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Toddy Parkinson.
(Mar 2005).
It’s nice, particularly in the week of the annual dinner, to hear from Ruth Parkinson, now living in Canada, youngest daughter of ‘Toddy’ who instigated the Toddy Parkinson trophy.
Ruth writes that ‘he was surprised and I think secretly thrilled to see that 37 years later it is still awarded. From his brief description of the intended purpose, it sounds like a fitting attribute to my father’s character.
He has 4 children and 6 grandchildren who are enormously proud of him today.’
These days he is a retired physician, and has replaced his love of hockey and work with golf,
and is upcoming President of his golf club in Edmonton.
Richard Masheder, himself a former Lancashire player and Northern stalwart, recalls that ‘I was privileged to play with Toddy in the 60's. He was 1st.X1 Captain. He played 83 times for Lancashire at left or centre half, and also the North of England. He was a great fellow and outstanding player who always encouraged young promising players like me!’
David Lewis adds that ‘The Toddy Parkinson Trophy was an elegant piece of silverware comprising a tripod of three angled, interlocking hockey-sticks mounted on a wooden base, inscribed with the winner’s names. Toddy donated this on leaving the area 37 years ago, having been an outstanding and well-liked Captain of Hockey a couple of years previously (in 1965).
It was always, in the early years, awarded to the individual making the most outstanding contribution to hockey in the preceding year. Over time, it became the norm to award it to the most successful team.
Regrettably, the original Toddy Parkinson Trophy was lost some years ago while in the possession of a team captain.’
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Thankfully the trophy was replaced, and Toddy’s legacy is now passed annually to the Team of the Year.
This year’s recipients are the men’s 3rd.XI, galvanised under captain Paul Baines, who have cruised to promotion
in a superb season back in the league following the problems of last year.
Paul is pictured with the perhaps less elegant, but none the less worthy, current Toddy Parkinson trophy.
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Hockey Section Dinner and AGM.
(Mar 2005).
The hockey section’s future stars were well represented at the annual end-of-season dinner that followed the section’s AGMs. The Beavers attended in force, pictured above with mentors Ian Douglas and Peter Fogden.
Will Beeching (right) received the Eric Wright trophy as junior hockey player of the year.
Junior coaching leaders Ian Douglas and Alex Anderson (below), along with Emma Gaunt, received their deserved plaudits, thanked for their hard work by chairs Tim Morris and Chris McBrien.
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Peter Douglas was the Ken Ferguson Young Player of the Year, while Tom Pfeiffer (below left) was again top scorer.
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The resurgent men’s 3rd.XI were Team of the Year, and were in boisterous form (above).
Paul Baines received the Toddy Parkinson trophy on their behalf, while Wendy McDowall (right) added to the Brasso bill by collecting the Richard Dawson trophy from ladies president Peter Burman for her services to the section.
The newly instigated John Birch trophy went to David Roberts.
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Cecilia Jaques (below left) was ladies 1st.XI Captain's Player of the Year, while Beth Williamson was Most Improved Player, and Rachael Martin (below right) won the Peter Johnson Players’ Player award.
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The ladies 2nd.XI Captain's Player was Kate Rigby, who has developed into a very
strong midfield player linking excellently from defence through to attack.
Kate will be greatly missed next season as she is off to university in Leeds!
Players' Player was awarded jointly to Fiona Hunter and Karen Dransfield.
Both players have worked very hard this season and well deserve their award.
Most Improved Player was Jane Wilson, a new member to the club
this season who has put in a tremendous work rate and effort, and as a
result has improved her hockey skills and team work.
Top Goal Scorer could not be awarded on the night, with one game still to be played,
and Helen Jones and Bernice Blundell in contention.
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Ladies seal Prescot victory.
(Feb 2005).
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The ladies followed up their excellent win over Wigton with an equally vital 4-1 victory over Prescot.
The teams are 'twinned' in the Feeder League, which means that whoever finishes lower
slips back to the Lancashire League.
The win puts Northern 8 points clear of Prescot with 3 games to go, so safety is now almost mathematically secured.
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All the goals came in the first half.
Skipper Nikki Hannah produced this run into the D (above) and converted in style
past the keeper's outstretched foot to score the third.
Rachel Jacks (below) went narrowly wide as the ball was worked to the far post.
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Mixed Fortunes for Men and Ladies.
(Feb 2005).
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The men seemed to have secured the win against Morecambe, when Kent Thorburn's strike
gave Northern a 2 goal lead, driving home from the edge of the D.
But Northern slip to mid-table, as
the visitors fought back to take the points with 3 late replies.
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The first team has had a mixed season much like last year. They have played some outstanding hockey and some poor hockey. Having spent much of the season in the top 4 it now appears that the final result will be a mid table finish.
The second team have had a very successful season and remain in 3rd spot probably a result of the loss of the first couple of games of the season. There is still time to overtake Southport and finish with a guaranteed promotion spot. Even a 3rd place finish may be enough.
The Northern Men’s 3rd Team have had a great season in Division 9 South. They have been top for much of the season and providing they maintain form should be promoted. They are likely to have a championship decider against Alderley Edge before the end of the season. Maximum support would be appreciated.
The Badgers and Beavers now have consistent squads and despite playing against older and bigger teams have achieved creditable results. We have also managed to put out a couple of under 11 teams so the future is bright.
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After their successes last year, this
ladies' season has been ravaged by university call-ups,
a points deduction for a clerical error, and the fertility of the men’s section.
The ladies 1st.XI edged closer to safety with a vital 2-0 win over second-placed Wigton.
The second goal came when
Hannah Jacks created the opening, forcing the ball (above) to Emma Gaunt,
who finished expertly from close range.
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It still required resolute defending,
and some heroics from an individual in a black spacesuit,
to deny Wigton.
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John Richard Grossart Birch
1946-2005
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Northern host Merseyside U12 Tournament.
(Nov 2004).
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Northern succesfully hosted the first round of matches in the Merseyside Hockey Development Group Under 12 League.
We fielded two teams, the Northern Stars (pictured above) and the Northern Lights (pictured below with coach Cher Heckle), who both played well, managing 3 wins and a draw between them.
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The teams are now looking forward to the next round of matches in the New Year, due to be played on 30th.January at Oxton.
The event is organised by Merseyside Hockey Development Officer, Melinda James. It follows the success of the league run last year by Sefton Hockey Development Group, which it was decided to roll out to the whole of Merseyside.
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Team |
Played |
Won |
Drew |
Lost |
GF |
GA |
Points |
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Formby Natterjacks |
4 |
2 |
1* |
1 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
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Oxton Lions |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
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Liverpool Ifs |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
7 |
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Northern Lights |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
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Formby Squirrels |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
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Prescot |
4 |
0 |
4* |
0 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
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Oxton Reds |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
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Liverpool Whys |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
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Northern Stars |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
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Southport |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
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Liverpool Buts |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
Table after 1st Round of Merseyside U12 Hockey Development League
* includes score-draw
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Yet another accolade for Wendy.
(Oct 2004).
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Our workoholic First Lady received further recognition at the
Merseyside Sports Awards evening, held at the Moat House
on Friday 29.October.
Following on from her Sefton Volunteer award in June,
Wendy went forward as Sefton's nominee to the Merseyside event,
and was also voted Merseyside's sporting Volunteer of the Year for 2004.
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Press Release - Northern Hockey Achieves Clubs 1st.
(Oct 2004).
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Northern Hockey Club has scored with a top award for making the welfare of young players a main goal.
Northern Hockey Club in Crosby is the first club in Merseyside and only the third club in the North to obtain "Clubs 1st" from England Hockey.
The accreditation means the club is safe, effective, child friendly and is putting the welfare of its members first.
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Northern Hockey have also been successful in securing a grant of £75,000 from the Community Club Development Fund
from England Hockey and Sport England to develop changing facilities. They are one of only 6 hockey clubs in the country to secure funding.
The Community Club Dev Fund aims are to increase club membership levels among young people, women and people with disabilities
and to support the development of quality assured “junior” sections of clubs.
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Also to create a sustainable
and financially viable sports club infrastructure with links to schools and develop pathways for talented individuals to progress.
Martin Sarbutts, Sefton Council Development Officer said: "It's superb that the work of the club to provide safe and top quality surroundings for younger players has been recognised.
"To be the first club to achieve 'Clubs 1st' in this area is testament to the eagerness to develop and the dedication of club volunteers.
With other clubs working towards this accreditation, the future of hockey in Sefton looks very bright indeed."
Wendy McDowall, Northern Club president, said:
"We are delighted to receive this award. It is the result of a dedicated team of volunteers, players and coaches.
Players give up their time each week to support our junior section.”
"This award could only be obtained with the excellent advice and support from Melinda James (Merseyside Hockey Development Officer)
and Tes Whieldon Merseyside Sport Partnership and Martin Sarbutts Sefton Leisure Services."
Northern runs 3 mens and two ladies sides, a badgers and beaver side, in addition to two U13 teams.
The club have developed a child welfare policy and development plan. All coaches working at the club also have CRB clearance.
The club is developing junior hockey across Sefton in conjunction with Sefton Hockey Development Group and has provided 80 local schools with hockey taster sessions over the last two years.
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Pictured celebrating the award with members of Northern Hockey Club
are front row second left Melinda James (Merseyside Hockey Development Officer),
with Wendy McDowall, (Northern Club President)
and Martin Sarbutts (Sefton's development officer sport and physical activity).
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Men's 3rds back in the league.
(Oct 2004).
The Northern Mens's 3rd Team have been re-admitted to the North West Hockey League. From Saturday 9th.Oct they will play in Division 9 South.
This is promotion from last year's Division 10 North.
As everyone is aware we have had some difficulties in consistently getting the team to away games.
Paul and the team will need the support of the whole section so that we can establish the team once more in the league.
All the team captains [1st, 2nds, Badgers and Beavers] have offered to support the team
even if this means reducing the size of squads and playing people out of position.
Please be as supportive as possible. It may be necessary for people to play and umpire for the team.
Tim Morris
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Northern achieve England Hockey clubmark status.
(Sep 2004).
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We are delighted to announce that Northern has achieved England Hockey Clubs 1st accreditation status, hockey's clubmark equivalent of the kitemark quality standard. We are the first club on Merseyside and 15th in the country to achieve this status. This Sport England recognition acknowledges the excellence of our hockey development programme, and is vital to future funding via grants and links to schools.
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Sefton Sports awards for Wendy and Beth.
(Jun 2004).
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Congratulations to Northern ladies hockey players Wendy McDowall and Beth Williamson,
who both received individual awards at the Sefton Sports Award presentations at Formby Hall on 2nd.June.
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Wendy was voted Sefton's Sports Volunteer of the Year for 2004,
in recognition of her tremendous work both at Northern and within Sefton Hockey Development.
Wendy made an appearance via telephone link from Scotland, where the family were on holiday.
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As well as acknowledgements for her hockey ability,
Beth was voted Female Sports Personality for 2004 on account of her accomplishments in windsurfing.
Beth is a National Squad Team member and has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Windsurfing World Championships in Bulgaria in August.
She won the British Championships in 2003 and has many other competitions to her credit.
Thankfully Windsurfing and Hockey are situated at opposite ends of the calendar,
so hockey at Northern allows Beth to maintain her winter fitness.
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Congratutations to both, and a good night for the club,
as Northern followed last year's success by once more being voted Sefton's Sports Club of the Year for 2004.
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