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Few people reading this will require an introduction to Alyson Douglas, however not all will realise the depth of her hockey career which spans 30 years and still counting. greenislandladies.co.uk caught up with Greenisland's former club captain who is hoping for a (slightly) quieter season this year as match secretary!
Alyson began playing club hockey as a goalkeeper with Cloughfern Ladies in 1976. Five years later when Cloughfern Ladies folded, Alyson moved to Carrick Ladies where she has fond memories of turning out in defence! "I played right back in Senior League as we only had two recognised defenders. Oh goodness that was scary against Pegasus - Hilary Brady and Jenny Redpath, I had nightmares for years about those two!" Whilst at Carrick, Alyson was forced to miss two seasons due to pregnancy, during which time she showed her dedication by umpiring. "I umpired a semi - final cup match between Pegasus and Carrick on a Saturday and Emma was born on the Monday morning!"
Illness brought an end to Alyson's time at Carrick, as a bout of meningitis closely followed by pneumonia saw her miss two full seasons. During this period of sickness Alyson was disappointed not to hear from Carrick team mates, so when Greenisland approached her in 1996 to ask if she would be interested in doing some umpiring, Alyson was delighted and did not hesitate to return to the hockey scene.
A number of ladies playing for Greenisland at this time were friends of Alyson's over the years and her first impressions of the club were very friendly and good craic. Many a good night out was had in the next few years and in particular Kathy Pogue's hen day with suspects including Liz Mackintosh, Maggie Smythe, Lesley Stewart, Alison Farr and other ladies who are now retired. Alyson was very honored to be asked by Lesley Stewart and Kathy Pogue to join Greenisland Ladies. However it was more than just socialising and umpiring that Alyson brought to Greenisland, as she took up yet another playing position of centre forward!
Greenisland 2nd XI were in Junior 3 when Alyson joined and she captained them to a league title and promotion in the 1997/98 season. That team featured girls such as Tara Connor, Karen Whitehead, Judith MaCartney, Judith Sweeney and Rachel Whiteside. Alyson scored a number of goals that season, particularly in local derbies against Carrick, Ballyclare and Larne. Fittingly, Alyson rounded up that successful season with a hat trick in the final match.
At Greenisland Alyson's favourite position was up front and she describes herself as a natural poacher, with short corners her specialty. She says "I still love being a left wing, just something about it. You need a little bit of cheek to play on that side of the pitch."
Hockey tour, Glasgow, 1998. "Janice Gawley so hung over on Saturday that I wasn't able to get off the pitch to recover because she was in no fit state to play and slept on the sideline! Norma with a pop sock over her head dancing in the middle of a rugby club, nightmare!"
Alyson has distinct memories of being the oldest ball girl in the UWHU. At the inter provincials held in Ulster one year Greenisland were asked to provide ball girls. "Karen Elwood did not pick up the girls she was supposed to be taking so when I arrived with my car load we were still a couple of girls short. I ended up taking my place with the youngsters until help arrived!"
Being Club Captain for three seasons was a very proud time for Alyson and although it was very time consuming she loved doing it. "It gives you a greater outlook on the running of the club, from the coaches down to the youngest members of the junior club." As Club Captain, Alyson never queried being called upon and had one season where she turned out for every side in the club from 1st XI through to 5th XI! Prior to this Alyson had been captain of different sides in the club and served on the committee for a number of years.
Two more Douglas girls are now members of Greenisland Ladies, daughters Emma (17, far right) and Sara (14, middle right) have been at the side of a hockey pitch from the minute Alyson was able to return to umpiring after giving birth. Emma has just completed her fourth season with Greenisland as she started before the Under 14s were set up, else she would surely have a couple more years under her belt. She played her first season with Alyson on the 5th XI and has worked her way up to playing on the 2nd XI on a regular basis last season. Last season Sara put on a keeper kit a couple of times at training and is showing a bit more interest in hockey that before. Alyson is very proud of them both, "I would love the opportunity to play with both of them in the same team or umpire them both on the same pitch."
"To continue bringing in players on our 5ths, who enjoy the game and play for their shirts every week. A lot of players could learn from the enthusiasm of these players. Also to continue going forward as a club, with a new pitch and young players to take us forward. Senior 1 or Senior 2 for our 1st XI and good placement for our other sides. "
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| 05-Sep-2008 19:50 | |||||||||||||