Shropshire’s hockey players have created history by reaching the national finals of the County Championships for the first time ever.
Having traditionally struggled to make any impact on the competition, Shropshire turned on the style to win pool four at Cokethorpe School in Oxfordshire.
Victories over Cornwall, the Channel Islands and Wiltshire set up a winner-takes-all showdown with the hosts.
And Shropshire rose to the occasion when it mattered to ease to a 4-1 success.
“The magnitude of this achievement should not be underestimated,” said coach Dave Siddorn.
“Shropshire can now consider themselves, quite justifiably, a major force in men’s county hockey.”
Shropshire now travel to Old Loughtonians for finals weekend, and will take on Yorkshire in the last four on June 1. The other semi-final is a repeat of last year’s final between Cheshire and Sussex.
2 Comments
As a Playing (albeit at 7th XI & Vets level now)and Life member of Bridgnorth Hockey Club- probably the largest hockey club in Sgropshire with 10-11 teams turning out every Saturday - and the mens first team only just relegated from the Premier League of the Midlands H A, after a successful number of seasons at that level I find it strange that not one player from Bridgnorth actually figuered in the squad. Do the Bridgnorth players at this level care or are they just not good enough to be considered for selection ?
Ian Connolly.
I don’t think that your clubs players are not good enough they just don’t seem interested in representing the county sides this season. I know that Dave Siddorn is a dedicated man to Shropshire hockey and goes out of his way to invite all players from all over the county. However it has been a familiar sight because even in the under 21 side no players from your club attended trials. I am sure next season we will see a few more players coming from the Bridgnorth HC.