Your own fottballing prowess

[Romanis]

Me a crap footballer, played field hockey though. Although when older could play a kickabout or two in defense.
Was a youth level referee. Most former players still call me Ref.

[MadAmster]

Me a crap footballer, played field hockey though. Although when older could play a kickabout or two in defense.
Was a youth level referee. Most former players still call me Ref.

In Holland, where hockey is a huge sport, footballers laughingly say "Hockey, voetbal met een stokkie". It rhymes too. It means "Hockey, football with a stick".

Football here is still the working class sport and hockey is still middle class and higher. Is there still the same hockey demographic in England?

[ManxRam]

I was a half decent player but injuries stoped me well before 30.

Played for the district and the county throughout school/college with the highlight being a game for the North of England to make the national schoolboys squad - I guess low light not making it.

Played in a county side that had Kev Pilkington (man utd) in goal, Nick Wright (Watford), Martin Bullock (Barnsley) and Wayne Sutton (Derby) in it.

Played against Jamie Redknapp and Andy Cole.

Also had a season with Heanor Town.

All seems a long time ago now.

[Andy_Faber]

I was a half decent player but injuries stoped me well before 30.

Played for the district and the county throughout school/college with the highlight being a game for the North of England to make the national schoolboys squad - I guess low light not making it.

Played in a county side that had Kev Pilkington (man utd) in goal, Nick Wright (Watford), Martin Bullock (Barnsley) and Wayne Sutton (Derby) in it.

Played against Jamie Redknapp and Andy Cole.

Also had a season with Heanor Town.

All seems a long time ago now.

Was there a decent school team in your year?

[Andy_Faber]

In Holland, where hockey is a huge sport, footballers laughingly say "Hockey, voetbal met een stokkie". It rhymes too. It means "Hockey, football with a stick".

Football here is still the working class sport and hockey is still middle class and higher. Is there still the same hockey demographic in England?

Football is not a primary sport at independant schools, the primary male sports are rugby/hockey/cricket in the three terms, so I guess that says yes, same in UK. Not to say that the club hockey set up isn't inclusive, it is, Beeston Bees being the big club I'm aware of that welcome one and all, Belper likewise (no experience of the Derby clubs), but the feed in of those likely to retain a lifelong interest appears to come massively from independant schools.

[ramAnag]

Football is not a primary sport at independant schools, the primary male sports are rugby/hockey/cricket in the three terms, so I guess that says yes, same in UK. Not to say that the club hockey set up isn't inclusive, it is, Beeston Bees being the big club I'm aware of that welcome one and all, Belper likewise (no experience of the Derby clubs), but the feed in of those likely to retain a lifelong interest appears to come massively from independant schools.

I played quite a bit of hockey decades ago...a bit of mixed hockey at college too. Along with rounders it’s one of the best mixed sports imo...’ladies’ with a stick don’t hold back.

Following on from Ram’s ‘walking football’ exploits...seeing as we all seem to be getting on a bit, maybe we could have an FM team or FM v V*t*l. (Jeez is that word still banned Andy? Sort the juveniles out chap.)