About thetopofthed

Columnist for The Hockey Paper and the man behind The Top of the D. Writer, podcaster, goalkeeper and BBC Sport man. Used to work for Great Britain Hockey and have covered the sport at every major tournament.

Hockey Women’s World Cup: Hollie Pearne-Webb’s double life

Posted on July 20, 2018 by thetopofthed

As Hollie Pearne-Webb strode confidently forward to slot in the winner in the shootout in the Olympic Hockey Final in Rio, more than one person working for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) would’ve been looking at their television screen and exclaiming “Wait. She works in my office!” Pearne-Webb, like some sort of superhero leads an amazing double life: Some days she’s a government management accountant, other days she’s a world-class-athlete. Continue reading →

Danson keen to make a lasting legacy at the Hockey World Cup

Posted on July 5, 2018 by thetopofthed

Winning the World Cup on home soil would be the “icing on the cake” for Alex Danson. However the England captain is just as concerned about the legacy the squad leaves as she is about getting her hands on that glittering trophy at the beginning of August. Continue reading →

Reasons to be cheerful

Posted on April 16, 2018 by thetopofthed

After every tournament there is always time for reflection. The Commonwealth Games is no different. With British interest from England, Wales and Scotland in both men’s and women’s tournaments, this competition has provided more food for thought than usual. However in this case, Gold Coast 2018 has left fans of British hockey with many reasons to be cheerful. Continue reading →

Great Britain victorious in the battle with The North.

Posted on February 15, 2018 by thetopofthed

It was a game in aid of charity but there was nothing charitable about the performance Great Britain put on. They put the Northern Invitational XI to the sword at Brooklands Hockey Club in front of a sell out crowd. Continue reading →

Ben Rawson Charity Game: GB vs The North

Posted on February 12, 2018 by thetopofthed

By now you will have no doubt heard about Ben Rawson. Ben is the Denbigh Hockey Club player who sadly lost a leg to cancer.

Ben was struck down by a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma which affects fewer than 30 teenagers and young adults in the UK every year.

In order for him to begin to participate in competitive sport again Ben will need a blade prosthetic that allows him to run and jump. These are not available on the NHS for people over the age of 18. The cost of these can be in the region of £50,000.

England and Great Britain Head Coach Bobby Crutchley heard of the situation and offered to do something to aid the fundraising. With Crutchley’s strong links to the North of England the idea came up of bringing a Great Britain side to take on a North XI and that’s exactly what is happening on Tuesday 13 February, a 7pm start in front of a sold-out crowd at Brooklands Hockey Club. Continue reading →