A retired Market Drayton man is getting set to represent the UK as a tournament official in the European Hockey League finals in Rotterdam.
Colin Barthorpe, a former captain of Market Drayton Hockey Club, will be one of only two British officials responsible for the organising and running of the event in Holland which starts on May 30.
The role, which is similar to a fourth official in football, means Colin is responsible for making sure games are organised and on time as well as recording incidents and controlling the substitute benches and managers.
Colin said: “When the competition started there were three clubs from England involved but unfortunately they have all been knocked out now.
“There will be one umpire from the UK out there and I am going as a technical official so we will be representing the UK.”
Colin has been a technical official and tournament director since 1991 after retiring from playing. He was captain of Market Drayton Hockey Club for three years and also played for Shropshire in the county league.
He said: “When I stopped playing I moved into umpiring but then got injured and decided to become a technical official. I have been very lucky because I have travelled all over Europe and to other parts of the world.
“I was also an official at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 which was an excellent event.”
Alongside his hockey commitments Colin is also the scorer for the Shropshire Cricket Club.
He said: “I stopped playing hockey at 38 and cricket at 44. I am a sports man and a retired PE teacher and I wanted to still be involved. One or two people suggested I move into umpiring so I thought I would.
“Playing and officiating in hockey has enabled me to make some wonderful friends all across the world and given me opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have had.”
By Joseph Masi
