Alan Forsyth wins Hockey Writers Club Player of the Year

Scotland’s Alan Forsyth, who also plays for Surbiton and Great Britain, has won the prestigious UK hockey player of the year award for 2018, following the annual poll by the Hockey Writers’ Club.

The awards were held at the Club’s annual presentation lunch at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London. It’s the second recent award Forsyth has won after being voted Scotland men’s Player of the Year at the Scottish Hockey Awards Gala 2018.

Forsyth, who joined Surbiton in July 2013, claimed the Mercian men’s player of the year to become the first Scottish player to win the award for a decade.

Alan Forsyth pictured with Women’s Player of the Year Giselle Ansley – photo by The Hockey Writers’ Club

The 26-year-old went one better than his runners-up spot at last year’s awards and was voted a standout winner after bagging goals galore for club and country.

Forsyth has been the leading scorer in the English men’s top flight for the past three years and has already notched 20 goals in the 2018/19 season for high-flying Surbiton. In his sixth season at Sugden Road, Forsyth has accrued an incredible 122 goals.

The forward, who was supported by Winning Students before his move south of the border, said he was “overwhelmed” to win the award after being voted ahead of four-time winner Barry Middleton and Liam Sanford, the England defender and 2014 Higgins Youth Award winner.

In winning the award – and becoming the first Scot to win since goalkeeper Ali McGregor in 2008 – Forsyth hailed his hockey-playing family for supporting the English-based Scot throughout his career to date.

He said: “My mum was a forward and scored plenty of goals so I must have her instinct. Both my mum, brother and girlfriend are my biggest supporters and no matter what will encourage me.

“My dad has also always been my biggest critic and always expects better but has always pushed me to be better and prove myself and help make me the player I am today. I am overwhelmed to be named player of the year.”

Ahead of a big 12 months, he added: “It has been a great year with Surbiton, Scotland and Great Britain. There are some big tournaments coming up with the Pro League (GB), A division (Scotland) and the Euro Hockey League with Surbiton and I can’t wait to get started.”

Find out more about the Scotland men’s national team HERE

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