Douglas was always smartly turned out and willing to talk enthusiastically about times present and past with us all. He held strong opinions on a range of subjects and was forthright in expressing them. He shared many of his sporting experiences through intricate stories & anecdotes, to which he added emphasis through dramatic arm movements.

Some people may have thought some of these stories were embellished a little, but if you talked to any of his contemporaries who shared the experience, you would find that Dit’s version wasn’t far away from what really happened “Dam’ me!”. In fact he had the most marvellous memory.
Douglas wore the maroon & white quarters of the club with pride. He held most offices in a long association with the club; captain in 1948/49, match secretary, vice-chairman, chairman and latterly, president.
He actually played for the club for more than 30 years alongside gifted and talented players such as Cliff Cooper, Cedric Hughes, Len James, Cyril Rosser, Ron Aldridge, Jack Bell & Lloyd Jenkins, to name but a few. He also gained representative honours for Gloucestershire.
According to Douglas it is unlikely that the great sides of the 1940s & 50s actually lost a game, – and, with the Old Grammarians contacts and reputation, they did have a very impressive fixture list. In fact when he returned from Bristol University and the RAF to teach at the Grammar School in the 1940s, he would have coached future generations of players who kept this reputation intact.
He was born in 1914, just a few days later than my father, Ron. Being the same age they played much of their sport together and shared a passion & talent for both Hockey & Cricket. Consequently I’ve known Douglas Thomas for most of my life and valued a close relationship with him. I therefore feel qualified to offer the proposition that he was a true legend of Lydney Hockey Club and we shall never see his like again.
He earned our admiration & respect. The hockey season will be empty without him. God bless you, Dit and thanks for the memories.

Hugh Aldridge
February 2012

Lydney welcomed Ross on Wye’s first team to Whitecross and after an even opening half, found themselves 1-0 down after failing to clear a muddle in the D. The second half saw Lydney pressing higher up the pitch and creating more openings from much greater possession. No chances were converted however, but this predominantly young side is improving every week. Captain Bev Halford leading the line with great commitment and style yet again.

Lydney are flying high at the top of Premiere 2 table after this weeks win against Hereford. With a hat trick for Lauren Thompson in the first half and Lydney’s defence only allowing Hereford to sneak one goal back, Lydney were looking good at half time.

Lydney has some of the most athletic and skilful forwards in the league and this was to prove too much in the end for a flagging Hereford side. Buoyed by the vocal home side, Lucy Aldridge converted a well worked short corner routine.

Hereford did make some attacking runs but these were easily dealt with by Lydney’s back four, Jane Box, Emily Aldridge, Jo Legge and keeper Karen Alexander. Lydney’s Amy Biddle smashed the fifth goal in from open play.

Hereford managed a consolation goal to bring the final score to 5 – 2.

Player of the match – Sara Sleeman

Lydney – Captain Emma Biddle, Karen Alexander, Emily Aldridge, Jane Box, Anna Stanley, Lucy Aldridge, Amy Biddle, Sara Sleeman, Chloe James, Jo Legge, Lauren Thompson, Milly Chidley

Lindsey Martin’s timing was perfect and she delivered a number of punch lines in the pre match warm up, as well as clearing 2 dangerous shots with another going high. Laura Gorf was pressed into some important challenges throughout numerous defensive short corners, but kept her composure throughout. Committment and dogged determination kept Lydney in the game, with newcomer Liz Black getting the best scoring opportunity after a series of slick passes through the middle from Annie Kirk, Megan Royle and Judith Lack. Man of the match this week was Captain Sarah Nash, who played a key role in keeping Lydney’s sheet clean.

Big respect to Bryony, Sophie and Laura who slotted seamlessly into the lineup, to make this a superb team effort and put a crucial point onto the table. ( That’s a point, Jess, not a pint, you didn’t miss anything and we actually managed just fine without you, thank you very much for asking )

Bournside School in Cheltenham deserve a special mention for the extremely roomy changing rooms with powerful, individual showers. Chips, beans and sausages were served at Bentham Country Club.
 
Lydney : L Martin, B Worth, S Mitchell ( Capt ) A Bannister, J Lack, L Gorf, A Kirk, Br Halford, M Royle, E Black, S Watkins

With Lydney at last able to field a full strength team, there was optimism, despite a recent run of defeats. Early possession from Lydney yielded no reward and Wotton were able to take the lead with a scrappy goal. This seemed to energise Lydney with Annie Kirk smashing one into the side netting, Jess Samuel reversing in a trickling but beautiful pass from Captain Lugg and new girl Liz Black getting herself on the score sheet on her first appearance for the 2s, the whole team settling her comfortably into her new position.

A particularly strong second half performance sealed the 3 points.

Lydney : L Martin, B Worth, D Legge, S Mitchell, E Black, A Kirk, M Royle, C Purvis, R Lugg ( Capt ) A Bannister, J Samuel, J Lack.

Man of the Match this week was celebrated by Jess Samuel who somehow managed to rig the count as that can be the only explanation for her convincing 5 people to vote for her.

The Badgers tried a new formation with Sam Horton leading the attack. However, although chances were created it wasn’t until late in the first half when James Saunders was able to give Lydney the lead. It didn’t last long as Wotton were able to equalise before halftime. A change of  formation for the second half saw Saunders adding a second goal to restore the lead. Harry Brett was able to add a third goal for Lydney deftly turning in a cross to beat the keeper. Wotton fought back to score a second goal and they were pressing hard to find the equaliser. However the Lydney defence held firm and secured the win when in the last minutes of the game a Chris Rothery-Jones cross was dispatched by Danny Hume. Sam Horton was voted man of the match. Next week the badgers are away against Sherborne looking to continue the winning sequence.

Lydney Ladies pulled it out of the bag on Saturday with a  truly excellent performance and a win against Redland. It was another exciting Saturday which saw a massive six goals go in for the home side. 

Lydney started the game in the manner they wished to proceed with an early penalty corner in the 1st minute. Chloe James forcing a good save from the Redlands keeper high to her left. Lydney were pressing high up the pitch and Amy Biddle made an easy interception in the centre of midfield, which she quickly played through to Lauren Thompson. A deflection from a Redland defender fell kindly for Thompson and she played a first time shot into the net past the oncoming goalkeeper.

 Lydney were enjoying long spells of possession and it was from a good high transfer from Emily Aldridge over to Emma Biddle on the right hand side that set up a tip in from Amy Biddle in front of the goal.

 Lydney’s third was from a short corner, trapped by Milly Chidley and played swiftly at goal. The resulting rebound fell for a well-placed Amy Biddle for an easy tap in.

 Redland then scored a breakaway goal, against the run of play, just before the half time whistle.

 Lydney would not be caught resting on their laurels and came out fighting in the second half and some slick inter-passing between Sara Sleeman and Thompson saw Lydney win their 5th corner of the game.

 Next came a goal from Lucy Aldridge with another well worked move played by Anna Stanley and deflected by Aldridge. 

 Redland continued to struggle to contain the Lydney passing and stretch on the game and another high transfer around the top of the Redland circle led to Lydney’s 6th penalty corner. This was struck well by Amy Biddle and initially saved by the Redland keeper but she could only parry it straight to Emma Biddle who dispatched it into the goal to make it 5-1.

 Lydney were relentless in their pressure of outlets and yet another turnover was quickly countered and a tricky bouncing backhand shot by Amy Biddle wasn’t dealt with by the Redland defence and it was slotted home by a waiting Thompson which took the score line to 6-1.

 Redland did try penetrate the Lydney defence but these attacks were easily dealt with and any shots on goal were kicked away by Lydney’s keeper, Karen Alexander.

 All in all a very professional performance from the Lydney ladies who capitalised on the space available in the midfield and counter attack opportunities set up by high pressing of the Redland backline. Lydney stay top of the division.  

 Player of the match – Amy Biddle

This was the badgers’ second win of the year. An emphatic display, although they were slow to start, allowing Gloucester to take the lead in the first five minutes. This did not last long as Dominic Musgrove was on hand to turn in a cross from the right to level the scores. Within minutes he was on hand to repeat the strike to give Lydney the lead. Joe Fuller added the third with a shot hitting the back of the net giving the keeper no chance. Musgrove then completed his hat trick, before adding another to increase his tally to four. Just before half time Danny Hume had his customary strike from the edge of the D to give Lydney a 6-1 halftime lead. The second half continued with Lydney pressure which saw James Saunders add two further goals. A Henry Kirk strike followed before Saunders unselfishly set up Lee Morgan for his first goal for Lydney and their final goal of the game. The central defender Jack Turley marshalled the Lydney defence superbly and the once he was beaten David Reid pulled off an amazing save to deny the Gloucester attack. Marcus Hutchinson and Sam Horton linked well on the right  as did Kirk and Hume on the left providing plenty of crosses for the forwards to work off. The midfield was controlled by Alex Hetenyi and Reuben Elliot assisted by Mitch Brett in his debut game for the badgers. Credit to Gloucester who kept trying despite conceding goals. Alex Hetenyi was voted man of the match. The badgers captain Chris Rothery- Jones was unable to play having damaged his thumb the previous week provided support from the sidelines. Next Saturday the badgers entertain Wotton under Edge looking to avenge their early season defeat.

It turns out that the radio was playing a good omen on the way to the game for the Ladies 3s on Saturday. The 3s started the first game of the new year upbeat, looking for their first win of the season. With nothing to lose, they pressed early and put some nice moves together with Sophie Watkins and Di Wunda-Webb linking up beautifully to put Lydney into the lead. Service were quick off the mark to return and were able to equalise before half time.
 
During the second half Lydney tightened up their marking and were untroubled defensively for the most part and able to push on for a winner. Eventually, Captain Bev Halford put her team in front from a sweetly struck free hit at the top of the D. Di Wunda-Webb and K Macaskill shared Man of the Match honours this week.

Lydney : A Durham, B Worth, K Haile, C Hutchinson, C Hudsonmason, D Wunda-Webb, Br Halford, S Watkins, Be Halford ( Capt ) A Kyte-Vaughn, E Richards, K Macaskill.

Gracious in defeat, the Civil Service Ladies were keen to let us know that the teas provided by the Cross this week were the best they had ever had. The vegetarian cottage pie was the stuff of legend.

This week I am offering a selection of chocolate to the first person who sings the first line to the tune of this blog post to me between now and Saturday. It can be in person or on the phone, I just want to know if anyone reads this nonsense.

And while I’m on the subject, would you PLEASE start commenting or rating or ANYTHING … please…. ( first rating also gets chocolate )