The 2009/10 season approaches and as always change is never far from Legends hockey, usually it is a new league to play in or a different kit, but this year it is a big change that would be hard not to notice.
A recruit to Legends brand hockey in the 2004/05 season when Bangor 5s were en route to a 20 win season, it is in 2009 that we say a heartfelt farewell to faithful right wing stalwart, Gerry “follicle” Hamill.
Known for age defying speed, goal scoring and goal creating savvy, and an unparalleled desire to win, Gerry helped our team with an average age of about 18 mature and grow into perennial contenders for titles, regardless of what league in which we plied our trade.
It was not all plain sailing from the start, which makes the story even greater to remember, I recall our second 5s Vs 6s match in junior 6, where I had failed to contact Gerry after a cry off the night before and out of principle (quite rightly, thought I didn’t see it at the time!) he chose to play for the 6s, 2-1 up at half time with Gerry instrumental in their goal, I was fretting, the comfortable win in the second half for the 5s did not make me forget that this “old man” was a player that we needed. And so, fully recruited to the 5s cause, it was only a few games in, when during a freak warm-up accident where Gerry had pushed out a short corner that was hit hard, Dave Stewart pulled off a usual great save but deflected it straight on to our newest right winger’s eye! 6 weeks of I’m sure, painful rehab, did nothing to curb the man’s enthusiasm for the game or dampen his spirit, as after his return for many games the opposing left back was left cursing as those powerful legs pumped like pistons, flying down the wing to feed the lucky forward for goals, goals, goals!
The captain of the infamous STORM team in Bangor, the man knows good team spirit when he sees it, and it serves a reminder to all players young and old, that it is these teams that you should reward with your loyalty. It was this loyalty that had Gerry take up the good fight when we left Bangor, and we moved, Gerry and all, to the home of hockey, Deramore. A return of about 45 goals in his Legends tenure, and countless assists, his productivity will be hard to replace, but his lasting effect on his teammates will not be forgotten.
Gerry said that he “Will miss the craic and camaraderie of the Legends and yeh, some great games and memories over the years!!” He went on to say “Sure if I make the Mossley 4s, I know a good left back I can torture for 70 mins!!” Jokes on you G-man, I’ve never been a good left back!!!
I know I speak for many of us when I say no-one would begrudge the G-man a season with his son Phil at Mossley that he’ll be missed at Fortress D.
Cheers Gerry!!
Please leave any messages for the big man in the forums Farewell Gerry!!
