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ROB WILLIAMS
Age: 18
Position: Defender
Rob holds the distinction of being the only player in the first team to have grown in height every season since making his debut, at Robinsons, back in 2006-07. An accomplished left back, Rob has won the club's Young Player of the Year award in each of the last 4 years and continues to impress in defense....but not so much in attack, reaching his peak in the final game of 2009-2010 by missing a penalty flick.
Update: The 2010-2011 season was somewhat of a breakout season for defender Robert, who helped himself to 3 goals and 4 assists.
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SIMON HEBSON Age : 23 Position : Somewhere in National League Simon has shown his loyalty to Penarth by returning home from the high echelons of the hockey leagues. His excellent work ethic, lightening pace and snappy reverse strikes have gained him the respect of the club. Off the hockey pitch you will often find Simon frequenting the under 18 discos (enough said). Penarth welcome Simon back with open arms and we all look forward to witnessing some of the top corner efforts we've been told about so frequently.
Now the treasurer of the club, don't be surprised if he eats into the PHC fund to enjoy a post-game drink at The Star on a Saturday.
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DR RICHARD CLARKSON PhD
Age: Ageless Position: Midfield
Arguably the cleverest member of the hockey club, Richard Clarkson demonstrates an unrivalled intelligence both on and off the astro turf. Away from hockey, 'Click' spends his time lecturing for the Cardiff University School of Biosciences as well as undertaking extensive research in the field of animal tissue development. On the pitch, he is an important cog in the Penarth wheel, positioned in the heart of midfield. Following a frustrating season marred with injury, 'Click' hopes to maintain fitness and help Penarth to a second successive promotion in 2010/2011. _______________________________________________________________
SAM DOCHERTY
Age: Old enough to successfully pull off the Flat Cap look
Position: Centre-back/Sin Bin Sam has risen through the ranks of Penarth Hockey Club, most notably by casting off the shackles of 2nd XI Captaincy in order to take up a regular 1st XI spot in defense. Famed for his fast feet, lightening hands and impressively bouncy hips he can often be found tied to the drawing board creating ever more imaginative Penalty Corner routines. Always available for an arm around the shoulder of certain players, a word in the ear of others he is mature beyond his years. Sam's gentle temperament belies the fiery will to win, an absolute character trait that is present in every member of his (in)famous family. Sam's only failing is that he is not as good as his girlfriend, but who is..? _______________________________________________________________
MARK ROBINSON
Age: Old enough to have played a lot of Hockey on Grass! Position: Centre Half and Babysitter Mark is one of the the most experienced players within the first team and played a very important role in last years Championship winning season. Playing at the heart of the defence he keeps a cool head when under pressure and his clinical tackling often halts oposition forwards in their tracks. Mark is a member of the illustrous PHC Hall of Fame along with many of the current first team squad who have represented Wales. Mark has also played National League hockey for Harborne. One of the most enthusiastic members of the squad Mark was put incharge of transport for last seasons away fixture at Pembroke County which will go down in club folk law. _______________________________________________________________
PHIL 'THE POWER' LANE
Age: Not as young as he thinks. Position: General Malaise, somewhere up front? Four words that have presented fear into many a defence around South Wales and the West… Phil 'The Power' Lane. Phil’s often languid style of play often confuses his opponents and generally presents him with a cornucopia of chances. He also has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time. Such a shame that rule in hockey doesn’t adapt itself to beers in the club house. The Power had a period of rehabilitation a few seasons ago after an operation which would have seen a lesser man grasp for their Zimmer. However, he has risen to provide PHC with stellar performances, almost like a phoenix from the carbon fibre/Kevlar ashes. I fondly reminisce about a game at Cyncoed against one set of students or another. Phil picked up the ball on the halfway line and must have beaten at least twenty six of the young bucks before thrashing the ball (reverse stick I may add) into the rigging of the goal. Poetry in motion! Often seen at training wearing some random university hockey shirt, his commitment to the club is beyond question. Never one to horse about, Phil is a staunch member of the PHC squad and a definitive all round likeable chap. Viva the Power! _______________________________________________________________
CHRIS BAKER
Age: Young
Position: Centre forward
Chris is a silky smooth hockey player and an ever present goal threat, becoming known throughout the hockey leagues as 'the young centre forward', despite actually playing right midfield. He is easily distinguished on the pitch with his cries of “its easy give me the ball” and “just take the ball off them”. His effortless skills have frequently provoked jeers of "he's a one trick pony" which, just like magic, is often followed by the oppositions tackles seemingly vanishing as he embarrasses them all with his one trick. Chris' early Penarth 1st XI career was dealt a blow by a nasty knee injury on the jinxed pitch of Old Bristolians requiring him to go under the knife. After a lengthy spell on the side lines and rehab, he battled back, improving year after year and becoming a devastating player. This culminated in Penarth's promotion year (2009-2010) where he arguably enjoyed his best season to date scoring an astonishing 27 goals in 25 games, surely some kind of record for a midfielder, and picking up player of the season along the way, much to the groans of Tom Haran. This season Chris has taken on the role of vice captain and is surely becoming an ideal future candidate to captain the mighty bears when his brother Rich calls time on his captaincy.
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MARK "JONTY" THOMAS
Age: 30 going on 16 Position: Left midfield Jonty has been playing for the club for the best part of 15 years starting his career under the management of Dop Pedwell and the late Ken Williams in the Under 15s. At the tender age of 15 he started playing senior hockey, breaking into the 1st team aged 16. Jonty Started his hockey career playing the "Eric Young" role at the heart of defence. The gym then took its toll on him, making captains realise that he could run forever. Thus being promoted to the "Keiron Dyer" role in Left Midfield where he is the bane of every right midfielders life, making him a huge cog in the Penarh Hockey Club machine. A firey player to say the least, he is often known for his arguing/shouting at himself, umpires, the opposition, spectators, a man minding his own business walking his dog....the list contiunues. In the Summer of 2009, Jonty took over as club coach from the departed Laith El-Kathib of which he has done a sterling job helping maintain a structure that allows the club to run to its full potential. It is safe to say that without him the club would not be as successful as they have last season rolling onto this season. Off the field, Jonty can be found enjoying a few sociable beers at the Athletic Club with his team mates and doing the windmill in the showers after a well deserved win!! _______________________________________________________________
RHYS ELWYN EVANS Jr
Age: Will never say she is too young
Position: Centre forward The current holder of the 'Golden Stick' for Penarth, Rhys has continued his form ensuring he is an ever present figure on the score sheet. With a devastating drag flick and some trademark disparaging comments, Evans demoralises defences all over Wales and the West. Somewhat of a trident on the pitch, off the pitch his modesty and distinctive character inspires the younger members of the squad such as little Rob Williams. The progressing form of Rhys has sparked up dressing room chat about the possibility of him reaching the colossal four figure tally of Penarth HC career goals recorded by Dave Watkins.
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DAVE STEVENS
Age: Old head, young body
Position: Right back “Cheeky” Dave puts the Club into Club Hockey. Groomed from an early age by the Stevens dynasty, he has worked tirelessly behind the scenes as a club committee member for the betterment of Penarth Hockey. On the pitch he owns the right touchline, providing security at the back and blistering pace on the overlap. Making the game, and his opponents, look simple he has contributed umpteen assists over the past three seasons, a fact rarely credited but oft mentioned at training. A previous first team captain, his contributions at half time are frequent, heart-felt and motivational. Viva Penarth Hockey Club viva Dave Stevens. _______________________________________________________________
TOM HARAN
Age: 23 Position: Somewhere in Germany Known as ‘Zippy’ to the rest of the team, Tom is a great attribute to Penarth HC, as being one of few players who can manage to run for a whole game (apart from the time on the side for receiving a yellow for his ferocious reverse stick tackle). Tom has had limited participation for Penarth thus far due to a dodgy foot, and moving to Germany will not improve his chances of playing for Penarth for the remainder of the season. So we say ‘auf wiedersehen’ to Tom, as we hope he will return in the future, with other ex-players of Penarth. Update: Tom returned for the 2nd half of the successful 2010-2011 campaign, ensuring Penarth would go undefeated after the Christmas break. Becoming a student once again, Tom now enjoys the reduced match fees, and is looking forward to what could be another successful year. He starts as one of the bookmaker's front-runners in the prestigous 'Player of the Year' race for 2011-2012.
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DAVID TIPPING Age: 22 Position: C The most famous member of PHC after his prominent role in the hit US sitcom 'Two and a Half Men'. Jake has rejoined his old team mates and his feet have remained firmly on the ground. After a brief appearance for a side that will remain nameless, David (Jake) realised that his style of hockey belongs firmly in North Division 1. Being the proud owner of the imaginary trophy for the best goal in living memory, Jake has brought to the team an inspirational work ethic along with his style of hockey that he has learned from the older members of the team. David also has a strong interest in bangers and pyrotechnics, and is worth contacting if you ever require a firework demonstration. His rates are, like his on-field mentality, competitive. Dave/Jake/Bangers/Tipping - Call him what you want as he scored the best goal in living memory.
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PHIL LANGHAM Age: He was good when he was younger Position: Attack Bringing the Cardiff 5 back up to full force is the newest addition to Penarth Hockey Club. Phil was well known during his youth days for having the most potential of anyone in his age group. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Phil could not reach this full potential. Now that Stella Artois and Golden Virginia have stopped their testing on him, he has the spare time to devote to his new and improved team mates. Genetically identical to Dave Stevens and Pikey, the opposition see a maze of mirrors rather than a hockey team on Saturday afternoons. Phil also holds the title of the only player to have only been tackled and dumped on his arse by a girl. This is an incident which no one ever reminds him of. We all look forward to the post-game refreshments when Phil is around as the rule of '2 pints before I can eat' often brings his Olympic attitude to the forefront.
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MARK HARRIS Age: 32 Position: GK The most experienced member of the 1st XI is the goal keeper. There are many a tale to tell about the enigma that is Mark Harris, perhaps the least well known is that once-upon-a-time on hockey tour in Holland, not only did he manage to find his way out of his pads and into the opposition D, but upon completion of the tournament he was the top goal scorer! Mark has played his hockey at all levels (International, European, National League, and even South Wales Division 3). With all of this experience, you would have thought he would be used to playing on the highest quality pitches. Unfortunately, there is a phenomenon known locally as 'The Harris Factor'. This can either cause lightning fast reactions and excellent performances or falling over your own feet while flailing at the ball as the 5th goal in quick succession bobbles over your stick. Mark would easily slot in to the line up of the other premier clubs in Wales and it is always a big reassurance to see the pink smock in the Penarth goal. |
PHC Kit2011-2012 KIT
Kit yourself out for the new season.
The club, in association with Akuma Sports have launched their new kit for the 2011-12 season.
Playing kit and a range of leisurewear is available. Please contact Richard Baker for items, prices and more information. 33days since |
Player Profiles |
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