Beeston hockey champions

Beeston were crowned as champions of the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Championship after beating Surbiton 5-1 in the final at Reading Hockey Club on Sunday.

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Tributes paid to Beeston Hockey Club president

by Mike Dolan

Beeston Hockey Club have paid tribute to their president David Williams who died on Friday.

Mr Williams who was 67 collapsed at home after watching Notts County earlier in the evening.

Mr Williams, MBE, had a long association with the club and had previously been chairman.

Graham Griffiths, manager of the Men's First XI, described the news of his death as shocking.

On Sunday, with four games still to play, Beeston secured top spot in the Premier Division after beating East Midlands rivals Loughborough Students 7-4. It guarantees them a place in Europe and means they will be the top seeds for the end of season title play offs.

Four sides will compete for the title at Reading on April 13-14th with Beeston playing the side which came fourth in their semi-final.

Beeston Hockey Club win league for the first time

Beeston Hockey Cub have won the Premier Division for the first time in the club's 106 year history.

It comes two days after the death of Club president, David Williams MBE, who was honoured with a minute's applause before the beginning of the match.

Beeston began well, eventually running out 7- 4 winners over Loughborough students. The win has earned them the title with four games to spare.

Minute's applause held for Beeston club president, David Williams MBE Credit: ITV News Central
It's the first time the club have won the elite league title in its 106 year history Credit: ITV News Central
The East Midlands sides are among the best teams in the country Credit: ITV News Central
Mascots posing before the match, which began at 2pm Credit: ITV News Central
The club billed the game as "Hockey Super Sunday" Credit: ITV News Central

Freezing conditions prevents record turnout at Super Sunday

The club had billed this game Super Sunday. With a host of international players on show for both sides they had hoped to attract a record breaking crowd of 800. But the freezing conditions meant in the end there was around half that number.

Claiming the league title means Beeston automatically qualify for the European hockey league.

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Minute's applause in memory of Beeston Hockey Club's president

Club president, David Williams MBE Credit: Beeston Hockey Club

A minute's applause is being held at the beginning of today's hockey match beween Beeston Hockey Club and Loughborough Students, in memory of Beeston's club president who died on Friday night.

It's believed that David Williams MBE died of a heart attack.

David was the Club President for many years and was also heavily involved in Nottinghamshire Hockey, having previously been the Chairman of Nottinghamshire Hockey Association.