Hockey Club bids farewell to husband-and-wife stalwarts

In May 1988, Dave was transferred to Michelin’s Ballymena plant for what was to be a 12 to 18 month spell.

Both he and Liz had been involved in hockey at Stone Hockey Club, south of Stoke on Trent and so were keen to continue their love for the sport in the province.

Liz joined Mid Antrim Ladies where she soon became one of the main stalwarts, taking on virtually every job on the committee at some stage.

Liz was also a member of the committee that brokered the amalgamation of Mid-Antrim Ladies and Seven Towers Ladies into what is now Ballymena Hockey Club.

Continuing with the same fervour, Liz organised the umpires for the matches, often covering several matches herself in the same afternoon and not necessarily in the same location.

She still managed to find time to play hockey and was part of the recently regrouped veteran team. It was only fitting that Liz became Club President, representing the Club on many levels through local and Ulster hockey as well as in the community.

Dave also played hockey, first for Ballymena Mens and then when it folded, for Antrim. Knee injury ended his playing career, at which point he began to umpire Liz’s ladies’ matches. Since then Dave has climbed the ladder to become one of Ulster’s prominent umpires, covering matches involving the top teams in Ulster and Ireland.

Dave also became the anchor of the Club in recent years when he took over as Chairperson, spending much time and effort shaping the Club to run efficiently and successfully.

Liz and Dave have dedicated a big part of their lives to hockey in Ballymena and will be sorely missed.

They were two people who could always be counted on; their commitment and reliability are an example to all. Hopefully they will find a new hockey club when they set up home in Stoke but will always be welcomed back anytime to Ballymena.

Incoming Chairperson, Trevor Topping, expressed the feelings of the whole club, when he said: “Dave and Liz have left a huge whole in the club and they will be hard acts to follow.

“We cannot thank them enough and wish them every success for the future.”