exhibition game

NYCFHCnew york city field hockey clubFirst Social November 9, 2008Down the Hatch November 16, 2008Christmas Party Dember 13, 2008 End of Season DInner Jne 19, 2009 DTH October 15, 2009 Hallloween 2009 October 31, 2009 My Club's 30th Birthday November 15, 3-Legged pub crawl March 5, 2010End of Season Dinner June 11, 2010USA x England World Cup June 12, 2010Elvira's Birthday June 20, 2010 Kelly's Leaving Drinks July 2, 2010 Kelly in Exile

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Meet the PLAYERS

Founded in September 2008 by Danny Haydon with the vision that the Men's league had become lop-sided and in the spirit of competition, NYCFHC was born from the merger of a number of players from Greenwich FHC Mens 1st & 3rd teams - taking the place of the GFHC III in the league.

Along with founding members Simon Gittins, Tom Sheridan, Steven Van der Voort, Rob Parker, Todd Portsmore & Dave Jannuzzi, and with grateful thanks to GFHC & the NEFHA league (Graham Rowbottom & Karl Sprules) for facilitating and allowing this new venture to occur.

NYCFHC is now fully established with both Men's and Women's teams in the league. Both having made playoffs in the 2009/2010 season!

New York's newest and brightest Field Hockey Club plays in the NEFHA men's and women's league in New York City.

A range of abilities from current and former Internationals to beginners - the underlying theme of the club is fun, and the club is well known for its emphasis on the social side!

Club Subscription fees: $150 for season

Match fees: $10 (members and non members)

Games are played at Columbia University's Baker Fields located at:

333 W 218th St. New York

> The Men's Team

> The Women's Team

PHOTOS

CLUB photo Albums

2009 Albums

> MyClub's 30th Birthday November 15

> NYCFHC v NY IslandersNovember 15

> Hallloween 2009October 31

>DTHOctober 15

> NYCFHC Ladies October 15

>End of Season DinnerJune19

> Chicago CupJune 13

> NYCFHC v Greenwich IIMay 31

> NYCFHC v Greenwich I May 10

> NYCFHC Columbia (exhibition game) April 26

>Drew University & Impact FHC

> New KitMarch 2

> Big Apple Indoor TournamentFebruary 22

2011 Albums

Kelly In Exile

2010 Albums

> Kelly's Leaving Drinks July 2

>Elvira's BirthdayJune 19

> What We Do Best June 20

> Men's Play-off Semi v Greenwich 1 June 20

> Ladies Playoff v Greenwich 1 June 20

> USA v England World CupJune 12

> End of Season Dinner June 11

> Miami Cup 2010 April 16th -19th

>3-legged Pub CrawlMarch 5

2008 Albums

> Christmas PartyDecember 13

> Down The HatchNovember 28

> 1st Game as NYCFHCNovember 9

> Ist SocialNovember 9

> Logo September 1

PLAYERS

The Men's Team

The Women's Team

> TEAM awards

> TEAM rules

> Men's Player Profiles

> Women's Player Profiles

REPORTS

> NYCFHC standings

> men's MATCH reports

> women's MATCH reports

SOCIALCORNER

Groomer's SOCIAL corner

Social Corner - March 27, 2011Apologies for the hiatus, its been a while since Ive bought pen to paper (or nimble finger to supple keys). No doubt you have been as frustrated as I with the sub-standard reporting on the social events at the greatest club since the Liverpool sides of the late 1970s. Sound the trumpets, fatten the calves, hide your wives, hide your pets, hide your brothers and your sisters, because like the prodigal son returning to his Father, Groomer is back, reporting all facts (true and untrue) about NYCFHCs Sunday afternoon sessions at the clubhouse. However before we get on to the festivities, it should be noted that there were a couple of games played during the day, and I would be remiss should I not highlight a few of the more notable performances that may (or may not) escape the actual match report. I must first give a special mention to Relentless. For it seems having his girlfriend in attendance is no longer enough for the head strong, aggressive little ranga. To quote one of my favorite singers (and quite possibly the greatest modern day female voice of our time!), Hes got a big ego. One that has such an unshakeable thirst for adoration and attention, that he now has resorted to not only barking orders at his love, poor Audi, at every turn on the pitch, but it seems he has forced Audis mother Mrs. Audi to come and watch him strut around the field as well! Unfortunately at one point Mrs. Audi must have been too vocal in her adoration, as Relentless was actually heard shouting in her direction, take it easy, youre ruining me for everyone. Well said Relentless, please everyone be sure to take note.The next person who truly deserves to be congratulated here is My Club/The Ninja of Death. I will set the scene for those not fortunate enough to be present;A free hit to the opposition, My Club lined up in front. His gaze steely. His expression cold, defiant. Under his breath those closest could hear him utter, you shall not pass, slamming his stick on the ground as he said the fateful words (Gandalf the Grey would have been proud). The free hit was taken, and My Club made the tackle. No one saw the blade (that is the ninjas gift) whipped out from the length of his shorts, snicker-snack went the weapon, and the dragons players arm was loped off. To the untrained eye, it had been a clean tackle, and everyone apart from Groomer (and my TWO trained eyes) was left to wonder the mystery of why a bloody appendage lay strew on the dark green turf of Baker field.(However in all seriousness, from all of NYCFHC and myself please get better soon Ahmed).Now on to the celebrations.Quite a decent crew made it to the clubhouse with some new faces to boot! (well new to me anyway). I must preface this part of the blog by making a confession. I was not in the best of form. I tried valiantly not to let it show. But if I am being honest, I felt like an Eastern European gymnast who has failed to stick a landing. Starved, beaten, battered and bruised. And that was just my liver. Having failed on my quest the day before with Fitch to find the holy grail. Instead finding full, and leaving empty glasses in our wake, the gargantuan effort from our imperious trek had left me somewhat jaded. Evidently it was not hard to tell. As is the Dutch way, NSG, seeing my moment of weakness pounced. It was a touch the cup beating the likes of which you have never seen or will again. Manny Pacquiao leaves fighters looking in better shape, and NSG was taking a page out of his similarly statured counterparts playbook. Hendrix was getting in on the fun as well, refusing to consume herself on account or her rash (which needed medication) she was more than happy to dole out the punishment with hideous delight! But my misery was far from over. Buke, with his shocking gestures and innuendos, and his deceptively high bouncing (btw this caused a great splash whenever he would make a shot but I am starting to think Buke might like this) was not to be left out of the fun. I was down and almost out, this was a Jack Bauer size crisis (for I never lose at the game of Drink), it was over or was it?For was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Was it over when RGGs latest album hit 34765 in the charts? NO! A firm hand reached down, picked me up off the mat of shame, and worked with me to show the world the biggest reversal of fortune since Tonya Harding took a crow bar to Gilloolys leg. NSG knew it. Hendrix knew it. Even newcomer Starfish knew it. For when Gandhi/Cobra and I were working together, there was no stopping us. That is until My Club, social president for a day, and Man of the Match changed the game, saving NSG from a fate worse that Dutch death.We took our seats and the game of numbers began. Now let me make a point to some of you readers out there. Just because you coach at an Ivy League school, does not mean you went to one. And if you did, being book smart does not make you drunk smart. Because for newbie Ivy and old hand Pearl, counting past 5 was such a challenge, it would have been like asking Creepy, well, not to Creep! This combined with a certain member of another club making ridiculous rules willy nilly, proved too much for a broken man to bear. I stood up, took a bow, and bid the cheering masses farewell.Another epic Sunday in the books.Thank you to all who attended and continue to make NYCFHC the most envied club in all the land. GroomerUpcoming Social events.The NYCFHC Easter Kegg Hunt. Date TDB

TEAMRULES

TEAM RULES (consensus-built):

1. Phil Pineo will never ever have any association of any description with this club. 2. Never ever put down an empty glass however, an empty glass or vessel may be put down once acknowledged by another member of the social circle. 3. No crying - ever! 4. Player of the Match will be exempt from match fees for the game. 5. Nominated and voted-for "Dck of the Day" must wear the associated Orange visor for the duration of all socials and bring it to the next social event until a new "Dck" is nominated. 6. You may not use the word "Drink" during the team socials 7. Social consuming with left hand, penalties with right hand 8. No explaining rules or coaching. If caught coaching the opposite sex the fines are DOUBLED. 9. No swearing /cursing, this is a polite club.10. No pointing with a finger whilst in consuming games.11. No telling lies - if caught, fine is to be determined by Social Chair or Consumption circle President.12. Social attendance is to be encouraged at all times, fines will be administered at earliest convenience for unexplained absences.13. Touching of your phone or blackberry is prohibited without permission from social chair or circle president. 14. No excuses, play like a Champion!15. Members of the club must be referred to by their given nickname during all gaming activities. If you do not have a nickname, you will given 5 seconds to come up with one of your own. Should you not come up with one of your own, one will be appointed for you. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..16. Man of the Match will be the imbibing circle President, if absent, Social Chair will take over duties.17. Social members are always more than welcome, and actively encouraged.18. Pre-match team shout will be "The European Techno Pigeon" - the shout is "Hookoo, Hookoo"19. 2nd Half team shout will be "Een Twee, Drie, - Eikel" (Please see NSG for a translation.....)20. Any form of spillage will result in the spiller consuming twice the amount spilt21. New members to the imbibing circle shall be read the rules once.22. DoD must write match report, failure to submit in timely fashion will be met with death.23. Permission to attend the bathroom must be sought from the Circle President or Social Chair (which is technically always given, except in cases of very bad behavior).24. The really hom Mountie will never be associated with NYCFHC
CONTACT US

CONTACT us

Men's Social Secretary - Tom Sheridan Tom.sheridan_us.icap.com Ladies Social Secretary - Marloes Van de Venn m_vd_ven_hotmail.com Communications/Web- Glenn Shirley grshirley_gmail.com Treasurer –-Steven “Van der Voort Steven.vanderVoort_imc-am.com Tour Secretary/Indoor Coordinator – Aparna Wilder aparnaswilder_gmail

PROFILES TEAM AWARDS

TEAM awards

Season 2010/2011 Best Newcomer Male: Chris "Buke" Andrews Best Newcomer Female: Sue "Boots" Williams Filth Award: Tom "Groomer" Sheridan Dick of the Season Male: Mark "Bungle" Brazier Dick of the Season Female: Lauren "Hendrix" Hanna Best Veteran: Glenn "Fingers" Shirley & Andy "Tyler" Chambers Best Tourist: Todd "Toad" Portsmore Ladies Player of Season: Aparna "Hamster" Wilder Men's Player of Season: Will "Fluffer" Brown Club Person of the year: Marloes "Ben je Nat" Van de Ven Top Scorer Men: Tom "Groomer" Sheridan Top Scorer Women: Lauren "Hendrix" Hanna

Page 12

Other 2010-2011 reports:

MATCH reports NYCFHC Men

> 09-12-2010

Match Report October 31, 2010 NYCFHC Men vs NY Islanders: 4 - 4 This match report should have been written by the DoDGroomer. Unfortunately, he was DoD because he did not turn up to the game, and therefore has no idea what occurred and his match report would be irrelevant. It was 9am on a brisk Halloween Sunday morning. As we looked across the turf we could see 20 Islanders facing us ready to do battle. Our team consisted of 7 players who had managed to get themselves dressed and up to Baker Fields for 9am in the morning. Was this because of the excess of the Delancey at the awesome Halloween Party on Friday night, or purely the horrific time of the morning? No-one had an answer it appears that no-one had any recollection of the events of Friday evening! Things were not looking pretty!A few stragglers arrived as the horn sounded for the start of the game, but we started a man short and surprisingly this played into our hands allowing plenty of space for the creative hockey that teams are accustomed to from NYCFHC. It wasnt long before a piece of mastery by Bungle created a short corner. MyClub fumbled the stick stop but made up for it by dragging it right and dispatching a looping shot into the far corner to take the lead. 10 minutes later a fresh Fingers was seen running the front line after arriving later, and then the rabble of NSG and his friend Florencio showed up. It was good timing as other than supplying the stick-stop for another short corner unleashed by MyClub, that was pretty much the entire contribution to the half from the Dutch wonders. Their excuse was that they only woke up on MyClubs phone call at 8.55am and had only had 30 minutes sleep after a large party at Chez Groomer. Islanders got on the score sheet from a turnover counter-attack leaving NYCFHC 2-1 up at the break. Toad, Cuts and Fluffer were working hard against the speedy attackers, and Casper, Fingers, Creepy and Bungle were showing their vast fitness working back in defence, and occasionally stepping foot outside the attacking 25. The second half turned into an end to end battle with players doing a huge amount of leg work to defend then support attacks. Unfortunately, an innocuous ball into the circle wasnt cleared early and resulted in islanders leveling the score. Not fearing the result, NYCFHC continued to push forward with first Relentless scoring with a solid shot after solid build up play on our right hand side, and then Fingers connected from a long ball into the circle to deflect home. The tiring NYCFHC tried in vain to hold onto their 2 goal cushion, but a direct short corner strike and then an overload on the goalkeeper meant we allowed Islanders back into the game and ultimately left with a draw and 2 dropped points. A disappointing end to a game that NYCFHC dominated. Score 4-4; (Goals S.Gittins, G.Shirley, D.Haydon x 2)MoM = Paul Cuts Cutler for 3 years of solid defendingDoD = Tom Groomer Sheridan for not showing up at all. Special mention to Edan Muppet Lacey who also did not show for the game citing working late!

> 10-10-2010

> 10-17-2010

Page 13 Match Report September 12, 2010 NYCFHC Men vs Westchester: 5 - 0 The new season got under way this last weekend with NYCFHC's opener coming against Westchester on the new Columbia University water base now playing host to all NEFHA hockey matches. In what appears to be a 'business as usual' attitude being cultivated amongst the NYCFHC mens squad, a surgical display ensued seeing New York run out as 5-0 victors. The damp weather did little to shadow a fine overall display from the mens team who kept things similar to what you can find in Tom Sheridan's underwear, short, simple and sweet. Clinical passing, good first touches and good leading off the ball allowed New York to remain dominant throughout the game, little challenge for Tyler playing in goal. Van der Voort and Brown patrolled the central defence and kept any form of attack from the Dutch at bay allowing Portsmore and Evans to push high and provide extra support to the midfield trio of Haydon/Buffler and Sheridan. The usual pacey forward line for New York of Parker/Shirley/Norman once again left little doubt in opposition teams minds that allowing these guys to turn and run was always going to be the wrong decision. The first of 5 goals came from the short corner set piece, Haydon dispatching the surgeon like routine. New Yorks second goal was not long after, substitue and midfield dynamo Simon Gittins providing the extra impetus on the pitch and combining with other sub Mark Brazier who had little to worry about with the finish once Gittins had done all the work to set him up. New Yorks 3rd goal came from lead pace man Glen 'Fingers' Shirley who lived up to his imbibing name delicately fingering in a precision pass from Tom Sheridan. Questions did arise from the opposition as to whether the New York forward had got any touch on the ball but the conference between the 2 umpires confirmed that with so much peanut butter stuck to the top of their mouths, no one could understand the complaints so the goal stood. The fourth goal came just before half time with Brazier claiming the second of his two goals with a tap in at the far post following another short corner for New York. The second half saw only the the 1 further goal added by New York, not a reflection of the constant pressure applied to the Westchester defence, but coming once more from stunning build up play by Gittins allowing Haydon to collect his second of the day with an easy tap in. The majority of the second half saw New York camped in the opposition half and attack after attack sadly did not result in any further goals, parker and gittins both missing simple finishes, although the latter of the two players had pointed out a flaw in the water base pitch which had caused the ball to act differently and affecting his shot (a technical point the field officials are appreciative of him pointing out for them to deal with). The game sadly ended somewhat heated as the Dutch outfit became more and more frustrated with their poor display and inability to pass, stop and shoot (3 pretty important things in the game). The blow on the final whistle saw New York take the honors and points starting the season as they mean to continue. A good display and strong team performance have set the stall for the ensuing season, a pattern the squad will look to continue.
Page 14 Match Report October 10, 2010 NYCFHC Men vs GFHC I: 2 - 8 On what will be a game to forget for NYCFHC Men, missing a few key players meant that NYCFHC struggled to contain a free-scoring Greenwich outfit on a hot and sunny day at Columbia University Baker Fields. Adopting a change of style, NYCFHC sought to thwart Greenwich through a defensive strategy of playing half-court. Unfortunately, the team didnt quite put the strategy into practice, either due to lack of understanding or entirely ignoring the instructions of MyClub. Missing star regulars Steve Not so Gay Van der Voort, Greg Benny Lava Evans, and Mark Bungle Brazier as well as our speedsters Buffy, Shay, & Casper and the enigma that is RGG who continues with his world tour, it was always going to be a tough challenge against the table-toppers. The opening exchanges saw opportunities at both ends, but with Greenwich holding possession, it was only a matter of time before the NYCFHC breeches were opened. Leaving S-Bomb exposed in goal, Greenwich scored two quick fire goals, leaving players unmarked in the circle. The pressure continued to build and a well taken deflection goal and another tap in late in the half made it 0-4, and quite a mountain for NYCFHC to climb. With the missing players requiring a re-shuffle of the team, Relentless was relentless at Centre Midfield, Muppet was showing his quality early passing and fleet of foot at Right Half, and Toad showed that age was no factor by allowing an OAP run round him time and again. Fluffer and Cuts stood strong at the back, distributing to a fairly static midfield and forward line. MyClub was doing his best to lower his level to pre-elementary school by making errors with every touch, and a fired up and sober Groomer at inside right was putting himself about. The frontline rotation of Fingers, Caesar, Tyler and Audi was well supported by new father Creepy who had a quiet game as his beautiful baby dozed on the sideline. The highlight of the half was probably Relentless sprinting 50 yards to come to the rescue of his damsel in distress, when Audi saw a stick flash past her face. Relentless was heard to comment if you damage her face, I will cut you!.. In the latter stages of the half, NYCFHC showed some promise by attacking hard and earning several corners, which were saved well by the Greenwich goalkeeper. The second half saw NYCFHC come out smiling, and the new attitude reaped benefits as the game see-sawed. NYCFHC were guilty of pressing too high, leaving the defence short and a few breakaway goals for Greenwich. However, NYCFHC got on the score sheet from a rifle of a short corner drag flick from Groomer. It is clear that the speed that was generated from this flick was on a par with Sohail Abbas at his prime. The celebrations were reminiscent of the Chicago team having upset NYCFHC in the summer of 2009! MyClub added to the score, unfortunately in his own goal, deflecting a short corner hit past S-Bombs guard. Just prior to the final whistle with the score showing 8-1, a piece of magic build up by Creepy and Tyler gave the ball to Relentless at the top of the circle who made a mockery of James Michael Michaels with some sublime skill before rocketing a shot into the far corner. It was a fitting end for NYCFHC, who had fought gallantly but come up against a strong Greenwich team. Lessons were learnt, which need to be taken through the season.. The major one dont go visit your lovers when we have difficult scheduled games!S-Bomb was rightly lauded as MoM, with plenty of good saves, and MyClub picked up DoD shirt and visor for missing the post-match debrief. Final score 2-8 (goals Groomer, Relentless).
Report W 20111113

MATCH reports NYCFHC Ladies

November 13, 2011 - NYCFHC vs Greenwich Rovers : Won 4-3After celebrating the completion of my first marathon Saturday night, I was completely unprepared for MTAs utter lack of A trains in downtown Manhattan. After an hour and a half ride on several different subway lines, I made it to the game late and a little disoriented from the lift of my self-imposed prohibition.With one look at MyClub I knew I had solidified my position as DoD but I jumped right in on the offensive line. In the twenty or so minutes that I missed, the score was 2-2. Im not very clear on the details, but I heard Snake Eyes finally scored. Somewhere in my first bout on the field, it went to 3-2 Greenwich obviously Im still fuzzy on the details.Early in the second half, NYC broke the tie on a corner and very quickly came charging down the field with impressive finesse between Hendricks and Pearl. Despite some questionable calls, we were able to hold onto our 4-3 lead with some remarkable work by Slider and our awesome defense. From now on, I will religiously check mta.info before heading out.This is the best i could do with my limited memory of the game!Sarah "Starfish" Louie---Goals: Elvira "Snake Eyes" Driessen, Katie "Pearl" Grant, L. Miller, Lauren "Hendricks" HannaMoM : Andrea "Slider" Derricks (for lots of high quality saves, keeping the team in the game)DoD : Sarah "Starfish" Louie (for showing up close to half time!)
Mens Reports Match Report NYCFHC vs GFHC I, March 27, 2011Looking back, I blame the whole day on the sunglasses. I mean, let me tell you about the match and you can decide for yourself.I started out my day, as any good American would, with some cheers. Today was game day. Lets go New York, Lets go Lets go New York, Lets go! After several rounds, I was satisfied that today was going to be a good day. I arrived at the pitch early to watch some of the other matches, then got myself prepared to face the Dreaded GFHC Is. Side Note: Contrary to popular belief, it is an I, not a 1. I was excited for my first real chance of the half to wear my newly purchased safety sunglasses. They made me look so much faster! The game started out at a fast pace with the Is pushing hard against the NYCFHC defense. Luckily, we were able to coerce Audi and Coco into joining us for our game, as we were looking a bit thin on numbers. Our desperation reaching a new low as we let yet another goalkeeper (Buke) play out on field! Then I noticed my first problem with my sunglasses. I wasnt being recognized by my team mates. It was the only logical explanation to why we kept hitting all of the free hits directly up the middle or short right. I mean, even Groomer called, See Todd, See Todd. I thought, This plan was Not So Good. We were then honored by the arrival of the rest of our team about 20 minutes into the first half, giving us some subs and much needed rest. Our club president/league president/official heckling/player/coach MyClub, lead a graceful and calming halftime speech to rally the team. My suggestion to lead the team in a Charge cheer was turned down. It was almost un-American. I decided to ditch the glasses and get on with things.The second half our 8 (counting the players that were passing to each other) were able to secure a goal on a penalty corner. It was a beautiful drag by none other than Groomer. He was able to do what none of the other usually useful and more talented players were able to do!As the end of the game drew near, our 8 pushed up the field in an attempt to even the score. The plan was working brilliantly until the Is were able to score on a breakaway and make the final 3-1.The opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinion of NYCFHC, NEFHA or any affiliates due to the tainted view through the Safety Sunglasses.
SC 4-18-2011

Groomer's SOCIAL corner

Social Corner - April 18, 2011Occasionally in life you get the opportunity to see and do something completely different. This was one of those times. I was well aware of the importance of the game the NYCFHC boys had against the Royal Dutch foes, but I had been given a better offer. And no, it wasnt a romantic jaunt to Paris, or Hot-ballooning in the African Serengeti..it was a trip to Nashville to hoe-down with some Rednecks. If there is one thing I know more about than Oil derivatives and distillates, its the burn of bright sun on the back of my big ole neck! So donning my recently acquired cowboy boots, finishing my new mullet haircut with a Stetson and finding the finest piece of bark to chew on, I took my place next to Earnhardt Junior and Jeff Gordon at Talladega (See attachment 1). I couldnt have felt more at home. The music, the people, the fine taste in fashion. It was just the break from the buzzing lights of NYC that I needed. Now, I am sure some of my regular readers want to know why I would take my charms down South for a weekend when I could be doing what I do best Draglobbing and beer pong! Well, its pretty simple. I was given orders. There has been a man missing for some months now. He goes by the acronym RGG and his entourage is never far behind him. I had orders and I intended to deliver on said orders. Bring RGG back to the club and forgive him of all his sins. When someone who is like a bandmember to you disappears like this, there is only one thing to do hunt him down in his natural environment. I had all but given up hope when I spotted the vile image of the RGG daisy chain, doing laps of Talladega on a cooler that had wheels. This also solved the other mystery of the missing NYCFHC cooler! See attachment 2So readers, I do truly hope you are grateful. I gave up the chance of adding to my goal tally this season, deprived the club of a social celebration for destroying the clog-wearing cheese-heads, but all in the name of bringing this club back together. We have some awesome socials coming up in the next few weeks as the season draws to a close; come and buy your NEFHA tickets from me, get your Easter bonnets ready for the Easter Kegg hunt and make sure you dont miss our 3rd Annual End of Season Black Tie dinner which looks set to be bigger and better than before!Groomer
SC 4-11-2011

Groomer's SOCIAL corner

Social Corner - April 11, 2011Allow me if you will, a moment to reminisce. None too long ago I was a young precocious lad, on the slight side of muscular in stature, handsome, with an unshakeable confidence in life and all that it was due to bring me. I was receiving the finest education an ill-gotten income could buy. Yes, life was very good. I excelled on the sports field, a scholar in the class room, and quite popular with the ladies as well. It is amusing how little has changed. However what has changed is my appreciation for the finer things, and moments in my, or indeed anyones life. At a younger age I was fairly satisfied to let them pass by without a second thought, but gifts in life should be cherished and savored. I will be eternally grateful to a mister Joseph Cunningham for teaching me this lesson. Ironic really that his initials were J.C., he certainly did have an air of the divine about him. But it was one morning, when I was around 16, sitting at a desk in Jesus philosophy class he informed us that we would be writing our own obituary. The obvious point of the exercise was to make us appreciate that life was indeed finite, and that no one, no matter how omnipresent, or omnipotent would be able to escape the reaper when he came to call.Why I mention this you ask? Well, unfortunately, we have to start todays corner at the end. The end of Buke. It seems we knew him for so short a time. My Club actually remarked to me on Sunday that it was one of the most painful experiences a father can go through, watching one of his own children pass away before him. For those of you that have not heard, I am saddened to inform you that Buke finally succumbed to his long fight with Wearingthetrousersitis. He had battled so hard in the recent months to hold on to the little power and dignity he had left, but alas, this is a crippling and ugly disease that will leave you weak and emasculated when it has had its way with you. And I assure you, once gone, the Trousers can never be recovered.The final moments are not pretty but I feel it is my duty to recount them to you all, he would have wanted it that way.As some of you may recall in my last entry, a small group attended the clubhouse for some post match social hijinx and folly. Now Buke knew he should not have gone, not with his condition tenuous at best. But he is a fighter. He stayed until the late hours of the evening, he drank thru the pain, he disregarded the danger, and consumed like a champion. He did this with little regard for his own personal health or the safety of those around him. By God, if he was going to go out, he was going to go on top, but he was going to go. And so it was that the very same evening after getting into bed with his better half next to him, he finally gave in. And by gave in I mean threw up all over his lovely girlfriend.Now, I have been told on several occasions (usually by my wonderful mother, Mrs Sheridan) that I am not mad at you, I am just disappointed. Well, it actually turns out that Mrs Buke was both mad AND disappointed. She made it quite clear that there would be no more of this behavior tolerated, and, as she had warned him would happen should he continue to behave in such a childish and reckless manor, she took out her samurai sword from beneath the bed and loped off Bukes legs.Thus he is no longer able to wear the Trousers (this might also explain the goalkeeping display on Sunday!). Good luck Buke, if you find RGG while you are dragging yourself around in your naked wasteland can you let him know that he still owes us Subs for this year?There is actually quite a lot to get to this week, so I actually will have to apologize for my brevity in describing to you all how entirely VG, NSG was this weekend. See rather than attend a little soiree I was throwing in honor of his hair on Friday evening, NSG decided it would be more beneficial to him and other dutchies to start a Dutch Voyeurs of America group. Now this type of behavior may fly when your only neighbors are perennial white flag wavers, and a country best known for being more neutral than Vanilla, and its waffles. But let me tell you this, thats not America, thats not even Mexico! I can only further lament his decision in choosing his first target. For it seems the DVofAs inaugural field trip was to go a watch the Womens march on Washington over the weekend. NSG was lucky to make it out alive, Zippy was less lucky. They caught him and shaved off all his wonderful Dutch hair. So sorry Zippy I know how much it means to you guys.I should also mention our new friend Fitch not only did he show up at my little beerpong shingdig on Friday wearing quite possibly the tightest t-shirt since NSGs World Champion 07 effort (ironically of the A&F variety!), but he then missed the huge game v Rye because he was entertaining his parents. We all know that parents get a much better and accurate depiction of the life of an Englishman in New York by bringing them to a game to watch your athletic endeavors and then watch you embarrass yourself at the post match circle! Which finally brings us to Sunday afternoon after the hockey. A quick congrats to the ladies on the win, a fine one from what I understand, but only one of you has the staying power of a very liquored up Ben je Nat?. There is a lot I could say here about her performance in the bar, none of which would be complimentary. But instead I will reward what was a very solid effort indeed, staying from her 9am game to come out with the boys after our own 3.40pm game. That type of club support would never be expected, but will most certainly be applauded.Alas, where there is a ying, there is a yang, and Zippy, if you thought you were getting away with one of the worst Irish exits of all time, just after dumping half of your beverage that you could not manage on the floor, you are mistaken. I will give you the benefit of the doubt this once, after a savage feminist beating I will chalk this once up to PTSD, but you have been warned!Well done to all those who did stay, it was a good turn out, and we once again proved how much more awesome we are than Rye. Not on the pitch obviously, we will save that for the play-offs. It should be noted that there were a couple of their ladies who had some staying power, as well as An*l. But I refuse to give credit to that filthy northerner, Monkey. His imbibing skills are the crude product of being bought up on the drink since the age of three, no doubt somewhere in a scouce dockyard. And he has no manners. Normally I would be worried about him reading this and coming after me with the nearest blunt instrument he can find, but I have good reason to question his ability to read coming from Liverpool and all.That is just about it from me, but no blog would be complete without mention how onerous Australians are. Well some of them. I am sure some are fine people, I even lived there for 5 of the better years of my life and found a few to be exceptionally kind, and on the rare occasion even able to understand the Queens English. But sometimes their unshakeable belief that they are king of everything and never wrong at all becomes boring. And I am not even talking about Fingers. He was fairly well behaved Sunday evening. She shall remain nameless (since I have forgotten her actual name; she did however resemble a member of the Jersey Shore cast..) but I have seen less petulance from toddlers who have had their favorite Spongebob episode cut midway through. I will defend you this once My Club, your attempt at humor/compliment, however ill-conceived, was no reason for her to spend the rest of the evening with the look on her face like a man who constantly thinks he had left the gas turned on.GroomerUpcoming Social events. Mark your calendars!Allow me if you will, a moment to reminisce. None too long ago I was a young precocious lad, on the slight side of muscular in stature, handsome, with an unshakeable confidence in life and all that it was due to bring me. I was receiving the finest education an ill-gotten income could buy. Yes, life was very good. I excelled on the sports field, a scholar in the class room, and quite popular with the ladies as well. It is amusing how little has changed. However what has changed is my appreciation for the finer things, and moments in my, or indeed anyones life. At a younger age I was fairly satisfied to let them pass by without a second thought, but gifts in life should be cherished and savored. I will be eternally grateful to a mister Joseph Cunningham for teaching me this lesson. Ironic really that his initials were J.C., he certainly did have an air of the divine about him. But it was one morning, when I was around 16, sitting at a desk in Jesus philosophy class he informed us that we would be writing our own obituary. The obvious point of the exercise was to make us appreciate that life was indeed finite, and that no one, no matter how omnipresent, or omnipotent would be able to escape the reaper when he came to call.Why I mention this you ask? Well, unfortunately, we have to start todays corner at the end. The end of Buke. It seems we knew him for so short a time. My Club actually remarked to me on Sunday that it was one of the most painful experiences a father can go through, watching one of his own children pass away before him. For those of you that have not heard, I am saddened to inform you that Buke finally succumbed to his long fight with Wearingthetrousersitis. He had battled so hard in the recent months to hold on to the little power and dignity he had left, but alas, this is a crippling and ugly disease that will leave you weak and emasculated when it has had its way with you. And I assure you, once gone, the Trousers can never be recovered.The final moments are not pretty but I feel it is my duty to recount them to you all, he would have wanted it that way.As some of you may recall in my last entry, a small group attended the clubhouse for some post match social hijinx and folly. Now Buke knew he should not have gone, not with his condition tenuous at best. But he is a fighter. He stayed until the late hours of the evening, he drank thru the pain, he disregarded the danger, and consumed like a champion. He did this with little regard for his own personal health or the safety of those around him. By God, if he was going to go out, he was going to go on top, but he was going to go. And so it was that the very same evening after getting into bed with his better half next to him, he finally gave in. And by gave in I mean threw up all over his lovely girlfriend.Now, I have been told on several occasions (usually by my wonderful mother, Mrs Sheridan) that I am not mad at you, I am just disappointed. Well, it actually turns out that Mrs Buke was both mad AND disappointed. She made it quite clear that there would be no more of this behavior tolerated, and, as she had warned him would happen should he continue to behave in such a childish and reckless manor, she took out her samurai sword from beneath the bed and loped off Bukes legs.Thus he is no longer able to wear the Trousers (this might also explain the goalkeeping display on Sunday!). Good luck Buke, if you find RGG while you are dragging yourself around in your naked wasteland can you let him know that he still owes us Subs for this year?There is actually quite a lot to get to this week, so I actually will have to apologize for my brevity in describing to you all how entirely VG, NSG was this weekend. See rather than attend a little soiree I was throwing in honor of his hair on Friday evening, NSG decided it would be more beneficial to him and other dutchies to start a Dutch Voyeurs of America group. Now this type of behavior may fly when your only neighbors are perennial white flag wavers, and a country best known for being more neutral than Vanilla, and its waffles. But let me tell you this, thats not America, thats not even Mexico! I can only further lament his decision in choosing his first target. For it seems the DVofAs inaugural field trip was to go a watch the Womens march on Washington over the weekend. NSG was lucky to make it out alive, Zippy was less lucky. They caught him and shaved off all his wonderful Dutch hair. So sorry Zippy I know how much it means to you guys.I should also mention our new friend Fitch not only did he show up at my little beerpong shingdig on Friday wearing quite possibly the tightest t-shirt since NSGs World Champion 07 effort (ironically of the A&F variety!), but he then missed the huge game v Rye because he was entertaining his parents. We all know that parents get a much better and accurate depiction of the life of an Englishman in New York by bringing them to a game to watch your athletic endeavors and then watch you embarrass yourself at the post match circle! Which finally brings us to Sunday afternoon after the hockey. A quick congrats to the ladies on the win, a fine one from what I understand, but only one of you has the staying power of a very liquored up Ben je Nat?. There is a lot I could say here about her performance in the bar, none of which would be complimentary. But instead I will reward what was a very solid effort indeed, staying from her 9am game to come out with the boys after our own 3.40pm game. That type of club support would never be expected, but will most certainly be applauded.Alas, where there is a ying, there is a yang, and Zippy, if you thought you were getting away with one of the worst Irish exits of all time, just after dumping half of your beverage that you could not manage on the floor, you are mistaken. I will give you the benefit of the doubt this once, after a savage feminist beating I will chalk this once up to PTSD, but you have been warned!Well done to all those who did stay, it was a good turn out, and we once again proved how much more awesome we are than Rye. Not on the pitch obviously, we will save that for the play-offs. It should be noted that there were a couple of their ladies who had some staying power, as well as An*l. But I refuse to give credit to that filthy northerner, Monkey. His imbibing skills are the crude product of being bought up on the drink since the age of three, no doubt somewhere in a scouce dockyard. And he has no manners. Normally I would be worried about him reading this and coming after me with the nearest blunt instrument he can find, but I have good reason to question his ability to read coming from Liverpool and all.That is just about it from me, but no blog would be complete without mention how onerous Australians are. Well some of them. I am sure some are fine people, I even lived there for 5 of the better years of my life and found a few to be exceptionally kind, and on the rare occasion even able to understand the Queens English. But sometimes their unshakeable belief that they are king of everything and never wrong at all becomes boring. And I am not even talking about Fingers. He was fairly well behaved Sunday evening. She shall remain nameless (since I have forgotten her actual name; she did however resemble a member of the Jersey Shore cast..) but I have seen less petulance from toddlers who have had their favorite Spongebob episode cut midway through. I will defend you this once My Club, your attempt at humor/compliment, however ill-conceived, was no reason for her to spend the rest of the evening with the look on her face like a man who constantly thinks he had left the gas turned on.GroomerUpcoming Social events. Mark your calendars!
MR 4-18-2011 April 18, 2011: NYCFHC Westchester: 2-1With a late start (7.40pm), and a stern warning the week before that not arriving on time would likely lead to lack of involvement, it was very surprising to see us only have 8 players present at the stated meet time. With a NY Times reporter and photographer present and asking some very pointed questions, its no doubt that his take on the NEFHA league will be that this is very much a recreational league.Anyway, with Groomer preferring to watch Nascar in Nashville and Relentless playing with college girls in Virginia, it was left to the boys to dig deep and pull out a critical win against a fast improving (and highly volatile) Westchester team. With a drizzling of rain, it was the solid back 4 of NSG, Fluffer, Benny Lava and Toad that took control of the game; moving the ball swiftly to allow us to overload the right hand side. With Zippy playing a simple passing game at right midfield, and Bungle supporting at left midfield, the team looked solid and dominated in terms of possession. However, the game was running end to end as Westchester had some competent players through the spine of their team. Through some clever passing between the forwards we were awarded 2 corners in the first half, and it was off the 2nd corner of the game that NYCFHC opened their account with the drag flicking deputy dispatching clinically into the bottom right hand corner whilst laying on the ground. Shortly after, with tempers flaring in the Westchester camps after they complained irrationally about the length of time their yellow card was for (which was given for a crude stick tackle), it was an exceptional passing move which found Fingers in the D who laid it off nicely for Bungle to hammer home from the penalty spot, giving NYCFHC a 2 goal cushion into half time. With a few late arrivals bolstering the substitute base, we were able to rotate the forwards regularly (when allowed by the TD, who declared the PHUN t-shirts as not uniform) and keep hustling in defence. The game became more open and with NSG energetic pushing forward from defence and Fluffer strong and sound in his tackling and distribution, we were able to set Benny Lava and Buffy/Special free on the right hand side for multiple attacks. Navy and Fitch provided great cover in midfield, positioning themselves nicely to break down the Westchester counter-attacks. With the game deteriorating into a spectacle of pot-smoking, cheese-eating, hallucinogenic delusional appeals from our Dutch brothers, and NSG playing the diplomat with some nicely timed put-downs in his mother tongue, it was only a matter of time till our impressive defence would be breached. Buke had been solid all game (people have begun to question why Buke can kick the ball with more power, and keep it much flatter than Groomer, despite them being Groomers pads?) but he was left ruing the opportunity for a clean sheet when a late corner from Westchester resulted in a goalshot going past his legs.only to be expertly finished with a classy and precise deflection by MyClub..when the ball was in fact travelling wide of the post. Classic post-man error which thoroughly deserved the DoD visor and shirt at the end of the day. With Fingers counting down the clock from the sideline and Fluffer holding the ball expertly to wind down the clock, we were able to hold onto our slender lead and take a well earned 3 points and keep the playoff dreams alive! Good work NYCFHC! Present: Chris (Buke), Greg (Benny Lava), Steven (NSG), Will (Fluffer), Todd (Toad), Danny (MyClub), Mark (Bungle), Glen (Fingers), Andy (Tyler), Simon (Buffy), Rudi (Zippy), Nick (Cesar), Connor (Fitch), Stuart (Navy).MyClub
MR-2011-09-25 September 25, 2011: NYCFHC v Westchester: 9-0A humid Sunday afternoon welcomed NYCs second league game this last Sunday, the team facing off against Westchester. Unlike many previous Westchester encounters, it was a pleasure to face the dutch team, who kept their cool and played clean, good hockey with little back chat to NYC players or umpires. Oh waitnothat was just the first 2 minutes!The game from start to finish was dominated by New York, the final score line of 9-0 not doing justice to the amount of opportunities taken and unfortunately missed. Indeed, the game quickly became a display of good team work and simple hockey, New Yorks defence seeing little action for the first 15 minutes of the game. Great communication and passing fromthe back through Fluffer, NSG, Toad and man of the match Fitch allowed for the opening midfield trio of Towner, Babs and Benny Lava to stamp their authority onthe game and take command of the game. Clean, direct running from the forward line carved several opening opportunities for New York but the final touch was lacking until Bungle took one of his thousands of opportunities converting from 1 yard out. More goals followed from well worked moves with Towner and Relentless both converting their opportunities. Relentless then earned a stroke through a fine individual run that saw him treated more like a tree than a hockey player. Unfortunately he then promptly earned himself DoD and its accompanying visor and t-shirt of shame by throwing the stroke a good yard and a half to tthe right of the goal.The second half remained business as usual for NYC with further well worked team goals being added to the ever increasing score line. Frustrations grew amongst the Westchester ranks, and with a yellow card issued, the New York men took advantage to add to the score line. Leo "LioneL" Hauet, Babs and Cesar all chipped in with a goal a piece to take the score to 7-0. Babs then erased the "worst stroke that ever scored a goal" from last week from the minds of the spectators by slotting one in the lower left corner at supersonic speed and Relentless gained one more to take the total toward the ending point of 9. As important as the finishing was, the well marshaled midfield and defense saw NYC keep a clean sheet, an important addition to the overall result and credit to those playing in the back line, and moreover the team defence. The final result showed the sleeping monster that lies within a strong NYC squad, with everyone playing their part and all contributing to the final scoreline. Indeed, it did leave some questioning whose club this is!Man of the Match (MoM) : Conor "Fitch" Doherty (and it wasn't just for his massive guns and tight t-shirt)Dick of the Day (DoD): Simon "Relentless" Gittins Present: Greg "Benny Lava" Evans, Steven "NSG" Van der Voort, Will "Fluffer" Brown, Todd "Toad" Portsmore , Mark "Bungle" Brazier, Glenn "Fingers" Shirley, Andy "Tyler" Chambers, Simon "Buffy" Buffler, Nick "Cesar" Bayvel, Connor "Fitch" Doherty, Simon "Relentless" Gittins, "Simon "Towner" Towns, George "Babs" Miller, Leo "Lionel" Hauet, Chris "Scott Ramsey" Turner, Ollie "?" BrewRelentless
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