21.11.2014: We were delighted to read in the Liverpool Echo (by Alan Weston) that Robert Adams, a retired teacher is hoping to become the oldest hockey player in the world.
“Robert, 84, will be playing a full match with the West Derby Hockey Club’s 3rd team over the weekend, in the hope he will smash the current world record which was held by an 83-year-old New Zealander and has stood for around five years.
He will be making his world record attempt when his team meet with the Wigan side Golborne in the North West Hockey League on Saturday.
It will involve Robert playing two halves of 35 minutes each.
He will need to have his world record attempt verified by the officials organising the game before it is sent to the Guinness Book of World Records for their consideration.
Incredibly, the granddad-of-two has been playing with the same team since making his debut as a 14-year-old back in 1944, except for a four-year break when he moved down south to pursue his teaching career. But he never stopped playing hockey.
Robert, who was born in Fazakerley and now lives in St Helens, still plays as full-back with West Derby most weekends. However it was rare he played a game all the way through, as under the rules of hockey the same player can come off and on again as a substitute multiple times. (as us hockey players know!)
He said: “It was my eldest daughter who drew my attention to the world record, so I just thought, well, why not?
“My team-mates think it’s great and they’re very supportive. But my wife Elsie’s not too keen – she thinks I should have stopped years ago!
“I have now been playing continuously for 70 years. I just enjoy the game, and it’s kept me healthy enough to go on playing.””
The European Hockey Federation would like to add to his wellwishers tomorrow! Good luck Robert…
Source and photograph: Liverpool Echo (Alan Weston)
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