Wimbledon Hockey Club’s director of hockey Ben Marsden hailed the hard work of everyone at the club after a historic weekend saw them crowned national champions.
Not only did Wimbledon lift the EHL Premier Division title for the first time in the club’s history, they have also claimed a place in next season’s Euro Hockey League.
At the finals weekend, held at the Lee Valley, Wimbledon beat neighbours Surbiton 2-0 in the semi-final, before over-powering East Grinstead 8-5 in the final.
It marked the culmination of seven years of hard work, and a remarkable turnaround in fortunes.
Marsden said: “We owe a lot to Richard Creed and Richard Holliday, the co-chairmen in 2008, who came in when the club was in decline and dropping through the London leagues.
“Fortunately they employed me as director of hockey, and they put the call out to turn the club around.
“They had the vision, and it came true last weekend.”
He added: “Credit must also go to David Bunyan as coach, he has been a driving force behind the successes we have had.
No way through: Wimbledon keep out the Surbiton threat in the 2-0 semi-final win Picture: Jon Sharman
“Winning the title means everything, the huge amount of work that has been put in has been rewarded.
“I am not just talking about the players and coaching staff either, the entire Wimbledon Club came to the weekend and cheered us on, it’s been great.”
The arrival of Aussie goal machine Blake Govers in February for the injured Phil Roper proved vital in the season’s run in, and he waded in with six goals last weekend while Steven Ebbers, Jack Waller, Phil Ball and Alistair Brogdon also scored.
Govers, who is in talks about staying on next season, has scored 10 goals in five games, including five in the final on Sunday.
Marsden said: “For an 18-year-old he has very wise shoulders, and he has scored some crucial goals this season, turning draws into wins.
“He is deadly from corners, and that can settle a team down, which is what happened in the final.”
Wimbledon now head to Europe, and Marsden is prepared for the learning curve that entails.
“We want to be as well prepared as possible, but it will be about learning our way and making progress as the season continues.
“We also want to be reaching the domestic finals weekend on a consistent basis.”
He added: “For the time being, winning the title is just starting to sink in, it has been an amazing season.”
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