Gordonians centenary celebrations

Over the weekend of 02-04 September, Gordonians Hockey Club
celebrated the first 100 years of its Men’s Section and the first
10 years of Merlins Gordonians Ladies.

In addition to producing a constant flow of talented hockey
players at international and club level since the 1970’s,
Gordonians H.C. has been the focal point of lifelong friendships
which were rekindled over the weekend due to many former members
returning to the club. Many of them had travelled great distances
to join in the celebrations from Australia, U.S.A., Canada, South
Africa, Tanzania, The Netherlands, Ireland and England. An amazing
8 decades of the club were represented at the club’s centenary
dinner, including Peter Jackson who first played for the club in
1949. Players taking part over the weekend ranged in age from 15 to
67.

The weekend programme included a centenary dinner attended by
152 current & former players, a Youth Camp, and 10 matches at
Countesswells involving the club’s Veterans, their Under 18 boys,
AAM Merlins Gordonians Ladies, AAM Gordonians Men, Aberdeen Grammar
FPs Men (the club’s first opponents in 1911), and a Gordonian
Internationals squad (pictured). That squad included internationals
Paddy Conlon, Russell Benzies, Colin Hector, Richard Freeland, Andy
Milne, Paul Doney, Calum Wood, Ali McGregor, and Douglas Anderson
who together have 488 full caps.  Tracey Menzies and Leigh
Fawcett playing for AAM Merlins Gordonians provided a further 204
caps and Craig Harper in the AAM Men’s side with 43 caps took the
total number of full international caps on the pitch over the
weekend to a remarkable 735!  

GHC Centenary Internationals

Club President, Charlie Benzies, congratulated the club’s
Centenary Committee on their organisation of the weekend’s
celebrations and gave this message in the club’s 144 page Centenary
publication:

“The success of any club can be measured by its achievements
over time and we are rightly proud of the many district, regional,
and national competitions we have won at all levels. It is
remarkable that Gordonians have won 23 Scottish Cups, 41 League
Championships, represented Scotland in Europe five times, and built
up our youth section to 120 members most of whom will play their
part in our future.  Special thanks are given to one of the
club’s Vice Presidents, Martin Gilbert, and his company Aberdeen
Asset Management for their generous sponsorship since 1997 which
has helped immensely in the development of the club. The costs
involved in running a provincial club at National level are
considerable, so AAM’s support is invaluable as Gordonians strive
to return to the forefront of Scottish hockey in the years ahead.
“

Gordonian Internationals squad photo:
Back Row: Craig Farquharson (manager), Simon Balchin, Doug
Anderson, Ali McGregor, Maarten van Wijk, Colin Hector, Graeme
Wylie, Russell Benzies.
Middle Row: Andy Milne, Paul Doney, Kenny Lawrie.
Front Row: Jimmy Wright, Paddy Conlon (captain), Colin Maciver,
Richard Freeland, Stef Jachnik, Cameron Mowat, Steven van Wijk.

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