Celebratory match including past and future stars of Western Wildcats

On Saturday 31st May Alistair Trainor and Niall Sturrock celebrate 40 years as members of Western Wildcats Hockey Club with a star-studded invitation game at Auchenhowie.

More than fifty players ranging from teenagers to septuagenarians are expected to play in a match that will feature twenty seven internationalists and serve as something of a Who’s Who of Western’s last half-century. The game will last four 20 minute quarters with Ally and Niall as team captains.

The event is sponsored and supported by Friends of Western and all those involved will be able to meet and greet old friends while having the opportunity of making some new ones. Hospitality is being provided for the players and it is envisaged that this will be an all-day affair, segueing nicely into the club awards dinner held at the club that evening

Niall and Ally are excited at the prospect of such an enjoyable event to commemorate their joint milestone.

“What I think this really demonstrates is how hockey embraces all ages and abilities and finds a place for everyone, be they internationalists in their prime, promising youngsters or just club players of any age and level who love the sport,” said Niall.

“In fact, there are several family connections in both teams which sums up the positive nature of our game and of Western as a club. We’ve got Tony Duncan who played for Scotland in the mid-sixties at one end of the scale and Lewis Murray, Kyle Bannerman, Andrew McConnell and Euan Anderson who are some of our most exciting youth prospects at the other and every point in between.”

Ally is delighted at the effort so many are making to be involved. “A number of those playing are current club members but what is really pleasing is that so many have come out of retirement and are often travelling significant distances to take part. The likes of Roddy Philp and Graham Joyce are coming from England and Jonny McMeekin is making the trip from Northern Ireland. We also have a host of individuals who have represented Scotland at various levels over the years which makes the whole thing feel very special for us.”

The game begins at 2pm on Saturday the 31st of May at Auchenhowie and all supporters will be made very welcome.

For further information please contact Niall Sturrock ([email protected]).

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