Profiles

In October 2009 Beeston hockey club return to European competition for the first time in ten years. Here we look at some of the club's long serving servants.

Dr Hockey

Beeston hockey club have medicine to thank for Martin Keeling's long association with the side.

It was because of medical studies that he first became involved with the Highfields club.

"I was at Nottingham University studying medicine and I couldn't play university hockey on Wednesday afternoons because of my commitment to medicine," he says.

"Beeston hockey club was just down the road. A friend was first team captain so I decided to join and I've been here ever since."

A family affair

The 53-year-old Derby GP has been with the club for 32 years. He only stopped playing when he was 48.

Mike's seen Adam Dixon become an international

"I like the camaraderie of playing in a team. It's a fast game. There's respect of officials that's lacking in other sport. It's pleasurable and exciting."

Nowadays, as well as being first team doctor, he helps develop future talent by running the junior Beeston side with his wife.

It is something they have been doing for the last 15 years.

"We work very hard at recruiting players, networking with local schools, putting on coaching sessions at local schools.

"We offer excellent coaching and prospects in terms of development and it means players travel from all over (to play for us)."

Home grown talent includes David Griffiths who is now a full Welsh international and Adam Dixon who is an England international and won a European Cup gold medal with England.

The doctor will see you now

On match day Martin reverts to his day job being on hand in case of injuries on the pitch.

"The most common are those caused by the power of the ball.

"Facial injuries are a potential problem. It's why we insist on all juniors wearing gum shields and hopefully the adults do that as well although we don't have as much control over them as the juniors."

Onwards and upwards

Martin's passion for Beeston shows no sign of diminishing as he continues to take on new responsibilities.

"It's the only club I could ever envisage representing in any capacity. I'm still hugely enthusiastic about the club. I've recently become co-chair of Beeston. My ambition is to take the club further and hopefully I can do that."