Andover Diamonds

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Home Intro to AHC Our Sponsors Fixtures & Results Availability & Stats Player Profiles Directions/Maps Events Gallery Wessex Masters League Links Contact us		Alan May Position: Defender Alan is the quiet super hero of the Diamonds team. Just as the enemy beliee they have breached the last lines of defence, Alan steps in with a decisive tackle and saves the day. For all those teams who come to Andover with victory in their minds, we have a warning: underestimate Mr May at your peril!

		Alec Sandilands Position: Defence Large clumsy oaf who will sometimes interupt his reading to lumber about on the pitch, or, if Barry the Cat is unavailable, flounce around between the posts. Ideal position striker, at least then I have a chance of keeping up with JPC! I have been playing with the club on and off for the past 21 years (2009). A life long West Ham fan who is pleased to see that the Diamonds play their Hockey in a similar way.

		Guy Panaszczyk Position: Defender Guy's body is, in his own words, a temple. His exemplary level of fitness allows him to concentrate on protecting his goalkeeper from the onslaught of the enemy. Like Hadrian's wall, he stands firm against the savages who dare to maraud the defences of the Diamonds. Guy is proud to have been a prominent member of AHC throughout its history, and is well respected by all. His favourite football team is West Ham, who, he tells us, won the World Cup in 1966, much as Barcelone won it in 2010.

		John Buckley Position: UBIQUE (Less Keeper) Is a founder member of the 'Eddie Stobart' Fan Club and one of several military personnel past and present representing the team. Stepping down from Captaincy this year he hopes to channel his focus, drive and all round charm onto the rest of the team. Having achieved Top goal scorer, Player of the Year and not receiving one disciplinary card (miracle) his objectives are high. As a team we have our Ups and Downs, we have our fair share of tantrums and always have a few knocks and scrapes, but a warning to all teams this year - Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense (read up if you don't know, alternatively ask our resident guru Alec). Or in Johns words "Wreak Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War".

		John Priestley-Cooper Position: Forward Widely known as JPC, John enjoys his Saturday afternoons playing hockey with his favourite "comedy experience," Barry, and puzzling over what makes Neil tick. Otherwise, he relaxes in his hobby of oil-painting. Although JPC professes to being a United Supporter, he admits to having been to Tannadice only once in his life. How can that be?!

		Lance Mitchell Position: Midfielder Lance came to Andover Hockey Club from Newbury in the year 2000. Lance's best position is wing half and he averages one goal every three seasons. That means that he is due another one in 2012, just in time to draw the eyes of the Bristish Olympic selectors. His role model is Guy Panaszczyk, a man who reached his peak about 20 years ago, and managed to stay there. Just like Seasick Steve, Lance started out with nothin', and he ain't got a lot of it left!

		Lou Walker Position: Defender (and anywhere else he's asked to play) Lou is the oldest playing member of the club having joined their only team in 1970. He has played in all the clubs teams, captaining many, and has been club chairman, junior section chairman and is currently club president, kit manager and archivist. He formed the clubs junior section in 1985 and still remains a keen and active member of it. Voted Club Member of the Year for 13 years in succession, he was made an honorary life member in 2000, after 30 years of service. Lou has been with the Vets XI since 1995, and is a strong supporter of, and player in, The Diamonds. Unfortunately its suggested that he lacks a sense of humour!

		Mike Nutley Position: Midfielder Mike is a newcomer to hockey. Why would anybody in their right mind want to start playing hockey at the age of fourty-three?! Willing to play anywhere within the boundary lines of the pitch, Mike usually finds himself somwhere near the middle. Runs arounds a lot and generally gets in the way, but is great for the Diamonds as he is more of a nuisance to the opposition than to his team-mates. Mike enjoys every minute of play and is learning fast. He has discovered that the social side of hockey with Andover Diamonds is great too.

		Neil McLaren Position: Defender Neil has been with the club since 1975 and has played for all the male teams and the mixed. He is a Manchester City supporter and lists his favourinte pastime as drinking. If he could be any animal for the day, he'd be an elephant because "they drink a lot!" Given the chance to be invisible, he would seize the opprtunity to sneak into the ladies' showers. However his teammates would say that he couldn't remain undetected for long as his ability to produce the loudest and smelliest farts ever to be heard or smelt in any showers would soon reveal his presence and identity!

		Peter Lawrence Position: Midfielder / Forward Peter is enjoys his hockey in the winter months and likes to play cricket in the summer. He declare's his earliest memory to be, "Shit, I'm flying!" This is because he firmly believes that he was delivered by a stork. In the shower, he can be heard to sing The Drugs Don'r Work by Verve. It's a shame, because they seemed to work quite well soon after he was born! His favourite comedian is Stephen Fry and his chosen epitaph would be, "Veni Vide Vice." Hmmmm! Perhaps the drugs DO work after all, Peter!

		Richard Hulmes Position: Midfielder Richard has been playing hockey in the Army and Civilian clubs for over 50 years and after a layoff of some years joined Andover HC 5 years ago to coach the U14s and subsequently played in the 3rds but has decided that the Diamonds is now the team to play out his hockey shoes. He always believed that his speed was part of his hockey skill but now accepts that cunning, guile and just getting in the way is now part of the game plan!

		Sam Spratt Position: Midfielder Sam joined two seasons after much (2 years) badgering by Lou Walker, taking up the stick after 15 years of indolence and Saturday afternoons in front of the box. He remembered which end of the stick to hold but couldn't remember his body hurting that much after a match. He also set a personal record for the earliest in a season that he has ended up in hospital being sewn back together, until this season when he managed to end up there 2 months before the official start of the season! Very proud that one of his sons and two of his grandsons have now played for the club.