AGM held ,,, and apathy rules

The AGM of the club took place at a packed Thames Ditton (!) where a number of issues were resolved and an even greater number deferred until the new committee's first meeting.

The good news was that after the disastrous losses sustained in the 1998-99 season, this time round the club managed a small surplus. This was attributable to a mild winter, with no matches cancelled, and tighter financial controls.

It was agreed that more had to be done next season to ensure that there was interchange between the sides; it was clear that we have fallen down on this of late and that in several instances players who have been dropped (usually through too many 'regulars' being available) have not been fielded by the next side down.

What they get up to in the summer with no hockey to play No.1 : Robin Leggett
The matter of umpires caused some consternation, with fewer individuals prepared to commit to officiating. There appears to be no real answer to this, although the 'you umpire my game and I'll umpire yours' approach may work for the lower sides.

The officials were elected largely unchanged (click here for full list). Simon Marshall stood down as Hon Secretary after several years of loyal service and was replaced by a genuine hockey player, Dodie Khurshid. Also, in a coup Nigel Fearnley stage-managed a political manouvre which would have done New Labour proud to oust Hamish Gowen as 4th XI vice-captain.

# The threat of expulsion from the league hanging over the 2nd XI has been lifted with the news that the punishment, which was levied as a result of our failure to pay a fine, has been deferred for 12 months.

# Congratulations to Danny Prior who successfully completed the London Marathon in a respectable time and raised over £3,000 into the bargain. Those of us who have played on the same pitch as Danny find it astounding that he ever broke into a trot, but well done anyway. The whereabouts of the other entrant, Tim 'this really is the last time' Nelligan, is unknown.a penalty-flick in the first-half. We await the league enquiry!