England Hockey League, Men’s Premier Division Preview: Part 2.

The Top of the D has already looked at half the teams in the Men’s Premier Division here. Now comes the other half of the division in part two.

Team: Hampstead and Westminster.

Final Position Last Season: 7th.

Key Men: Dan Fox, the cult hero of Twitter and the subject of #Foxfacts also plays a bit of hockey. He will be buoyed by his Olympic experience and will be tasked with marshalling a defence that shipped 49 goals last season, only the two relegated sides conceded more. If there’s a man for the job of sortin that out, it’s Fox.

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Investec Women’s Premier League Preview, Part 2.

Part one of The Top of D’s preview of the Investec Women’s Premier League is here. Read on for part two:

Team: Reading

Final Position Last Season: 1st in the League, runners up in the Championship Play offs.

Key Players: Well, start with the obvious: Alex Danson springs to mind straight away. The league’s top scorer last season with 18 goals, Danson is a class act. An FIH World All Star, Olympic Bronze Medallist, joint top scorer at London 2012, Investec Premier League Player of the year, the list goes on and on. Danson will give Reading a goal threat that other sides will struggle to match. Continue reading

Investec Women’s Premier League Preview, Part 1.

The Top of the D has previewed the Men’s Premier League in part one and part two. Now it’s the turn of the women:

Team: Bowdon Hightown.

Final Position Last Season: 5th in the league, 3rd after losing to Reading in the Championship Play Offs.

Key Players: Seasons come, and seasons go, but one thing you can guarantee is that Tina Cullen will always score goals. 17 in the league last season for the evergreen striker and she shows no signs of letting up. Expect her to show people that age is just a number as she tears defences apart again.

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England Hockey League, Men’s Premier Division Preview: Part 1.

With the new England Hockey League season almost upon us, The Top of the D looks at the teams in the Premier League and assesses their chances. Here is part one.

Team: Beeston.

Final Position Last Season: 2nd (League.) Lost to Reading in the Championship play-offs.

Key Men: Harry Martin will be on a high coming off the back of a successful tournament at London 2012. Expect him to shine in the league this time out. Continue reading