Beeston Director, David Griffiths and Rio Olympian, Adam Dixon. Photo c/o David Kissman.
On a weekend of football and hockey European finals, Beeston Hockey Club have announced the return of their former captain and Great Britain Rio Olympian Adam Dixon from a one year spell at HC Rotterdam. Beeston and Rotterdam recently agreed a groundbreaking partnership and Dixon’s return to his home club is hoped to further cement the relationship. Dixon signed for the Bees at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest FC, who famously won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980 and was full of praise for both his favourite teams.
“It was fantastic to sign for the Bees at the City Ground. I’m a huge Forest fan and signing here is a childhood dream come true! I have had a fantastic season with HC Rotterdam. We achieved our target of EuroHockey League qualification and got so close to winning the championship in the play-off final against Kampong. I’m now looking forward to being back at Beeston with the same aim of EuroHockey League qualification, and then maybe we can start dreaming about a Nottingham team winning European silverware again.”
Beeston Director, David Griffiths, commented, “We are delighted Adam has come home for the 2017/18 season. He was instrumental in the club’s three premier league titles and our past European campaigns; and his year in the Netherlands has added an extra sharpness and a new dimension to his game. He’s also second in the club’s all-time top goalscorer list (behind me!), and I hope I can watch him beat my record this coming season. He’s the best player to sign at the City Ground since 1975 when Brian Clough snared John McGovern, captain of Forest’s European sides.
We have two fantastic squads for next season, with real depth and a great mix of youth and experience. The hard work starts now. I’d like to thank the many sponsors and benefactors who continue to support us in our domestic and European ambitions, and I urge any other Nottingham business leaders looking to support local sport to get in touch with the club.”
Adam and Beeston’s other England & Great Britain stars Mark Gleghorne, Sam Ward and Ollie Willars are competing at the Hero Hockey World League Semi Finals in London starting 15 June, where they will lead England’s bid for World Cup qualification.
Beeston also confirmed the men’s and ladies’ squads for the 2017/18 season.
Men’s 1st XI squad
Lucas Garcia Alcalde
James Albery
James Blackwell
Alex Blumfield
Simon Claris
Matthew Crookshanks
Noah Darlington
Adam Dixon
Marius Gemmel
Robbie Gleeson
Mark Gleghorne
Gareth Griffiths
Elliot Hibell
Simon Hujwan (GK)
Stephen Lawrence
Richard Lawrence
Kyle Marshall
Chris Proctor
Will Powell (GK)
Joe Sharp
Matthew Steventon
Simon Vandenbroucke (GK)
Lucas Ward
Sam Ward
Mark Wadsley
Jonny Wilkinson
Ollie Willars
Ladies 1st XI squad
Tara Aitcheson
Nina Apoola
Esme Burge
Meg Byas
Nicki Cochrane (GK)
Issy Davison
Niamh Elston
Lisa van Ewijk
Paige Gillott
Clara Goni
Hannah Farr
Bella Fisken
Alice Huddlestone
Caro Hulme
Lottie Hulme
Sofie ter Kuile (GK)
Lunjika Nyrienda
Sophie Robinson
Nat Robson (GK)
Fenella Scutt
Rachel Sharp
Abi Speight
Eloise Stenner
Rosy Stephens
Jess Roe
Sylvia Rose
Lottie Ross
Sophie Tait
Fran Taylor (GK)
Rebekah Walker
Phoebe Willars
Maddy Wray
