With the January transfer window slamming shut last week, there were a few goalkeeper transfers in the national league, but nothing sensational. I.e. like George Pinner the current England and GB first choice goalkeeper moving to a lower division club like say I don’t know Teddington?! Just as Maddie Hinch did in her September registration with Holcombe from Prem side Leicester, although this seemed more money driven and life/work balance orientated, but still quite groundbreaking for English hockey. But nonetheless, they could be quite significant in short term club success as first teams reinforce their goalkeeping options and go one better in upgrading their services ‘at the back’. All of said transfers will directly affect the West conference, with no other teams making any changes in their back line and rear guard, so these team switches could really see some real difference makers being introduced or reintroduced to this division of the national league and elite level hockey in England.
Tommy Alexander back to Indian Gymkhana
Just before deadline day, Tommy made the switch back to Middlesex side Indian Gymkhana. Currently sitting atop the Western conference division of the national league, they look like they could finally manage to break through into the Premier league for the first time ever. Playing some artful and disciplined hockey, Indian Gym have been able to get to this position a couple of times over the past few years, but going the distance in winning the league and then getting through the promotion playoffs, has been a target tougher than expected. But this move means they have a young goalkeeper with long term upside that also comes with experience, and more importantly the battling mindset/mental strength to go places.
An ex-Scotland U21’s who could push for competition in the national team eventually; it gives him another chance to assert himself where there is more opportunity to be had. Just like Phil Carr has at Oxted and Jamie Cachia at Sheffield Hallam as they both push for Scottish selection. Consigned to playing cup games for the 1st XI and in waiting having led HWHC 2’s to top of the London Higgins League Prem division and ‘chomping at the bit’ to get going, will definitely seize his chance and run with it.
Tommy joined ‘the Gym’ last season at the indoor winter break, moving down the road from Surbiton to look for playing opportunities as opportunities were going to be limited going forward, just as when he was at Reading behind Nick Brothers. With David Kettle clearly establishing himself as first choice for the Surrey club and pushing on for international honours with Wales and playing in the Euro Hockey League, meaning Tommy only really saw 1st team action with the indoor team. He went into the first team straight away at IG, with Bahia then at the time being back-up, before himself moving to Richmond this season, leaving the club a little short on goalie depth.
Looking at it at another angle, HWHC seem to have lost the level of ambitiousness that saw them achieve promotion and then bring in Todd Williams (who is now at Surbiton working wonders), content with staying where they are and focusing on not worrying about relegation. And with Ian Scanlon still considered the “go to guy”, even though his play seems to wobble and lose consistency, ever since having a breakout season that saw him take over from Matt Simkins and get called up to the England U21’s for the Australia Youth Olympics and then Junior World Cup. Tommy seemed to move for ambitious reasons hoping to push on as a Prem starter and fight for his place, but despite his hard working efforts, ‘Scanners’ seems to be the ‘franchise goalie’ for the North London side for now.
An incredibly blurry action photo of Tommy in cup action for HWHC against Fareham!
Lee Ible to Cardiff & Met
As far as I know (which isn’t much admittedly!), after leaving Brooklands MU to focus on getting his coaching badges and coaching experience as a player/coach, Lee went to Olton and helped them progress . Going by his recent re-registration to the English national league, he was lately at Liverpool hockey club, but either way, he has experience of playing in the Premier league as well as being turned to, to play for Wales as first choice internationally. After Brooklands demotion to the conference and Chris Scott taking over in goal after some strong performances and nipping at Ible’s heels, Lee moved on in search of pastures new. And it looks like Cardiff might just be his ticket back to the golden land of Premier league hockey.
Having joined the Welsh side who are looking to repeat the success of last season, but go one step further after their financial winnings and good enough success going up against Sheffield and Southgate comfortably, have shown they mean business. But the depth of experience and maturity will add greater depth and consistency behind Cardiff’s backline. Falling off the pack recently, they are going to face tough competition in Bath and Indian Gym. And in this vein, Ible offers the team a different element on and off the pitch (i.e. dressing room positivity and so on). Dudley doesn’t have the same level of athleticism or experience as Ible, although his own coaching abilities have seen him involved with assisting in the development of England’s next generation of goalkeepers. Playing ability though is the difference here and Cardiff obviously trust Ible to “come up with the goods” and help them push on in their long term ambitions.
You can see him in play here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7mJqLGZLjI
Ible in action for Brooklands against East Grinstead in the Prem 2009/10 season.
Ben Dudley to Cheltenham
Cheltenham have had wily veteran Giles Rooke playing for them, a consistent member of the first team for a long time for them, so this one was a bit more interesting as it sort of came out of the blue. Obviously with Ible moving in to replace Dudley, Dudley was going to be looking for a new team to play for, with no interest in giving up his hopes of playing successes, having just played in the Euro Hockey League after assisting in Cardiff’s promotion to the tournament division. And Cheltenham is a bit of step down; geographically as well as in the league. Job change, relocation and so on would cause problems at this time of year, so a closer side made more sense than say going North or East to look for playing opportunities in the national league.
I’ve no idea if he has gone straight into the team, as no point of reference via match reports for now, but it leaves the Gloucestershire side in a bit of a conundrum. Normally they would have no reason to drop their season’s choice in goal unless he was playing terribly, so without a chance to do so fairly, where does this leave Dudley? Both goalkeepers , and the upside for Dudley is his age; whereas Rooke is almost the ‘wrong side of 30’, Dudley is yet to reach the goalkeeper’s peak of 30 and see his best years, which can give Cheltenham more over the long term. Dudley looks ok behind a strong team, but there are some key faults in his stance and style that would see him struggle at the Prem (as the playoff promotion attempt with Cardiff saw), which need working on, just as Rooke does. And with Cheltenham staring at the barrel of relegation again, they need some miraculous performances to make the difference.
Rooke; Dudley’s new competition for 1st team hockey.
Best ‘deal’?
I think the best transfer goalkeeper wise that the national league saw this past month was Tommy’s return to Indian Gym. Young, hard working and ambitious, he could ironically see himself as a Premier league starter by next season if all goes to plan, even though he moved to HWHC with that in mind. With Cardiff slipping down the pack and needing ‘something more’ out of their goalkeeper, Ible gives them a bit of an upgrade in a goalie with age, experience and desire to get back to the top, to help with his international ambitions with Wales. Even if Cheltenham shore up their goalkeeping situation and replace Rooke with a younger model (i.e. with the advantage of time to work on technique before age means bad habits die hard, and with quicker agility and reflexes), they need to upgrade in other areas of their squad before they establish a long term goal of promotion instead of constantly battling relegation. Dudley will help ease the pressure and be an investment should he wish to stay at the club, but for now, Cheltenham can turn to either of their goalkeeping choices to ‘get the job done’.
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