenge for their 5-2 drubbing.

Lastly the Vet's take on Cambridge City.

So at last the league resumes and with several Ipswich sides poised for a run a the league titles it should make it a very interesting next 3 months.

14th January 2003

 Ladies 1st Team in 3rd place as they eye Finals Night Place

After 3 wins and a loss Ipswich are well placed for next weekends series of 4 match's that will determine whether they make finals night for the first time in 2 years.

A good win against Leicester set them up for taking on local rivals Chelmsford but some slopping finishing, combined with Chelmsford Indoor experience saw the Suffolk side lose 10-6. 2 good wins on Sunday against Liverpool and St Austell, means that the squad has a real chance of making the final round.

This weekend games are the hardest though, taking on reigning Champions Slough, and near rivals Canterbury and Clifton, with a seemingly easier game against pointless Sutton Coldfield to finish. 3 wins out of 4 would probably be enough to see them through and the the Suffolk team are keen to once more enjoy the taste of Hockey's Big night in!

14th January 2003

 Suffolk U21 Men's Team win East title

For the first time in the Counties history, the U21 East title has come to Suffolk and with it the team will go forward to represent the East in the national round.

Managed by Ipswich 2nd Team Goal Keeper Tony Burch the side was unbeaten throughout the tournament.

The experience of ex-Ipswich 1st Team players, Oli Didham and James Southgate, added National League experience to the team and the side will be looking forward to their first outing at the National Championships in May.

Squad

Oli Didham (Capt, Birmingham Uni), Simon Rose (Braintree HC), James Southgate (Surbiton HC), James Hughes (Edinburgh Uni), Tom Beaney (Bury St Edmunds HC), Marc Lloyd, Ian Swallow, Jamie Buxton, Graham Bendall, Tim Caston, Tom Parry, Alex Borwick (All IES HC), Will Turner, Sham Patel, Stuart Hendy, David West (All Ipswich HC)

9th January 2003

 Ladies 1st Team squad brings in 2 new International Players

Lying in 4th place with a game in hand Ipswich are well positioned in the run in for the Outdoor league title with play starting again in late January. 

2 Internationals players have signed with the club and should add some more experience to an already very strong squad.

Watch this space for more details on our new arrivals!

6th January 2003

Ladies 1st head Indoor's as rest of teams prepare for 2003

Well the icy weather is upon us and as temperatures plummet into the minus figures it must be time to get back out your skimpy hockey outfit!

The 2nd part of the season has already got back into swing for our Ladies 5th's but for the rest of the teams this weekend sees a return to action.

The Ladies 1st Team have the best option, playing in the National Indoor league at Haslemere for the next 2 weekends. Leisa King is welcomed back into the squad and will as usual be the main key to Ipswich's chances of a trip to Finals night.

The Ladies 2nd's travel to Hounslow and Ealing to take on their 2nd team, and will be looking to get back into the swing of things ready for their derby against Bury the following weekend.

The 3rd's will wait until next weekend for their first league game.

The 4th's tackle Felixstowe 1st's and will be looking to get off on the right foot for 2003.

The 5th's round it all off with a game against Felixstowe 2nd's.

6th January 2003

Men's 1st's tackle Harleston...again!

The Men's  1st Team aim to tackle Harleston again and both teams will know they are in for a battle.

The 2nd's, 3rd's, 4th's, 5th's, 6th's all tackle Harleston too and it should be a good opening game to 2003 for all teams

6th January 2003

Just a reminder of the Ladies 1st Team Indoor dates and times

1st Team Ladies Indoor details

WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION - The Edge Sports Hall - Haslemere

SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY 2003
1030 hrs - Sutton Coldfield v Canterbury
1130 hrs - Liverpool Quilter v Chelmsford
1230 hrs - Ipswich v Fyffes Leicester
1330 hrs - St Austell v Clifton
1430 hrs - Slough v Sutton Coldfield
1530 hrs - Canterbury v Liverpool Quilter
1630 hrs - Chelmsford v Ipswich
1730 hrs - Fyffes Leicester v St Austell
1830 hrs - Clifton v Slough

SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY 2003
0900 hrs - Liverpool Quilter v Ipswich
1000 hrs - St Austell v Slough
1100 hrs - Canterbury v Chelmsford
1200 hrs - Fyffes Leicester v Clifton
1300 hrs - Sutton Coldfield v Liverpool Quilter
1400 hrs - Ipswich v St Austell
1500 hrs - Slough v Canterbury
1600 hrs - Chelmsford v Fyffes Leicester
1700 hrs - Clifton v Sutton Coldfield

SATURDAY 18TH JANUARY 2003
1030 hrs - Slough v Chelmsford
1130 hrs - Clifton v Liverpool Quilter
1230 hrs - St Austell v Canterbury
1330 hrs - Fyffes Leicester v Sutton Coldfield
1430 hrs - Ipswich v Slough
1530 hrs - Chelmsford v Clifton
1630 hrs - Liverpool Quilter v St Austell
1730 hrs - Canterbury v Fyffes Leicester
1830 hrs - Sutton Coldfield v Ipswich

SUNDAY 19TH JANUARY 2003
0900 hrs - Sutton Coldfield v St Austell
1000 hrs - Canterbury v Clifton
1100 hrs - Liverpool Quilter v Slough
1200 hrs - Chelmsford v Sutton Coldfield
1300 hrs - Ipswich v Canterbury
1400 hrs - Fyffes Leicester v Liverpool Quilter
1500 hrs - St Austell v Chelmsford
1600 hrs - Clifton v Ipswich
1700 hrs - Slough v Fyffes Leicester

more info...